Movies

Rachel Zegler Set to Take on Iconic Role of Maria in Race-Swapped Sound of Music Revival!

BBG News

Rachel Zegler could be preparing for her next significant step in musical theater, with rumors suggesting she might take on the iconic character of Maria von Trapp in “The Sound of Music.” This role, famously played by Julie Andrews in the 1965 movie version, would represent another case of Zegler being associated with a character from a popular franchise that has been reimagined to feature a different race.

And for some, that’s becoming a curious pattern.

According to Deadline, there’s been a lot of buzz about Zegler taking on the role of Maria in a potential revival of The Sound of Music at Lincoln Center, thanks to her impressive portrayal of Eva Perón in Evita at the London Palladium. However, it’s important to note that this is just speculation for now, as nothing has been officially confirmed. This buzz is particularly strong given the criticism Disney’s Snow White received, but Zegler’s stage presence managed to shine despite that.

If Zegler secures the role, it will mark her second instance of taking on a significant musical character role that was previously played by a white actress, with Snow White being the obvious precedent.

In her debut role in Hollywood, she shone as Maria in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story, a character with Puerto Rican ancestry; however, it’s interesting to note that Rachel Zegler is actually Colombian-Polish. Her selection for this movie garnered acclaim within the film industry, but unfortunately, the film did not fare well financially at the box office.

Currently, “The Sound of Music” provides a new frontier in that debate, as Zegler steps into the shoes of a character based on a real individual who lived.

The movie, inspired by the actual events of the von Trapp family, takes place in Austria as Germany’s influence grows before World War II. A woman named Maria, who had been training to be a nun but becomes a governess instead, works to reintroduce harmony and music into a troubled household. With popular tunes such as “My Favorite Things,” “Do-Re-Mi,” and “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” the film has earned a spot among the most beloved musical movies ever made.

Finding a replacement for Julie Andrews in any situation isn’t an easy task, but making that substitution while altering the ethnicity of such a character steeped in cultural significance will undoubtedly spark curiosity. Although no formal casting decision has been made public yet, Deadline’s speculation that this could be after Zegler’s portrayal of Evita suggests the concept is being discussed within industry circles.

Speaking of the recent Deadline article, it seems to me that it takes an unexpected turn towards promotion. The writer gets quite expressive when describing Zegler’s voice as “soaring above the mess,” while labeling Snow White a film that was questionable from the start. It gives off a vibe of trying to spin things positively – an attempt to present Zegler as a talent misconstrued, rather than the public relations challenge she appeared to be during the Snow White debut.

Her actions during that campaign drove fans away by making fun of the initial movie, labeling it outdated, and indicating a major revision of the romantic and traditional storylines’ essence. The response was immediate and destructive. Following the uproar, Zegler stepped back from Hollywood’s limelight and sought solace in London’s theater scene. Initially, it appeared that Evita was facing difficulties with ticket sales.

Currently, Elise’s upcoming film lineup seems quite limited. She’s involved with a low-budget comedy-drama called “She Gets It From Me,” which will see her acting alongside Marisa Tomei. At the moment, IMDb has no record of any other future projects for her. With few confirmed plans, whispers about “The Sound of Music” are growing louder, especially since they suggest Elise as a rising star and in-demand actress.

Indeed, it’s important to mention that there hasn’t been any official confirmation regarding a revival of “The Sound of Music” – no casting decisions, no director, not even if the revival is truly happening. It could well be that these reports are merely publicity strategies aimed at increasing excitement for “Evita“, and perhaps enhancing Rachel Zegler’s reputation by associating her with another iconic role.

Nevertheless, it’s challenging to disregard the growing pattern: Rachel Zegler has emerged as a preferred choice when contemporary Hollywood and Broadway seek to reimagine classic characters with fresh cultural or ethnic backgrounds. Whether this reflects her skill, a lack of fitting roles for young actresses of color, or an industry fixated on controversial casting decisions is a topic for discussion.

At present, the Zegler-led production of “Evita” carries on until early September, with no official announcement from Lincoln Center Theater about a potential revival of “The Sound of Music” featuring Rachel Zegler. However, should the latter materialize, it’s likely to spark discussion once more, with Rachel Zegler continuing to be a focal point.

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2025-06-25 23:56

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