Disney’s Snow White Faces Backlash Ahead of Release

LOS ANGELES, CA — Disney‘s live-action adaptation of Snow White, set to be released this Friday, has ignited significant controversy surrounding its casting choices and political implications, resulting in a scaled-back premiere event.

Initially announced in 2016, this interpretation of the 1937 animated classic has faced numerous challenges, including a lengthy production timeline that extended nearly nine years. The film, featuring Rachel Zegler as the titular character and Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen, aimed to modernize the beloved story, yet it has instead become a lightning rod for criticism from various political factions.

From instances of alleged racism and sexism to conflicts about the portrayal of its characters, Snow White has stirred backlash on multiple fronts. The backlash escalated upon the announcement of Zegler’s casting, drawing ire for her Colombian heritage as critics pointed out that the character traditionally has “skin as white as snow.” Zegler responded to detractors, stating: “Yes, I am Snow White. No, I am not bleaching my skin for the role.”

Critics on the right labeled the film as “woke,” while some advocates from the pro-Palestinian movement expressed discontent over Gadot’s support for the Israeli Defense Forces. The complex political climate surrounding the film has led to heated discussions, with Zegler and Gadot reportedly not sharing a close relationship due to their conflicting views.

Moreover, the film’s approach to the seven dwarves, a vital aspect of the story, has attracted scrutiny. Peter Dinklage, an actor with dwarfism, criticized Disney’s reliance on CGI for the dwarves instead of casting performers with dwarfism. He noted the film was a “backwards” adaptation, suggesting that Disney’s progressive casting choice of Zegler was undermined by its approach to the dwarves.

The recent turmoil culminated in a media-friendly yet restricted premiere that effectively limited outside exposure. While advance ticket sales began only two weeks before the release — an unusually short lead time compared to other Disney films — the studio maintained it sought to create a “more celebratory, family-friendly afternoon event.”

However, as the buzz around the premiere faded, observers noted that Snow White’s overall reception has been mixed. The Hollywood Reporter described it as a “mostly captivating” update, whereas the New York Times deemed it “perfectly adequate.”

Box office projections suggest the film could earn between $40 million to $50 million domestically and over $100 million globally. If these numbers hold, it would fall significantly short of the opening weekend revenues of earlier remakes like Beauty and the Beast, which made $357 million.

Amid the turbulence, Zegler remains optimistic about the film, advocating for a message of inclusivity and kindness. “Snow White chooses kindness and still makes change,” she emphasized. As both Zegler and Gadot gear up for the release, the fate of Snow White remains uncertain, with critics and audiences watching closely. The film’s legacy, much like the story itself, remains unwritten.