Disney’s $269.4 Million Snow White Remake: A Spellbinding Budget and Controversies

Disney has announced that the production costs for its upcoming live-action remake of «Snow White» have surged to $269.4 million (£217.7 million) by the end of 2023, setting the stage for financial challenges long before its scheduled release in March 2025. This significant budget increase comes amidst a hopeful recovery in Disney’s entertainment segment, highlighted by the recent profitability of Disney+ and the success of top-grossing films.

The upcoming release of «Moana 2,» a sequel to Disney’s most streamed movie, has further buoyed analysts’ optimism about the company, albeit amidst concerns of softening demand at its domestic theme parks.

Despite the financial optimism surrounding other aspects of Disney’s operations, «Snow White» has been a lightning rod for controversy. The film stars Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen and Rachel Zegler, a Latina actress of Colombian descent, as Snow White. Critics have targeted the casting choices, contrasting them with the 1937 animated film’s portrayal of Snow White, described as having «skin as white as snow.»

Rachel Zegler’s candid comments about the original film, calling it «extremely dated» and critiquing its portrayal of women, have incited backlash, further inflamed by her observations likening Prince Charming’s behavior to that of a «stalker.» Her remarks about the film not conforming to traditional romantic tropes have also fueled controversy.

These comments have drawn criticism from figures such as David Hand, whose father was part of the team behind the original animated classic. Hand condemned the new adaptation for deviating from what he considers «good taste» and for incorporating «woke» elements. Public reaction to the film teaser has been stark, with the trailer receiving nearly a million dislikes on YouTube, reflecting a strong division among viewers.

Financial documentation reveals that by the close of 2023, the costs of producing «Snow White» had surpassed its budget forecasts. The initial shoot concluded in July 2022, but subsequent reshoots throughout 2023 increased the budget. While Disney typically maintains discretion regarding film budgets, UK production laws required filings that disclosed the movie’s burgeoning cost.

Hidden Heart Productions, the Disney subsidiary overseeing the project, secured a $55.5 million (£44.9 million) reimbursement through the UK’s Audio-Visual Expenditure Credit, mitigating some financial pressures. This credit incentivizes production expenditures within the UK, offering reimbursements for qualifying expenses.

Despite the uncertain outlook for «Snow White,» Disney continues to bolster its investment in the UK, with plans to spend an additional $5 billion over five years on European productions. This follows $4.5 billion invested in recent years, contributing to over 32,000 jobs.

In financial terms, the film’s future remains uncertain, but its substantial UK staff and payroll indicate a significant local economic impact, albeit more positive than the film’s current reception might suggest.