Misty Copeland to Appear in New Disney Film Inspired by The Nutcracker

Noted ballet dancer Misty Copeland will appear in an upcoming Disney film of E.T.A. Hoffmann's The Nutcracker and the Four Realms, according to Variety. Copeland will be a lead ballerina in the film's dance sequence.

Inspired by Hoffman's classic story of the same title, the film tells the story of a young girl whose Nutcracker doll comes to life, along with an evil mouse king. With a script by Ashleigh Powell, it will be directed by Lasse Hallström.

Copeland became the first African-American woman to become a principal dancer for the American Ballet Theatre last year. She appeared on Broadway in On the Town in 2015.