Rachel Zegler tried out to play a different princess just 4 months before the live-action version of Snow White

Netflix’s animated film Spellbound depicts the Princess Ellian of Lumbria embarking on an epic, magical quest to undo a spell that turned her parents into monsters. The film sees actress Rachel Zegler providing her voice in the lead role of Ellian. Her appearance in Netflix’s Spellbound comes just a few months before she appears in Disney’s live-action remake of Snow White, starring alongside Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen.

Spellbound and Snow White exhibit many similarities, as they are both musical fantasy films geared toward younger audiences. However, as Snow White faced multiple controversies, many have expressed doubts that Zegler was the right choice to play the titular character in the film. Zegler’s recent performance in Spellbound as Ellian proves all the naysayers wrong, establishing herself as worthy of being granted the title of a Disney Princess.

Rachel Zegler’s Role As A Princess In Netflix’s Spellbound Is A Great Sign For Snow White

Zegler’s Role In Spellbound Is Very Much Netflix’s Version Of A Disney Princess

Although Spellbound and Snow White are two different films, Zegler’s character in the former is essentially a precursor to her leading role in Disney’s upcoming remake. Ellian and Snow White are both musical princesses who share a strong connection with animals and nature. These two characters also embark on grand adventures during which they become affected by powerful curses.

It’s unknown how Zegler’s live-action version of Snow White will undo her curse, as Zegler expressed to The Hollywood Reporter her desire to present a more progressive story than the original animated film:

“It’s an 85-year-old cartoon, and our version is a refreshing story about a young woman who has a function beyond “Someday My Prince Will Come.””

However, if 2025’s Snow White is anything like Spellbound, Zegler can carry this live-action remake without relying too much on a prince to free her from her curse. Zegler’s character in Spellbound is an adventurous young woman who learns to overcome her inner demons and save her family, making Ellian an unconventional but inspiring new princess for young audiences to admire.

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How Spellbound Proves That Rachel Zegler’s Casting Was The Right Choice

If Zegler Can Be A Netflix Princess, She Can Be A Disney Princess

Skydance Animation’s decision to cast Zegler in Spellbound shows that her winning the role of Snow White wasn’t a one-time fluke. Given Spellbound‘s similarities to the musical movies by Disney, the fact that Zegler was able to win the lead role as Ellian with her talents in both acting and singing, portraying a quirky and optimistic young woman, is a sign that she can effectively play a princess in one of Disney’s big-budget blockbusters.

Ellian’s character goes against the tropes of a traditional Disney Princess. However, Zegler’s subversive character reflects Disney’s plan to reinvent Snow White for modern audiences, signifying that the studio’s live-action remake could succeed with this casting choice in 2025. Furthermore, Zegler actually proved she was worthy of leading a Disney musical long before Spellbound.

Specifically, Zegler broke out into Hollywood with her acclaimed performance in Steven Spielberg’s remake of West Side Story. Though West Side Story isn’t exactly a fairy tale, Zegler showed the world that she has the talent to helm a big-screen musical, leading to her roles in both Spellbound and Snow White. Despite the controversies that Snow White has received, Zegler demonstrates that she was born to play a Disney Princess in Spellbound.