Disney’s “Snow White” live-action remake is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about films of the year, but not for the reasons you might expect. The premiere, usually a glitzy affair with a star-studded red carpet, has been significantly scaled back, with a limited guest list and a focus on a more “intimate” gathering. Media coverage will be reduced to photographers and a house crew, leaving many to wonder why Disney is keeping things so hush-hush.
“Snow White” Team
The “Snow White” remake also features a powerhouse creative team, with original music by the award-winning duo Pasek and Paul, known for their work on “La La Land” and “The Greatest Showman”. The script was written by Greta Gerwig, who brings her unique voice to the classic fairytale. Gerwig is best known for her work on films such as “Barbie”, “Little Women”, and “Lady Bird”. Directed by Marc Webb, best known for “(500) Days of Summer” and “The Amazing Spider-Man”, the film is already generating buzz for its fresh take on the beloved story. And if you’re curious about the soundtrack, the song “Waiting on a Wish” is already out, adding to the anticipation.
Rachel Zegler’s Legendary Career (already!)
Rachel Zegler has built a dedicated fanbase since her breakout role in “West Side Story” (2021), where she was discovered through an open casting call in 2019 while still in high school. At the time, she was also finishing up her senior year musical, “Shrek the Musical”, and even skipped prom to record the cast album for “West Side Story”. From that moment on, it’s been an incredible ride for Zegler. She won a Golden Globe for her performance in “West Side Story”, became the lead in the Hunger Games prequel “The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes”, which was both a box office hit and critically praised, and just wrapped up her Broadway debut alongside “Heartstopper” star Kit Connor in the modern adaptation of “Romeo + Juliet”, which featured original music from Jack Antonoff, best known for producing Taylor Swift’s music.
“Snow White”: Controversy From Start
So why the secrecy? The “Snow White” remake has stirred controversy from the start, with a major backlash over the casting of Rachel Zegler as “Snow White”. Zegler’s portrayal of the classic character challenges the traditional narrative, as she said in a Variety interview at D23 two years ago: “She’s not going to be saved by the prince. She’s not going to be dreaming about true love. She’s dreaming about becoming the leader she knows she can be.”
On top of that, actor Peter Dinklage voiced concerns over the portrayal of little people in the story, criticizing Disney for reinforcing negative stereotypes. “They were very proud to cast a Latino actress as Snow White, but you’re still telling the story of ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,’” he said on the WTF With Mark Maron podcast in January 2024. Disney has since promised a “different approach” to these characters, but the controversy continues.
It doesn’t stop there—world politics have also come into play. Zegler has shown her support for Palestine on social media, while Gal Gadot, who plays the Evil Queen, has become a vocal supporter of Israel. Gadot addressed these tensions in a passionate speech on March 4 at the Anti-Defamation League’s annual summit in New York, stating, “Never did I imagine that on the streets of the United States, and different cities around the world, we would see people not condemning Hamas, but celebrating, justifying and cheering on a massacre of Jews.”
And just when you thought the drama couldn’t get thicker, MAGA supporters also blasted Zegler for a November Instagram story in reaction to Donald Trump’s reelection. In it, Zegler wrote, “May Trump supporters and Trump voters and Trump himself never know peace.” She later apologized for the remarks two days later, but the backlash added another layer to the already heated conversation surrounding the film.
“Snow White” Promotional Plans Slowed Down
To keep the publicity machine running, “Snow White’s” promotional plans have already included Gadot and Zegler presenting together at the Oscars, followed by Zegler making a promotional appearance in Tokyo. Zegler and director Marc Webb will also visit Spain to promote the movie, followed by Zegler hosting a special screening in New York City for the Broadway community.
This political divide, coupled with the star-studded publicity tour, has further fueled the drama surrounding the film, making it feel less like a fairytale and more like a Hollywood minefield. While Disney pushes ahead with the promotional tour, the “Snow White” remake is shaping up to be more of a conversation starter than a traditional movie release.
The big question remains: will this modern retelling overcome the controversy, or will the drama overshadow the film’s magic? Only time will tell. “Snow White” comes out March 21 in theaters.
