Disney's Snow White Remake Faces Controversy Over Casting
The controversy surrounding the Snow White remake has sparked a wider debate about representation and diversity in Hollywood, with some accusing the studio of prioritizing "political correctness" over authentic storytelling. As the film's release approaches, it remains to be seen how the controversy will impact its box office performance and whether Disney's efforts to manage the rollout will be successful.
Disney's live-action remake of Snow White, starring Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot, has been embroiled in controversy due to its casting and politics, leading the studio to scale back the film's Hollywood premiere. The decision comes amid criticism from fans and dwarf actors, who have questioned Zegler's casting as Snow White due to her Latina heritage and the film's portrayal of little people.
The film's troubles began when Zegler, who is of Colombian descent, was cast as Snow White, a character traditionally depicted as white. Zegler has also made comments criticizing the original film, calling it "dated," and expressing her support for Palestine, which has sparked controversy and calls for a boycott of the film. Additionally, Gadot's support of Israel has led to backlash, including a baseless rumor that she refused to present an award to a Palestinian film at the Oscars.
Dwarf actors have also expressed outrage at Disney's decision to replace the seven dwarves in the upcoming Snow White remake with computer-generated "magical creatures." They accuse the studio of "discrimination" and damaging their careers for the sake of political correctness. Choon Tan, a dwarf actor and bodybuilder, has appeared as a dwarf in previous productions of Snow White and believes that the decision to use CGI characters is an opportunity for young children to see someone with dwarfism, but also feels discriminated against.
Despite the controversy, the film is tracking well and is expected to open with $50-56 million domestically. However, Disney's decision to scale back the premiere and limit media coverage has raised questions about the studio's confidence in the film's success. The film's marketing has been quiet until recently, with advance ticket sales starting just two weeks before the release, which is unusual for a major Disney film.