Disney has set “Grown-ish” star Yara Shahidi to play Tinker Bell in David Lowery’s “Peter Pan and Wendy” film. The release is expected to be theatrical rather than direct to Disney+ streaming.
This marks the first time a person of color has filled a role that traditionally has featured a white actress. Shahidi joins Jude Law, who will play Captain Hook, as well as Alexander Molony and Ever Anderson as the title characters.
Disney’s 1953 animated classic remains the most successful adaptation of the J.M. Barrie novel, though many have tried (and failed) since from Spielberg with the 1991 sequel “Hook,” P.J. Hogan with 2003’s more direct “Peter Pan” adaptation, and Joe Wright with 2015’s prequel “Pan”.
Lowery (“A Ghost Story,” “Pete’s Dragon”) is on board to direct the project and co-wrote the script with Toby Halbrooks. Jim Whitaker is producing.
Source: Deadline