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Could ‘Snow White’ Backlash Reshape the Storyline of ‘Frozen 3’? Disney Thinks So

Disney’s much-anticipated Frozen 3 may undergo significant creative changes depending on the performance of its live-action Snow White remake, according to a trusted insider. The success—or failure—of Snow White, which is set to release in 2025, could lead Disney to rethink its storytelling strategies for not only Frozen 3 but also the upcoming Rey movie.

frozen. 2 yelana, elsa, and honeymaren
Credit: Disney

Following the commercial success but lukewarm reception of Moana 2, Disney is taking a cautious, “wait-and-see” approach with several of its projects. The reception of Snow White at the box office will be critical in determining whether Disney sticks with its current trajectory or pivots to align with changing audience preferences.

Frozen 3’s Fate Tied to Snow White

frozen 2 elsa and anna
Credit: Disney

Josh Gad, the voice of Olaf in the Frozen series, recently assured fans that the third film is being crafted with care. “We’re not rushing this. The goal is to make something that lives up to the legacy of the original film,” Gad explained.

However, sources indicate that Frozen 3’s story may evolve based on Snow White’s performance. The live-action remake has become a litmus test for Disney’s approach to female-led narratives. If Snow White struggles to resonate with audiences, Disney might reconsider elements of Frozen 3 that were expected to lean into similar themes.

Jennifer Lee, the former chief creative officer of Walt Disney Animation and director of Frozen 3, could face challenges navigating this shift. Known for championing progressive storytelling, Lee may need to recalibrate her creative vision to fit Disney’s more reserved stance on politically charged narratives. Reports suggest that long-speculated developments, such as Elsa becoming an LGBTQ+ figurehead, are unlikely under the company’s revised guidelines.

Disney recently addressed this shift, stating, “We understand that parents prefer to have certain discussions with their children in their own way and at their own pace. We aim to respect that in our family entertainment.”

Snow White’s Controversial Build-Up

Rachel Zegler as Snow White looking shocked
Credit: Disney

The live-action remake of Snow White, starring Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot, has been under intense scrutiny since its announcement. With a production budget exceeding $269 million by late 2023, the film’s stakes are high.

Criticism began with the casting of Zegler, a Colombian-American actress, in the role of Snow White, a character described in the 1937 animated film as having “skin as white as snow.” Zegler’s remarks about the original fairy tale only added fuel to the fire.

Calling the classic story “outdated,” Zegler dismissed the idea of Snow White’s reliance on a prince for rescue. “She’s not dreaming about true love or waiting for someone to save her,” Zegler said in an interview, emphasizing the character’s independence in the new adaptation.

This departure from tradition has drawn criticism from audiences and even former Disney insiders. David Hand, son of one of the original film’s animators, described the remake as a “disgrace.” Hand argued that Disney is “destroying something beautiful” by altering the story to fit what he sees as modern political agendas.

The backlash escalated after the first teaser trailer was released in August 2024. Garnering nearly one million dislikes on YouTube, the trailer became one of the most criticized in the platform’s history.

Budget and Production Transparency

Scared Snow White
Credit: Disney

Unlike most Hollywood productions, which keep budgets tightly guarded, Snow White’s costs were made public through the UK’s Audio-Visual Expenditure Credit program. To qualify for this program, Disney set up a UK-based subsidiary, Hidden Heart Productions, which disclosed the film’s $269.4 million budget—a figure that has raised eyebrows among analysts and fans alike.

The program offers up to a 25.5% cash reimbursement for films that meet specific criteria, including a minimum of 10% of production costs being spent in the UK. While the subsidy provides financial relief, it also reveals just how much Disney is investing in the remake.

What Snow White’s Success Could Mean

For Disney, Snow White’s performance could signal whether its current storytelling model—marked by themes of empowerment and independence—remains viable in the evolving entertainment landscape. Should the film falter, Disney may take a more conservative approach to future projects, including Frozen 3 and the Rey movie.

As the entertainment giant navigates this crossroads, 2025 will be a defining year for Disney’s storytelling strategies. For fans, it will also serve as a window into how the studio adapts to shifting audience expectations while striving to maintain its cultural relevance.

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Alessia Dunn

Orlando theme park lover who loves thrills and theming, with a side of entertainment. You can often catch me at Disney or Universal sipping a cocktail, or crying during Happily Ever After or Fantasmic.

One Comment

  1. Too late, they already revealed themselves to be people’s enemies. We’re never watching any Disney movies ever again.

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