4
Credit: DisneyDisney’s live-action Snow White has been under fire from the moment it was announced, and as its release date looms, the controversies surrounding the film have only intensified.
What was supposed to be another high-profile remake of a beloved animated classic has instead become a lightning rod for backlash.
From Rachel Zegler’s polarizing remarks about the original film to Disney’s last-minute decision to cancel the red-carpet premiere, it’s becoming increasingly clear that this project seems to be doomed before it even hits theaters.
Disney’s Snow White: A Movie Destined to Fail?
The troubles for Snow White began early on, with fans taking issue with multiple aspects of the remake. The casting of Rachel Zegler as Snow White sparked debate, but it really grew after Zegler began to talk about the film.
The real backlash ignited when Zegler made comments, dismissing the 1937 animated classic as outdated. She criticized the original portrayal of Snow White and the Prince, calling their love story problematic and emphasizing that the new film would focus on a more independent version of the character.
As if that wasn’t enough, actor Peter Dinklage also slammed Disney’s decision to make another Snow White film, calling it “backwards” for continuing the portrayal of the seven dwarfs in a stereotypical manner.
Disney attempted to mitigate the controversy by altering the depiction of the dwarfs, replacing them with a more diverse group of magical creatures, but this only fueled more criticism, particularly from many others in the little person community who claimed that his comments cost them potential jobs, as Disney changed the seven dwarfs to CGI components.
The movie’s promotional materials haven’t helped matters either. The trailer for Snow White was met with overwhelming negativity, amassing over a million dislikes on YouTube and cementing fears that the film was straying too far from its source material.
Disney Scraps Premiere Events of Snow White
Now, in the latest sign that Disney is scrambling to minimize damage, the company has decided to axe the traditional media premiere for Snow White. Unlike previous blockbuster Disney releases that feature glamorous red-carpet events packed with reporters and fanfare, Snow White will have a significantly toned-down affair.
Variety first reported that the film’s premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood will proceed, but it will not feature a red carpet or allow for extensive media coverage. Instead, only a small in-house crew will handle photography, and the usual press interviews with the cast and filmmakers have been completely scrapped.
This drastic change has only fueled speculation that Disney is trying to avoid another public relations disaster. Caleb Bond, a TV host for Sky News Australia, didn’t hold back when commenting on the decision, calling it “a joke.”
“The whole thing is a joke, and the best bit is that they know it. They actually know it. That is why they’re not having a full-on red carpet. Finally, they’ve realized what’s going on,” Bond said.
Many industry insiders believe that Disney’s decision to limit press access is an attempt to prevent further negative headlines ahead of the film’s release. However, critics argue that this move only adds to the perception that Disney is losing confidence in the movie’s success.
Fans Call for Cancellation altogether
With all the backlash surrounding Snow White, many fans have taken to social media to express their frustration, with some outright calling for the film to be scrapped entirely.
“Disney is ruining its own legacy. If they don’t believe in this film enough to promote it properly, why even bother releasing it?”
“After hearing Rachel Zegler trash the original movie, I have zero interest in watching this. Who wants to pay to see a film that disrespects the source material?”
“The new Snow White is a disaster waiting to happen. Just cancel it now and save the embarrassment.”
The frustration isn’t just coming from casual viewers—many Disney purists feel that the company has abandoned the heart and charm of the original Snow White in favor of a modernized take that no one asked for.
A Sign of Bigger Issues?
Disney has faced its share of underperforming films in recent years, but the situation with Snow White feels particularly dire.
Early tracking numbers suggest that the movie is projected to open at just $53 million domestically, a dismal number considering its reported more than $240 million budget, with some sharing the budget might be closer to $300 million.
With such a massive financial investment and little public enthusiasm, Snow White could be one of Disney’s biggest misfires yet. By canceling the traditional premiere, the company seems to be acknowledging that the backlash isn’t going away—and that audiences may not be willing to give the film a chance.
Whether Snow White can overcome its troubled rollout remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Disney has a serious problem on its hands, and the decision to cut back its premiere is only adding fuel to the fire.
Will you be watching Disney’s Snow White when it releases in theaters? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments!