Live-action Snow White to star Rachel Zegler in title role

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

Rachel Zegler's breakout role as Maria in Steven Spielberg's retelling of West Side Story has yet to be seen but the young actress has already found her next big role. "Deadline" reports that Zegler is taped to play Snow White in Disney's live-action adaptation of the classic animated film. Marc Webb is set to direct with production expected to start in 2022.

Talking about Zegler, director Marc Webb said, "Rachel's extraordinary vocal abilities are just the beginning of her gits. Her strength, intelligence, and optimism will become an integral part of rediscovering the joy in this classic Disney fairytale." In addition to casting Zegler, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, the duo behind La La Land, The Greatest Showman, and Dear Evan Hansen, will write new songs for the project. According to "Deadline", the reason the studio has taken its time on this adaptation is that they wanted to get the music just right. The higher-ups at the studio are said to be very excited about what the duo has come up with for the movie.

Zegler's auditions for the role impressed everyone at the studio but it was early footage seen from West Side Story, which is being released by Disney-owned 20th Century, that blew everyone away. Despite meeting with different talent for several months, Webb and studio execs kept coming back to Zegler and that pushed their decision to ultimately cast her. Zegler is no stranger to big auditions. The up-and-coming actress, as a 17-year-old high schooler, beat out more than 30,000 actresses for the role of Maria opposite Ansel Elgort and Rita Moreno in West Side Story. That film hits screens on December 10, 2021.

The casting is also in line with Disney diversifying their Disney Princess characters. This started with casting Halle Bailey to headline the upcoming live-action The Little Mermaid as Ariel and it continues with Zegler. The actress will also be seen joining Zachary Levin in DC's Shazam! Fury of the Gods. Talk about landing some serious big breaks.

What are YOUR thoughts on Rachel Zegler's casting as Snow White?