Disney’s live-action remake of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” is generating significant controversy long before its release next year. The film, simply titled “Snow White,” has become the center of a culture war, with critics taking issue with various aspects of the production.
One point of contention is the casting of Rachel Zegler, a Latina actress known for her role in “West Side Story,” as Snow White. Conservative critics argue that Zegler does not match the original description of the character from the Brothers Grimm story, which described Snow White as having “skin as white as snow.” Furthermore, the film has changed the originally titular seven dwarfs into a diverse collection of magical creatures, including various sizes and genders.
Adding to the controversy, Zegler’s comments from last year, in which she expressed dissatisfaction with the original film and hinted at a different approach for her portrayal of Snow White, have resurfaced. Zegler stated that her version of Snow White would not be dreaming about true love, but instead would focus on becoming a fearless and fair leader. She believed that the original film was outdated in its portrayal of women in positions of power and relied too heavily on a love story with a character who stalks Snow White.
The latest critic to voice their discontent with the remake is David Hand, a former designer for Disney and son of one of the directors of the original “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” Hand, who worked for Disney in the 1990s, expressed strong disagreement with the new concept of the film, stating that his father and Walt Disney himself would also disapprove. He criticized the “radical” changes to the story and characters, referring to them as “woke things” and a disrespect to the legacy of Disney and his father’s work. Hand’s words carry significant weight due to his family ties to the original film, although he did not directly criticize Zegler.
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However, not all critics of the remake are older generations. A TikToker garnered significant attention with a video arguing that criticizing Disney princesses is not inherently feminist. They highlighted that not all women aspire to be leaders and that desiring love, marriage, and staying at home should not be seen as anti-feminist or devaluing a woman’s worth.
Amidst the controversy, Zegler has remained relatively quiet and has not directly responded to the criticism regarding her previous comments. In a recent tweet, she expressed a desire for a kinder world and urged her followers to treat each other with patience and empathy.
As of now, Disney has not addressed the controversy surrounding the film and has not provided any comment on the latest turn of events. “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” is a pivotal title in the Disney canon, being Walt Disney’s first feature-length animated movie. Its success shaped the company’s future, making it an especially significant project to reimagine in live-action.
The film has already finished filming and is scheduled to be released on March 22, 2024. “Snow White” follows in the footsteps of other Disney live-action remakes, including “The Jungle Book” (2016), “Beauty and the Beast” (2017), and “The Little Mermaid” (2023). The cast of “Snow White” also includes Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen, Ansu Kabia as the Huntsman, and Martin Klebba as Grumpy.
In conclusion, the controversy surrounding Disney’s live-action remake of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” is multi-faceted. It encompasses debates over casting choices, changes to the original story, and differing interpretations of feminism and female empowerment. While critics from different generations express their discontent, the film’s creators and Disney remain silent, leaving audiences eagerly awaiting the release to see how the contentious issues are portrayed on screen.
