Casting Elsa in a potential live-action Frozen remake will be a big challenge. Elsa has captured the hearts of audiences worldwide, making it essential to find an actress who can do justice to the role. The question isn’t just about finding someone with the right attributes to portray Elsa’s depth, but also how this new portrayal might breathe fresh life into the beloved story while keeping the magic of the animated original intact. In animation form, Elsa is played by Idina Menzel, who is set to reprise her role in the upcoming Frozen 3.
Since its release in 2013, Disney’s Frozen has become a cultural phenomenon, earning critical acclaim and a massive fan following. Elsa’s character, in particular, has resonated deeply. With the transition to live-action, casting choices will play a pivotal role in preserving the essence of Elsa’s character, and expanding the reach of this enchanting tale to new generations of viewers. While casting a live-action Frozen seems like a daunting task, especially for Elsa, many actresses can bring this role to life, either in a remake of the first film or in an original story set years after the animated trilogy.
10 Evan Rachel Wood
Already having experience in the Disney universe, Evan Rachel Wood makes a great choice for a live-action Frozen remake. Drawing from her extensive acting experience and remarkable vocal talents, Wood lent her singing voice to Queen Iduna in Frozen 2, showcasing her musical abilities. In addition, her past performances in Westworld, Thirteen, and the musical film Across the Universe stress her versatility and abilities. These experiences make her a well-rounded candidate to portray a more mature Elsa in a live-action Frozen sequel.
9 Lily James
If this potential live-action adaptation wants a star who already played a Disney Princess, Lily James would be perfect. Best recognized for her lead role in Cinderella and her lively performance in Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, James can bring beloved fairy tale characters to life. Her enchanting portrayal of Cinderella embodied the grace, strength, and vulnerability that Elsa’s character demands. When it comes to singing, her experience in Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again adds to her musical resume, making her well-suited for the role of Elsa in a live-action adaptation, where singing and a deep connection to the character’s emotional journey will surely take the front seat.
8 Amanda Seyfried
Amanda Seyfried can pull off Elsa in a live remake of Frozen, as seen in her incredible career that includes Mamma Mia! where she showed off her singing talents and immense charm. In addition to her melodic talents, Seyfried has displayed her acting abilities in many complex roles, including that of Elizabeth Holmes in The Dropout, which earned her an Emmy Award. Seyfried can, without a doubt, bring the magical qualities of Elsa to life by combining her strong acting skills and musical talent in what would be a fantastical live-action Elsa.
7 Hailee Steinfeld
Hailee Steinfeld, who is both an actress and singer, would be a solid choice to play Elsa. Playing Elsa in a live-action Frozen remake will require a lot of singing, and Steinfeld has the talent for it. In addition to her music career, Steinfeld has already starred in two musical movies, Pitch Perfect 2 and Pitch Perfect 3. Her career also includes projects like The Edge of Seventeen, Summer Camp, the Spider-Verse movies, and the MCU’s Hawkeye show. Hailee Steinfeld’s rising star power combined with her immense talent as an actor and musician would make her a perfect Elsa.
6 Saoirse Ronan
Saoirse Ronan has been making a name for herself for years. She always portrays young female characters who inspire and possess a level of self-assuredness that is admirable. Casting Ronan as Elsa would be another opportunity for her to do the same, now in a more fantastical setting. With acclaimed performances in films like Lady Bird, Little Women, Brooklyn, and Atonement, Ronan has showcased her versatility and innate ability to bring depth and emotional resonance to her characters. Her portrayal of strong-willed and complex heroines aligns well with Elsa’s journey from self-discovery to embracing her inner strength.
5 Dove Cameron
Dove Cameron is an up-and-coming actress who has the talent to give Elsa the proper portrayal the character deserves. Given her impressive track record in Disney Channel roles such as Liv and Maddie and Descendants, Cameron has demonstrated her ability to connect with younger audiences and give a fresh take on relatable characters. Her strong singing ability, which she showcased in the Descendants series, aligns perfectly with the musical demands of Elsa’s character. The combination of her Disney experience and appeal to family audience makes Cameron a fitting choice to bring the Snow Queen to life in a live-action adaptation.
4 Florence Pugh
Florence Pugh’s potential to portray Elsa in a live-action Frozen remake is supported by her impressive performances seen in Little Woman, Midsommar, and Oppenheimer. Pugh’s strong acting skills and ability to interact with other characters showcasing complex relationships will be a key aspecofor Elsa’s connection with Anna. Her range, coupled with her well-received roles in numerous films, solidifies Pugh as a strong candidate to embody Elsa in a live-action adaptation, bringing authenticity and depth to this already iconic character.
3 Elle Fanning
Elle Fanning’s characters are often elegant yet strong women, two major qualities of Elsa. Fanning’s role as Princess Aurora in Disney’s Maleficent and its sequel demonstrates her ability to excel in magical and fantastical settings. Fanning’s portrayal of Aurora showcased both her acting capabilities and her capacity to embody the spirit of a classic Disney character, which aligns well with the demands of bringing the beloved character to life. Her enchanting presence and experience make her a strong candidate for the role, and she without a doubt can bring out new layers of Elsa that weren’t seen in the original, especially in a more serious live-action adaptation.
2 Zendaya
Zendaya has already established herself as one of Hollywood’s biggest leading ladies, with multiple awards, a prominent role in a hit show, a key character in a major Marvel franchise, and a revered status as a fashion icon. Casting such an iconic actress for an iconic role in a live-action Frozen remake is a brilliant move to ensure its success. Her role in The Greatest Showman showcased her powerful vocal abilities and her ability to convey deep emotions through song. Zendaya’s versatility, as witnessed in her portrayals of Rue in Euphoria and MJ in the Spider-Man franchise, highlights her capacity to fully immerse herself in a character.
1 Margot Robbie
Margot Robbie has already proven that she can perfectly bring iconic characters to life, from Harley Quinn to Barbie. It would be no surprise if she were to do the same as one of the world’s favorite Disney princesses. Her portrayal of the iconic doll in the highest-grossing film of 2023 highlights her ability to exude innocent charm and captivate audiences, qualities that are essential to Elsa’s character. Robbie’s versatility as an actress, as seen in her many diverse roles enables her to effectively transition into different worlds and universes, bringing forward Elsa’s magic that shines brightly in a potential live-action Frozen movie set after the original films.
