Disney’s live-action remake of its beloved animated classic “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” appears to have found its Evil Queen in Gal Gadot, The Wrap has confirmed.
Gadot, who is in final talks for the role, will join the previously announced Rachel Zegler (star of the studio’s upcoming “West Side Story” remake) in the Marc Webb-directed film, which is scheduled to start production in 2022.
“Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” is a biggie for the studio considering it is based on Disney’s first feature-length animated feature, which became a hallmark of its many global theme parks and is seen as not just a towering technological achievement but a storytelling feat as well. The film, which debuted back in 1937, was a runaway sensation and earned Walt Disney a special achievement Academy Award.
This new live-action adaptation, first announced in 2017, will feature new songs from the songwriting duo of Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (“Dear Evan Hansen,” “The Greatest Showman”). Pasek and Paul are no strangers to the world of Disney live-action remakes, having worked with Alan Menken on two new songs for “Aladdin.” Marc Platt is producing this new film.
The Evil Queen is one of the most iconic Disney villains and it will be interesting to see what Gadot does with it, following in the footsteps of fellow actresses Angelina Jolie, Emma Stone and Cate Blanchett, who similarly turned animated evildoers into flesh and blood.
“Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” joins an ever-growing list of live-action Disney remakes, including a “Cruella” sequel, a “Lion King” prequel (directed by Barry Jenkins), “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” “Hercules” (produced by the Russo Brothers), and “Lilo & Stitch.” David Lowery’s “Peter Pan and Wendy” is the next live-action adaptation scheduled for release and will likely hit Disney+ sometime next year. (The Tom Hanks-led, Robert Zemeckis-directed “Pinocchio” is also being readied for Disney+ but a release date hasn’t been confirmed.)