The Fairest And Most Fierce: Unpacking The Full Cast And Controversies Of Disney’s Snow White (2025)

Contents

The highly anticipated live-action remake of Disney's *Snow White* is one of the most talked-about films of the year, scheduled for release on March 21, 2025. This reimagining of the 1937 classic is set to deliver a modern, empowering take on the classic fairy tale, but it has not been without significant controversy and intense public scrutiny. With a star-studded cast led by rising star Rachel Zegler and global icon Gal Gadot, the film promises a visually stunning musical experience, directed by Marc Webb, the visionary behind *500 Days of Summer* and *The Amazing Spider-Man* franchise.

The production aims to shift the narrative from a damsel-in-distress story to one of a young woman finding her voice and becoming a leader, which has necessitated major changes to the original plot and characters. This article provides the definitive, up-to-date breakdown of the full *Snow White* 2025 cast, the new characters, and the key controversies shaping the narrative around the film.

The Snow White (2025) Principal Cast and Character Guide

The core cast of the *Snow White* live-action film features a mix of acclaimed young talent and established Hollywood veterans, bringing a fresh dynamic to the iconic roles. The ensemble is led by a Golden Globe-winning actress and a former Miss Israel and action star, ensuring a high level of star power for the Disney epic.

  • Snow White: Rachel Zegler
  • The Evil Queen: Gal Gadot
  • Jonathan (The New Love Interest): Andrew Burnap
  • The Huntsman: Ansu Kabia
  • Young Snow White: Emilia Faucher

Rachel Zegler: The New Snow White

Rachel Zegler, the actress tasked with bringing the iconic princess to life, is a Colombian-American singer and actress who first gained widespread recognition for her breakout role as María in Steven Spielberg's 2021 adaptation of *West Side Story*.

Biography Profile:

  • Full Name: Rachel Anne Zegler
  • Born: May 3, 2001, in Hackensack, New Jersey, USA
  • Nationality: American (Colombian-American heritage)
  • Breakthrough Role: María in *West Side Story* (2021)
  • Awards: Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy (for *West Side Story*)
  • Notable Filmography: *West Side Story* (2021), *Shazam! Fury of the Gods* (2023), *The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes* (2023).

Gal Gadot: The Evil Queen

Playing the antagonist, the Evil Queen, is the globally recognized Israeli actress and model, Gal Gadot. Known for her powerful screen presence and action roles, her casting as the "fairest of them all" rival has generated immense excitement.

Biography Profile:

  • Full Name: Gal Gadot-Varsano
  • Born: April 30, 1985, in Petaḥ Tiqwa, Israel
  • Nationality: Israeli
  • Military Service: Served two years in the Israel Defence Forces (IDF)
  • Pageantry: Won Miss Israel in 2004
  • Breakthrough Role: Gisele Yashar in the *Fast & Furious* franchise (starting in 2009)
  • Iconic Role: Wonder Woman in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) films, beginning with *Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice* (2016).

Major Plot Changes: The New Character Jonathan and the Prince's Absence

One of the most significant and widely discussed changes in the 2025 live-action remake is the elimination of the classic Prince Charming character. In his place, the film introduces a new male lead named Jonathan, played by Andrew Burnap.

Jonathan is described not as a royal, but as a "Robin Hood-style" commoner and a thief who is caught stealing in the palace and punished by the Evil Queen. His role is to serve as a love interest while also opening Snow White’s eyes to the struggles of ordinary people living under the oppressive rule of the Queen.

This narrative shift aligns with Disney's stated goal of making Snow White a stronger, more independent character whose journey is focused on becoming a leader, rather than simply waiting for a prince to save her. Rachel Zegler herself has commented on the original story's premise, stating that the new film will focus on Snow White's journey to find "true love" in herself, not just a romantic partner.

The 'Seven Companions' Casting Controversy and Public Backlash

The production has faced a storm of "anti-woke" criticism and backlash, primarily centered on two major issues: the casting of the "seven companions" and lead actress Rachel Zegler's past comments.

The Dwarfism Representation Debate

The most prominent controversy involves the reimagining of the classic Seven Dwarfs. Following criticism from actor Peter Dinklage about perpetuating harmful stereotypes, Disney announced a new approach for the characters.

The 2025 film features a group of seven "magical companions" rather than the traditional dwarfs. Crucially, only one of the seven companions is played by an actor with dwarfism, while the other six are played by non-dwarf actors of various ethnicities and genders.

This decision, intended to be more inclusive and avoid stereotypes, has itself sparked backlash from both sides: some critics argued that replacing the dwarfs with companions undermined the original story, while others, including some actors with dwarfism, expressed disappointment that roles were given to non-dwarf actors. The full list of actors for the companions includes Martin Klebba (the only actor with dwarfism), alongside actors like Andrew Barth Feldman, Tituss Burgess, and Jeremy Swift.

Rachel Zegler’s Comments and Social Media Scrutiny

Rachel Zegler has also been a focal point of the controversy. Her candid remarks about the original 1937 film, where she described the Prince as a "stalker" and emphasized that the new film would not focus on a love story, were met with significant negative public reaction.

Additionally, Zegler has faced criticism for her social media activity, including sharing pro-Palestinian views on Twitter, which some critics linked to the film's negative pre-release narrative. This combination of comments about the source material and her political stance has led to a highly polarized public discourse surrounding the film and its lead star.

Creative Team and Production Details

The creative team behind *Snow White* (2025) is composed of highly respected figures in the industry, signaling Disney's commitment to a high-quality production.

  • Director: Marc Webb (known for *500 Days of Summer*)
  • Producers: Marc Platt and Jared LeBoff
  • Screenplay: Greta Gerwig (Director of *Barbie*) and Erin Cressida Wilson
  • Music: 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*).

The film is a musical fantasy that serves as a live-action remake of the 1937 animated masterpiece, *Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs*, which was the first full-length animated feature film. The inclusion of new, original music by Pasek and Paul suggests a significant focus on the musical elements of the story, aiming to elevate the remake beyond a simple scene-for-scene copy.

The journey to the screen for *Snow White* has been a long one, with the project taking almost a decade to develop, reflecting the challenges of modernizing such a foundational piece of cinema history. Despite the controversies, the film remains one of the most anticipated releases for Disney, with fans eager to see the final product on March 21, 2025.

snow white 2025 cast
snow white 2025 cast

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