Is Disney burying its live-action remake of Snow White?
In 1937, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs debuted as Walt Disney’s first full-length animated feature, forever altering cinematic history. Based on the Grimm Brothers’ fairy tale, it set the bar for animation and storytelling while proving the potential of animated films at the box office. With a then-unheard-of budget of $1.49 million, it grossed $8 million during its initial release—equivalent to $418 million today—and earned Disney an honorary Academy Award in 1939: one standard Oscar and seven miniature statuettes to represent its magical legacy.
Snow White’s story has since become synonymous with Disney magic, inspiring generations through its lush Technicolor animation, timeless songs like “Some Day My Prince Will Come,” and merchandise that has permeated every corner of pop culture. But as Disney revamps this tale for a 2025 live-action release, the project seems burdened by challenges, from casting controversies to a lack of cultural momentum.
A Modern Retelling, a Divided Audience
When Disney unveiled its updated Snow White, featuring West Side Story’s Rachel Zegler as the titular princess, reactions were swift and polarized. Some lauded the casting as progressive, while others criticized the shift away from the character’s pale-skinned origins, tying it to recent controversies surrounding other live-action adaptations like Halle Bailey’s Ariel in The Little Mermaid (2023).
Adding to the uproar was the reinterpretation of Snow White’s backstory, which now credits her name not to her complexion but to surviving a snowstorm as a baby. Speaking about the reimagining, Zegler remarked, “It’s a story of resilience. The king and queen named her Snow White to remind her of her strength.” However, Zegler’s comments at D23 Expo 2022, where she called the prince a “stalker” and emphasized a storyline focused on leadership over romance, reignited debates about whether this adaptation respects its origins.
Last month, Zegler apologized for fueling divisive discourse after posting her opinions on Donald Trump’s election win, yet fan skepticism remains.
The Dwarfs Debate
The live-action remake also found itself embroiled in controversy over its depiction of the seven dwarfs. Disney initially replaced the beloved characters with “magical creatures,” following criticisms by Game of Thrones actor Peter Dinklage for perpetuating stereotypes. Yet, many in the dwarfism community rejected Dinklage’s stance, emphasizing the need for authentic representation and meaningful roles.
Under mounting pressure, Disney pivoted again, introducing CGI-rendered dwarfs. This move, however, left fans divided, with some nostalgic for the original charm and others questioning the reliance on visual effects.
A Muted Presence in Disney’s Lineup
In a surprising twist, Disney omitted Snow White from its anticipated 2025 releases during a recent earnings report despite outlining high-profile projects like Moana 2, Zootopia 2, and Avatar: Fire and Ash. This absence seems to reflect Disney’s cautious approach, as the film continues to be shadowed by controversies and mounting financial concerns.
“We are encouraged by this momentum in our studio business going into the holiday season with the upcoming releases of Moana 2 later this month and Mufasa: The Lion King in December,” the executive summary read. “We remain just as excited about 2025, with a collection of highly anticipated releases, including Captain America: Brave New World, Lilo & Stitch, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Zootopia 2, and Avatar: Fire and Ash.”
With a reported production budget of $269 million, the stakes are high for the live-action remake to succeed at the box office. Yet, its promotional efforts pale compared to the marketing blitzes seen with films like Barbie (2023) or Wicked (2024). The negative buzz surrounding Zegler and the project’s controversial creative choices has left its cultural footprint shallow, raising questions about whether it can resonate with audiences as deeply as its animated predecessor.
The Road Ahead
As Disney’s oldest princess prepares for her 2025 debut, the stakes are higher than ever. Will Snow White overcome its troubled development and prove its worth among a competitive slate of blockbusters? Or will it become a cautionary tale of ambitious reimaginings gone awry?
Snow White is poised to fall far behind the success of Moana 2 and the highly anticipated live-action adaptation of Moana (2016). The 2024 sequel, released over Thanksgiving, raked in an impressive $221 million domestically in just five days, with its global earnings soaring to $386 million.
Originally scheduled between the animated sequel and its live-action counterpart, Snow White was at risk of becoming completely sandwiched until Disney pushed the live-action Moana to 2026.
Rachel Zegler stars alongside Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen, Andrew Burnap as Jonathan, and Martin Klebba as Grumpy, with Marc Webb directing from a script co-written by Erin Cressida Wilson and Greta Gerwig. Disney’s Snow White is slated for release on March 21, 2025.
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