5 Shocking Changes & The Full Cast Profile: Everything About Disney's New Snow White (2025)

The highly anticipated live-action adaptation of Disney’s Snow White is poised to be one of the most talked-about film releases of the upcoming year, not just for its star-studded cast but for the radical changes it is making to the classic 1937 animated film. As of December 12, 2025, the film is officially set for a March 2025 release, but its journey to the screen has been anything but smooth, sparking intense debate and curiosity across the globe. The casting of a new generation of talent, led by the Golden Globe-winning actress Rachel Zegler, has ignited fresh conversations about representation, feminism, and the enduring legacy of the world’s first Disney Princess.

This deep dive explores the full cast list, the complete professional profiles of the leading actors, and the five biggest, most controversial plot and character changes that are set to redefine the beloved fairy tale for a modern audience. Get ready to learn everything about the new faces, the new story, and the new direction of this monumental Disney remake.

The New Faces of a Classic Tale: Full Cast Biography and Profile

The Snow White live-action remake, directed by Marc Webb (known for The Amazing Spider-Man), features a powerhouse cast of established Hollywood veterans and rising stars. The two central figures, Snow White and the Evil Queen, are played by actresses whose careers have already been marked by significant success and, now, intense public scrutiny.

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Rachel Zegler: Snow White

• Full Name: Rachel Anne Zegler
• Born: May 3, 2001, in Hackensack, New Jersey, USA
• Nationality/Ethnicity: American (Her mother is of Colombian descent, making Zegler the first Latina actress to play a live-action Disney Princess).
• Breakthrough Role: María in Steven Spielberg’s 2021 adaptation of West Side Story.
• Key Accolades: Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Comedy or Musical for West Side Story.
• Other Notable Filmography: Shazam! Fury of the Gods (2023), The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023).
• Snow White Controversy: Zegler’s casting sparked a race-related backlash, and she also faced criticism for comments made in interviews where she called the original animated film "outdated" and suggested the new princess would not be waiting for a prince.

Gal Gadot: The Evil Queen

• Full Name: Gal Gadot-Varsano
• Born: April 30, 1985, in Petaḥ Tiqwa, Israel
• Nationality/Ethnicity: Israeli
• Early Career: Won the Miss Israel competition in 2004 and completed two years of mandatory military service in the Israel Defense Forces.
• Breakthrough Role: Gisele Yashar in the Fast & Furious film series.
• Iconic Role: Diana Prince / Wonder Woman in the DC Extended Universe films, including Wonder Woman (2017) and Justice League (2017).
• Other Notable Filmography: Death on the Nile (2022), Red Notice (2021), Heart of Stone (2023).
• Role in Snow White: Gadot takes on the iconic villain role, promising a captivating performance as the Evil Queen, who is obsessed with being "the fairest one of all."

Andrew Burnap: Jonathan (The New Love Interest)

• Role: Jonathan, a new character created for the live-action film.
• Character Detail: Jonathan is introduced as Snow White's new love interest, effectively replacing the classic Prince Florian character from the 1937 original.
• Background: Andrew Burnap is a Tony Award-winning American actor, known primarily for his work on stage, including The Inheritance.

Other Key Cast and Crew Entities

• Director: Marc Webb
• Producer: Marc Platt
• Screenwriter: Greta Gerwig (uncredited reports) and Erin Cressida Wilson
• The Seven Companions: Martin Klebba is rumored to be one of the actors playing a member of the "seven companions."

The Five Biggest, Most Controversial Plot Changes in the Live-Action Remake

Disney’s live-action strategy has often involved modernizing and expanding the narratives of their animated classics. For Snow White, the changes go beyond simple updates, fundamentally altering the core relationships and themes of the original story. These shifts are a direct response to modern critiques of the original film’s portrayal of the princess and its gender roles.

1. The Prince is Replaced by 'Jonathan'

In a major departure from the source material, the character of Prince Florian, who saves Snow White with a kiss, has been replaced by a new figure named Jonathan. This change is significant, as it moves away from the classic "love at first sight" and the damsel-in-distress trope. Jonathan is reportedly a more active, supportive character who is not just a romantic interest but a partner in Snow White’s journey. This new dynamic reflects a modern approach to the princess narrative, where the heroine's agency is prioritized over passive waiting for a savior.

2. The Seven Dwarfs Become 'Seven Companions'

Perhaps the most widely discussed change, the iconic Seven Dwarfs are no longer exclusively male or dwarfs. The new group is referred to as the Seven Companions or sometimes a "band of thieves," and they are cast with actors of varying ethnicities and genders. This decision came after public criticism, notably from actor Peter Dinklage, who called the original film's depiction of the dwarfs "backward." The companions are expected to take a more active, pivotal role in the film's plot, moving beyond their function as simple caretakers for Snow White.

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3. Snow White is a Warrior, Not a Waver

Rachel Zegler herself has emphasized that this Snow White will be a more proactive and empowered figure. The film is rumored to focus less on a love story and more on Snow White's journey to become a leader, a "warrior" who fights to save her kingdom. This aligns with the trend in recent Disney live-action films to give the female protagonist a stronger, more independent character arc, making her a leader rather than a passive victim of the Evil Queen's jealousy.

4. The Story is a Full-Blown Musical with New Songs

While the original was a musical, the live-action version is expected to be a lavish, full-scale musical fantasy film. The film will feature new songs written by the Oscar-winning duo Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (known for La La Land and The Greatest Showman). These new musical numbers are designed to flesh out the characters and explore the updated themes, providing a fresh soundtrack alongside the classic, recognizable melodies. The musical element is a key factor in the film's production scale and will be crucial to the overall tone and success of the remake.

5. The Evil Queen’s Motivation is Expanded

Gal Gadot’s portrayal of the Evil Queen is expected to delve deeper into the character's psychology. While her primary motivation remains the obsession with beauty and power, the film will likely expand on her backstory and provide a more nuanced, complex villain. Gadot has hinted at a performance that captures the Queen's desperation and insecurity, moving beyond a two-dimensional caricature of jealousy to explore the roots of her wickedness. This topical authority on the villain’s complexity is a common feature in modern fantasy retellings.

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The Impact and Future of the Snow White Remake

The Disney live-action remake of Snow White has become a lightning rod for cultural debate. The controversies surrounding Rachel Zegler's casting and her comments have inadvertently generated massive media attention, ensuring the film is already a major talking point well ahead of its March 2025 debut. The debate centers on whether these radical plot changes—replacing the Prince, changing the dwarfs to companions, and making Snow White a warrior—are necessary updates to an outdated fairy tale or an unnecessary alteration of a cinematic classic.

The financial success of the film will ultimately be the determining factor in the future of Disney’s live-action strategy. If the movie, despite the backlash and controversy, manages to resonate with a global audience, it will solidify the studio’s commitment to retelling their classic animated movies with a modern, progressive lens. The performance of Rachel Zegler as the new Snow White is under intense scrutiny, and her portrayal will be a definitive moment in her young, burgeoning career. The world is watching to see if this new, empowered princess can overcome the Evil Queen's magic and the weight of decades of tradition.