SHOW: Rachel Zegler plays Ask Me Anything
Rachel Zegler is back on the big screen.
Following her breakout role as María Vasquez in Steven Spielberg’s 2021 musical drama “West Side Story,” Zegler stars alongside Oscar-winning actress Helen Mirren and Lucy Liu in “Shazam! Fury of the Gods,” released on Friday.
Zegler told “Good Morning America” that playing Anthea in the star-studded film with Mirren and Liu was a “dream come true.”
MORE: ‘West Side Story’ Star Rachel Zegler to Play Snow White in Upcoming Live-Action Movie
“These women are the most powerful, wonderful,” she said. “They’re so smart and beautiful and talented. And I’ve never felt so blessed with the support and love of other women on set.”
Zegler is also set to star in the upcoming film ‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,’ a prequel to ‘The Hunger Games’ trilogy, and will play Snow White in a live-action adaptation of the classic Disney animated film. . movie.
When asked which role was the hardest to play, Zegler said it was “definitely” the role of Snow White.
“Playing a princess is much more difficult,” she said. “Believe it or not, I got way more stunts on ‘Snow White’ than on ‘Shazam’.”
“There were underwater workouts, there were platforms and hatches and all the running, scratching, bruising – it was a lot, a lot tougher and definitely tougher than being a superhero “, she added.
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Making History as the 1st Latina to Play a Disney Princess
Zegler’s role as Snow White is historic. The Colombian-born actress is the first Latina to play a Disney princess in a live-action film.
She said playing Snow White resonated with her because she “never really saw herself represented” as a Disney princess in the past.
“That really resonates with me because I was a big fan of you know Belle and Jasmine and Pocahontas because they had dark hair, dark eyes,” she said. “To kind of subvert expectations and play a role like Snow White is so important to me because I know it will mean a lot to young children around the world.”
“The fact that I can only take on the legacy of, you know, an 85-year-old cartoon, it’s pretty amazing,” she added. “And the fact that the Disney Company has trusted me to carry on this legacy is really special.”
MORE: ‘West Side Story’ Star Rachel Zegler Opens Up About Friendship With Steven Spielberg
Why She Connects With Snow White
Zegler said she was most connected to the Snow White post.
“At the heart of our film is Snow White’s desire to be someone fearless, someone righteous, someone brave, someone real,” Zegler said. “And the most important take-home message from our film is that all of those things are within you at all times.”
“It just takes the strength to find it and the strength to realize it within yourself,” she added. “And I think I played the role at a time when I really needed that message thrown in my face. And I’m really glad I did when I did because I carry that message with me throughout my life. And so I really connected with that and with her.”
Zegler said audiences can expect the same classic story in Disney’s upcoming live-action movie about a princess “who is kind and wonderful and treats every living thing with kindness and justice.”
The Marc Webb-directed film also stars Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen.
“Snow White” is set to hit theaters in March 2024.
Disney is the parent company of ABC News and “Good Morning America.”