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Yara Shahidiis explaining why her casting in the newPeter Panfilm is meaningful representation.
The actress, 23, plays the tiny fairy Tinker Bell in Disney’s upcoming live-actionreimaginingPeter Pan & Wendy, which also features Alexander Molony,Ever Anderson,Jude Law, Alan Tudyk and Jim Gaffigan.
SpeakingwithByrdiefor the outlet’s digital Revival Issue, Shahidi said the diversity in the film is more than “just popping Black and Brown folks in the cast for the sake of updating the story.”
“I talked to the director, David Lowery, about why he and the higher-ups at Disney wanted to retell this story and I loved his response. They wanted to bring some new fun to this classic but also give us the fairy tale we deserve,” she said.
“It’s evident they’re not just popping Black and Brown folks in the cast for the sake of updating the story. Instead, it’s about creating a story that so many more people can see themselves in after we’ve been left out for so long,” added Shahidi.
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When thefirst trailer forPeter Pan & Wendydebuted last month, director Lowery said in a statement that “we set out to craft a film that honors both the original J.M. Barrie text and Walt Disney’s animated adaptation; we wanted to invigorate our retelling with emotional sincerity, an open heart and a grand yearning for adventure.”
Disney
“Hundreds of incredible artists spent many years bringing this film to the screen,” he added. “I’m excited for audiences to see their work, to go on this ride and to rediscover an evergreen tale from a new perspective.”
Peter Pan & Wendydebuts on Disney+ April 28.
source: people.com
