Disney Cancels ‘Snow White’ Premiere Over Backlash Fears

LONDON, March 7, 2025 — Disney has announced the cancellation of the anticipated London premiere for its live-action adaptation of ‘Snow White,’ set to release on March 21, 2025. The studio’s decision stems from concerns over potential backlash regarding the film’s casting and themes.

As one of the most expensive films of the year, with a reported budget of £212 million, the lack of a star-studded premiere marks a significant shift from traditional promotional campaigns. Insiders indicate that Disney is proactively mitigating risks associated with what they term ‘anti-woke’ sentiment toward the film.

An insider told The Mail, “Disney are already anticipating an anti-woke backlash against Snow White and have reduced the media schedule to just a handful of tightly controlled press events.” This strategic shift includes minimizing press access for lead actress Rachel Zegler, whose casting and remarks have stirred controversy.

Zegler, who is of Colombian and Polish descent, has faced scrutiny over her portrayal of the character, traditionally depicted as German. In interviews, she has referred to the original animated film as ‘dated’ and criticized its portrayal of female characters, fueling the debate over racial and cultural representation in movie casting.

The film has already attracted criticism over its diverse casting choices, particularly regarding Zegler’s role and the omission of the term ‘Seven Dwarfs’ from the film title. Critics argue that this shift reflects broader societal changes in storytelling.

In addition to Zegler’s comments, the casting of Israeli actress Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen has also sparked calls for a boycott from certain activist groups, citing her political stances. Gadot, known for her role in the ‘Wonder Woman’ film series, has openly supported Israel, while Zegler has expressed solidarity for Palestinian issues.

The move to skip the London premiere is unusual for Disney and highlights the increasingly sensitive landscape surrounding film promotions. A premiere is still planned on American soil, where key cast members including Zegler and Gadot are expected to appear.

As anticipation for ‘Snow White’ builds, industry analysts predict an opening box office range of $48 to $58 million in North America. However, previous releases from Disney have struggled to meet projections amid growing scrutiny of their high-budget productions.