Snow White Remake Faces Backlash, Actress Calls Critics ‘Passionate’

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The forthcoming “Snow White” reboot has garnered its fair share of debates, yet actress Rachel Zegler, who portrays Snow White, believes this uproar is rooted in fervor. In a recent conversation with Vogue Mexico, Zegler addressed the criticism directed at the film. This upcoming production, slated for release on March 31st, has been met with various objections, one of which concerns Zegler’s casting.

Zegler expresses that the reactions to this movie seem deeply emotional, which feels incredibly rewarding to be involved in something that stirs such strong emotions. Not everyone will share the same opinions, but our goal remains to contribute with our utmost effort.

In the movie “Zegler,” critics have raised concerns due to Zegler’s Latin heritage, as this differs from the original character portrayal in the 1937 animated film. This situation seems reminiscent of the reaction when Halle Bailey was chosen for the lead role in “The Little Mermaid.” Some people were opposed to a Black actress playing Ariel. Despite these criticisms, “The Little Mermaid” was financially successful, earning $569.6 million globally against a budget of $240.2 million. However, it didn’t quite reach the heights achieved by other Disney live-action remakes such as “The Lion King” and “Aladdin,” which exceeded the billion-dollar mark.

Conservative Audiences Push Back on “Woke” Remake of ‘Snow White’

Beyond criticisms about the new feature deviating from the original story’s details (such as Snow White having “skin as white as snow”), Zegler has also sparked controversy among Disney fans and conservatives. She labeled the classic Snow White as “outdated” and the prince as a “stalker.” After Donald Trump’s election, Zegler criticized the U.S President, which prompted some to propose a boycott of the film. At one point, Zegler expressed that she wished “Trump supporters, Trump voters, and Trump himself never experience peace.” She later apologized, admitting that she allowed her feelings to overtake her.

In recent times, Disney’s modern takes on their stories have faced criticism for being too progressive or “woke,” and the remake of Snow White is no different. A child of one of the original film’s directors openly criticized the project, labeling it as a “shame.” He contended that Disney’s attempts to reimagine a classic were misplaced and that their intention to create more “woke” content was disrespectful towards the legacy of Walt Disney and his father. This sentiment against being too progressive has been widely expressed on social media. Previously, Zegler hinted that the upcoming film would focus on Snow White’s personal growth, but she later confirmed to Vogue Mexico that the love story remains a key component of the plot; this suggests that some initial worries about the remake’s narrative may have been misconstrued.

By the time it hits screens in 2024, the trailer for the Marc Webb-directed Snow White has already garnered over a million dislikes, suggesting potential challenges ahead. The original 1937 animated film, “Snow White and the Seven Dwarves,” was groundbreaking for Disney, marking their first full-length animated feature to grace theaters and achieving both critical acclaim and commercial success. As per Zegler, the forthcoming remake aims to strike a delicate balance between preserving the beloved 1937 classic and introducing it to a new audience. However, will this approach be sufficient?

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2025-02-25 17:01