Peter Pan, the boy who never grows up, is back on the big screen with a new adventure in an inclusive live-action movie that tackles growing pains and overcoming fears. The film, titled “Peter Pan and Wendy,” is based on J.M. Barrie’s iconic characters and the classic 1953 Disney animation of the same name.
The story opens with Wendy Darling, a young girl who is reluctantly leaving her family and childhood behind to attend boarding school. But on the night before her departure, Wendy and her two brothers are visited by Peter Pan and Tinker Bell, who teach them to fly and take them to the magical world of Neverland.
In Neverland, Wendy and her brothers meet Peter’s band of Lost Boys and face off against Captain Hook and his band of pirates, which helps Wendy find her voice and regain her confidence. Directed and co-written by David Lowery, the film stars Jude Law as Captain Hook, Yara Shahidi as Tinker Bell, Ever Anderson as Wendy, and Alexander Molony as Peter Pan.
The movie also features inclusivity by having Noah Matthews Matofsky, an actor with Down’s syndrome, and girls, including Shahidi, as members of the Lost Boys. Shahidi, who is the first black actor to portray Tinker Bell, believes that having a diverse cast will allow children to dream big and feel like they belong in different worlds.
The film will be available to stream on Disney+ starting on April 28th, giving a new generation of children the chance to experience the timeless story of Peter Pan and his adventures in Neverland.