A 15-year-old British actor is making a huge impact on Disney filmmaking history in the new Peter Pan remake!
Noah Matthews Matofsky is becoming the first actor with Down Syndrome to play a main character and lead role in a Disney movie.
Experience #PeterPanAndWendy, Disney’s epic movie event, April 28 only on @DisneyPlus. ✨ pic.twitter.com/aoP6G4CvGw
— Walt Disney Studios (@DisneyStudios) April 10, 2023
Noah, who apparently possesses an incredibly extensive “knowledge of film”, learned about Disney’s casting process for Peter Pan & Wendy via the talent agency called Zebedee (which is a talent agency that prioritizes inclusivity).
He was cast in the role of Slightly, the leader of the Lost Boys from Neverland.
“It was an amazing experience,” Noah told The Sun. “I had my own trailer and made lots of fantastic friends. We all learned sword fighting, which I loved.”
Progress! Representation matters! Noah Matthews Matofsky, an actor with Down syndrome, plays Slightly, one of the Lost Boys, in "Peter Pan & Wendy" on Disney+. It premieres April 28. @DisneyPlus pic.twitter.com/4XoIzo71Az
— Born Fabulous Podcast (@PodcastBorn) March 29, 2023
Noah has openly encouraged other people with Down Syndrome to “always dream big” and pursue their goals. Now, Noah himself is starring alongside A-list actors like Jude Law and accomplished actress Yara Shahidi (whose casting as Tinker Bell caused controversy among Disney fans)!
Disney has been criticized often lately when it comes to Disney movies’ inclusivity — with some audience members complaining that Disney is too inclusive, and other audience members (and institutions like GLAAD) saying that Disney is not doing enough to be inclusive.
Disney is currently facing demands from audiences for trans characters, particularly trans Disney princes or Disney princesses, as well as disabled Disney princesses or heroines — but judging by Noah’s casting in Peter Pan and Wendy, it looks like Disney is also keeping inclusivity in mind when it comes to the actors who are playing the characters in future Disney movies, not just the characters themselves!
Are you excited to see Peter Pan and Wendy when it comes to Disney+?