WATCH — Peter Pan & Wendy updates classic tale with more diversity | Video | Kids News

Disney+ movie stars teens Alexander Molony and Ever Anderson

The Peter Pan classic you know is getting a makeover with the new live-action Disney+ movie Peter Pan & Wendy.

The film stars Ever Anderson, 15, as Wendy Darling and Alexander Molony, 16, as Peter Pan.

It’s an updated version of the classic tale set in the fantasy world of Neverland.

The original animated Peter Pan is based on the well-known book and play by J.M. Barrie.

The new movie features a diverse cast of young actors, includes more female characters and gives Wendy a more central role.

Animated Peter Pan was criticized for racism

The animated version made by Disney and released in 1953 has been criticized for its racist portrayal of Indigenous characters.

In response, Disney+ added a disclaimer before the animated film that points out the “negative depictions” of some people and cultures. Those depictions include a powwow scene that featured harmful stereotypes about Indigenous people.

This new live-action version removed problematic scenes, including the powwow, and incorporates more diversity throughout the cast.

The cast includes Alberta-born Cree actor Alyssa Wapanatâhk as the Indigenous character Tiger Lily.

Black actor Yara Shahidi plays Tinker Bell.

Black actor Yara Shahidi, left, plays Tinker Bell in Peter Pan & Wendy. The fairy was portrayed as pale-skinned and blonde, right, in the 1953 animated version of the story. (Image credit: Disney+, Disney)

In addition, the film added girls to the supporting cast of Lost Boys who, as the name suggests, have traditionally been all boys.

The Lost Boys are a group of kids who live in Neverland and have no adult supervision. Peter Pan is their leader.

Wendy takes centre stage

Wendy’s character also gets an update.

Ever said she is “much more Peter’s equal” in this version.

The movie title hints at Wendy’s more central role.

Barrie’s original novel, published in 1911, was titled Peter and Wendy.

But Wendy’s name was cut out of the 1953 Disney version.

Adding her name back in wasn’t just symbolic.

“It’s really the story of Peter Pan through Wendy’s eyes,” said one of the film’s producers, Jim Whitaker, in a behind-the-scenes video produced by Disney+.

On-set pranks

Ever took that theme even further during an on-set prank where she had the crew switch the names around on the day’s call sheets from Peter Pan & Wendy to Wendy Darling & Peter.

Find out why Ever played that trick on her co-star by watching the video below.

(Hint: it was revenge.)

Press play to find out what prank set the whole thing off! 

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TOP IMAGE CREDIT: Disney+, graphic design by Philip Street/CBC