The live-action adaptation of Snow White, directed by Marc Webb, has become a target of criticism long before its release—much like other films that face backlash based on preconceived notions rather than actual merit. The root of this controversy lies in the belief that classic stories should remain untouched, as if fiction itself is not inherently fluid and ever-evolving. This resistance to change is not new; a similar uproar occurred in 2016 with the all-female Ghostbusters, where detractors seemed unwilling to accept women leading such an iconic franchise. Ironically, a lackluster installment like Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024) has not faced nearly the same level of scrutiny.
When Paul Feig’s Ghostbusters reboot debuted its trailer, it became one of the most disliked videos on YouTube, amassing 617,891 “Dislikes.” Snow White has likely avoided such a visible backlash simply because YouTube no longer publicly displays dislikes. However, negativity still thrives in the comments, contributing to a growing sense of rejection even before audiences have seen the film. The controversy began as early as the casting announcements, mirroring the backlash surrounding Disney’s 2023 live-action remake of The Little Mermaid. Initially, many objected to Halle Bailey’s casting as Ariel, citing her different appearance from the 1989 animated version. Yet, over time, audiences warmed up to the adaptation, as reflected in its 94% audience approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
These reactions highlight a broader trend: audiences often resist change in beloved franchises, only to gradually accept and even embrace these adaptations once they are given a fair chance. Whether Snow White will follow the same trajectory remains to be seen.
Actress Rachel Zegler, best known for her breakout role in Steven Spielberg’s 2021 remake of West Side Story, faced immediate backlash after being cast as Snow White in Disney’s upcoming live-action adaptation. Of Polish and Colombian descent, she did not resemble the fair-skinned princess from the 1937 animated classic, making her a target of criticism from the moment her casting was announced in June 2021. The decision sparked outrage among certain Disney fans and right-wing groups, leading to calls for a boycott before filming had even begun.
The controversy escalated further when Gal Gadot was revealed as the Evil Queen. Many questioned whether Zegler could convincingly be portrayed as “fairer” than a former Miss Universe, adding another layer of scrutiny to the film. However, the tensions surrounding Snow White extended beyond casting choices, as the two lead actresses found themselves on opposite sides of a global political divide. Zegler has openly expressed her support for Palestine, while Gadot—a former soldier in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF)—has been a vocal advocate for Israel. When the film’s teaser trailer was released, many online users called for a boycott, citing Gadot’s involvement as a key reason.
Despite the backlash, Hollywood has continued to support Gadot, awarding her a star on the Walk of Fame on March 18, 2025. However, the ceremony was met with protests from pro-Palestinian activists, reflecting the deep divisions surrounding her political stance. Behind the scenes, reports suggest that the ideological differences between Zegler and Gadot created tension on set, further exacerbated by an age gap that prevented the two from forming a close relationship. As Snow White nears release, these off-screen controversies continue to shape public perception, making it one of Disney’s most hotly debated adaptations to date.
Rachel Zegler continued to face backlash in 2022, particularly after her appearance on Variety’s Actors on Actors series, where she openly discussed her casting as Snow White. In a conversation with Andrew Garfield, she reflected on the significance of landing the role, saying, “Never, not even in a million years, would I have imagined that this could be a possibility for me. Normally, you don’t see a Latina Snow White, even though the film is hugely popular in Spanish-speaking countries. Blanca Nieves is a massive icon, whether we’re talking about the Disney cartoon, its various iterations, the Grimm fairy tale, or the many stories derived from it. But you don’t see people who look like me playing roles like this. When the announcement was made, it became a trending topic on Twitter for days because people were angry.”
The criticism directed at Zegler has not faded over time. Even years later, negativity continues to dominate discussions about the film, with online hostility still evident in comment sections. Much of the outrage was reignited following her remarks at the 2022 D23 Expo, where she spoke about how the live-action adaptation would differ from the original 1937 animated classic, which she considered outdated. “The animated film came out in 1937, and it shows. The main focus was on a love story with a guy who literally stalks Snow White. It’s weird! This time, it will be different. […] The protagonist’s journey is an internal one; she must discover her true self, and along the way, she will meet some truly incredible people.”
Her comments were intended to highlight how the story was being modernized, a common practice in contemporary adaptations. However, they were met with outrage, particularly among those who saw them as disrespectful to the original film. The backlash intensified further when reports surfaced suggesting that the prince’s kiss—integral to Snow White’s revival—could be considered inappropriate since it involved kissing a sleeping girl without her consent. Although this claim was largely taken out of context and exaggerated to provoke controversy, it only fueled the ongoing debate, making Snow White one of the most polarizing Disney adaptations in recent memory.
As time goes on, opposition to Disney’s live-action Snow White continues to grow, coinciding with the resurgence of far-right movements that ultimately lead to Donald Trump’s re-election. In July 2023, Rachel Zegler reignited the debate surrounding her casting by addressing the backlash directly on Twitter, standing firm in her stance against the criticism. However, by 2024, as Trump returned to the White House, Zegler took to Instagram to express her frustration over the election results. In her statement, she voiced solidarity with marginalized communities that would be most affected by the administration’s policies, concluding with a pointed remark about Trump and his supporters’ failure to understand peace.
Although her words were neither inflammatory nor offensive, they quickly sparked another wave of backlash from conservative circles. Right-wing commentators, including journalist and host Megyn Kelly, fueled renewed attacks against the actress, amplifying the criticism across social media. As the controversy escalated, Zegler eventually issued an apology, explaining that her statement had been driven by emotion. However, the incident further cemented her as a polarizing figure, caught at the intersection of Hollywood, politics, and the ongoing cultural debate over representation and progress in the entertainment industry.
The controversy surrounding Disney’s live-action Snow White soon extended beyond casting disputes, shifting focus to the portrayal of the Seven Dwarfs. Notably, Disney removed any mention of the dwarfs from the film’s title, sparking further debate. One of the earliest critics of the project was Game of Thrones star Peter Dinklage, who has dwarfism himself. During an appearance on Marc Maron’s WTF podcast, he condemned the idea of recreating the 1937 animated film in live-action, calling it a regressive portrayal of people with dwarfism. His remarks prompted Disney to respond with a statement published in The Hollywood Reporter, saying, “To avoid the stereotypes of the original film, we are taking a different approach with these seven characters and have consulted with members of the dwarfism community. We look forward to sharing more once the film enters production after a long development process.”
However, the controversy only intensified when a leaked set photo of the Seven Dwarfs surfaced online. The image suggested that only one actor had dwarfism, while the others were of various genders and racial backgrounds, deviating significantly from the original animated characters. The leak ignited backlash, with critics accusing Disney of attempting to replace authentic representation with a forced display of diversity. Initially, Disney denied the authenticity of the image but later confirmed it was from the set, clarifying that the individuals pictured were stand-ins rather than the final cast. Ultimately, Disney opted to use CGI for the depiction of the Seven Dwarfs in the final version of Snow White, a decision that has continued to fuel debates over representation, authenticity, and creative liberties in modern adaptations.
The production of Disney’s live-action Snow White faced numerous challenges, including delays caused by the 2023 writers’ and actors’ strikes, which brought Hollywood to a standstill. Originally slated for a March 2024 release, the film was pushed back to 2025. However, even its premiere sparked controversy, both within the industry and among the film’s own cast.
Given the highly polarized climate in the U.S. and beyond, Disney opted for a restricted screening in Los Angeles on March 15, 2025. Unlike traditional blockbuster premieres, attendance was limited to photographers and select interviewers, with journalists notably excluded. The decision appeared to be an effort to shield the film from further scrutiny amid ongoing debates surrounding its casting and production choices.
Martin Klebba, the actor with dwarfism who voices Grumpy, publicly expressed his disappointment with the scaled-down premiere. In an interview with the New York Post, he stated, “I am not disappointed in Disney; I am disappointed in the world.” His remarks quickly gained traction, adding to the already heated discussions surrounding the film. Following the backlash, Klebba later clarified to The Hollywood Reporter that he believed the decision was likely influenced by societal tensions and the controversies surrounding lead actress Rachel Zegler. However, he noted that Disney had not provided a direct explanation for the change in premiere plans.
As Snow White prepares for its official release, the film remains at the center of intense public discourse, reflecting broader cultural debates about representation, storytelling, and the evolving landscape of Hollywood.
A source close to the situation told People that Disney’s release strategy for Snow White had not changed, stating that the limited, family-friendly afternoon premiere had been the plan from the beginning—consistent with past Disney film debuts. While this explanation is entirely plausible, given the nearly five years of controversy surrounding the film and the current social climate in the U.S., many speculate that the decision was a calculated move to minimize potential backlash.
Now, all eyes are on Snow White, directed by Marc Webb, as it prepares for its theatrical release. Despite the skepticism surrounding the film, early industry projections suggest it may perform better than expected. Positive reactions from preview screenings indicate that the live-action adaptation could earn between $45–50 million domestically during its opening weekend, with an additional $55 million from international markets, potentially bringing its total debut earnings to around $100 million.
Such a result would provide Disney with a much-needed win after years of controversy and scrutiny. Given the film’s reported $270 million budget, achieving a strong opening could help mitigate fears of a box office flop. Whether Snow White can sustain momentum beyond its initial release remains to be seen, but these early projections suggest that audiences may be more receptive to the film than its harshest critics anticipated.
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