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Love it or hate it, Disney’s newest live-action remake featuring newcomer Rachel Zegler as Snow White is on its way.
The West Side Story actress wasn’t one of the most prominent names in Hollywood. Still, since announcing her involvement with Disney’s live-action Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, she’s gained plenty of national attention, but not for positive reasons. Many Disney fans are boisterously unhappy with the casting, as Zegler has done almost everything she can to rub many the wrong way.
Rachel Zegler Takes Center Stage With a Loud Voice
Although Zegler is widely unknown, she has had a few roles of note, including performing alongside Ansel Elgort in 2021’s West Side Story, directed by Steven Speilberg. She has also starred alongside Lucy Lui, Zachary Levi, and Helen Mirren in 2023’s DC sequel Shazam! Fury of the Gods.
Credit: ABC, Disney, Canva
Despite a minimal career so far, Disney’s decision to cast Rachel Zegler as Snow White has led to a boycott by many based on the film’s inaccurate portrayal of Disney’s original princess and in response to Zegler’s progessive take on the foundational character. Zegler’s recent comments comparing her days in a dress on set to the struggling troubles of those impacted by the SAG-AFTRA strikes likely- has turned even more fans off from the up-and-coming actress following a stent of public perception issues associated with Snow White.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Messes with Disney Royalty
The 22-year-old actress and singer has been vocal about her take on Snow White, insisting that the lead character will portray a stronger, more feminist version compared to Disney’s original 1937 animated film. Obviously, the backlash from her comments was almost immediate, as many suggested a further commitment to the “woke” agenda by The Walt Disney Company.
Related: Study Proves That Disney Is Making a Big Mistake With Their ‘Snow White’ Live-Action Remake
In addition, other aspects of the live-action remake also found themselves under fire, as set images featured the seven dwarfs became available on social media. The only problem is that Disney missed an opportunity to offer employment to “little people” for the roles. Peter Dinklage, a prominent Hollywood figure with dwarfism, bashed Disney, calling the Snow White remake “backward.”
Credit: Disney, Canva, Rachel Zegler
“They were very proud to cast a Latina actress as Snow White, but you’re still telling the story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Take a step back and look at what you’re doing there. It makes no sense to me. Because you’re progressive in one way, but you’re still making that ——- backward story about seven dwarfs living in a cave together; what the —- are you doing, man?”
Rachel Zegler Creates More Skin Color Issues for Disney’s Newest Live-Action Remake
Despite Zegler’s seemingly unlikeable approach to social media and backlash surrounding her and co-writer Greta Gerwig, the biggest problem that Disney fans have had with her casting is her skin color. Typically, the thought of harassing or boycotting a role based on the color of someone’s skin would be considered racist and intolerant, but fans of Snow White think they have a legitimate gripe.
Related: Disney Abandons ‘Snow White’, Major Backlash Toward Film
Unlike unfair criticism surrounding the casting of Halle Baily in Disney’s The Little Mermaid live-action remake, Snow White, hence the name, is supposed to have skin as white as snow. As Zelger is of Columbian descent, her darker skin tones have been a focal point in arguments against her casting in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Many feel that Zegler doesn’t fit the role, which is exacerbated by the exhaustion of Disney’s insistent focus on rebranding old classics.
Zegler’s Newest Movie Trailer Gives Fans a Preview of What’s to Come
Snow and the Seven Dwarfs isn’t the only popularized film series in Zegler’s upcoming repertoire. The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, based on the Hunger Games novels by Suzanne Collins, is championing its way into theatres soon. The dystopian look at what led up to the original Hunger Games series featuring Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen is expected in theatres in November of this year.
Credit: Lions Gate Studios
Rachel Zegler will play alongside Tom Blythe in the film, which takes place 64 years before the events of the original films. Blythe will play a young Coriolanus Snow, while Zegler will play District 12’s tribute Lucy Gray Baird. Desperate to restore his family’s name, Snow will mention Barid through the 10th annual Hunger Games.
Made famous in the original film, “The Hanging Tree” is a focal plot point of the series, even making its way onto the Billboard Hot 100 Charts after its premiere in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay-Part 1. Thanks to a brand new trailer; we get to hear Zegler’s take on the somber lyrics, as well as a few other song pieces in the new film.
The ‘Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes’ Revitalizes an Adored Franchise
The Hunger Games was a widely successful franchise exploring the different districts of Panem. Designed to remind the other sections of the impacts of war, The Hunger Games was a controlled fight to the death by tributes selected each year who only hoped to survive the systematic extermination of those picked to participate. Ultimately, the franchise provided actors like Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson their start while revitalizing the careers of others like Elizabeth Banks, Liam Hemsworth, and Woody Harrelson.
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Fans of the series are extremely hopeful that Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes will breath fresh life into the franchise, ultimately leading to a new appreciation for The Hunger Games. Providing a backstory on Snow may provide viewers with new insights into what made the original annual contest tick, as well as why the former President of Panem made the decisions he did.
Is Disney Making a Mistake
It seems that Disney is making another monumental mistake in attempting to revive one of Walt’s original Disney princesses. Many on social media agree that the film should be left alone, as artists and actors consider it a relic of foundational trailblazing for animation. Only made worse after Rachel Zegler’s NBC News interview, even prominent talent in Hollywood feel as if the film should be untouchable.
Credit: Daily Mail
The controversial decision to feature Zegler as Snow White, along with not hiring “little people” to play the dwarfs, has led to a firestorm online. Combined with news regarding a substantial tax break to Disney just for making the film, it seems Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs live-action remake is set up to be a massive failure.
Who cares if she sings well. She (Rachel Zeglar) is a disgrace. She is has already crapped on this classic love story, disrespected Walt Disney, and made herself a laughing stock.