Rachel Zegler (L); Snow White.Photo: 20th Century Studios; Everett
Rachel Zeglerhas already nabbed her next lead role before herstar-making moviehas even hit theaters.
Zegler, 20, is set to play Snow White in an upcoming live-action remake of the Disney classic, PEOPLE confirms. The new role comes months before audiences can see her debut performance in Steven Spielberg’sWest Side Story, which opens in December. The musical was pushed back a year due to the COVID-19 health crisis.
“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,” Webb said in a statement.
Snow Whiteis the latest of Disney’s live-action remakes. The studio has previously reimaginedCinderella,Beauty and the Beast,Mulan,Aladdin,Dumboand is currently in-production onThe Little Mermaid. Villain origin stories have also gotten the live-action treatment withMaleficentand this year’sCruella.
20th Century Studios
Zegler was an unknown 17-year-old high schooler from New Jersey when Spielberg cast her in his upcoming movie. She’ll play Maria to Ansel Elgort’s Tony in the Broadway adaptation.
In a vlog from April, Zegler recorded herself while reacting to the firstWest Side Storytrailer. The actress was emotional as the clip played and she saw herself on-screen for the first time.
“I just don’t know what to say,” she said in the video. “I FaceTimed Steven [Spielberg] right after [watching the trailer] and I was just like, ‘Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for changing my life.’
“It just feels real now that I made something and people are going to see it. And it’s something that I’m really, really proud of. I had such a beautiful time making it,” she concluded.
source: people.com
