Rachel Zegler’s Voice Enchants Disney’s New Live-Action Adaptation

When Disney first ventured into live-action adaptations of their classic animated stories, starting with “The Jungle Book” in 1994 and later with Tim Burton’s “Alice in Wonderland” in 2010, it seemed strange that they didn’t begin with their very first animated film, “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” from 1937.

The majority of these remakes, such as Guy Ritchie’s “Aladdin” featuring Will Smith and Jon Favreau’s realistic “The Lion King,” struggled to embody the magic of their originals. Nonetheless, they generated substantial box office revenue, ensuring Disney continued producing them. The Mouse House may have struck gold again after unveiling the first teaser for “Snow White” at D23 on August 9.

Development for “Snow White” started in 2016, sparking interest when Disney and Marc Platt Productions handed the scriptwriting duties to Erin Cressida Wilson, known for films like “Secretary” and “Chloe.” By 2019, Marc Webb, famous for directing “The Amazing Spider-Man” series featuring Andrew Garfield, was announced as the director. Acclaimed songwriters Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, who created new music for the “Aladdin” adaptation, were enlisted to compose new songs for the movie. Additionally, Greta Gerwig was brought on board in 2021 to co-write with Wilson. Around the same time, Rachel Zegler was cast as Snow White, with Gal Gadot stepping into the role of the Evil Queen.

The film’s production encountered several hurdles. Initially, the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the planned 2020 start. Then, a fire in 2022 caused damage to the sets. Furthermore, the film faced backlash for allegedly being too “woke.” Despite these challenges, the effort may be worthwhile. The initial footage showcases Zegler’s impressive singing talent, adding depth to the original music, along with captivating visuals that promise an enchanting yet terrifying journey.

The movie has been slated for release on March 21, 2025, indicating that there is still work to be done and more content to be revealed. If the current glimpses are anything to go by, this could be Disney’s finest live-action adaptation to date.

Watch the teaser for “Snow White” below.