Peter Pan & Wendy, Disney’s forthcoming live-action version of the timeless children’s tale, features a diverse cast, something that is long overdue from the entertainment behemoth.
Peter Pan & Wendy Features Long-Overdue Diversity
In the first trailer for the film, viewers are introduced to Yara Shahidi (Black-ish and Grownish) as Tinker Bell. She is the first person of color to play “Tink,” that magical fairy who has a seemingly endless supply of pixie dust, which helps kids fly.
Also notable in the movie’s cast is Alyssa Wapanatâhk, an Indigenous Cree actress who plays Tiger Lily. In the past, that character has come under criticism for promoting Native American stereotypes. But it sounds like Disney has recognized the error of its ways, per an interview that Wapanatâhk did with Native Viewpoint’s Vincent Schilling.
“My thoughts on Disney’s past is that I hope they leave it where it is, the past.” Wapanatâhk told Schilling. “And I think they will. I watched all the Peter Pan films. There were some films that did not do us justice for sure. When I first read that script, I could see the change.”
“Once I was actually working with production, I noticed it even more, and it got better and better,” she continued. “The first time they told me that there was a cultural consultant team, I thought, ‘I need to be part of that team,’ you know, all hands on deck. Then I was a part of that team and whenever we needed to discuss things, I was there. I really felt like they were trying.”
Peter Pan Reimagined
Peter Pan & Wendy is based on the novel by J.M. Barrie. The story follows Wendy Darling (Ever Anderson), a young girl dreading a departure for boarding school. Then she meets Peter Pan (Alexander Molony), an eternally young boy who can fly. He takes Wendy, and her brothers, to Neverland with the help of Tinkerbell.
“In making Peter Pan & Wendy, 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,” director and co-writer David Lowery said in a statement.
“Hundreds of incredible artists spent many years bringing this film to the screen; I’m excited for audiences to see their work, to go on this ride, and to rediscover an evergreen tale from a new perspective,” he continued.
The film’s cast also stars Jude Law as Captain Hook as well as Joshua Pickering, Jacobi Jupe, Molly Parker, Alan Tudyk, and Jim Gaffigan.
Peter Pan & Wendy starts streaming on Disney+ on April 28.
