Earlier this year, we saw a person of color portray a version of Peter Pan in Benh Zeitlin’s film, Wendy. Now, Disney is taking a similar approach to the character of Tinker Bell in their live-action remake, Peter Pan and Wendy, by casting Black-ish and Grown-ish star Yara Shahidi.
Deadline reports that Yara Shahidi will play Tinker Bell, the loyal fairy companion to Peter Pan, in Disney’s upcoming film. She will be the first person of color to tackle the character, who has grown in such popularity as to have her own solo animated franchise.
David Lowery, who already took on a remake of Pete’s Dragon for Disney, is directing Peter Pan and Wendy. The cast is led by Alexander Molony and Ever Anderson in the title roles, with Jude Law as Captain Hook. The draw here, at least for me, is Lowery, who is one of the few indie filmmakers who has really adapted well to the blockbuster scene.
Shahidi is definitely a star on the rise, and this the biggest screen role of her young career. She recently starred in last year’s teen romance The Sun is Also a Star.
