Rachel Zegler before becoming Snow White was extre...

Rachel Zegler’s Snow White is expected to arrive in 2025, and even before the film hits the theaters, it has been shrouded with heavy criticism and controversy. The recently released trailer also seems to tease a magically infused The Hunger Games vibe with a suspenseful and dark soundtrack. Zegler will portray one of the most loved Disney princesses of all time, but before Snow White, she had already stepped into several tough roles, one being Maria in West Side Story.

Even though Zegler is still very new to the big screen, she has been featured in some of the biggest franchises. From DC Extended Universe to The Hunger Games to an A24 horror film, the actor is spreading her wings and showcasing her range, but of course, her best roles are always accompanied by her singing. West Side Story caught her in a tragic star-crossed romance torn by an ancient feud, while The Hunger Games prequel sees her as a tribute who’s erased from history. Zegler has played some very interesting characters in projects that shouldn’t be missed.

5Rachel Zegler Is Anthea in Shazam! Fury of the Gods

It’s a little hard to believe, but Zegler is already part of the DC Extended Universe, and she plays Anne, aka Anthea, who is one of the three sisters of Atlas. Anthea also serves as Freddy Freeman’s love interest. She initially didn’t know that Freddy was Shazam’s champion, and after the discovery, she betrayed Freddy. But fear not, Anthea isn’t an evil person. She eventually sees through Kalypso’s true intentions and switches to the heroes’ side. While Anthea isn’t Zegler’s most memorable role, the film is still worth a visit. Shazam! Fury of the Gods is a decent follow-up to the original film. The sequel explores many relatable themes related to the coming-of-age experience. The Shazam family isn’t off to a good start in the film, with most of them being young adults and adolescents who lack focus and enthusiasm. The film sees them coming together again in the light of danger, teaming up with other superheroes. The Shazam family goes on a journey to Shazam! Fury of the Gods, which makes the film less about the ending and more about the process. The ending, on the other hand, does feature some nice surprises.

4Rachel Zegler Heads Into the Horror Genre With Y2K

It was only a matter of time before Zegler was eyed for a horror movie, and the A24 movie Y2K seems like the perfect fit. Arriving on December 6, 2024, the horror film explores a mixture of comedy and bloodthirsty games, seeing an ensemble being targeted by a sinister force. Taking place during a house party, things get seriously strange very quickly. The official trailer of Y2K gives fans a glimpse of what’s coming next. With a promising premise and a potentially haunting ending, all signs are pointing toward Y2K having franchise potential, which means this film could potentially be big for Rachel Zegler.

As an actor who’s mainly tapped to play a love interest, Y2K cast her as one of the main characters. Of course, some level of romance is associated with the role, given that it’d be a shame to waste Zegler’s ability to spark an on-screen romance, but Laura isn’t like any other roles the actor has taken on so far. Laura is a role that might push Zegler to a similar path and status as Jenna Ortega, who’s known for starring in horror movies. If Y2K ends up a franchise, Zegler could be everyone’s next favorite actor in horror, and it does seem like the actor has the potential. However, fans who enjoy her singing might not get a new soundtrack from her through Y2K. Though Zegler’s vocal ability is a strength, it does sometimes overshadow her performance as an actor. Either way, Y2K would be a very interesting film to watch before Snow White.

3Rachel Zegler Starred as Lucy Gray Baird in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbird and Snake

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbird and Snake stars Zegler in a very similar role as Snow White. The actor’s Snow White casting initially attracted controversy and backlash from fans, but her performance in The Hunger Games prequel managed to settle some debate. Lucy Gray Baird is a sympathetic character who becomes a tribute because of a feud with the daughter of District 12’s mayor. Despite being in a disadvantaged position, Lucy Gray isn’t weak. She is a great performer, who also knows her way around snakes. But even in a situation where she has to kill, she’s still kind and remains true to who she is. Lucy Gray has unmatched strength. Like Snow White, events in The Hunger Games can be devastating and potentially character-changing for some. Participating in the Hunger Games traumatizes Katniss in a deep way, but Lucy Gray hops back on stage right away after she returns home to District 12. Unlike Katniss, who tries to forget, Lucy Gray adds surviving the Hunger Games to her list of achievements. She wears her personality and achievements on her sleeve.

The resilience and vulnerability in Zegler’s Lucy Gray is very Snow White. The Hunger Games are terrible and cruel, but Zegler’s character brings hope to the arena. Being the girl who’s singing while being wrapped around deadly snakes also makes Lucy Gray a legend in the Districts’ eyes. However, there’s also the undeniable truth that without Coriolanus Snow, Lucy Gray couldn’t have survived the Hunger Games. Snow White is in a similar situation: she was raised unfairly by her stepmother and chased into the woods, but she turns her situation around every time, just by being who she is. Furthermore, The Hunger Games prequel tells a haunting story that adds a dark twist to an unlikely love story. Coriolanus Snow has bigger ambitions than living life as a nobody in the deserted District 13, and Lucy Gray wants to be free. The Hunger Games prequel sees the star-crossed lovers at a crossroads.

2Rachel Zegler Voiced Princess Ellian in Spellbound

Princess Ellian is another wonderful addition to Zegler’s portfolio. The Netflix animated film follows the aftermath of Ellian’s parents being turned into monsters by a storm. Princess Ellian has to deal with everything, and that’s a lot of pressure to put on a child who has no choice but to grow up to take care of her parents and an entire kingdom. Zegler does a great job voicing the character. Though the movie isn’t as music-heavy as The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes or West Side Story, Spellbound tells a heartbreaking story decorated with magic forests and lovable characters.

Princess Ellian is definitely on the younger side in comparison to Snow White, but Ellian ventures into the unknown even though she’s scared. Without knowing how to undo the curse, Princess Ellian tries her best to find help, and she never stops fighting, even though most roads lead to dead ends. Victory is for those who never give up, and while it may seem that Princess Ellian’s story might end in cliché, it turns out there’s a twist to it. Not all conflicts lead to an end. Finding the middle ground and a peaceful resolution is the key.

1Zegler Had Her Breakthrough With West Side Story

West Side Story marked Zegler’s film debut and her breakthrough. The 2021 Steven Spielberg’s musical adaptation saw her as Maria, a role which earned her the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress. Before the big screen, Zegler was mostly known for starring in Broadway musicals. The film launched a career for her in the film industry and introduced Zegler and her singing to a broader audience.

West Side Story tells a tragic love story about a pair of lovers. Following a similar premise as Romeo & Juliet, the musical saw romance sparked between two people, caught in the middle of a bigger feud full of ancient grudges. Taking place in 1950s New York City, the film is a blend of violence, tragedy, love and everything in between. Portraying a well-known role like Maria has its challenges. Not to mention, the role was popularized by Natalie Wood, who gave a mesmerizing portrayal of the character in the original film. Despite all the things working against her favor, Zegler brought something unique to her Maria, who was part of the reason behind the success of 2021’s West Side Story.

1Zegler Had Her Breakthrough With West Side Story

West Side Story marked Zegler’s film debut and her breakthrough. The 2021 Steven Spielberg’s musical adaptation saw her as Maria, a role which earned her the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress. Before the big screen, Zegler was mostly known for starring in Broadway musicals. The film launched a career for her in the film industry and introduced Zegler and her singing to a broader audience.

West Side Story tells a tragic love story about a pair of lovers. Following a similar premise as Romeo & Juliet, the musical saw romance sparked between two people, caught in the middle of a bigger feud full of ancient grudges. Taking place in 1950s New York City, the film is a blend of violence, tragedy, love and everything in between. Portraying a well-known role like Maria has its challenges. Not to mention, the role was popularized by Natalie Wood, who gave a mesmerizing portrayal of the character in the original film. Despite all the things working against her favor, Zegler brought something unique to her Maria, who was part of the reason behind the success of 2021’s West Side Story.