The Seven Shocking Secrets Of Disney's Live-Action Snow White Cast: Inside The 2025 Remake Controversy

The highly anticipated live-action musical reimagining of Disney's *Snow White* is one of the most talked-about film projects of the decade, not just for its star-studded cast, but for the dramatic changes and controversies that have followed its production. As of December 2025, the film is set for a theatrical premiere, promising a bold, modern take on the classic 1937 animated masterpiece.

This article dives deep into the confirmed cast members, the all-new characters, and the behind-the-scenes drama that has captivated fans and critics alike. From the casting of a Golden Globe winner as the titular princess to a former *Wonder Woman* as the villain, here is everything you need to know about the cast and the story updates for Disney’s *Snow White*.

The New Faces of the Fairy Tale: Full Cast and Biographies

The core cast for the live-action *Snow White* features a mix of rising stars and established Hollywood A-listers. The film is led by a young actress who won a Golden Globe for her breakout role, and a global superstar taking on her first major Disney villain role.

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Rachel Zegler as Snow White

• Date of Birth: May 3, 2001
• Nationality: American (Colombian-American)
• Breakthrough Role: María in Steven Spielberg's 2021 adaptation of *West Side Story*.
• Key Achievement: Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Comedy or Musical (for *West Side Story*).
• Other Notable Work: *Shazam! Fury of the Gods* (2023), *The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes* (2023).

Zegler, a powerful singer and actress, was cast in the iconic role of the princess who is "fairest of them all." Her casting was announced in June 2021, instantly making her a global talking point. Her performance is expected to bring a fresh, modern energy to Snow White, focusing on her journey to become a "fearless" leader.

Gal Gadot as The Evil Queen

• Date of Birth: April 30, 1985
• Nationality: Israeli
• Breakthrough Role: Gisele Yashar in the *Fast & Furious* franchise.
• Iconic Role: Diana Prince / Wonder Woman in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) films.
• Other Notable Work: *Red Notice* (2021), *Death on the Nile* (2022).

Gal Gadot steps into the sinister role of the Evil Queen, Snow White’s vain and jealous stepmother. Gadot has expressed excitement about playing a classic villain, noting the fun challenge of transforming from a beloved hero like Wonder Woman to the menacing sorceress who craves eternal beauty. Her performance is expected to be a major highlight of the film.

Andrew Burnap as Jonathan (New Character)

• Date of Birth: March 5, 1991
• Nationality: American
• Breakthrough Role: Toby Darling in the play *The Inheritance*.
• Key Achievement: Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play (2021).
• Notable Work: Extensive career in Broadway and Off-Broadway theatre, including *King Lear* and *Troilus and Cressida*.

Andrew Burnap is cast as Jonathan, a new character created specifically for this live-action musical. Jonathan is Snow White’s love interest, replacing the classic Prince Charming. Burnap's background as a Tony Award-winning stage actor suggests the character will have a significant singing and dramatic presence in the film.

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The Biggest Changes: 'Jonathan' and the Seven Companions

The live-action *Snow White* is not a shot-for-shot remake; it is described as a "reimagining." This approach has led to two of the most significant changes from the 1937 animated movie, sparking considerable debate among fans of the original.

The Introduction of Jonathan, the Commoner

In the original fairy tale and the animated film, Snow White's romantic interest is Prince Charming. The live-action version replaces him with the new character, Jonathan, played by Andrew Burnap.

Jonathan is described as a commoner, not a prince, which aligns with the production's stated goal of creating a more modern and less traditional fairy tale narrative.

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Rachel Zegler herself has emphasized that the new film focuses on Snow White’s journey of self-discovery and becoming a leader, suggesting the romance plot will take a backseat to the princess's independence and ambition.

The Seven Companions (The Dwarfs)

One of the most widely reported changes is the reimagining of the Seven Dwarfs. Following criticism from actor Peter Dinklage about the original film's depiction of the characters, Disney announced they would be taking a "different approach" to avoid reinforcing stereotypes.

The characters are now referred to as the "Seven Companions." While an initial set photo showed Zegler with a diverse group of actors, most of whom do not have dwarfism, Disney later clarified that the companions would be created using a combination of actors and CGI.

The names and specific actors for all seven companions have been kept largely under wraps, but the shift in their portrayal is a central part of the new film’s attempt at a contemporary update.

The Firestorm: Inside the Rachel Zegler Controversy and Disney's Response

No other aspect of the *Snow White* remake has generated as much public discussion as the ongoing controversy surrounding its lead actress, Rachel Zegler. This situation has created a unique pre-release narrative for the film, dominating social media and entertainment news cycles.

The Initial Casting Backlash

The first wave of controversy began immediately after Zegler’s casting was announced. As an actress of Colombian descent, her selection to play a character traditionally described as having "skin as white as snow" prompted a racist backlash from some online critics.

Zegler and the studio stood firm, pointing out that the casting was based on her talent, especially her vocal abilities, and that the modern cinematic landscape demands diverse representation.

Comments on the Original Film

The controversy escalated when Zegler made several public comments suggesting the 1937 animated classic was "outdated." She specifically criticized the original's focus on a romance plot, stating that the new film would focus on Snow White finding her own voice and not needing a prince to save her.

These remarks were met with a strongly negative reaction from a segment of the audience who felt she was disrespecting the source material and the legacy of the original Disney film. Critics argued that the comments alienated the core audience of long-time Disney fans.

Disney’s Reported Response and Delay

Reports surfaced indicating that Disney executives were unhappy with the level of controversy and the way the lead actress’s comments were overshadowing the film's positive message.

The film’s release date was initially set for March 22, 2024, but was later pushed back a full year to March 21, 2025. While the official reason for the delay was the SAG-AFTRA strike, the extensive and sustained nature of the controversies is widely believed to have played a role in the studio's decision to allow the negative publicity to subside before the premiere.

Topical Authority Entities & Key Takeaways

The live-action *Snow White* is shaping up to be a landmark film in Disney’s live-action catalog, not only for its production scale but for its willingness to challenge decades-old tropes. The film is a clear example of Hollywood’s current trend to update classic stories for a contemporary audience, a decision that comes with both critical praise and intense scrutiny.

Key entities and themes central to the film's narrative include:

• The Live-Action Musical: Following the success of other Disney live-action musicals, this film will feature new songs from Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, the Oscar-winning songwriters behind *La La Land*.
• Feminist Reimagining: The core theme, driven by Zegler's Snow White, is a focus on "true love's kiss" being less about romance and more about self-empowerment and leadership.
• The Evil Queen's Transformation: Gal Gadot’s portrayal of the villain is expected to be a dark and complex performance, adding layers to the Evil Queen's motivations beyond simple vanity.
• Diversity and Representation: The casting of Zegler and the reimagining of the Seven Companions are direct responses to calls for greater diversity and a rejection of outdated cultural stereotypes in fairy tales.
• The March 21, 2025 Release: This date is a crucial entity for all marketing and fan anticipation, marking the culmination of years of production and controversy.

With its high-profile cast, a new male lead in Andrew Burnap's Jonathan, and a central performance by Rachel Zegler that has already made headlines, *Snow White* is poised to be one of the most polarizing and financially significant releases of 2025. The final verdict on Disney's bold new vision will arrive when the film hits theaters.