After a long wait and a year-long delay due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, Disney’s Snow White live-action remake is finally set to premiere worldwide this Friday.
Originally scheduled for release on March 22, 2024, the film’s debut was postponed, heightening the anticipation surrounding its arrival. From its casting choices to its creative liberties and behind-the-scenes drama, this reimagining of the 1937 classic has ignited one of the most heated debates in recent Hollywood history. In today’s article, we’re diving into the biggest polemics that have sparked this ongoing controversy.
Rachel Zegler’s Casting
When 23-year-old Rachel Zegler was announced as the new Snow White in 2021, the casting choice sparked mixed reactions. Despite earning acclaim for her performances in West Side Story and The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, some fans took issue with her portrayal of the iconic Disney princess due to her Colombian heritage. Critics argued that Snow White’s defining characteristic—her fair complexion—was essential to the character, making Zegler’s casting “inaccurate.” However, the production dismissed these complaints as part of the anti-woke backlash and defended the decision as a step toward greater representation, much like the casting of Halle Bailey as Ariel in the 2023 live-action The Little Mermaid.
Despite Disney’s defense, the backlash continued. The film’s trailer became one of the most disliked videos on YouTube, with over 1.5 million thumbs down.
Zegler also faced further criticism after an interview where she admitted to having “only seen the movie once” as a child. Fans felt this lack of connection to the original film showed a lack of appreciation for the character. However, Zegler later addressed the backlash in Vogue Mexico:
“What an honor to be part of something that people feel so passionate about,” said the actress. “We’re not always going to have the same feelings as everyone around us, and all we can do is give the best of ourselves.
The Seven Dwarfs Controversy
When the first images from the movie were released, fans quickly noticed that actors with dwarfism had originally been cast for the roles of the seven dwarfs. However, this decision sparked controversy, especially after Game of Thrones star Peter Dinklage voiced his criticism on the WTF podcast in 2022:
“You’re progressive in one way but you’re still making that backward story of seven dwarfs living in the cave. What are you doing, man? Have I done nothing to advance the cause from my soapbox? I guess I’m not loud enough.”
Dinklage’s criticism stemmed from the fact that Disney was celebrating its progressiveness in casting a Latina actress for Snow White, yet remained uncreative when it came to reimagining the seven dwarfs. He argued that casting little people in stereotypical roles like dwarfs undermines progress on representation for people with dwarfism.
Following the backlash, Disney decided to replace the original actors with CGI-generated dwarfs, describing it as a “different approach.” However, this change also led to criticism.
Dylan Postl, a little person actor who had hoped to be cast in the film, spoke out against the decision in an interview with Sky News:
“I can’t go for the Harrison Ford or George Clooney roles because that’s not for me. These dwarf roles are for people of my stature…” said the actor. “Now think about the additional stunt actors or body doubles—now you’re talking about multiple actors of my stature that don’t get these major roles.”
For many, Disney’s attempt to sidestep controversy ended up creating a new debate about representation and opportunities for actors with dwarfism in Hollywood.
Zegler vs. Gadot: A Behind-the-Scenes Feud?
Hollywood actress Gal Gadot, best known for her role as Wonder Woman, plays the Evil Queen in Snow White. However, rumors of a real-life feud between the two lead actresses surfaced after a social media post by Zegler.
The controversy began when Zegler posted on X (formerly Twitter): “And always remember, Free Palestine.” Followers speculated that this was directed at her co-star Gal Gadot, who had previously served in the Israeli army and has publicly defended Israel’s actions regarding Hamas and Palestine. While Zegler had not taken a political stance before, many assumed this was a subtle jab at Gadot’s views.
The potential conflict reportedly led Disney to significantly reduce promotional efforts for the movie, seemingly in an attempt to prevent both actresses from speaking together at public events.
Will Snow White Soar or Sink?
Love it or hate it, Snow White is one of Disney’s most talked-about live-action remakes to date. With passionate opinions on both sides, the film has ignited debates about representation, authenticity, and creative liberties in reimagining beloved classics. Whether it will soar or sink remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure—this reimagining is nothing like the fairy tale we grew up with.
Rodrigo García-Villoslada
