Disney’s highly anticipated live-action remake of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs has finally hit theaters after years of development and production delays. The film, starring Rachel Zegler as the titular character, has been surrounded by controversy from the start, sparking heated debates over casting choices, cultural sensitivities, and artistic liberties.
The film’s announcement was met with backlash from right-wing commentators who accused Disney of promoting “woke” ideology through Zegler’s casting. The move to cast an actress with dwarfism in a leading role sparked outrage among some fans, while others praised the decision as progressive.
Meanwhile, the film’s depiction of Prince Charming and the seven dwarves has been criticized for perpetuating stereotypes and reinforcing negative attitudes towards people with disabilities. Peter Dinklage, who has dwarfism himself, called the film “backward” in an interview, sparking a heated debate among fans.
Despite the controversy, advance ticket sales for the film were initially slow, with Disney only opening them up two weeks before the domestic premiere. The studio’s decision to hold back on promoting the film further fueled speculation about its chances of success.
However, when the film finally hit theaters, it received lukewarm reviews from critics but decent box office projections. The Hollywood Reporter praised the film as “mostly captivating,” while the New York Times called it “perfectly adequate.” With an estimated $40-50 million in US box office revenue and over $100 million globally, Snow White’s success is still uncertain.
The ultimate legacy of this remake remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Disney’s foray into live-action remakes has sparked a heated debate about artistic liberties, cultural sensitivities, and the importance of representation on screen. As the story of Snow White continues to unfold, it will be interesting to see how the film’s fortunes change over time.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/mar/21/snow-white-disney-controversy