The classic fairy tale is getting a fresh look, and an Oscar-nominated actress is stepping into the glass slippers. Amanda Seyfried has been cast as the voice of Cinderella in Netflix’s upcoming animated movie, Steps. This new film does not tell the usual story. Instead, it focuses on the two stepsisters, giving them a chance to share their side of the story.
The streaming service confirmed the casting news this week, adding Seyfried to a cast that already includes Ali Wong and Stephanie Hsu. The movie is set to arrive on Netflix sometime in 2026. Production is moving forward with Amy Poehler serving as one of the producers.
A Different Kind of Fairy Tale Adventure
Steps turns the original story on its head. The main characters are Lilith (voiced by Ali Wong) and Margot (voiced by Stephanie Hsu), the two sisters who are usually shown as cruel and jealous. In this version, they are not exactly evil. Lilith is described as misunderstood. When she gets blamed for ruining the Royal Ball with a stolen magic wand, things go very wrong. She accidentally turns her sister Margot into a frog.
The accident causes the kingdom to fall into the hands of a mean girl who only cares about finding a prince. To fix the mess, Lilith must team up with Cinderella. She also gets help from a troll who turns out to be surprisingly attractive. The goal is to save the kingdom, fix the broken fairy tale, and show that even people labeled as villains deserve a happy ending.
Directors Explain Why Seyfried Was the Right Choice
The filmmakers had high praise for Amanda Seyfried and her ability to bring something new to such a well-known character. Alyce Tzue, who is co-directing the movie, explained that they needed an actress who could make the role feel real and easy to connect with.
“Amanda has this incredible ability to make her characters specific and relatable, and we absolutely needed that when taking on a character that’s as legendary as Cinderella. We wanted to create a modern heroine complete with flaws and coping mechanisms, and Amanda immediately understood the task. Her portrayal of Cinderella is hilarious and heartbreaking and, most importantly, refreshingly human.” – Alyce Tzue, Co-Director
John Ripa, the other co-director known for his work on Raya and the Last Dragon, also spoke about working with Seyfried. He noted her strong work ethic and skill. He mentioned that her control over her voice brings a new level of depth and humor to the character that the team never expected.
A Strong Voice Cast Led by Wong and Hsu
The casting for Steps brings together three very talented actresses. Ali Wong, who won a Golden Globe for the series Beef, voices Lilith. Stephanie Hsu, known for her Oscar-nominated role in Everything Everywhere All at Once, voices Margot. Their roles are central to the story, as the plot follows the sisters on their adventure to save the kingdom.
Amanda Seyfried joins them as the famous princess. Seyfried has voiced characters in animation before, including a role in Scoob! and the Sly Cooper film adaptation. Her recent live-action work includes The Housemaid and Seven Veils. For this project, she will bring a new version of Cinderella to the screen, one that the directors describe as a modern hero with flaws and real human feelings.
What to Expect From the Story
The movie’s official description gives a clear idea of what viewers can expect. It is a comedy adventure that pokes fun at the original fairy tale while also trying to give a fairer look to characters often seen as purely bad.
The plot is fast-paced. It starts with a magical accident at a big ball. A sister turns into a frog. A kingdom gets taken over by a prince-obsessed rival. And the hero is a troll. The team behind Steps wants to create a movie that is fun for the whole family but also has a smart message about judging people too quickly.
Amy Poehler produces the film through her Paper Kite Productions, alongside Jane Hartwell and Kim Lessing. Poehler’s involvement suggests the movie will have a smart, comedic tone similar to her other projects.
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Release Plans for Global Audiences
Steps is scheduled to release in 2026. Netflix has not yet announced a specific date. However, the film will be available to stream in all regions where Netflix operates, including the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, India, and worldwide. As with all Netflix originals, subscribers will be able to watch the movie on any device with the app.
For families looking for new animated content, Steps offers an alternative to the traditional princess movies. It takes a well-known story and asks a simple question: What if the “bad guys” were not actually that bad?
The animation style shown in early images from Netflix looks bright and modern. Cinderella appears more determined and less like a damsel in distress. The stepsisters are drawn with expressive features that match the comedic tones of Ali Wong and Stephanie Hsu.
This is not the first time Netflix has reimagined a classic fairy tale. The streaming service has found success with other animated projects that put a new spin on old stories. With a cast this strong and a team of experienced producers and directors, Steps is shaping up to be a major release for Netflix Animation in 2026.
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