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The upcoming live-action Disney film on the horizon is Snow White, scheduled for release in 2024, and it’s been met with its fair share of controversy.
Rachel Zegler is a talented and rising star in the entertainment industry, known for her acting and singing abilities. Zegler’s journey to success in the entertainment industry was not without its challenges. Her casting as Snow White sparked debates about diversity and representation in film.
Credit: Disney
Snow White is an upcoming film directed by Marc Webb, with a screenplay penned by Greta Gerwig and Erin Cressida Wilson. This production is a joint effort between Walt Disney Pictures and Marc Platt Productions and serves as a live-action reimagining of the beloved 1937 animated classic, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. The original animated feature drew inspiration from the Brothers Grimm’s 1812 fairy tale and Walt Disney himself. In this new rendition, Rachel Zegler will portray Snow White, with Gal Gadot taking on the role of the Evil Queen.
Andrew Burnap has been cast in the role of Jonathan, a reinterpretation of the traditional Prince Charming character. Rachel Zegler has made comments about removing the prince from the new live-action Snow White.
Credit: Lions Gate Studios
Initially, there were reservations about Rachel Zegler’s casting. Critics pointed to her portrayal of Maria in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story. The controversy deepened when the film’s storyline evolved, and Zegler openly shared her perspective on the project. Rachel Zegler made comments characterizing the fairy tale as “strange” and emphasized that the film would not adhere to the conventions of 1937. She underlined that the new Snow White would be a character who aspired to be a fearless, fair, brave, and true leader, challenging the traditional damsel-in-distress narrative.
“I just mean that it’s no longer 1937,” Zegler said. “We absolutely wrote a ‘Snow White’ that … she’s not going to be saved by the prince, and she’s not going to be dreaming about true love; she’s going to be dreaming about becoming the leader she knows she can be and that her late father told her that she could be if she was fearless, fair, brave and true.”
Credit: Disney, ABC, Canva
Marc Webb, the director of the live-action Snow White, dedicated this movie to making a princess movie for his daughter. Webb talks about how the film is sentimental and hopes that fans will see it for an eternity.
Rachel Zegler on Snow White’s director Marc Webb: “[He’s] so dedicated to making a […] princess [movie] for his daughter, and I just really love that sentiment and I hope that it gets echoed for all eternity!”
Rachel Zegler on Snow White's director Marc Webb:
"[He's] so dedicated to making a […] princess [movie] for his daughter, and I just really love that sentiment and I hope that it gets echoed for all eternity!" pic.twitter.com/Pcy8msE4DK
— Snow White News (@SnowWhiteNews) October 25, 2023
These changes have ignited a debate, with some branding them as “woke.” While Disney’s efforts to introduce greater inclusivity in its films have garnered praise, they have also faced criticism from those who believe the company is drifting away from the timeless classics established by Walt Disney himself. Despite the backlash, Disney appears committed to pushing ahead with these alterations.
