Rachel Zegler to Play Snow White in Live-Action Remake
Let’s get one thing straight: if you’re going to be upset that the new Snow White is not a big fan of the old Snow White, you’re doing it wrong. It’s not just that it’s a classic case of the cart being placed before the horse, but you’re also confusing the impact of a character with the ability to portray them.
In the wake of the announcement that Rachel Zegler has been cast as the eponymous Disney princess in the upcoming live-action remake, the talented actor and singer has faced some criticism for comments she’s made in the past about modernising the character, as well as her lack of affection for the animated film that started it all.
Now, I’m not saying I don’t understand where the backlash comes from – to an extent. As a lifelong fan of the original film, I can absolutely see why some might think Zegler’s lack of affection for the animated classic might negatively impact her ability to bring Snow White to life on screen, but it’s a correlation I believe to be inaccurate. Passion alone is not enough to guarantee talent or success.
Just look at some of the most famous actors in the world and the roles they initially mocked. Harrison Ford famously said he “could have done without” the Star Wars films and called his role as Han Solo “the hardest thing I ever had to do”, while Anne Hathaway famously “hated” the idea of playing Catwoman when she was offered the role. Passion alone was not enough to make those films great, and I’m not saying that Zegler is going to be the next Ford or Hathaway, but their reactions don’t necessarily mean they couldn’t have done a good job with the roles.
On the other side of the coin, there are countless examples of people who, despite being apathetic about a project, still manage to deliver a great product. Just look at filmmakers like Stanley Kubrick and Francis Ford Coppola, who turned source material they didn’t love into successful films.
There are countless other examples of people who, despite being apathetic about a project, still manage to deliver a great product.
Similarly, just because someone is passionate about a project, that doesn’t mean they’re going to do a great job with it. There are countless examples of filmmakers, actors, and even fans getting way too attached to something, refusing to see its flaws, and ultimately hindering their ability to create something great. I’m not saying Zegler is going to be the next Kubrick, Coppola, or Ford either, but to say that her feelings about the original film matter is ultimately irrelevant. What truly matters is how she embodies the character and delivers a compelling performance. Let’s just wait and see how her portrayal of Snow White unfolds in the upcoming live-action remake.
