MOVIE NEWS – Before Rachel Zegler joined the ranks of actresses portraying Disney royalty, she had already built an impressive career. From playing Maria in West Side Story to Lucy Gray Baird in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, Zegler quickly carved out her place in Hollywood. In March, she officially became part of the Disney legacy with her portrayal of Snow White. Now, in her first film since Snow White, she’s starring alongside Marisa Tomei — known for her role as Aunt May in the Marvel Cinematic Universe — in the comedy-drama She Gets It From Me, playing a young woman searching for her estranged punk rocker mother.

According to Variety, Tomei takes on the role of Charlotte — a pill-popping, ex-punk rock mother who lives life on the edge. The movie follows Nicky (Zegler), whose engagement celebration takes an unexpected turn, prompting her to track down the birth mother she never really knew. What begins as chaos becomes a path toward reconnection, in a story inspired by real events. Julia von Heinz (And Tomorrow the Entire World, Treasure) will direct the film. Global pre-sales are being handled at Cannes by Embankment, a company specializing in bringing together top-tier talent. Production will be overseen by 3311 Productions in collaboration with Anna Werner for Seven Elephants and Jay Reiss (The Oranges), who also wrote the script.

Rachel Zegler and Marisa Tomei Might Be a Perfect Match

Director Julia von Heinz describes the project as a deep yet hilarious exploration of two completely different worlds crashing into each other. “The emotional truth of the movie, reflecting parts of all our lives, is truly funny, immersive cinema. Jay’s screenplay captures family dynamics at their most authentic — absurd yet profound, messy yet meaningful. The collision of two worlds creates comedy that cuts deep because it’s so honest.”

There’s no one better than Rachel Zegler to portray Nicky — a character that demands both emotional weight and comedic timing. Her range is what convinced Jen Dana of 3311 to get her on board. “Rachel always brings a brilliant depth and humanity to her roles, and we are so excited for her to continue to showcase her versatility and humor as an actress.”

She Gets It From Me might just turn Zegler and Tomei into a new iconic duo — think Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis in Freaky Friday. With Zegler’s ability to balance genres and Tomei’s decades of experience, the film has strong potential to win over both audiences and critics. After her breakout in West Side Story, Zegler avoided being typecast by branching out into superhero flicks, dystopian thrillers, sci-fi, and even animation, proving her adaptability across the board.

Marisa Tomei, meanwhile, is a seasoned Hollywood powerhouse. After earning an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in My Cousin Vinny (1992), she’s gone on to appear in over 50 films and a range of TV series — including her role as Maggie Lauten in A Different World. From college coeds to Spider-Man’s aunt, Tomei’s versatility has made her one of the most memorable actresses of her generation. Her role as an ex-punk mother is bound to be yet another highlight in her eclectic career.

Source: Variety