Disney's live-action Snow White movie is almost here but it feels like it has been a wild ride just getting to the premiere. Starring Rachel Zegler as Snow White and Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen this movie has been making headlines for years but not always for the reasons Disney probably hoped. From casting debates to comments from the stars and even a scaled-back premiere let's unpack all the drama surrounding this fairy tale remake.
Casting Chaos and "Dated" Storylines: Why Snow White Faced Immediate Backlash From Some Fans
Right from the start casting Rachel Zegler who is of Colombian descent as Snow White sparked some serious online chatter . Some folks just were not happy claiming it was not "traditional" enough. You know the usual "going woke" complaints. Conservative voices even weighed in questioning why Disney would cast a Latina actress as Snow White. It got pretty heated online really fast.
Then there were comments from Rachel Zegler herself that stirred things up even more. She mentioned in interviews that she wasn't a huge fan of the original 1937 animated movie finding some parts of it pretty "dated". She pointed out the whole prince charming storyline as being a bit stalker-ish and said her Snow White would be more focused on leadership than finding a man. These comments went viral especially on TikTok with some arguing that not every female character needs to be a "girl boss".
Dwarfs Debate and a Scaled-Back Premiere: More Challenges for Disney's Snow White Remake
It wasn't just casting and storyline questions. Peter Dinklage known for Game of Thrones also threw in his two cents criticizing Disney for still telling the story of "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs". He called it a "backward story" questioning why Disney was so proud to cast a Latina Snow White but still using what he saw as stereotypical depictions of dwarfs. Disney responded saying they were taking a "different approach" and consulting with the dwarfism community. Ultimately they went with CGI "magical creatures" instead of casting little people actors as the dwarfs a decision that itself drew criticism from some in the little people community who felt it took away potential acting opportunities.
Adding to all this Disney decided to scale back the big Hollywood premiere. Instead of a huge red carpet event with tons of press they opted for a smaller "family-friendly" premiere with limited media access. One cast member Martin Klebba who voices Grumpy in the movie mentioned he felt Disney was "afraid of the blowback" due to all the controversy especially around Rachel Zegler. Disney sources however claimed it was always planned as a more low-key event.
Gal Gadot and Rachel Zegler: On-Screen Foes and Off-Screen Tensions?
Adding another layer to the drama there were rumblings of potential tension between the film's stars Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot. The two actresses have different political views especially regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict. Gadot who is Israeli and served in the IDF has been openly pro-Israel while Zegler has voiced support for Palestine. This difference in views became a talking point online with some wondering if it created any friction on set. While sources said they were not "friends" they also clarified it wasn't a major feud and they appeared together at the Oscars and the Snow White premiere seemingly professionally.
First Reactions Are In: Is Snow White a Dazzling Hit or a Poisoned Apple?
Despite all the drama Snow White finally premiered in Hollywood and early reactions are actually surprisingly positive . Variety reported that first reactions are calling it a "visual feast" and "one of Disney's best live-action remakes in years". Critics praised Rachel Zegler's performance and the new musical numbers. Some even said it recaptures the magic of the original 1937 cartoon. One reviewer did mention that the CGI dwarfs were a bit of a letdown but overall initial buzz is more upbeat than you might expect given all the pre-release controversy.
Snow White's Rocky Road: Key Controversies and Timeline of Drama
- Casting Backlash: Rachel Zegler's casting as Snow White faced racist reactions online.
- "Dated" Storyline Comments: Zegler's remarks about the original Snow White's prince and focus on love stories sparked debate.
- Peter Dinklage's Criticism: Dinklage slammed the film for perpetuating stereotypes about dwarfs.
- CGI Dwarfs Decision: Disney's choice to use CGI "magical creatures" instead of casting little people actors angered some in the LP community.
- Political Differences: Diverging views between stars Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict added to the off-screen drama.
- Scaled-Back Premiere: Disney opted for a smaller premiere event fueling speculation about the film's reception.
Will Snow White Overcome the Curse? Box Office and Audience Reception Still TBD
So after years of drama and debate Disney's live-action Snow White is finally hitting theaters on March 21. Will all the controversy hurt the movie's chances? Will positive early reviews be enough to win over audiences? Or will the "curse of Snow White" continue? box office numbers and audience reactions in the coming weeks will tell the final tale. One thing is for sure this remake's journey to the screen has been anything but a fairy tale.