Disney's Live-Action Snow White Controversies Explained

The upcoming live-action adaptation of Disney’s Snow White is poised to be a significant departure from its animated predecessor, but certain controversies have cast a shadow over the film. The remake seeks not only to retell the cherished story of Snow White but also to reimagine it for a contemporary audience, with updates to the Snow White remake that promise to address evolving societal norms and values. Disney’s casting choices, including Rachel Zegler as Snow White, represent a bold move towards inclusivity and diversity. Yet, this and other decisions have not always been supported by audiences.

Disney live-action remakes are almost always put to a high standard by viewers, and Snow White is no different. As Disney’s first ever animated theatrical release, the Snow White remake is especially important to the company. Audiences are looking for accuracy to the source material, but also fresh changes that improve the story. Like any other Disney live-action remake, this film is being put under an intense microscope. Unfortunately, this means that the movie has already faced some backlash long before its premiere date.

Snow White Live-Action Dwarf Controversy Explained

Why Disney Made This Controversial Decision

One of Disney’s biggest controversies at the moment is Snow White’s seven dwarves casting, or lack of it. Alongside Snow White, the seven dwarves are a significant component of the movie, yet Disney’s handling of their casting has been heavily criticized. Among the seven dwarves, Disney only cast one person with dwarfism. The rest of the group are played by actors without dwarfism, with CGI to make them fit the expected appearance. With so few Hollywood roles written exclusively for people with dwarfism, this choice has faced serious questioning.

The big question surrounding this situation is: why didn’t Disney cast actors with dwarfism? People with dwarfism have historically faced stereotypes and poor representation on screen, so reviving Snow White was a perfect opportunity to change this negative trend. Yet, Disney opted for CGI instead. Perhaps in an effort to curtail any controversy surrounding its dwarves, Disney decided not to include actors with dwarfism. However, this choice quickly turned on the company, leaving many disappointed with the movie before it even had a chance to be released.

Why Rachel Zegler’s Snow White Casting Caused Controversy (& What She Said About It)

The Actor Used The Controversy To Highlight The Importance Of Inclusion In Hollywood

When Rachel Zegler was announced as the new face of Snow White for Disney’s live-action adaptation, the decision was met with both acclaim and controversy. The casting of Zegler, who is of half-Colombian and half-Polish descent, became a focal point for a broader discussion on diversity and representation in Hollywood. Amidst the backdrop of an industry often criticized for its lack of inclusivity, Zegler’s selection was a testament to Disney’s commitment to redefining traditional narratives to reflect a more diverse and global audience. However, this progressive step forward did not come without its detractors.

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The controversy surrounding Zegler’s casting primarily stemmed from a vocal minority who took issue with a person of Latin descent portraying a character traditionally depicted as European. Critics, hiding behind anonymity on social media platforms, argued that Zegler’s casting was not true to the “original” story of Snow White, a character they felt should adhere to a more conventional European portrayal. This perspective, however, overlooks the universality of the Snow White tale, which, like many fairy tales, transcends cultural and geographical boundaries.

In response to the backlash, Zegler took a remarkably poised and positive stance (via Variety). She utilized her platform to address the controversy head-on, emphasizing the importance of representation and the impact of seeing oneself reflected in beloved characters. Zegler remarked:

“Never in a million years did I imagine that this would be a possibility for me. You don’t normally see Snow Whites that are of Latin descent. Even though Snow White is really a big deal in Spanish-speaking countries. Blanca Nieves is a huge icon whether you’re talking about the Disney cartoon or just different iterations and the Grimm fairy tale and all the stories that come with it. But you don’t particularly see people who look like me or are me playing roles like that. When it was announced, it was a huge thing that was trending on Twitter for days, because all of the people were angry.”

Zegler’s comments highlight the significance of her casting in breaking barriers and challenging stereotypes. She underscored the global love for the character of Snow White, or Blanca Nieves, as she is known in Spanish-speaking countries, and the importance of diverse representations in storytelling. Zegler acknowledged the uproar her casting had caused, but she chose to focus on the positive impact of her role, stating:

“We need to love them in the right direction. At the end of the day, I have a job to do that I’m really excited to do. I get to be a Latina princess.”

Why Rachel Zegler Criticized The Original 1937 Snow White Movie

She Isn’t A Fan Of The Character’s Passive Nature

Rachel Zegler’s commentary on the original 1937 Snow White film (via Variety), while addressing its adaptation into a live-action version, also stirred significant discussion and controversy. Her insights into the outdated elements of the classic animated film were met with mixed reactions, particularly when she highlighted the passive role of Snow White and the peculiar behavior of the prince. Zegler’s candid observations on these aspects were an attempt to shed light on the progressive updates being made to the story, ensuring it resonates with a modern audience that values agency and empowerment over outdated gender norms. Zegler critiqued:

“I just mean that it’s no longer 1937. We absolutely wrote a Snow White that… 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.”

Zegler emphasized the need for stories that reflect contemporary values and sensibilities. This reinterpretation signifies a shift from the traditional damsel in distress to a more autonomous and self-reliant type of Disney princess, aligning with current aspirations for gender representation in media. However, she doubled down on criticisms about the prince, noting that he’s “a guy who literally stalks her.” The actor also alluded to cutting all the prince’s scenes from the remake.

Zegler’s remarks were particularly contentious, and her forthright approach and the framing of her criticisms led to backlash, with some fans and commentators accusing her of being dismissive of the original film’s legacy. Critics accused her of alienating fans of the classic animation by framing her criticisms in a manner perceived as shaming those who held the original film dear. This controversy underscores the delicate balance needed when updating beloved classics for a new era, where reverence for the original must be weighed against the imperative to reflect evolving cultural standards.

Other Snow White Controversies Explained

Peter Dinklage Has Spoke Out Against The Remake

Snow White’s controversies have only been expounded by individuals publicly speaking out against Disney’s choices. In particular, Disney’s changing of Snow White’s dwarves has been met with bold reactions. Disney’s intention to avoid reinforcing stereotypes associated with the original animated film’s portrayal of the dwarfs has led to a reevaluation of how these characters are represented. The company stated that it consulted with members of the dwarfism community (via Business Insider) to take a different approach with these characters, aiming to present them in a way that respects contemporary sensitivities. However, this has sparked debate about the balance between preserving the original story and updating it to reflect modern values.

The controversy was further amplified by comments from prominent actor Peter Dinklage, who criticized the film for what he perceived as a contradictory stance by Disney (via The Guardian). While applauding the casting of a Latina actress as Snow White, Dinklage questioned the decision to continue telling the story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs without fully addressing the implications of the dwarfs’ portrayal. His remarks highlighted the complexities of updating classic tales in a way that addresses all aspects of representation and inclusivity. Below are Dinklage’s full comments:

Moreover, the broader changes to the Snow White story and characters have sparked discussions about the nature of fairy tales and their adaptations. Critics of the updates argue that such changes may stray too far from the source material, losing the essence of the original tales. However, supporters contend that fairy tales have always evolved with time, reflecting the morals and values of the societies that retell them. This dynamic nature of fairy tales suggests that adaptations can be an opportunity to reexamine and reinterpret stories in ways that resonate with contemporary audiences.

Many Praised Zegler’s Honesty In Addressing Her Role In The Movie

Another one of Rachel Zegler’s movies earned her some controversy due to comments she gave. While on the red carpet for the premiere of the DC superhero sequel Shazam! Fury of the Gods, Zegler was asked what drew her to the project, and she responded, “needed a job” (via THR). She added that it was during the pandemic, and since West Side Story had yet to come out, she was having a difficult time booking her next role.

The comment received backlash from some who claimed that Zegler was being dismissive of the new movie and ungrateful for the opportunity. However, like the controversy over Zegler’s Snow White comments, this seems to have been blown out of proportion. Not only did many people enjoy the honest answer Zegler gave, but many critics ignored the fact that she went on to express how lucky she was to get the role of Anthea. It is another sign that, just because there are loud voices calling out something they don’t like doesn’t mean the controversy is warranted.

Sources: Variety, Variety, Box Office Mojo, CBR, Business Insider, The Guardian, The Hollywood Reporter

Disney’s Snow White

Snow White is a live-action adaptation of the 1937 classic Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. Directed by Marc Webb, this newest iteration of the iconic character stars Rachel Zegler as Snow White alongside Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen. Originally slated to release in 2024, Snow White was delayed a year to 2025 partly due to the 2023 Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA strikes.

Release Date

March 21, 2025

Director

Marc Webb

Cast

Rachel Zegler , Gal Gadot , Andrew Burnap , Ansu Kabia

Studio(s)

Disney , Marc Platt Productions

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