Rachel Zegler, who has recently been tapped to play Snow White in the upcoming Disney live-action adaptation, just went on a delightful trip to Disney World, dubbing it "character research." The 20-year-old rising star is a singer, stage actress, and established YouTuber. Zegler will make her film debut later this year with Steven Spielberg's West Side Story remake where she will play the lead role of Maria. The newcomer auditioned as a teenager and bested 30,000 other girls for the part. Zegler's raw talent got the attention of Disney execs and landed her another major role as the new Snow White.
Released in 1937, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was a truly ground-breaking success in film-making and animation. Over the years, there have been several attempts to create a Snow White live-action adaptation, and Zegler's recent casting means things are finally in motion. The upcoming movie will be directed by Marc Webb (500 Days of Summer, The Amazing Spider-Man) and will feature new songs from Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (La La Land, The Greatest Showman).
Undoubtedly, Zegler is excited to step into Snow White's shoes as she prepares to portray the iconic Disney princess. The young star recently spent some time in Disney World to immerse herself in her new role. Zegler posted a photo of her field trip on Instagram and mentioned in the caption she was there for "character research." In the picture, the actress is seen wearing a red bow and a Snow White backpack as she waves to a truck transporting Disney princesses around the park.
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Zegler also posted a video of the moment on her Instagram stories, where Disney World's Snow White can be seen blowing kisses to her as the vehicle passes by. The actress can be heard giggling in excitement as she savors the experience. Zegler posted more snaps of her fun-filled weekend on Twitter:
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Following Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and Mulan, Disney remains committed to making live-action versions of its beloved animated classics with exciting performers like Zegler. With The Little Mermaid currently in production, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is next on the list. The fairytale is deeply embedded in Disney's history as its first princess movie, and its retelling could be just as significant for both the studio and those who love the original.
Zegler's casting, while surprising and sudden, has been met with a lot of buzz and attention. Although the showbiz newcomer hasn't been around very long, Zegler's very much a star on the rise, also nabbing a role in the DC Extended Universe's Shazam 2. Additionally, Disney has proven its track record in finding raw talent and polishing them to become major superstars, and it's clear Zegler is thrilled about her new part. Even before Snow White begins production, the movie is already generating a lot of additional interest in the actress. It will surely solidify Zegler's presence in the industry when it releases in a couple of years.
Source: Rachel Zegler/Instagram, Rachel Zegler/Twitter