Disney’s ‘Snow White’ controversy explained.
Disney has reportedly decided to scale back its usual glitzy “Snow White” premiere amid mounting backlash over the live-action remake.
The classic fairytale recalled.
The original 1937 Disney animated film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, is based on the German fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm, telling the story of a princess whose beauty sparks the jealousy of her stepmother, the Evil Queen.
The Evil Queen, obsessed with being the “fairest of them all,” orders Snow White’s death when a magic mirror reveals that Snow White has surpassed her in beauty.
After escaping the Queen’s assassination plot, Snow White takes refuge with seven lovable dwarfs who work in a diamond mine, becoming her protectors and friends.
The film introduces the iconic image of Prince Charming, who, after Snow White falls into a deep sleep from a poisoned apple, breaks the spell with a true love’s kiss.
Snow White was Disney’s first princess, setting the stage for generations of animated fairy tale characters, and the movie’s charm, music, and heart have kept it a classic for decades.
Backlash for ‘Snow White’ film unveiled.
The recent premiere decision comes after the new “Snow White” remake, directed by Marc Webb, has sparked intense controversy and criticism across the board.
Zegler plays Snow White while Gadot portrays the Evil Queen in this reimagined version of the beloved fairy tale.
One of the biggest sources of controversy is the casting of Zegler, a Latina actress, in the lead role of Snow White, which has raised eyebrows among fans and critics.
The controversy deepens with the movie’s decision to replace the traditional seven dwarfs with “magical creatures” of varying sizes and genders.
Many have called the new direction “too woke” or politically correct, with some fans questioning why Disney is altering the classic fairy tale.
Zegler herself has faced her own wave of criticism, especially after commenting on how “dated” the original 1937 movie is.
Her outspoken views on politics, especially her comments about Donald Trump voters ahead of the 2024 election, have also fueled some of the backlash.
One of the most polarizing aspects of the film is Zegler’s Snow White, who is determined to become a leader, rejecting the classic trope of waiting to be “saved” by Prince Charming.
Zegler emphasized, “She’s not going to be saved by the prince; she’s dreaming about becoming the leader she knows she can be.”
Both Zegler and Gadot have made headlines for their outspoken political views, including Zegler’s controversial “free Palestine” post on X (formerly Twitter).
Gadot, who is Israeli, and Zegler have both faced heat for their political statements regarding the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip, sparking further debate on social media.
In an interview with Vogue Mexico in February, Zegler addressed the film’s backlash, interpreting it as a sign of passion from the public.
“We’re not always going to have the same feelings as everyone around us,” Zegler said. “All we can do is give our best.”
Dinklage’s angry response highlighted.
Actor Peter Dinklage, known for his role in “Game of Thrones” and his own experience with dwarfism, voiced his criticism, expressing disbelief over the film’s approach.
“I was taken aback when they were proud to cast a Latina actress as Snow White, but they’re still telling the same backward story about seven dwarfs,” Dinklage said.
Dinklage’s remarks shed light on the hypocrisy of Disney’s “woke” claims, as he pointed out that casting a Latina lead is progressive, but the outdated dwarf narrative still persists.
He criticized Disney for perpetuating harmful stereotypes by sticking to the original concept of the dwarfs living in a cave, adding, “What the f–k are you doing?”
The actor challenged Disney to truly evolve its storytelling, asking if his own activism for more inclusive roles has fallen on deaf ears.
Disney responded, stating that their goal is to take a “different approach” and to avoid reinforcing the negative stereotypes present in the 1937 animated film.
Low-key premiere exposed.
Rather than the usual extravagant Hollywood event, the studio has opted for a more subdued pre-party and screening at the El Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles on March 15.
Unlike most premieres, stars Rachel Zegler (23) and Gal Gadot (39) won’t be facing a barrage of media questions.
Disney has reportedly handpicked only a select group of photographers and house crew to cover the event, a far cry from the usual media circus.
By toning down the glamour, Disney seems to be opting for a quieter, less controversial approach, ensuring the event is about the movie itself, allowing a low-key but still significant launch for the remake.
A new ‘fairytale’ ending? Premiere still set for March 21.
Despite the drama, “Snow White” is still set to hit theaters on March 21. The question remains: will audiences embrace the bold changes or turn away in frustration?
With the premiere scaled down, all eyes are on Disney to see if the movie can recover from its controversy and find its audience.
As Disney navigates the intense criticism, the pressure is mounting for the live-action remake to prove it can still enchant audiences—despite the controversy.