Revealed: ‘Snow White’ Remake Includes Controversial Scene From 1937 Animated Movie
Disney’s Snow White (2025) has officially arrived, but the lead-up to its release has been anything but smooth. With nearly four years of controversy surrounding casting choices, story adjustments, and cultural discourse, the film lands in theaters under intense scrutiny.
Rachel Zegler (West Side Story) takes on the title role, a decision that immediately sparked debate. Her casting became part of a broader conversation about Hollywood’s evolving approach to legacy characters and the balance between tradition and modern sensibilities.
One of the most significant points of contention in the film’s development was the portrayal of the seven dwarfs. Game of Thrones actor Peter Dinklage voiced his concerns early on, questioning how Disney could modernize Snow White while still “telling a ‘backward story about seven dwarfs living in a cave together.’” In response, Disney told Good Morning America, “To avoid reinforcing stereotypes from the original animated film, we are taking a different approach with these seven characters and have been consulting with members of the dwarfism community.”
The film also redefines Snow White’s origin story. Instead of her name reflecting her fair complexion, Zegler explained in 2024 that “the king and queen decided to name her Snow White to remind her of her resilience,” referencing a snowstorm she survived as an infant. This change was reinforced in an early trailer, where Zegler’s voiceover states, “To honor the day I was born, my father named me Snow White.”
From the outset, the live-action remake has faced pushback, with Zegler’s remarks at the 2022 D23 Expo intensifying the discussion. She referred to the original film’s prince as a stalker and emphasized that Snow White’s journey would shift away from romance, focusing instead on leadership and strength. These comments sparked widespread backlash that has persisted through 2025.
Meanwhile, Gal Gadot’s role as the Evil Queen has also been met with controversy due to her IDF background, particularly in light of the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict. Zegler’s political activism has further fueled discourse, including her response to Donald Trump’s presidential victory over Kamala Harris while performing in Romeo + Juliet on Broadway.
Despite modern updates, one of the film’s most surprising inclusions is “love’s first kiss.” In the film, Andrew Burnap’s Jonathan–the replacement prince character–awakens Snow White with a kiss at the corner of her lips while she is unconscious. The kiss from the 1937 movie has long been a subject of debate over consent in classic fairy tales.
The conversation gained traction in 2021 when Disneyland updated its Snow White attraction, with Snow White’s Enchanted Wish including the kiss. At the time, SFGate reviewers (via Entertainment Weekly) Katie Dowd and Julie Tremaine criticized the moment, writing that the prince’s kiss is one “he gives to her without her consent, while she’s asleep, which cannot possibly be true love if only one person knows it’s happening.”
However, the film introduces a new duet between Snow White and Jonathan, “A Hand Meets A Hand,” which frames the moment differently. The lyrics state: “And maybe I’m dreaming—well, I’d like to stay just like this / But if there’s a world where you wake me / Promise to wake me with a kiss.”
With a production budget reportedly nearing $300 million, Snow White faces a challenging path at the box office. Marketing efforts have appeared muted compared to Disney’s other major projects, particularly with the studio shifting its focus to Lilo & Stitch (2025), which premieres in May.
The film stars Rachel Zegler as Snow White, Emilia Faucher as Young Snow White, Olivia Verrall as Baby Snow White, Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen, Andrew Burnap as Jonathan, Patrick Page as the Magic Mirror, Ansu Kabia as the Huntsman, and Andrew Barth Feldman as Dopey/Narrator. The seven dwarfs are portrayed by Tituss Burgess (Bashful), Martin Klebba (Grumpy), Jason Kravits (Sneezy), George Salazar (Happy), Jeremy Swift (Doc), Andy Grotelueschen (Sleepy), and George Appleby (Quigg), alongside Colin Carmichael, Dujonna Gift, Samuel Baxter, Jimmy Johnston, Idriss Kargbo, and Jaih Betote.
Music for the film, composed by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, features original songs including “Waiting on a Wish,” “All Is Fair,” and “Good Things Grow.”
Disney’s Snow White is now playing in theaters. What do you think of the remake? Let us know in the comments!
I am so SICK of supposed ‘controversy’ when it comes to movies. It’s time for each and every person to just go see the film WHEN IT IS FINISHED AND ON DISPLAY before dispersing any critical comments. I just saw the film, and found it perfectly enjoyable.So did the packed auditoriam. So here is a middle finger to all the whiners and naysayers, I found them to be WRONG!
TOTALLY AGREE!!!!
Robert W. has a good comment! A friend of mine just saw Snow White. She and her husband said it was excellent! My friends are true Disney fans who visit the World at LEAST once a year AND enjoys an annual Disney cruise, sometimes two! I’m thinking it’s like eating at a new restaurant. You could just take the word of someone who says the food is sub par at best, or go yourself and see if YOU enjoy what’s served!
Despite all the backlash I’ve read about, my girlfriend and I kept an open mind and went to go see it the day it was released. We both loved it, and we found it enjoyable and entertaining.
I’m tired of these weak people of today, compared to those in 1937. If those things offend you, you need to go live on an island away from others. It’s really quite sad to be honest.