Disney’s newest live-action film, reimagining the 1953 animated classic Peter Pan (inspired by J.M. Barrie’s novel), is set to premiere exclusively on Disney+ in April.
First-look images and the official trailer offer sneak peeks of the beloved characters: the eternal child, the young London girl on the brink of growing up, a tiny fairy sprinkling pixie dust, and a fearsome pirate with a hook for a hand.
The magical setting? None other than Neverland! The Faroe Islands and Newfoundland were used as filming locations when production began in 2020.
“With Peter Pan and Wendy, we aimed to create a film that pays homage to both J.M. Barrie’s original text and Walt Disney’s animated adaptation; we sought to infuse our retelling with emotional honesty, a warm heart, and a deep longing for adventure,” director David Lowery shared in a press statement.
“I’m thrilled for audiences to witness the incredible work of the hundreds of artists who spent years bringing this film to life, to embark on this journey and to rediscover a timeless tale from a fresh perspective,” he added.
This latest version of the classic story follows other big-screen adaptations, such as Steven Spielberg’s Hook in 1991, Universal’s Peter Pan in 2003, and Warner Bros. Pictures’ Pan in 2015.
However, the most recent iteration has sparked mixed reactions from die-hard fans of the original book and film, as the “Lost Boys” now include girls in their ranks.
Here’s everything you need to know about Peter Pan & Wendy, including its cast and premiere date.
What is Peter Pan & Wendy about?
The official Disney+ synopsis states: “Peter Pan & Wendy introduces Wendy Darling, a young girl hesitant to leave her childhood home behind, who meets Peter Pan, a boy who refuses to grow up. Accompanied by her brothers and the tiny fairy, Tinker Bell, Wendy travels with Peter to the enchanting world of Neverland. There, she confronts the villainous pirate captain, Captain Hook, and embarks on a thrilling and perilous adventure that will forever change her life.”
While the core storyline echoes the original tale, Lowery’s rendition of the fantasy includes several notable changes. Apart from the switch to live-action, updates include greater diversity among the cast and the inclusion of girls in the Lost Boys.
This has led to Disney being criticized for following a “woke agenda.” Others on social media have defended the casting choices by highlighting that these are fictional characters with no specified race.
Peter Pan & Wendy joins other Disney titles like Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, Aladdin, Mulan, and more in receiving the live-action treatment. Disney is also working on live-action versions of Bambi and the upcoming The Little Mermaid.
Who’s in the Peter Pan & Wendy cast?
Newcomer Alexander Molony stars Peter Pan in his film debut, while Milla Jovovich’s daughter, Ever Anderson, takes on the role of Wendy Darling.
Joining them are Alyssa Wapanatâhk as Tiger Lily, Yara Shahidi as Tinker Bell, and Jude Law as Captain Hook. Additional cast members include Joshua Pickering, Jacobi Jupe, Molly Parker, Alan Tudyk, and Jim Gaffigan.
Grown-ish actress Shahidi recently shared her preparation for portraying the iconic fairy, which involved “creating playlists” to get into character—a process she described as “fun and a bit absurd.”
Meanwhile, Law follows in the footsteps of Hans Conried (voice of Hook in the 1953 animated Peter Pan), Jason Isaacs (in 2003’s live-action Peter Pan), and Dustin Hoffman (in Spielberg’s 1991 Hook) as Captain Hook.
“I was already familiar with most of the performances because they were all iconic in great films,” Law told Yahoo Entertainment at Disney’s D23 Expo. While he didn’t rely on past films as part of his preparation, he admitted, “I probably used it as an excuse to go back and watch them.”
Is there a Peter Pan & Wendy trailer?
Disney+ unveiled the first full trailer for Peter Pan & Wendy in February 2023, showcasing Molony and Anderson in the leading roles, along with Shahidi as Tinker Bell and Law as Captain Hook.
Who directed Peter Pan & Wendy?
David Lowery, who directed The Green Knight and Disney’s Pete’s Dragon, helmed and co-wrote Peter Pan & Wendy. In a conversation with Collider, he revealed that it’s one of his “favourite” projects.
“Speaking personally, it’s my favourite thing I’ve ever made, which I wasn’t expecting going into, but it is,” Lowery shared with the outlet in 2021. “I’ve never been as in love with a movie as I am with this one… It’s the most personal thing I’ve ever made.”
Peter Pan & Wendy promises to be a visually stunning and emotionally resonant live-action reimagining of the classic story. With a talented cast, an experienced director, and a fresh perspective on a timeless tale, the film is set to captivate audiences when it premieres on Disney+ on April 28, 2023.
