The Penguin’s Colin Farrell eyeing another role for DC Studios

Colin Farrell might add another DC character to his resume.

Per Deadline, Farrell is circling the titular role in Luca Guadagnino’s Sgt. Rock, a superhero action movie based on the DC Comics character. Queer writer Justin Kuritzkes will pen the Sgt. Rock screenplay.

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Farrell’s interest comes after Daniel Craig exited the project in February. DC Studios co-CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran said they “never met with Daniel” for Sgt. Rock and they “never announced the project.”

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If Farrell signs on, filming is expected to begin later this year. Farrell will play Sgt. Franklin John Rock, a World War II hero and leader of the U.S. Army’s Easy Company. Rock is a highly skilled soldier and marksman who helped the U.S. take down Nazi Germany. The character debuted in the 1959 DC Comics issue Our Army at War No. 83.

Farrell currently plays Oz Cobb/the Penguin in the Batman Epic Crime Saga. Farrell’s Oz first appeared in 2022’s The Batman before heading his own HBO spinoff series, The Penguin. In his review for Digital Trends, Alex Welch wrote, “HBO’s The Penguin is the rare franchise spinoff that manages to stand on its own, thanks in no small part to Cristin Milioti and Colin Farrell’s volatile lead performances.”

Farrell has received universal acclaim for his performance in the show, winning a Golden Globe, Critics’ Choice Award, Saturn Award, and SAG Award.

Because The Penguin is part of DC Elseworlds and Sgt. Rock will be in the DC Universe, Farrell could play both characters because they will never interact with one another.

Farrell is expected to reprise his role as the Penguin in The Batman Part II, scheduled to release in theaters on October 1, 2027.

Will Sam Rockwell Return for Another ‘White Lotus’ Season 5 Episode?

The White Lotus featured a cameo in season 5, episode 3, and it was none other than Sam Rockwell, who has a long-term connection to the HBO show. Not only is Sam the partner of series star Leslie Bibb, but he’s also been friends with Walton Goggins for a while. So, is there a chance he could come back for another episode?

Walton spoke with USA Today ahead of the episode’s release regarding his long-time pal Sam’s cameo in The White Lotus. Calling sam “one of [his] best friends,” Walton added that he’s “also one of [his] heroes.”

“It was riddled with anxiety because we know each other so well, and I certainly didn’t want to let him down,” Walton added, referring to their on-screen moment in the HBO show. “The first words that came out of our mouths, it was as if we were these people our whole lives. And it was like we truly had met up after leading this kind of criminal expat life forever. It was everything that I had hoped it would be.”

Sam plays the role of Frank, who is Walton’s character Rick Hatchett’s friend. In the episode, Rick has traveled to Thailand with Chelsea because he thinks that White Lotus resort co-owner Jim Hollinger killed his father before Rick was born. Sam brings the gun that Rick needs for revenge, and the two meet up in a lobby of a Bangkok hotel.

The main cast of season 3 of the anthology series features Leslie, Carrie Coon, Walton Goggins, Jon Gries, Sarah Catherine Hook, Jason Isaacs, Lalisa Manobal, Michelle Monaghan, Sam Nivola, Lek Patravadi, Parker Posey, Natasha Rothwell, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Tayme Thapthimthong and Aimee Lou Wood.

Fans of The White Lotus are praising Sam’s buzz-worthy monologue in the episode. Since he left a lasting impression on audiences, many are wondering if there’s a possibility that his character, Frank, could return. After all, Walton told USA Today that viewers “don’t know the story between Rick and Frank,” but it “says a lot about excess and how one lives one’s life.”

It’s unclear if Sam will reprise his role as Frank, but Walton told the publication, “There’s not a better person I could have gone through it with than Sam. I’m just so grateful for that time together with my buddy.”

Conan O’Brien will return as Oscars host in 2026 – Entertainment News

Photo: AP Photo/Chris Pizzello Host Conan O’Brien speaks during the Oscars on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

Conan O’Brien is returning to the Oscars stage in 2026. The late-night host and comedian will preside over the 98th Academy Awards, set for March 15, the film academy’s leadership said Monday.

“The only reason I’m hosting the Oscars next year is that I want to hear Adrien Brody finish his speech,” O’Brien said in a statement.

This year was O’Brien’s first time leading the show, which attracted its biggest broadcast audience in five years despite the winning movie, “Anora,” being relatively small. An estimated 19.7 million viewers watched the 97th Academy Awards ceremony earlier this month, according to broadcaster ABC, with a big lift among people aged 18 to 49, driven by mobile and laptop watches from younger viewers. It was also the most watched prime-time entertainment show of 2025.

“Conan’s unique comedic style perfectly captured the moment, and I’m excited to have his talents back onstage next year to helm another indelible performance,” said Craig Erwich, the president of Disney Television Group, in a statement.

Next year O’Brien will also be surrounded by a familiar team, with Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan returning as executive producers of the show and Jeff Ross and Mike Sweeney as producers. Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang said in a joint statement that it’s an honor to be working again with the group behind this year’s broadcast.

“This year, they produced a hugely entertaining and visually stunning show that celebrated our nominees and the global film community in the most beautiful and impactful way,” Kramer and Yang said. “Conan was the perfect host — skillfully guiding us through the evening with humor, warmth and reverence.”

The show also succeeded in social media metrics, outperforming both the Grammy Awards and the Super Bowl, according to Oscars organizers. This was the first time that the show was streamed live simultaneously on Hulu, which was not without its glitches.

The timing of the announcement of next year’s hosting and producing teams — less than a month after this year’s Oscars — is unusually early for the film academy and ABC.

Blake Lively’s Justin Baldoni Legal Battle Becomes Subject of Documentary Titled ‘He Said, She Said’

He Said, She Said: Blake Lively vs Justin Baldoni, a 90-minute “fast-turnaround special” is set to air in the U.K. on Monday, March 17, according to a press release from ITN Productions.

A shorter 60-minute version, which will be titled In Dispute: Lively v Baldoni, will air in the U.S. on Investigation Discovery Monday, March 31. It will also be available to stream on Max and discovery+.

According to the release, “The special will examine the legal complaint brought against Justin Baldoni by Blake Lively, alleging he engaged in sexual misconduct on the set of his film It Ends With Us and hired a PR firm to engage in an online smear campaign against her to keep her quiet. Baldoni denies the allegations and has responded with a $400 million countersuit, accusing her of defamation.”

“With the trial set for March 2026, the special will examine the evidence on both sides and the response to the dispute on social media.”

Ian Russell, head of international at ITN Productions, calls the special “a timely and in-depth telling of the Hollywood story which has captured the global zeitgeist.”

Lively, 37, first filed a complaint against her It Ends With Us director and costar Baldoni, 41 — whose production company Wayfarer Studios, developed the hit movie — as well as two of his colleagues and two publicists, with the California Civil Rights Department on Dec. 20. She formally sued 11 days later in federal court in New York.

As the press release for the special notes, Baldoni countersued in January. In his suit, Baldoni named Lively’s husband Ryan Reynolds and Lively’s publicist Leslie Sloane and Sloane’s PR firm Vision PR, claiming civil extortion, defamation and more. Lively’s legal team has called the suit “meritless.”

Baldoni is also suing The New York Times, which first published Lively’s complaint on Dec. 21, for libel.

In a recent development on Thursday, March 13, the judge in the case, Lewis J. Liman, partially granted Lively’s request for a modified protective order, which she sought in order to prevent private details from leaking to the media.

Liman ruled that while certain confidential materials will remain protected, an “Attorneys’ Eyes Only” designation can only be applied if their disclosure is “highly likely to cause a significant business, commercial, financial or privacy injury.”

Orville Peck to Take Mask Off as Emcee in Broadway’s ‘Cabaret’: ‘I’m Here to Play This Role … It’s Not About Me’

Orville Peck won’t be sporting his signature mask when he debuts as Emcee in Broadway’s “Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club” later this month.

The alt-country crooner, who has never revealed his face publicly under his artist persona, confirmed the news in an interview with the New York Times on Monday.

“The mask is part of my expression personally as an artist and a very big personal part of me,” Peck said. “But I’m here to play this role and to bring respect and integrity and hopefully a good performance to it. It’s not about me. I’m not trying to make it the Orville Peck show.”

Since his debut album, 2019’s “Pony,” Peck hasn’t been seen without some sort of facial covering, though the shape and size of it shifts. But with “Cabaret,” where he’ll star alongside Eva Noblezada as Sally Bowles, that all changes.

“I wouldn’t have necessarily done this for just anything,” Peck told the Times. “But this is probably my favorite musical of all time.”

He’ll replace Adam Lambert, who is currently leading Broadway’s “Cabaret” revival, beginning March 31 through July 20. Speaking to Variety in January after the announcement of his Broadway debut, Peck said it was always a dream of his to play the eccentric Emcee.

“I grew up as an actor and doing theater, and for a lot of people this is a really coveted role in musical theater because it’s so open to interpretation and an incredible character,” he said.

According to the New York Times, who caught a peek at Peck during rehearsal, his Emcee appears to have been informed by his days coming up in the Canadian punk scene. He “looked less like a German fop welcoming the curious to a Berlin nightclub and more like the Black Flag frontman Henry Rollins summoning the sweaty to a mosh pit circa 1984,” the Times’ Erik Piepenburg wrote.

‘Mortal Kombat 2’ first look reveals Johnny Cage, Kitana, and Shao Kahn (exclusive)

The ending of 2021’s Mortal Kombat signaled where the franchise would go next: Hollywood. After a bloodbath between the champions of Earthrealm and Outworld, former MMA fighter Cole Young (Lewis Tan), a descendant of Hanzo Hasashi/Scorpion (Hiroyuki Sanada), set out for Los Angeles to find a new recruit to aid in the battle ahead — Johnny Cage.

A prominent and eccentric character from the video games, as well as past movie adaptations, Johnny was only teased in that first film through a poster for his Citizen Cage flick. But now, The Boys star Karl Urban officially takes his place alongside other Earthrealm champions in Entertainment Weekly’s exclusive first look at the sequel, Mortal Kombat 2, coming to theaters and IMAX locations on Oct. 24.

“You finally get to see Johnny Cage,” Ed Boon, Mortal Kombat co-creator and head of gaming developer NetherRealm Studios, tells EW. “His integration into the Mortal Kombat story and universe is a big part of what this movie explores. He’s a washed-up Hollywood guy thrown into this magical, ultra-violent thing. Karl, his depiction of Johnny Cage is different than our games in some ways. He’s adding his own flare to it, but I think it’ll feel fresh. There’s like a novelty factor in there.”

Just like Tan’s Cole in the first Mortal Kombat, Boon says Johnny serves as the audience’s lens into this new story. He calls the character’s introduction “ridiculously hilarious,” having incited “some of the biggest laughs” from the early screenings of Mortal Kombat 2. But director Simon McQuoid felt it was a balancing act to strike that tone. “We wanted a character that wasn’t just completely silly, comic book…It’s a character that could instantly go there and become too light and throwaway if we were to lean too much into the kind of cheese,” McQuoid remarks. “The casting of Karl Urban for that role allowed that character to have more depth.”

Johnny isn’t the only new character on the scene, either. Joining Mortal Kombat veterans like Ludi Lin as Liu Kang, Mehcad Brooks as Jackson “Jax” Briggs, Jessica McNamee as Sonya Blade, Tadanobu Asano as Lord Raiden, Joe Taslim as Sub-Zero, and Sanada (fresh off his Shōgun Emmy wins) as Scorpion, EW can also reveal Adeline Rudolph (Hellboy: The Crooked Man, Netflix’s Resident Evil series) as fan-favorite (emphasis on “fan”) Kitana, as well as Martyn Ford (House of David, Those About to Die) as Outworld overlord Shao Kahn.

As an added treat for gamers, new movie-accurate skins of these characters, including Urban’s Johnny, Rudolph’s Kitana, and Ford’s Shao Kahn, are coming to the Mortal Kombat 1 video game later this year.

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In the movie, these figures are all here for the main event, the one fans have been waiting to see realized on screen. The first film saw the Outworld sorcerer Shang Tsung (Chin Hang) and his forces attempt to wipe out Earth’s champions before the big Mortal Kombat tournament between fighters from different realms. That tournament is now officially here in the sequel, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. If Earthrealm loses its 10th consecutive tournament against Outworld, then Shao Kahn will invade Earth and take over.

“They keep score throughout the movie,” Boon reveals of the tournament. “There’s a visual representation of who is winning…. It’s not just a tournament for the sake of a tournament. There are huge consequences, so you really are keeping score. And there are a lot of twists in it that keep you on your toes.”

Speaking of twists…On the cast list confirmed for Mortal Kombat 2, which also includes Damon Herriman (Better Man) as Netherrealm demon Quan Chi, are the returning Josh Lawson and Max Huang, even though their characters, Kano and Kung Lao, died in the previous movie. “I can say Josh Lawson doesn’t play Kano’s twin,” Boon teases. He points to existing Mortal Kombat lore from the video games that make it possible for such a comeback. “We’ve killed a number of characters who are in Mortal Kombat 1 and our latest games,” he says. “So we deal with spirits and the NetherRealm and things like that. There are ways to bring dead characters back.”

The ages-long beef between Scorpion and Sub-Zero also refuses to die in Mortal Kombat 2, though it won’t be as central to the narrative. “He’s certainly making appearances that are significant and necessary for the progress of other storylines,” Boon prefaces of Sanada’s Hanzo Hasashi. “He plays a different role. He’s not part of the ‘Super Friends’ trying to defeat Shao Kahn, but his appearance is key and it is very essential for certain parts.”

All these facets relate to the clear goals McQuoid had coming into the making of the sequel. For one, the team wanted to increase the number of female characters. So alongside McNamee’s Sonya Blade and Rudolph’s Kitana, there’s also Tati Gabrielle (The Last of Us season 2) as Jade, Ana Thu Nguyen (NCIS: Sydney) as Queen Sindel, and some undisclosed “other” characters who will make appearances, the filmmaker says. McQuoid and screenwriter Jeremy Slater also worked to “maximize everything” with Mortal Kombat 2 — “just build on where we were and then make it significantly more intense, bigger in scale, bigger in variation, bigger across the board really as a cinematic experience.”

Some of that involves the story itself; McQuoid confirms, “We go to lots of different realms, so that in itself gives the film a very distinct and varied visual approach.” Some of it also involves IMAX, which McQuoid says allowed them to “be bolder and swing harder.” The team took advantage of the big-screen format to offer audiences a unique experience when they watch Mortal Kombat 2 in IMAX, namely changing aspect ratios to enhance certain sequences.

“What I realized was go bigger, go bolder, don’t hold back, and really feed off the history of Mortal Kombat more,” McQuoid adds. “Just let it rip, and that’s what we’ve done.”

Belgian Actor Émilie Dequenne Dies at 43 of Rare Cancer, Report Says

Émilie Dequenne, the Belgian actor who won a top Cannes Film Festival prize for her breakout role in “Rosetta,” has died, a news report says. She was 43.

Her family and agent told the news agency Agence France-Presse that Dequenne died Sunday of a rare cancer in a hospital outside of Paris. In 2023, Dequenne revealed she had been diagnosed with adrenocortical carcinoma. Representatives for Dequenne did not immediately respond to inquires from The Associated Press on Monday.

Dequenne was only 18 when she was selected as best actress at Cannes in 1999. In “Rosetta,” from Luc and Jean-Pierre Dardenne, she portrayed a teenager trying to escape her difficult life in a caravan park with an alcoholic mother. The film also won the Palme d’Or that year.

Born in Belœil, Belgium, in 1981, Dequenne had a performance streak from a young age. She studied drama at the Académie de Musique de Baudour.

She became well-known in France after starring alongside Catherine Deneuve in “The Girl on the Train,” in 2009, based on the true story of a woman who falsely claimed she was the victim of an antisemitic attack. Dequenne also portrayed police officer Laurence Renauld on the French series “The Missing.”

In 2012, she won the Un Certain Regard actress prize from Cannes for “Our Children,” a dark psychological drama inspired by the real story of a Belgian woman who killed her five children. She was also nominated for several César Awards throughout her career, finally winning best supporting actress in 2021 for the romantic comedy “Love Affair(s).”

Speaking to The Guardian in 2013 about the difficult role in “Our Children,” she said, “For my part I went home every weekend, and stayed with my family, which is a very safe place. Making a film like that is something that you have to survive.”

More recently, she co-starred in “Close,” Lukas Dhont’s tender boyhood drama, which brought her back to Cannes again in 2022. She saw similarities between her young co-star and her own breakout role with “Rosetta.”

“For me to be here and to come back here after 23 years, it’s very emotional and there is like a reflection between Eden (Dambrine) and myself because I remember when I was here the first time with ‘Rosetta,’” she told The Associated Press. “It was like a very powerful movie with this main character, which is in every scene, every, every shot. And that’s the same for him.”

Dequenne returned to the festival again in 2024 for the 25th anniversary of “Rosetta.” Her last film was Frédéric Jardin’s post-apocalyptic thriller “Survive,” which came out earlier this year.

While she loved taking on work in England, France and Belgium, she had little interest in Hollywood.

“I have been to Hollywood and had meetings, but really they don’t do the kind of films I like to make. And everything is kind of boring, no?” she said in the interview with The Guardian. “Honestly, it’s not a fun place, or at least not my kind of fun.”

She is survived by her husband, director and producer Michel Ferracci, and daughter, Milla Savarese.

Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

St. Patrick’s Day 2025: Here’s where to find food discounts and deals in Arizona

Who was Saint Patrick and why do we celebrate him? Here’s what to know about St. Patrick’s Day.

St. Patrick’s Day is upon us, but you don’t need a little luck to save some money and celebrate this holiday.

St. Patrick’s Day is the feast of Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. In Ireland, he’s celebrated with religious services and feasts. Cities with lots of Irish immigrants stage large-scale celebrations. Irish and non-Irish people alike participate in the holiday now, wearing green clothing or a shamrock, the Irish national plant.

If you’re looking to get in on the festivities, many restaurants in the United States are offering new items or discounts for the holiday. Here’s where to go in Arizona to score the deals.

Krispy Kreme offers free doughnuts on St. Patrick’s Day weekend

Customers who wear green to Krispy Kreme shops March 15-17, whether in-store or via the drive-thru, can get one free O’riginal Glazed Doughnut, no purchase necessary. The O’riginal Glazed Doughnut is the brand’s famous Original Glazed Doughnut dyed green.

In addition to the free doughnuts, thousands of Krispy Kreme customers nationwide will win a “Pot of Gold Pass” on March 17, which is worth free Original Glazed doughnuts for a year — one dozen per month from April 2025 through March 2026, according to the company.

The doughnut chain also unveiled last week a limited-edition doughnut collection inspired by St. Patrick’s Day, including four brand-new festive flavors:

Find the closest Krispy Kreme at krispykreme.com/locate/location-search.

Get free onion rings at Burger King on St. Patrick’s Day

On March 17, Royal Perks members can get free onion rings of any size with a $1 or more purchase at Burger King.

Additionally, with the Combo Combinations promotion, customers can upgrade the sides of select combo meals with Chicken Fries, Mozzarella Fries, or Churro Fries for free until April 11.

Crumbl offers a 6-for-4 deal for a week in honor of St. Patrick’s Day.

From March 17-22, customers can purchase six full-size desserts for the price of four at Crumbl in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. Additionally, the company is introducing a new Chocolate Mint Cake to its rotating menu that features two layers of rich dark chocolate cake stacked with semi-sweet chocolate ganache, mint cream cheese frosting and sprinkled with smooth Andes Créme De Menthe Candy Pieces.

Find the Crumbl nearest to you at crumblcookies.com/stores.

Dairy Queen offers St. Patrick’s Day-inspired Blizzard

Dairy Queen customers can celebrate the Irish holiday with a Mint Oreo Blizzard Treat, a combination of Oreo cookie pieces and a cool mint topping blended with DQ’s soft serve.

Find the Dairy Queen store closest to you at dairyqueen.com/en-us/locations.

Panera turns Bread Bowls green on St. Patrick’s Day … but only in some markets

Panera is turning its beloved Bread Bowls green to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day this year, but only in select markets. Unfortunately, Phoenix isn’t among them.

However, Panera fans across the country can enter the Panera Pot of Gold Sweepstakes by texting “LUCKY” to #31261 between March 16-21 to enter for a chance to win free Panera Mac & Cheese for a year.

MyPanera members can also get $2 off any size Mac & Cheese on March 16 and 17, according to the company.

There are 39 Panera locations in Arizona. Find the nearest one at panerabread.com/en-us/cafe/locations/az.

Get discounted pizza from Marco’s Pizza on St. Patrick’s Day

Starting on March 17, customers can get a large 2-topping pizza from Marco’s Pizza for $8.99 using code “GETFLAVOR.”

Find the location nearest you at order.marcos.com/brand/?sk=LPHP3Y/locations.

White Castle offers discount on Sack of Sliders for St. Patrick’s Day

From March 14-17, White Castle customers can get $2 off any 10 Sack of Sliders using code “10SACK.”

The offer can be combined with an existing Cheesy 10 Sack promotion wherever available, the company said.

Find the location nearest you at whitecastle.com/locations.

McAlister’s Deli adds two limited-time menu items in honor of St. Patrick’s Day

McAlister’s Deli has added two limited-time items to its menu in honor of the Irish holiday.

From March 12-26, the following items are available nationwide:

McAlister’s Rewards Members can earn 2x points with the purchase of either item or a Reuben Sandwich, from March 12-17, according to the company.

There are three McAlister’s locations in Arizona. Find the one nearest you at locations.mcalistersdeli.com/az.

Applebee’s

Back on the limited-time menu at the restaurants are Saintly Sips Cocktails including the $6 Tipsy Leprechaun made with Jameson Irish Whiskey and the new Golden Goose made with Grey Goose Vodka. There’s also Rainbow Lemonades in nine fruit flavors including mango and passionfruit.

Get a free Corned Beef Reuben sandwich with any $15 minimum purchase through Sunday. And you can get an exclusive “Eat Me I’m Arby’s Reuben” T-shirt at the online shop for just $25.

The ice cream shop chain has BOGO 50% off sundaes March 16-March 31 and there’s some special green scoops — Pistachio Almond, Mint Chocolate Chip and Wild ‘n Reckless at participating shops. Milkshakes are special priced at $5 for a small, $6 for a medium and $7 for a large. Also available, a St. Patrick’s Day Cake, decorated with a rainbow, pot of gold and sprinkles.

To find the location nearest you, visit order.baskinrobbins.com/store-selection.

Paris Baguette

Members of the PB Rewards loyalty program get a free pastry with any beverage purchase on St. Patrick’s Day and double points on all St. Patrick’s Day products including the St. Paddy’s Mochi Donut, St. Paddy’s King Cream Donut and the St. Paddy’s Rainbow Cake.

Get a free avocado upgrade on your breakfast burrito or bowl on Monday and through March (use code FREEAVO).

There are dozens of Salad and Go locations in metro Phoenix. Visit saladandgo.com/locations to find the nearest location.

Slim Chickens

Get 17% off your order of $17 or more on St. Patrick’s Day (offer good online only with code LUCKYME at participating locations).

There are four Slim Chickens locations in Arizona. Find the one nearest you at slimchickens.com/location-menus.

Snow White live-action movie: Release date, plot, trailer and latest news

Marc Webb is set to direct the remake of Disney’s very first animated film, with Marc Platt producing and Dear Evan Hansen’s Benj Pasek and Justin Paul writing new songs for the upcoming movie.

Read on for everything you need to know about the Snow White live-action film, including when it’s set to be released and who’s set to star.

The Hollywood premiere took place on 15th March, but was scaled back amid the film’s controversies.

Ahead of the premiere, which would usually include a large-scale red carpet event with press outlets invited to interview the stars, Variety reported that it would only involve photographers and in-house crew.

The upcoming live-action Snow White movie isn’t the only upcoming Disney live-action remake fairytale fans have to look forward to, with Lilo & Stitch, Moana, Tangled and Hercules on the way.

Snow White 2025 cast: Who stars in the live-action remake?

Deadline confirmed back in 2022 that West Side Story star Rachel Zegler had been cast as Snow White.

Zegler beat more than 30,000 actresses for the role of Maria when she was just 17 and replied to a casting call she saw on X (then called Twitter). She also starred in Shazam! Fury of the Gods.

Zegler is the first Colombian-Polish actress to play a Disney Princess and joins an illustrious alumni of actresses who have tackled the Snow White role including Lily Collins in Mirror, Mirror, Sarah Patterson in Snow White, and Ginnifer Goodwin in Once Upon a Time.

Zegler shared her excitement on social media following the announcement.

Later in 2022, Deadline announced that Wonder Woman’s Gal Gadot was in negotiations to play the Evil Queen in the live-action remake.

Gadot told Entertainment Weekly in September 2022 that she was “all in”, saying “to be able to tell her story and to get under her skin was an incredible process”.

“I enjoyed it so much that I even took it home, and I changed my voice, and I used my body as a way to express her even more,” the actress continued. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to play such an iconic villain.”

Meanwhile, Andrew Burnap (The Chaperone) is set to play the male lead role of Jonathan, a new invention set to replace the original prince.

In March 2023, Burnap told Man About Town that, although he plays the love interest, “it’s no longer a princess waiting to be saved by a prince”.

Ansu Kabia (Murder on the Orient Express) will star as the Huntsman, who is the Evil Queen’s servant in the 1937 film, Emilia Faucher (CODA) will star as young Snow White, and Patrick Page – who previously played Scar in The Lion King musical on Broadway – will play the Magic Mirror.

It has also been announced that Martin Klebba (Jurassic World) will provide the voice of the digitally-rendered Grumpy in the new film, while Jeremy Swift (Gosford Park) will voice Doc, the leader of the seven dwarves.

Meanwhile, George Salazar (Superstore) will voice Happy, Andy Grotelueschen (The Good Wife) will voice Sleepy, Tituss Burgess (Central Park) will voice Bashful, Jason Kravits (The Practice) will voice Sneezy, and Andrew Barth Feldman (Dear Evan Hansen) will voice Dopey.

The script will be written by Erin Cressida Wilson, who wrote Girl on the Train, and Marc Platt is producer.

Marc Webb will direct – you may know him from 2012’s The Amazing Spider-Man. Webb previously told Deadline: “Rachel’s extraordinary vocal abilities are just the beginning of her gifts. Her strength, intelligence, and optimism will become an integral part of rediscovering the joy in this classic Disney fairytale.”

Snow White live-action movie plot: What is Disney changing?

Walt Disney’s original Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was based on the Brothers Grimm fairytale and was the very first animation released by the studio.

The remake is set to expand the story and music, so think along the lines of Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin – the former saw Belle take more of a lead role and added a feminist message, whereas the latter saw Princess Jasmine push back against her father herself and had her sing her own Speechless song to capture the feeling of being treated differently as a woman.

Snow White often comes under fire when people discuss consent – she’s kissed while asleep by a prince – so we anticipate some changes around that.

Cast member Burnap’s recent comments strengthen this theory, with the actor – who’s set to play male lead Jonathan – recently telling Man About Town of his character: “[He’s] less of a full-on prince and more of a reluctant hero.”

However, with exact plot details yet to be revealed, we’ll have to wait and see exactly what the remake will look like.

Snow White 2025 remake controversy explained

Following the announcement of Zegler’s casting back in 2022, there was backlash from conservative critics over the actress, who is of Colombian-Polish descent, playing the character who, in the 19th century Grimms fairy tale, is described as having “skin as white as snow”.

Zegler faced criticism in 2022 at the D23 Expo when she described the original film as “dated” and added that Prince Charming “literally stalks” Snow White.

She sparked controversy again in 2023 when she suggested the remake would be more feminist than the original film, saying in an interview: “It’s no longer 1937… She’s not going to be saved by the prince, and she’s not going to be dreaming about true love. She’s dreaming about becoming the leader she knows she can be.”

After some commentators took issue with the story change, Zegler responded to the backlash in an interview with Variety, saying that her comments were wrongly interpreted as being critical of the original film – and that she believes Snow White can want both love and independence.

The film has also been criticised by Peter Dinklage, who has a form of dwarfism called achondroplasia, with the star accusing Disney of “hypocrisy” over the movie, citing the fairy tale’s “backwards story about seven dwarfs living in a cave together.”

“Literally no offence to anyone, but I was a little taken aback – they were very proud to cast a Latina actress as Snow White,” he said on the WTF with Marc Maron podcast. “But you’re still telling the story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Take a step back and look at what you’re doing there. It makes no sense to me.”

He continued: “You’re progressive in one way but then you’re still making that f**king backwards story about seven dwarfs living in a cave together, what the f**k are you doing, man? Have I done nothing to advance the cause from my soap box? I guess I’m not loud enough.”

Disney responded to Dinklage’s criticisms in a statement, which read: “To avoid reinforcing stereotypes from the original animated film, we are taking a different approach with these seven characters and have been consulting with members of the dwarfism community.

“We look forward to sharing more as the film heads into production after a lengthy development period.”

The film has also faced backlash for plot changes to the 1937 original, with the son of one of the 1937 movie’s animators and supervising director, David Hand, criticising changes to the storyline.

He told The Telegraph: “It’s a whole different concept, and I just totally disagree with it.

“Their thoughts are just so radical now. They change the stories, they change the thought process of the characters… They’re making up new woke things, and I’m just not into any of that.”

However, both Zegler and the film’s director Webb have said the new movie honours the original while introducing it to a new generation.

In a recent interview with Vogue Mexico, Zegler explained: “It’s very important for the public to know that Disney has found this beautiful and delicate balance between the 1937 animated classic that everyone knows and loves, and at the same time, introduces it to this new generation.”

Meanwhile, in notes shared with press, director Webb said it was important for the new film “to honour the DNA of Snow White”.

He added: “The original Snow White didn’t break the mould… it created the mould. Somehow, Walt Disney connects to something inside of us, a kind of childlike wonder and optimism.

“But there was also an opportunity to re-tell the mythology to reflect the times that we’re in, and I think all good stories evolve over time. They become reflections of the world that we live in and what we want the world to be to a degree.”

What songs will feature in the Snow White live-action movie?

Along with the beloved songs from the original 1937 film’s soundtrack, the remake will also include new songs written by La La Land’s Benj Pasek and Justin Paul.

One of these new songs is Waiting on a Wish, which fans were first given a glimpse at in the film’s first trailer, which was released back in December 2023.

“Benj and Justin came up with the idea of Waiting on a Wish, inspired by the iconic wishing well first introduced to audiences in the animated Snow White,” Platt previously shared. “They have written a truly beautiful song for our new film that is bound to become iconic in its own right.”

On 4th March 2025, the song was released to the public and you can check it out below.

Snow White live-action trailer

Yes, Disney released the official trailer for the film back in December 2023, giving fans a first look at Zegler in action as she interacts with the Evil Queen and the seven dwarves.

Watch below:

Snow White will be released in UK cinemas on 21st March 2025. Watch the original Snow White on Disney Plus – £4.99 a month or £89.90 for a year subscription

Justin Bieber defiantly goes after haters, continues cryptic posting

Justin Bieber has continued his streak of sharing cryptic messages on social media after breaking silence with a heartbreaking message.

The 31-year-old Candadian hitmaker took to his Instagram Story once again on Monday morning to post eyebrow-raising text which seemed to be aimed at his detractors.

He wrote: ‘If they aren’t talking s*** U must not be goin brazy enough.’

According to UrbanDictionary.com, Brazy means ‘crazy but you replace the c with a b because if you are a blood you don’t use c because has to do with the crips.’

Perhaps most interestingly, the post was set to the song Go Crazy by Chris Brown and Young Thug who have both had multiple issues with the law.

Chris infamously physically assaulted then-girlfriend Rihanna in 2009 while Thug – born Jeffery Lamar Williams II – plead no contest to several RICO charges and is currently on 15 years probation. He was released from prison in October 2024.

Justin Bieber has c ontinued his streak of sharing cryptic messages on social media after breaking silence with a heartbreaking message

The 31-year-old Candadian hitmaker took to his Instagram Story once again on Monday morning to post eyebrow-raising text which seemed to be aimed at his detractors

Justin also shared other random snaps including one from his trip to Disneyland with wife Hailey Bieber and pal Kid Laroi.

Hailey seemingly attempted to uplift his spirits with a trip to the happiest place on Earth, after he shared a worrying post about ‘drowning.’

Read More Tormented Justin Bieber’s wife Hailey tries to bolster his spirits at fun park after worrying post

The Baby hitmaker and the Rhode founder, 28, took a trip to Disneyland with some friends with Justin sharing snaps to his Instagram on Sunday.

Among the images he shared was a fun photo captured during their thrilling rollercoaster ride on Space Mountain.

Justin was seen in a black hoodie and wearing futuristic looking sunglasses, while Hailey — with whom he shares seven-month-old son Jack — rocked a black leather jacket and black shades.

Another playful photograph showed them at an arcade, both matching in Mickey and Minnie Mouse ears.

There was also a photo of Justin flipping the bird as he posed for a selfie alongside his wife.

Hailey also shares a snap in Minnie ears to her stories.

Justin also shared other random snaps including one from his trip to Disneyland with wife Hailey Bieber and pal Kid Laroi

Hailey seemingly attempted to uplift his spirits with a trip to the happiest place on Earth, after he shared a worrying post about ‘drowning’

Hailey seemingly attempted to uplift his spirits with a trip to the happiest place on Earth, after he shared a worrying post about ‘drowning’

Kid Laroi also shared two photos of Bieber to his Instagram, calling their Disneyland adventure the ‘#best #day #ever.’

One photo showed Justin at a lunch table with his head down, and a platter of food in front of him.

Read More Justin Bieber raises eyebrows with new post after breaking silence with heartbreaking message

Another showed him walking next to the Australian rapper with his hoodie and mouse ears while wearing baggy pants.

Justin and Kid are longtime pals and have collaborated on a number of music projects in the past.

It comes after Justin shared another cryptic message on his Instagram Stories.

In the lengthy post, the Peaches singer wrote about feeling like he was drowning and unsafe.

The post – which was set to SZA’s I Hate U – ignited new fears for the Canadian pop star and his mental health.

He wrote: ‘I was always told when I was a kid not to hate. But it make me feel like I wasn’t allowed to have it and so I didn’t tell anyone I’ve had it.’

There was also a photo of Justin flipping the bird as he posed for a selfie alongside his wife

Justin was seen in a black hoodie and futuristic looking sunglasses, while Hailey rocked a black leather jacket and shades

The duo happily posed with their friends and matched in Mickey and Minnie Mouse ears

Justin seemed to enjoy a few rides, including Space Mountain

Kid Laroi was seen checking out a food menu at one of the park’s restaurants

Another black and white photo showed his friends riding in a bus as they made their way to the fun park

Justin shared a photo of some of the attractions

Another blurry shot showed his pals having fun

Justin enjoyed the company of his friends

Hailey also shared a snap in Minnie ears to her stories

‘Which made me feel like I was drowning, unsafe to acknowledge it. I think we can only let hate go by first acknowledging its there,’ he continued.

‘How couldn’t we feel hate from all of the hurt we’ve experienced,’ he concluded.

In recent weeks, Justin has left observers increasingly worried over his hollow-eyed appearance and his social media posts, including one of him smoking what looked like it could be a joint and another one of him pulling from a bong.

His latest concerning post comes just a few days after he said he felt ‘like a fraud’ and ‘unqualified most days.’

On Thursday, he hinted that he has imposter syndrome over his rapid rise to fame, writing: ‘People told me my whole life “wow Justin you deserve that.”

‘And I personally have always felt unworthy, like I was a fraud, like when people told me I deserve something.’

‘It made me feel sneaky like, damn if they only knew my thoughts. How judgmental I am, how selfish I really am… They wouldn’t be saying this.’

‘I say all this to say, if you feel sneaky, welcome to the club. I definitely feel unequipped and unqualified most days.’

Bieber shot to fame when he was just 15 after he was discovered on YouTube, signing to Usher’s record label.

Kid Laroi also shared two snaps of Bieber to his Instagram, calling their Disneyland adventure the ‘#best #day #ever’

One photo showed Justin at a lunch table with his head down, and a platter of food in front of him

His debut single Baby was released in 2010 and he has since become one of the best-selling music artists of all time, with an estimated 150 million records sold worldwide.

However, speculation over Bieber’s health has been mounting in recent months, after the singer stepped out looking hollow-eyed and in bizarre outfits, leading his representative to issue a statement denying he was on hard drugs.

Despite the worry, both the singer and wife Hailey have continued to brush aside the concerns over their relationship by stepping out together on recent outings and also appearing on each other’s social media pages.

Earlier this month on March 1, the singer celebrated his 31st birthday and uploaded an assortment of pictures to Instagram, including one as both he and Hailey held their son Jack.

Another image showed the model as she sweetly wrapped her arms around her husband as they seemingly sang karaoke.

A few days later, he sparked concern among fans once again when he shared photos of himself smoking from what appeared to be a bong.

In photos shared to Instagram, the star could be seen sitting on an e-bike as the track titled Hits From The Bong by Cypress Hill played in the background.

Late last month, Justin’s rep addressed worries over his disheveled appearance in a statement to TMZ.

It comes after the singer shared another cryptic message on his Instagram Stories. In it, the Peaches singer wrote about feeling like he was ‘drowning’ and ‘unsafe’

Earlier this week he shared a post about feeling ‘unworthy’

The posts ignited new fears for the Canadian pop star and his mental health; Seen here in 2025 with Hailey

‘The recurring narrative that Justin is using hard drugs is absolutely not true,’ the rep said, adding that the performer is currently ‘in one of the best places in his life.’

The star is also ‘actively parenting his newborn son’ Jack with wife Hailey and putting focus into making new music .

According to the rep, Justin has had a ‘very transformative’ year and ‘ended several close friendships and business relationships that no longer served him.’

Speculation about his appearance and marriage is ‘exhausting and pitiful and shows that despite the obvious truth, people are committed to keeping negative, salacious, harmful narratives alive.’

A source recently told DailyMail.com that while Hailey tends to ‘work all the time ,’ the singer instead prefers to ‘chill with friends’ and is more ’emotional and leads with his heart.’

The insider further explained that, ‘He is always working on music and toying with new ideas, he always has a guitar in his hand, he is super creative, but he does not work as much as she does.’

‘Justin already has so much success behind him, he is comfortable, he doesn’t need to prove anything. She is the leader and he doesn’t mind following her.’

Another source informed Us Weekly late last month that, ‘Hailey is trying to be as supportive as possible. It can be hard for Hailey, but she’s always there for him and is understanding.’

The star shot to fame at age 15 with debut Baby and has carved out an highly successful recording career (pictured 2010)

The insider added that the singer does not focus on the recent speculation and fan concerns and instead puts his focus on parenting son Jack.

‘He is a really great dad to Jack and is very protective over him.’

One source also told Us Weekly that the music artist is ‘happier than he’s been in a long time.’

The insider stated that ‘there’s no breakdown’ and added that the singer simply ‘just really doesn’t care what people think.’