Rachel Zegler on Navigating Hollywood Challenges and Redefining Iconic Roles

Rachel Zegler, the talented actress, initially gained recognition through her performance in Steven Spielberg’s acclaimed film West Side Story. Following that, she took on a role in the DCEU movie Shazam! Fury of the Gods and later featured in a prequel to the Hunger Games series. Recently, she made her Broadway debut and is set to take on a leading role in a live-action interpretation of the beloved animated classic Snow White. In a recent discussion, Zegler shared her motivations for joining the DC Comics universe, particularly her decision to portray Anthea in Shazam 2. Ahead of the film's release, she elaborated on her character in the Shazam! sequel while mentioning how the events of the pandemic influenced her decision to take on the role. In her role as the Greek Goddess Anthea in Shazam! Fury of the Gods, Zegler was open about her reasons for joining the superhero franchise during the film's premiere red carpet event in 2023. When speaking to a representative, she candidly admitted the challenges she faced in securing a role during the pandemic, as her debut film had not yet premiered. She expressed her need for employment, straightforwardly stating the reality of her situation. Zegler also conveyed her enthusiasm for the first film, which she thoroughly enjoyed. This love for the original prompted excitement when she was offered the opportunity to compete for the part, along with no reservations about undergoing several auditions before being cast. Despite her eagerness, the film faced criticism and unfortunately did not perform well at the box office. In an interview with Variety, Zegler addressed the negative reactions she experienced online after her admission of needing financial support led her to take the role in Shazam! Instead of being disheartened, she chose to approach the harsh comments with humor. Additionally, she opened up about the backlash surrounding her casting as Snow White in the forthcoming live-action adaptation. Although Snow White is traditionally characterized as having skin pure as snow, Zegler's Colombian heritage sparked controversy. She noted that a primary motif of their film is empowerment, emphasizing the importance of recognizing one's own strength. Zegler clarified that her interpretation of Snow White draws from a nuanced background, where the character's name reflects her survival through a snowfall during infancy. However, she confessed that the negativity circulating online was disheartening. Zegler believes that Snow White represents more than just a simple narrative of seeking love, possessing aspirations and ambitions that she intends to embody in her portrayal in the upcoming film. Shazam! Fury of the Gods can now be enjoyed on streaming on Max.