Disney Casts Colombian-American ‘Shazam’ Star As New Snow White

Rachel Zegler has been cast as Snow White in the upcoming live-action adaptation of the classic Disney animated film.

“Rachel’s extraordinary vocal abilities are just the beginning of her gifts. Her strength, intelligence and optimism will become an integral part of rediscovering the joy in this classic Disney fairytale,” director Marc Webb said in a statement.

Zegler is a relative unknown at this point but she could soon become a household name, as she has several massive projects lined up. She is playing Maria in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story, a role that she landed from an open casting call, and she was also recently cast in the Shazam! sequel.

Beyond Zegler’s casting, little is known about the Snow White film, though it is believed that filming will begin sometime next year. Additionally, it has been reported that the live-action version will expand upon the story from the original film, which is, of course, based on the Brothers Grimm fairytale.

Disney has been making live adaptations of many of its beloved animated films, including Cinderella, The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, and The Jungle Book. Naturally, the studio would eventually want to remake the film that changed animation forever but according to reports, Disney resisted rushing too quickly into the live-action version of Snow White because they want to make sure they uphold the legacy of the original.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarves was the first full-length animated feature made by Disney and immediately became a cultural phenomenon upon its release in 1937. At the 11th Oscars, Disney was awarded with an Academy Honorary Award for Snow White “as a significant screen innovation which has charmed millions and pioneered a great new entertainment field.” The film’s legacy has only grown in the decades since, as it is widely regarded as one of the most groundbreaking movies in the history of cinema.