Disney’s live-action remake of ‘Snow White’ was supposed to fulfill the fantasy of the animated films about the iconic princess and the dwarves. However, instead, the film has turned into one of the most divisive releases in recent memory.
From casting choices to cultural debates and creative struggles ‘Snow White’ has found itself at the center of multiple storms. A movie that should have been a surefire hit has become a symbol of Disney’s struggle to balance modern sensibilities with nostalgic storytelling.
Rachel Zegler’s Controversial Take On The OG Snow White Drew Backlash For The Live-Action Remake
The live-action remake, starring Rachel Zegler as Snow White and Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen, has faced pushback from almost every angle. The film has proved that in today’s entertainment landscape, even a simple fairy tale is no longer safe from controversy. So, how did a story about a young princess, her seven companions, and an evil queen turn into a battleground of political and social debate?
Related: Is Snow White No Longer A Part Of Disney Land?
The answer is a mix of bad PR and a company that seems unsure of how to navigate the modern audience. The first major controversy erupted when Disney announced Rachel Zegler, a Latina actress, as the new Snow White. Traditionalists and right-wing critics were quick to point out that the old versions described the princess as having skin as white as snow.
They argued that the film should’ve cast someone of European descent. These criticisms were the same as the backlash that ‘The Little Mermaid‘ faced when Halle Bailey, a Black actress, was cast as Ariel. Zegler herself didn’t help matters with her comments about the original 1937 film. In an effort to market the new Snow White as a progressive update, she criticized the animated version as “extremely dated”.
She claimed that the new ‘Snow White‘ wouldn’t be waiting for a prince to save her. While her remarks were in line with modern feminist reimaginings of Disney princesses, fans were infuriated with it as they deemed it disrespectful. So, since the very beginning, the film has become a topic of negative debate.
Disney’s Underconfidence Sealed The Film’s Miserable Fate
Another issue that plagued ‘Snow White’ was the seven dwarves. Actor Peter Dinklage, who has a form of dwarfism, slammed Disney for what he saw as hypocrisy. He called it a “backwards” depiction of dwarves. Disney claimed they had consulted with members of the dwarfism community to avoid stereotypes. However, their solution was even more bizarre.
In case you missed it: What Is Rachel Zegler’s ‘Snow White’ Controversy?
Instead of using real actors, Disney replaced them with CGI-generated “magical creatures”. This unsurprisingly only sparked more outrage. Many in the dwarf acting community felt they had been robbed of opportunities, further fueling the film’s negative buzz. And then, there was the complicated presence of Gal Gadot.
While many were excited to see the Wonder Woman star take on the role of the Evil Queen, her vocal support for the Israeli military led to backlash from pro-Palestinian activists. This, combined with Zegler’s own vocal criticism of former President Donald Trump and her support for Palestine, created speculation about tension between the two leads.
Whether real or exaggerated by the media, their differing political stances became yet another flashpoint for controversy. With so many issues surrounding the film, Disney’s response has been anything but confident. The studio delayed the film’s release by a year. The studios then drastically scaled back the film’s premiere just days before its release.
Instead of a grand Hollywood affair, they opted for a more low-key, family-friendly event, signaling that they were bracing for the worst. All this screamed under confidence which then resulted in what the film became today.
