Backlash Grows Over Disney’s Snow White Adaptation Featuring Rachel Zegler

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Rachel Zegler, the star of Disney‘s live-action adaptation of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” has become the center of a heated debate after describing the original 1937 animated film as “extremely dated.” Her assertion, alongside critiques of the film’s male protagonist, has ignited backlash from various groups of fans and critics.

Zegler remarked in interviews that she believes her portrayal of Snow White would give the character more agency, aligning better with contemporary audience expectations. This viewpoint has attracted significant attention, with ardent defenders of the classic film criticizing her interpretation.

The response to Zegler’s comments has been varied, ranging from disappointment among die-hard fans of the original to accusations from far-right circles regarding her representation as a Latina actress, given her Colombian heritage. Furthermore, the film’s trailer has also been met with skepticism, reflective of Disney’s ongoing challenges with live-action film adaptations.

Despite the controversy, the film’s box office performance during its opening weekend fell short of expectations, grossing less than $100 million globally. Many believe this underwhelming performance is a direct reflection of dissatisfaction with the film’s narrative execution.

The newly envisioned Snow White maintains the warmth that has endeared her to generations, while promoting a more active role in saving her kingdom from the Evil Queen, portrayed by Gal Gadot. However, critics argue that the film’s other adaptations, aside from Snow White’s character development, largely contribute to its lack of substance.

Disney’s adaptation struggles with how much of the original story to rewrite, resulting in a disjointed narrative that oscillates between attempts at modernization and fidelity to the source material. Critics describe the result as a collection of superficial changes masked as a two-hour cinematic experience, notably featuring unnecessary songs and dialogue.

The film’s visual elements also drew ambivalence, particularly regarding the portrayal of the dwarfs, whose realism contrasts sharply with Snow White’s character and threatens to undermine the overall narrative theme of inner beauty triumphing over vanity.

In a notable scene, the dwarfs’ humorous introduction did not resonate with viewers, leading to a confused silence instead of laughter. Gadot’s performance as the Evil Queen, particularly in the musical number, was met with an underwhelming response, leaving audiences more apathetic than inspired.

Many hope for surprises in Disney’s live-action adaptations, but critics argue the studio often plays it safe, recycling beloved stories for the sake of nostalgia. The general sentiment is that Disney has room to invoke genuine magic by embracing more unpredictable storytelling elements.

As Disney prepares to release further live-action adaptations, including “Moana” next year, critics urge the company to take inspiration from Snow White’s character. The film’s protagonist encourages her kingdom to reclaim their passions and courage, embodying an essence that Disney could adopt itself by stepping beyond formulaic storytelling.