Disney's highly anticipated live-action remake of Snow White is facing a blizzard of controversy, with its star, Rachel Zegler, finding herself at the eye of the storm. Leaked images from the set and the actress's own comments have ignited a firestorm of criticism from fans, leading to grim predictions that the film could be the studio's next major box office disappointment.
The backlash erupted after photos, reportedly from the set, found their way online. The images appear to show a significant departure from the beloved 1937 animated classic, particularly in the portrayal of the Seven Dwarfs. Instead of the traditional characters, the leaked stills seem to feature a diverse group of actors of various sizes and genders, dubbed 'Magical Creatures'. This radical reimagining has been met with widespread derision and accusations that Disney is undermining the original story's legacy.
A Princess for the 'Modern' Era?
Further fuelling the discontent are past interviews with Rachel Zegler herself. The young actress has been vocal about her approach to the character, describing the original Prince as a 'stalker' and emphasising that this Snow White is not a damsel in distress waiting for her dream to be saved. She has portrayed the remake as a story about a leader, with a focus on 'girl power'.
While intended to frame the film as progressive, these remarks have alienated a large portion of the classic tale's fanbase. Critics argue that the studio is fundamentally misunderstanding the source material and disrespecting the original creators and audiences alike.
Social Media Erupts
The court of public opinion has convened on social media, and the verdict is harsh. Platforms like X (formerly Twitter) are flooded with negative reactions. One user lamented, 'They have completely destroyed the magic of the original Snow White.' Another quipped, 'This is going to be a bigger bomb than The Little Mermaid.'
The consensus online suggests a deep disconnect between Disney's vision and the expectations of its core audience. Many are drawing comparisons to other recent Disney live-action films that underperformed, citing this 'woke' interpretation as a recipe for commercial disaster.
With the project already shrouded in negative publicity and a palpable lack of fan enthusiasm, the future looks frosty for this Snow White reimagining. Whether Disney can weather this storm or if the film will indeed vanish into the enchanted forest of box office failures remains to be seen.
