Yara Shahidi, the 23-year-old actress known for her role in grown-ish, has been cast as Tinker Bell in the upcoming adaptation of Peter Pan & Wendy. This fresh take on the classic tale has attracted attention and some controversy, with critics pointing to Shahidi’s race as a departure from the character’s original portrayal in the animated classic.
In a recent interview with Byrdie, Shahidi discussed her decision to accept the role and shared her thoughts on the reimagining of Tinker Bell as a Black woman. The actress spoke about her conversation with the film’s director, David Lowery, and Disney’s intentions behind retelling the story.
According to Shahidi, Lowery expressed a desire to “bring some new fun to this classic but also give us the fairy tale we deserve.” The casting decisions are not merely about adding diversity for the sake of appearances, but instead are focused on creating a more inclusive story that resonates with a broader audience.
Shahidi’s Tinker Bell aims to break the mold and provide representation for those who have been excluded from fairy tales for far too long. With the movie set to premiere on Disney+ in April, fans can catch a glimpse of Shahidi in action in the recently released Peter Pan & Wendy trailer.
