Disney’s live-action remakes always seem to kick up a massive storm of debate. But the 2025 version of Snow White took things to a whole new level when people realized the "Prince" was essentially gone. Well, not gone, but changed. If you’ve been scrolling through trailers and cast lists wondering who plays Jonathan in Snow White, you aren't alone. It's a question that’s been trailing the production since the first casting calls leaked.
The man in the spotlight is Andrew Burnap.
He’s not playing Prince Florian. He’s not even a prince—at least not at first. Honestly, the shift from a traditional royal to a character named Jonathan is one of the biggest departures from the 1937 classic we’ve seen in years. Burnap isn't just some random newcomer either. He’s a heavyweight in the acting world, even if you haven't seen his face on a massive IMAX screen before this.
Who Exactly is Andrew Burnap?
Andrew Burnap is a 34-year-old powerhouse from Rhode Island. While Hollywood is just now getting to know him, Broadway has been obsessed with him for a while. He’s a Tony Award winner, which basically means he has the kind of acting chops that make most movie stars look like they're still in a high school play. He won Best Leading Actor in a Play for The Inheritance in 2021.
If you like prestige TV, you might recognize him from Under the Banner of Heaven or WeCrashed. But Snow White is his first massive, big-budget "Disney" moment.
What’s interesting is that Burnap didn't grow up as some child star. He went to the University of Rhode Island and then the Yale School of Drama. He’s a theater geek through and through. In fact, right when Snow White was hitting theaters in early 2025, he was actually back on Broadway starring in Othello alongside Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal. He even had to miss the big premiere because he had a show that night. That tells you everything you need to know about his priorities—he’s an actor's actor.
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Why the Name Change? The Jonathan vs. Prince Florian Debate
So, why Jonathan? Why not just call him "The Prince" and be done with it?
Director Marc Webb and the writers decided they wanted someone with a bit more... dirt under their fingernails. Jonathan isn't a royal waiting in a castle. He’s more of a reluctant hero, a guy who is part of a resistance against the Evil Queen’s monarchy. Burnap has described the character as someone who is "disillusioned" with the power structures of the world.
Basically, he’s a bandit. Or a rebel.
A Character Inspired by Walt’s Deleted Scenes
Here is a bit of trivia that most people miss: Jonathan isn't just a random invention to be "modern." According to the production team, the character was actually inspired by some of Walt Disney's original sketches from the 1930s. Back then, there was a subplot where the Prince was captured and held in a dungeon by the Queen. It never made it into the 1937 animated film because of budget and time constraints, but the 2025 movie decided to pick up that thread.
Rachel Zegler, who plays Snow White, has compared Jonathan to Flynn Rider from Tangled. He’s got that roguish charm, he cracks jokes when things get tense, and he doesn't start the movie as a perfect person. He’s cynical. Snow White is the one who gives him a reason to care again.
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What Most People Get Wrong About the Role
There was a lot of internet outrage (isn't there always?) about the lack of a "Prince Charming." People thought the romance was being cut entirely.
That’s not actually true.
While the movie focuses more on Snow White’s journey to becoming a leader, the romance with Jonathan is still a core part of the plot. Burnap and Zegler have plenty of chemistry, and yes, there is singing. You don't hire a Tony winner and a West Side Story lead and then tell them to stay quiet.
Some quick facts about Andrew Burnap's Jonathan:
- He is a "thief" or "bandit" who steals to feed the poor.
- He is a "reluctant hero" who finds his spark through Snow White.
- The character is a mix of original Walt Disney concepts and a modern "Robin Hood" vibe.
- Burnap actually identifies as sexually fluid in real life, which he’s spoken about in interviews with Glamour UK, adding a layer of personal authenticity to his journey of self-discovery that he brings to his roles.
Why This Casting Matters for Disney’s Future
Casting someone like Andrew Burnap is a specific choice. Disney is moving away from the "pretty face" era and moving toward "prestige talent." They want actors who can handle the physical demands of an action-heavy role while also delivering a performance that doesn't feel like a cardboard cutout.
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Burnap brings a level of nuance to Jonathan that the original 1937 Prince just didn't have. In the original, the Prince had about two lines and a song. In 2025, Jonathan is a fully fleshed-out human being with a backstory, a sense of humor, and his own internal struggles.
What to Do Next
If you’re a fan of Andrew Burnap’s performance, you should definitely check out his earlier work. It’s vastly different from the Disney gloss.
Watch Under the Banner of Heaven on Hulu to see him in a much darker, dramatic role. It’s a true-crime limited series that shows just how much range he actually has.
You can also look up clips of his Tony-winning performance in The Inheritance. It’s a heavy play, but it’s the reason he got the Disney gig in the first place. If you're heading to New York anytime soon, see if he’s still in a production—seeing a Tony winner live is a completely different experience than seeing them on screen.
Keep an eye on his career. Most actors who jump from Broadway to a lead Disney role end up being household names within a few years. Just look at what happened with Lin-Manuel Miranda or Jonathan Groff. Burnap is on that same trajectory.
Check out the official Disney soundtrack too. Hearing a trained Broadway voice tackle these new songs is arguably the best part of the whole movie.
Next Steps:
If you want to dive deeper into the changes made for this remake, look into the specific interviews from D23 where the director explains the "bandit" concept. It clears up a lot of the confusion regarding the Seven Dwarfs and how Jonathan fits into their group. Also, keep an eye on Andrew Burnap's social media—though he's pretty private, he occasionally drops behind-the-scenes tidbits about the grueling rehearsal process for the film's big musical numbers.