Backlash over casting, political views, and portrayal of characters leads to a scaled-back premiere.
The highly anticipated remake of Snow White has swiftly become one of the most divisive Disney films in history, stirring controversy for all the wrong reasons. From the casting of Rachel Zegler to the film’s portrayal of iconic characters, the remake has found itself at the centre of criticism.
Zegler, who plays the titular character, was met with backlash as soon as her casting was announced in 2021. Critics, particularly those from conservative circles, raised concerns over her non-Caucasian heritage, despite the original character being described as having “skin as white as snow.” The controversy escalated when Zegler’s political views, particularly her criticism of the Trump administration, fueled further backlash, with some calling her the “woke” version of Snow White.
In an attempt to address the criticism, Zegler defended the casting, attributing the backlash to the public’s “passion” for the original film. She expressed in interviews that it was an honour to be part of something so emotionally significant to fans, even if opinions were divided.
As the film’s release date approaches, the controversy continues to overshadow it. Disney executives took the unusual step of scaling back the Hollywood premiere, reducing the media coverage to only photographers and crew members. Additionally, a UK premiere has been cancelled, a rare move for a production of this scale. An anonymous source revealed that Disney anticipated a “strong anti-woke backlash” and adjusted the promotional schedule accordingly.
Zegler’s casting isn’t the only point of contention. Actress Gal Gadot, who portrays the Evil Queen, has also attracted controversy due to her outspoken support for Israel and her past service in the Israeli Defence Forces. Despite her divisive political views, she has received comparatively less backlash than Zegler, with many critics focusing more on the race of the lead actress rather than Gadot’s controversial stance.
Further controversy surrounds the portrayal of the seven dwarfs in the film, a topic raised by actor Peter Dinklage. As an advocate for dwarfism awareness, Dinklage criticised Disney for sticking with the outdated trope of seven dwarfs living in a cave, calling the portrayal regressive in light of the film’s progressive casting choices.
These debates have largely overshadowed the true issues of the remake. The film, with a budget of $209 million, has sparked an ongoing discussion about the relevance and necessity of Disney remakes, with many questioning if such a large budget might have been better spent on more original projects.
In the midst of these controversies, Disney’s Snow White remake is shaping up to be remembered for its divisiveness rather than its cinematic achievements.
