Disney Snow White Remake Sparks Controversy
The Disney Snow White remake has sparked controversy over its casting, portrayal of little people, and use of CGI characters, prompting a scaled-back premiere and cautious promotional efforts. The film's performance at the box office will be closely watched as it navigates the challenges of its progressive creative decisions and the actresses' individual controversies.
Disney's live-action "Snow White" film, starring Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot, has been embroiled in controversy due to the film's progressive creative decisions and the actresses' individual controversies, prompting the studio to scale back the Hollywood premiere.
The film's premiere will include a pre-party and screening at the El Capitan Theatre, but it will not include a traditional red carpet or interviews with the cast and creatives. The decision comes amid criticism over Zegler's casting as Snow White, with some fans questioning whether a Latina actress should play the role. Additionally, the film's portrayal of little people has been criticized, with Peter Dinklage speaking out against the movie's perpetuation of negative stereotypes.
The movie's use of CGI characters instead of traditional dwarfs has also been met with criticism from the dwarfism community, with some accusing Disney of "discrimination" and damaging their careers for the sake of political correctness. Dwarf actors, including Choon Tan and Blake Johnston, have expressed outrage at Disney's decision, stating that it limits opportunities for dwarf actors and is "absolutely absurd and discriminating".
Despite the challenges, the film is tracking well for a March release, with estimates suggesting it will debut at $50 million to $56 million domestically. The controversy surrounding the film began in 2021 when Zegler was cast as Snow White, sparking criticism for the character's "white" skin. Zegler has since faced backlash for her comments on the original film and her criticism of Donald Trump.
The film's director, Marc Webb, has been involved in damage control, with the studio reportedly being cautious in their promotional efforts due to the controversy surrounding the film. As the release date approaches, it remains to be seen how the controversy will impact the film's performance at the box office.
