The Disney princess has long been an iconic mainstay of cinema, and many of the most famous ones will soon be returning in live-action performances by exciting new performers. Ever since 1938's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the studio has not gone too long without returning to its fairy tale princess roots. Naturally, when the trend of live-action remakes of classic Disney fare became in vogue, these stories were the first to be scooped up.
The studio's remakes of Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, and Aladdin breathed new life into iconic animated characters. Naturally, there's more princess material in the Disney catalog to mine, and the upcoming remakes of properties like The Little Mermaid and Snow White are on deck to capitalize on that. In keeping with the times, Disney has also been a refreshing standard-bearer for diversity, casting women from all backgrounds in roles that were initially conceived as white.
There's a lot of exciting material coming from the Mouse House. Here are all of the announced upcoming live-action remakes of princess films, along with the actors who are taking on the leads.
Ariel (Halle Bailey)
After a months-long search, Halle Bailey was cast as Ariel in Disney's upcoming live-action remake of the 1989 animated classic The Little Mermaid. The movie will mark the feature film debut of Bailey, who came to prominence in 2015 with the formation of her music group Chloe x Halle, with her sister Chloe. The duo posted several covers of Beyoncé songs to YouTube and were soon scooped up by the recording superstar before eventually opening for her on the "Lemonade" tour. The film will be directed by Rob Marshall, who helmed the 2002 Best Picture winner Chicago.
Snow White (Rachel Zegler)
Rachel Zegler is already set to make a splash as Maria in Steven Spielberg's remake of the classic American musical West Side Story, releasing December 2021. Before that film has even begun screening, however, it's been announced she will be taking on the role of the Disney princess that started it all, Snow White. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was released in 1937, the first feature-length animated film in history, and is still considered by many to be the best Disney princess movie. As such, Zegler will have big shoes to fill, but director Marc Webb is unfazed, saying Rachel's "strength, intelligence, and optimism will become an integral part of rediscovering the joy in this classic Disney fairytale."
Jasmine (Naomi Scott)
English actor and singer Naomi Scott already knows the pressure of stepping into the shoes of an iconic Disney princess in a live-action remake, having appeared as Jasmine in 2019's Aladdin. After the massive financial success of that film, Disney was quick to green-light a sequel. It's unclear if director Guy Ritchie will be returning for another magic carpet ride, but it's likely actors Mena Massoud, Will Smith, and Scott herself will be back. It's also likely this sequel will not be a remake of the original sequel film, however, instead carving its own path. As producer Dan Lin has stated, "We're looking at [what's] the best way to go with these characters." Whatever the story, fans can almost be certain to see Scott returning as the headstrong (and now happily-married) princess, with plenty of new horizons to pursue.
Giselle (Amy Adams)
While Amy Adams received an Academy Award nomination for her scene-stealing performance in 2005's Junebug, it wasn't until 2007's Enchanted that she had her first major success as a leading lady. 14 years and five more Oscar nominations later, Adams is returning to the role that made her a star in a long-anticipated Enchanted sequel. Nothing is known of the plot at this time, and while there has been no release date set, it's been confirmed that the film will be streaming on Disney+ exclusively. Hairspray director Adam Shankman is set to helm, and Adams will be joined by returning original castmates Idina Menzel, James Marsden, and Patrick Dempsey.