Disney’s live-action Snow White continues to weather turbulent waters. As the March 2025 release draws closer, new trailers and behind-the-scenes details have sparked heated conversations about the film’s creative direction, casting, and narrative changes.
When Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs premiered in 1937, it didn’t just launch Walt Disney’s career into superstardom—it revolutionized the film industry. Adapted from the Grimm Brothers’ fairy tale, it was the world’s first full-length animated feature, setting the gold standard for what animated films could achieve.
With a then-groundbreaking budget of $1.49 million, the film earned an unprecedented $8 million during its initial release. Over decades of re-releases, Snow White has amassed a staggering inflation-adjusted total gross of $418 million, securing its status as a cinematic masterpiece.
Featuring unforgettable performances from Adriana Caselotti (Snow White), Lucille La Verne (the Evil Queen), and Harry Stockwell (the Prince), the film also introduced iconic songs like “Heigh-Ho,” “Someday My Prince Will Come,” and “Whistle While You Work,” crafted by Frank Churchill and Larry Morey.
In 1939, Snow White was honored with a special Academy Award: one full-sized Oscar and seven miniature statuettes, symbolizing the film’s unprecedented success. Its cultural impact has been far-reaching, from inspiring future filmmakers to becoming a cornerstone of Disney’s brand identity. Whether through merchandise, theme park rides, or the enduring magic of its story, Snow White remains a timeless symbol of Disney’s legacy.
The upcoming live-action Snow White, directed by Marc Webb, promises to reimagine the beloved story for a new generation—but not without controversy. Originally scheduled for a 2024 release, the film was delayed by a year, with Rachel Zegler cast in the titular role and Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen.
In this retelling, Snow White’s origin story has been altered. Instead of referencing her “skin as white as snow” from the Grimm Brothers’ tale, her name now represents resilience. According to Zegler, the character is named after surviving a snowstorm as an infant. “The king and queen decided to name her Snow White to remind her of her resilience,” she explained in an interview with Variety.
Disney doubled down on this change in a newly released international trailer, which opens with a dramatic snowstorm scene. Zegler’s narration reveals, “To honor the day I was born, my father named me Snow White.” The trailer also teases never-before-seen footage, including the controversial CGI dwarfs, woodland creatures, and Zegler performing a new original song, “Waiting on a Wish,” written by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul.
However, over time, casting choices have fueled heated debates. Zegler, a Latina actress, faced backlash similar to Halle Bailey’s casting in The Little Mermaid (2023).
Compounding the discourse, Zegler’s past remarks at D23 Expo 2022 resurfaced. In them, she called the animated Prince a “stalker” and emphasized a shift toward a narrative of independence. “She’s not going to be saved by the prince or dreaming about true love,” Zegler said, promoting a story about leadership and self-discovery. While she later regarded the film as part of her childhood, her comments had already polarized fans, boosting the remake’s already contentious reception.
With a rumored production budget nearing $300 million, the live-action Snow White has a lot riding on its success. But as Disney’s marketing remains subdued, the film struggles to build the momentum necessary for a blockbuster hit. Ominously absent from Disney’s Q4 2024 earnings call, Snow White was left out of the studio’s most-anticipated 2025 releases, raising questions about Disney’s confidence in the project.
The film will come after Moana 2 (2024), which shattered Thanksgiving box office records, and before the upcoming live-action adaptation of Lilo & Stitch (2002). Can Snow White carve out a place among Disney’s growing portfolio, or will it falter under the weight of its controversies?
The film stars Rachel Zegler as Snow White and Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen. It also features Andrew Burnap, Ansu Kabia, Dujonna Gift, Martin Klebba, and Colin Michael Carmichael. Erin Cressida Wilson and Greta Gerwig wrote the screenplay and an original score aims to capture the magic of Disney’s animated legacy.
Despite the challenges, Snow White’s legacy carries a weight that few films can match. Whether the live-action remake can rise to meet expectations or redefine the story for a modern audience remains to be seen.
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