AceShowbiz - Rachel Zegler, the talented young actress best known for her role in "West Side Story", is set to redefine a classic Disney character in the live-action adaptation of "Snow White". In a recent interview with Variety, Zegler, 23, shared intriguing insights about her character's name and backstory in the upcoming movie, set to be released on March 21.

Unlike Disney's 1937 animated film, which was based on the Brothers Grimm fairy tale and described Snow White as having "skin as white as snow," the new version opts for a different origin. Zegler explained, "It fell back to another version of Snow White that was told in history, where she survived a snowstorm that occurred when she was a baby, and so the king and queen decided to name her Snow White to remind her of her resilience."

This shift aims to anchor Snow White's name in a story of perseverance and strength, offering a powerful message to young viewers. "One of the core points in our film for any young woman or young person is remembering how strong you actually are," she added.

Despite the backlash that began with her casting in 2021 and continued as she discussed modernizing Snow White, Zegler remains optimistic. She addresses critics directly, "In all honesty, it made me sad that it was taken in such a way, because I believe that women can do anything. But I also believe that they can do everything. I would never want to box someone in and say, 'If you want love, then you can't work.' Or 'If you want to work, then you can't have a family.' It's not true. It's never been true."

Concerns over modifications to the original plot also prompted Zegler to clarify misconceptions. She emphasizes that the love story remains integral to the film, countering rumors that it had been axed. "A lot of people wrote that we weren't doing [that storyline] anymore - we were always doing that; it just wasn't what we were talking about on that day," she clarified.

Directed by Marc Webb and featuring original songs from the Oscar-winning duo Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, the new "Snow White" aims to resonate with contemporary values while keeping fairy tale magic intact. The film, which also stars Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen, was previewed in a trailer released at D23 on August 9.