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Credit: DisneyDisney has a long way to go in making its new live-action Snow White film profitable.
Disney’s upcoming live-action Snow White has become a lightning rod for controversy, with its latest trailer surpassing a staggering 1 million downvotes on YouTube.
For many fans who grew up with Disney’s classic animated films, this development represents a significant departure from the company’s original values and storytelling. As someone who has cherished Disney’s timeless stories, the transformation of Snow White into what many critics are calling a “woke” iteration is deeply concerning, and it seems to only be getting worse.
With a growing number of fans choosing to “cancel” the movie, Disney faces one of the most challenging uphill battles in its history to make this film profitable.
Snow White: A Legacy Tarnished by Controversy
The original Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) was a landmark achievement in animation, marking the first-ever feature-length animated film and establishing Disney as a powerhouse in family entertainment.
The story of Snow White, a kind-hearted princess, and her journey with the Seven Dwarfs, has been a beloved tale for generations. However, the new live-action adaptation seems to be straying far from its roots, sparking widespread discontent among fans.
The controversy surrounding this adaptation began early, with many questioning the casting choices and the apparent changes to the story’s core themes. Rachel Zegler, cast as Snow White, has been at the center of much of this backlash.
Her comments about the original story being “outdated” and “problematic” did not sit well with many fans who hold the classic film dear. Zegler’s remarks were perceived as dismissive of the legacy that Disney’s original Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs represents, further fueling the perception that Disney is moving away from the essence of what made its stories so impactful.
The “Woke” Snow White Criticism
One of the most significant points of contention has been the decision to modernize the tale in a way that many fans feel is overly “woke.” The decision to replace the original Seven Dwarfs with CGI characters has been particularly divisive.
While Disney has used CGI effectively in other live-action adaptations, such as The Lion King (2019), fans argue that in this case, the use of CGI detracts from the unique charm of the original film. The Seven Dwarfs were not just secondary characters; they were an integral part of the story’s heart and humor, each with a distinct personality that resonated with audiences.
Critics argue that this change dilutes the originality of the film, transforming beloved characters into mere digital representations. Additionally, reports indicate that the iconic “true love’s kiss” scene has been removed entirely, a move that some see as an unnecessary revision of a classic moment.
Fans have voiced their displeasure across social media platforms.
The backlash is reminiscent of the reactions to other recent Disney projects that have been perceived as overly concerned with political correctness, such as the live-action The Little Mermaid (2023). It should be noted that the live-action Little Mermaid – starring Halle Bailey — reached an impressive $569 million at the box office.
The reaction to Snow White appears to be even more intense, however, likely because of the film’s status as the one that started it all for Disney.
Live-action Snow White Marred By Disapproval
The release of the latest Snow White trailer only exacerbated the situation.
Within days, the trailer amassed over 1 million downvotes on YouTube, a clear indication of the widespread dissatisfaction among fans. The overwhelming number of downvotes suggests that the fanbase is not just passively unhappy but actively rejecting the direction in which Disney is taking one of its most cherished stories.
For a company that has built its brand on creating universally beloved content, this level of public disapproval is a serious concern.
The downvotes are not just a reflection of dissatisfaction with the trailer itself but a broader critique of Disney’s recent trajectory. Fans feel that Disney is straying too far from its roots, and this has led to an uphill battle for the company to make the move profitable.
Disney Faces a Historic Uphill Battle
With so many fans seemingly “canceling” the movie before its release, Disney faces an uphill battle in making Snow White profitable. The film’s controversies have created a buzz that could severely impact its box office performance.
In an era where word-of-mouth and online sentiment can make or break a movie’s success, the overwhelmingly negative reception to Snow White poses a significant challenge for Disney. The backlash suggests that these changes have alienated a substantial portion of the fanbase.
If Disney hopes to turn this situation around, it will need to engage with its audience in a meaningful way, perhaps by addressing the concerns that have been raised and finding a balance between innovation and tradition.
As a lifelong Disney fan, it’s disheartening to see a beloved classic like Snow White embroiled in such controversy. While it’s important for stories to evolve, there’s also value in preserving the core elements that made those stories timeless in the first place.
Disney’s challenge moving forward will be to find a way to honor its legacy while also embracing the future. Whether or not Snow White can overcome its current hurdles remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Disney’s path to profitability with this film will not be an easy one.
In the end, fans like myself hope that Disney can return to what it does best—telling stories that unite rather than divide, and creating magic that everyone can believe in.