5 Jewish Stars Who Need To Be In These Upcoming Live-Action Disney Movies
Image by Forward Montage
By Thea Glassman March 20, 2017
Disney is coming out with a whole slew of live-action film adaptations — 22 to be exact! — and thus all is right with the world.
To celebrate, we put on our casting hats and chose the Jewish stars we’d most like to see take on some of Disney’s most iconic animated characters. Full list of upcoming films here.
Isla Fisher as The Little Mermaid
Image by Getty
The flowing red hair, that melodic voice…who else could pull off Ariel quite like Isla Fisher?
Also worth noting about this remake: Lin-Manuel Miranda and Alan Menken are writing the music, which is the dream musical duo we never knew we needed.
Gal Gadot as Peter Pan
Image by Getty
She’s already got the krav maga skills, so soaring through the air and fighting Captain Hook would be a sitch. Plus, she’s got the whole saving-the-day thing down pat with her role in the new “Wonder Woman” — and it’s about time we had an Israeli Peter Pan.
Billy Crystal as Genie
Image by Getty
No one can ever compete with Robin Williams, who voiced the Genie in the 1992 animated flick, but Billy Crystal’s wisecracking flair and spot-on impressions could definitely make for a delightful replacement.
Rashida Jones as Snow White
Image by Getty
Remember when Rashida Jones played Karen on “The Office” and handled Dwight and Michael’s antics with a light-hearted exasperation? We could totally see her doing the same with the seven dwarves. Plus, she’d definitely spice up the beloved fairytale with her sharp acting chops and deadpan humor.
Also worth noting for this adaptation: “La La Land” composers Benj Pasek and Justin Paul are doing the music (!)
Dave Franco as Prince Charming
Image by Getty
Okay, this one isn’t entirely about his —admittedly— Prince Charming look. Dave Franco definitely has the humor and impishness that could take the normally blah royal to a much more original level.
Thea Glassman is an Associate Editor at the Forward. Reach her at [email protected]
A message from our Publisher & CEO Rachel Fishman Feddersen
I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism so that we can be prepared for whatever news 2025 brings.
At a time when other newsrooms are closing or cutting back, the Forward has removed its paywall and invested additional resources to report on the ground from Israel and around the U.S. on the impact of the war, rising antisemitism and polarized discourse.
Readers like you make it all possible. Support our work by becoming a Forward Member and connect with our journalism and your community.
— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO
