- 27
- Mar
- 2025
Despite ongoing controversy, Disney’s live-action Snow White topped the French box office with over 540,000 admissions. Casting choices, storyline changes, and the depiction of the Seven Dwarfs reignited fierce debates about wokism and the reinterpretation of childhood classics.
Boosted by discounted movie tickets during France’s annual Printemps du cinéma, Disney’s Snow White remake drew crowds between March 19 and 25. But behind its commercial success lies a storm of criticism—surrounding the cast, storyline, and values—long before the film even hit the big screen.
A Reimagined Snow White Under Heavy Scrutiny
In this new live-action take, Rachel Zegler plays Snow White while Gal Gadot portrays the Evil Queen. Ninety years after Disney’s iconic 1937 animated film, this version aims for a modernized retelling of the Grimm brothers’ tale. Still, its attempt at reinvention has split audiences.
From the moment Rachel Zegler, of Colombian and Polish descent, was announced for the lead role, backlash began. Critics argued that the traditional “skin white as snow” had been overlooked. The actress clapped back on social media: “No, I will not bleach my skin for the role.” The post, later deleted, only intensified the conversation.
Hollywood Red Carpet, But Make It Silent
Disney took a notably quiet approach to promotion. At the Hollywood premiere last weekend, press interactions were banned, and stars were kept away from journalists—an unusual move for a major studio release. The company reportedly wanted to avoid questions about the Seven Dwarfs, a topic that’s proven contentious.
Just days earlier, a similarly low-key European premiere took place in a secluded castle in Segovia, Spain, with few media invited. The strategy? Keep the focus on the film, not the firestorm.
Seven Dwarfs Missing, but Still Making Noise
The film’s title drops any mention of the dwarfs—simply Snow White. Their absence in early trailers led to speculation that Disney might be erasing them altogether.
In 2022, actor Peter Dinklage slammed Disney’s approach as hypocritical: casting a Latina lead while still adapting “a backward story about seven dwarfs living in a cave.” This raises the question: did Disney keep the name Snow White as a stand-alone feminist statement? Actor and pro wrestler Dylan Mark Postl argued that removing dwarf roles hurts actors with dwarfism, who already face limited opportunities in Hollywood.
In the end, Disney replaced the dwarfs with CGI-created magical creatures resembling forest gnomes—a decision that also sparked backlash.
The Prince, Rewritten and Removed
Zegler’s comments on the storyline stirred even more debate. She noted that this Snow White “won’t be saved by the prince, and she won’t be dreaming of true love.” She also described the original 1937 film as “weird,” questioning the heroine’s affection for “a guy who literally stalks her.”
These remarks disappointed fans expecting a faithful adaptation. While some accused Disney of caving to “woke madness,” others praised the film for challenging outdated tropes and reflecting modern values.
Gal Gadot’s Casting Adds International Tension
Beyond casting and plot, geopolitics found its way into the discourse. Gal Gadot, who served in the Israeli Defense Forces, drew criticism in some Arab countries. Some groups called her casting a form of “occupation whitewashing,” urging boycotts of the film. Could the film also face a ban in Lebanon for the same reasons?
Controversy and Success Go Hand in Hand
Despite the uproar, French audiences showed up. The film surpassed 540,000 admissions in its opening week—a promising figure for a production that cost over $200 million and faced pandemic and strike-related delays.
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