How Disney’s Snow White Remake Became Its Most Controversial Film
Disney’s live-action Snow White remake was supposed to be a simple, crowd-pleasing adaptation of the 1937 animated classic. However, the film, set for release in 2025, became one of the most divisive movies of the year, thanks to a string of controversies surrounding its casting, plot changes, and behind-the-scenes tensions.
Casting Backlash and Rachel Zegler’s Comments
The controversy began when Disney cast Rachel Zegler, a Latina actress known for her role in West Side Story, as Snow White. Critics, especially right-wing commentators, claimed that Zegler’s ethnicity was inconsistent with the original character’s description of having “skin as white as snow.”
Zegler further fueled the backlash by suggesting that the plot of the remake would be updated to reflect modern values.
“It’s no longer 1937,” Zegler said. “She’s not going to be saved by the prince, and she’s not going to be dreaming about true love. She’s dreaming about becoming the leader she knows she can be.”
Her comments led to outrage from traditionalists who felt that Disney was straying too far from the original fairytale.
Peter Dinklage’s Criticism of Dwarf Stereotypes
In 2022, Game of Thrones star Peter Dinklage criticized the decision to remake Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, calling it “f***ing backwards.” Dinklage pointed out that while Disney was applauded for casting a Latina Snow White, they were still telling a story that portrayed dwarfs living in a cave together, reinforcing harmful stereotypes.
“You’re progressive in one way and you’re still making that f***ing backwards story,” Dinklage said on Marc Maron’s WTF podcast.
In response, Disney stated they had consulted with members of the dwarfism community and would be taking a different approach with the seven characters to avoid perpetuating stereotypes.
Controversy Over CGI Dwarfs and Lack of Authentic Casting
One of the most heated debates surrounding Disney’s Snow White remake is the decision to use CGI characters instead of casting real actors with dwarfism to portray the iconic seven dwarfs. Despite initial assurances from Disney that they were “consulting with members of the dwarfism community” after Peter Dinklage’s criticism, the studio ultimately chose to use motion-capture technology and CGI to create the characters, rather than giving those roles to actors with dwarfism.
Political Divides Between Zegler and Gal Gadot
As the film’s release approached, political tensions emerged between its two lead actors. Gal Gadot, who plays the Evil Queen, is an outspoken supporter of Israel, while Zegler has publicly defended Palestinian causes. Their contrasting political stances led to criticism and further fueled public scrutiny.
Zegler also faced backlash from Donald Trump supporters after criticizing Trump’s re-election bid, warning of “four years of hatred.” She later apologized for “contributing to negative discourse.”
Premiere Drama and Disney’s Low-Key Rollout
Amid the controversy, Disney reportedly scaled back the Hollywood premiere of Snow White. The premiere, which would have typically been a large-scale event with red-carpet interviews, was reportedly reduced to only photographers and in-house crew.
Despite the behind-the-scenes drama, Zegler and Gadot presented a united front at the March 15 premiere, posing side by side with the film’s director, Marc Platt.
What’s Next for Disney’s Snow White?
While Disney had hoped for another blockbuster hit, the divisive discourse surrounding Snow White has raised questions about how audiences will respond to the reimagined fairytale. With its politically charged atmosphere and reworked narrative, only time will tell whether Disney’s Snow White will be a box-office success or a cautionary tale for future remakes.
