At the beginning of 2023, Disney continues to strengthen its live-action projects based on popular animated works. On February 28, the studio released the trailer for Peter Pan & Wendy. Instead of focusing on Peter Pan or Wendy, audiences are drawn to the character Tinkerbell, portrayed by actress Yara Shahidi.
Yara Shahidi as the first Black actress to play Tinkerbell.
The decision to change Tinkerbell’s race from the original depiction has sparked heated debates. Many viewers find it hard to understand why Disney consistently engages in “race-swapping” of established characters in its productions.
However, some critics argue that Disney does not respect the essence of the original works and often misuses the concept of diversity, leading to a considerable backlash.
“Reimagining the character of Tinkerbell for a new generation,” one critic noted, “if you truly respect diversity, then the essence of characters should be preserved rather than being altered to fit a diversity agenda. Black characters should be allowed to create their own impactful narratives, similar to films like ‘Get Out,’ which feature Black leads in well-crafted stories that resonate with audiences.” This criticism has left Disney in a challenging position regarding its approach to character representation.
Previously, the live-action film The Little Mermaid also faced significant backlash when Disney cast Halle Bailey, a Black actress, in the role of Ariel.
