Disney’s new live action Snow White remake hit theaters on March 21, and the controversy surrounding it hasn’t died down, from casting choices to major storyline changes, fans and critics are seriously divided on whether this reimagining is a fresh take or a total miss.
One of the biggest talking points revolves around the main actress for Snow White, Rachel Zegler. Zegler is known for West Side Story, and is of Latina descent, which some fans feel strays too far from the original character’s fair-skinned depiction. Others, however, see it as a win for diversity in Hollywood. Love it or hate it, Disney’s clearly not afraid to shake things up. In past interviews, Zegler called the original 1937 film “extremely dated” and criticized the prince’s role, saying he was “literally stalking” Snow White. She made it clear that her version of the character wouldn’t be dreaming about true love but would instead focus on becoming a leader.
Zegler made headlines long before the film’s release by hinting that this Snow White wouldn’t be focused on romance. Instead, the story centers on Snow White’s leadership journey. While some people love the idea of a more independent heroine, others argue that changing the original fairy tale too much makes it unrecognizable.
Gal Gadot’s portrayal of the Evil Queen has been met with mixed reviews. While some praise her for bringing an intimidating prescence to the role, others criticize her vocal performance, calling her delivery lackluster and unconvincing. Beyond her acting, Gadot is an Israeli actress and former IDF soldier. She has publicly expressed support for Israel, particularly during past conflicts with Palestine. Some viewers have called for boycotts, while others argue that an actor’s personal views shouldn’t overshadow their film roles.
Another major change is the depiction of the seven dwarfs. Instead of casting actors with dwarfism, Disney opted for CGI-animated characters, a decision that has sparked backlash. Some argue it’s a move to avoid outdated stereotypes, while others feel it takes away opportunities from actors with dwarfism who could have played the roles.
The film opened to an underwhelming $43 million domestically, falling short of the projected $50 million. Internationally, it has grossed approximately $44.3 million, bringing the global total to $87.3 million. Given its hefty production budget of around $270 million, these figures are concerning for Disney.
Now that the movie is out, social media has exploded with reaction. Some Disney purists think the studio should have left the classic alone, while others are all for modernization. Reviews are a mixed bag, with some praising the new take and others calling it unnecessary. The debate highlights a bigger issue in Hollywood, how far should studios go when updating beloved stories?
