Rachel Zegler may be gearing up for her next big leap into musical theater—this time by reportedly stepping into the iconic role of Maria von Trapp in The Sound of Music. The part, immortalized by Julie Andrews in the 1965 film adaptation, would mark yet another instance of Zegler being attached to a race-swapped role from a beloved property.
And for some, that’s becoming a curious pattern.
Rachel Zegler singing the original song “Waiting on a Wish” from Disney‘s Snow White live action remake – YouTube, Disney
According to Deadline, Zegler’s well-reviewed turn as Eva Perón in Evita at the London Palladium has ignited what they describe as “intense talk” of her playing Maria in a Sound of Music revival at Lincoln Center. The site is quick to note that “it’s not in any shape or form confirmed,” but the rumor is now in the wild—especially with Zegler’s stage presence receiving rare praise following the PR disaster that was Disney’s Snow White.
Should Zegler land the part, this would be her second high-profile case of being cast in a classic musical role originally portrayed by a White actress, the first obviously being Snow White.
Rachel Zegler as Snow White in Snow White (2025), Walt Disney Studios
Her first breakout performance in Hollywood was as Maria in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story, a character of Puerto Rican heritage—while Zegler herself is Colombian-Polish. Her casting in that film drew praise in Hollywood circles but, of course, the film performed abysmally at the box office.
Now, The Sound of Music presents another battleground in that conversation, with Zegler now taking on the race-swapped role of a real person who actually existed.
Rachel Zegler via Good Morning America YouTube
The musical, based on the true story of the von Trapp family, is set in Austria during the rise of Germany prior to WW2. Maria, a nun-in-training turned governess, helps bring music and unity back to a broken household. With songs like “My Favorite Things,” “Do-Re-Mi,” and “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” the film became one of the most cherished cinematic musicals of all time.
Replacing Julie Andrews in any context is no small feat, but doing so in a way that changes the ethnic background of such a culturally specific character is guaranteed to raise eyebrows. While there’s no official casting confirmation, Deadline’s suggestion that this could follow Zegler’s run in Evita implies the idea is being floated among industry insiders.
Rachel Zegler via Variety YouTube
Adding to the intrigue, the same Deadline article veers into promotional territory. The writer waxes poetic about Zegler’s “voice rising above la merde,” while calling Snow White a film that “should never, ever have been greenlighted in the first place.” It almost reads as damage control—an effort to reframe Zegler as a misunderstood talent rather than the public relations liability she became during the Snow White rollout.
That campaign saw her alienate fans by mocking the original film, calling it outdated, and hinting at a complete overhaul of the story’s romantic and traditional themes. The backlash was swift and damaging. In the wake of that mess, Zegler quietly retreated from Hollywood and found refuge on the London stage. Early reports suggested Evita was struggling to sell tickets.
Rachel Zegler as Snow White in Snow White (2025), Walt Disney Studios
Meanwhile, her upcoming slate of film work appears sparse. Zegler is attached to a low-budget comedy-drama titled She Gets It From Me, where she’ll star alongside Marisa Tomei. IMDb currently lists no other future projects. In that vacuum, rumors like The Sound of Music gain more traction, especially when they conveniently position Zegler as triumphant and in demand.
Of course, it’s also worth noting that nothing about The Sound of Music revival has been formally announced—not casting, not a director, not even whether such a revival is officially happening. It’s possible the entire rumor is little more than PR buzz intended to generate interest in Evita and rehabilitate Zegler’s image by connecting her to yet another legendary role.
Honor Gillies as Barb Azure, Konstantin Taffet as Clerk Carmine and Rachel Zegler as Lucy Gray Baird in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Photo Credit: Murray Close
Still, the trend is hard to ignore. Rachel Zegler has become something of a go-to name when modern Hollywood and Broadway look to repurpose classic characters with updated cultural or ethnic identities. Whether that speaks to her talent, a scarcity of suitable roles for young actresses of color, or an industry obsessed with provocative casting choices is up for debate.
Rachel Zegler singing in the Snow White Trailer – YouTube, Disney
For now, the Zegler’s Evita run continues through early September. And unless Lincoln Center Theater announces something concrete, The Sound of Music Rachel Zegler revival remains just a whisper on the wind. But if it happens, expect the cultural conversation to reignite—with Zegler once again at the center of it.
How do you feel about Rachel Zegler in The Sound of Music? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
