Disney’s ‘Snow White’ Premiere Scaled Back Amid Controversies

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I’m thrilled to share that I’ll be attending Disney’s special screening of “Snow White” on March 15th. Unlike previous premieres, this time around, the studio has opted for a more toned-down red carpet event, eschewing the grandeur we’re accustomed to.

In the afternoon, the celebration will feature a pre-event and film screening at the El Capitan Theatre, graced by the lead actress Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot, who portrays the Evil Queen, likely in attendance. Unlike typical Disney premiers, the red carpet event will not have the usual array of media outlets that usually attend to interview the cast and creatives.

Instead, coverage will be limited to photographers and a house crew.

As a movie enthusiast, I’ve been following the recent developments regarding the upcoming Marc Webb-directed film, and it seems that the production has scaled back its plans due to ongoing controversies surrounding the project. The movie is set to hit theaters on March 21st. However, the studio has chosen not to comment on this story at this time.

Critics who are passionate Disney fans, some of whom may hold biased views, expressed doubts over the casting of Zegler as Snow White following the announcement, as she is a Latina actress. Additionally, the “West Side Story” star encountered criticism when she characterized the 1937 original as antiquated, suggesting that the prince’s actions in the story amounted to stalking Snow White.

During an interview with EbMaster at D23 a couple of years back, Zegler expressed that instead of being rescued by a prince or pining for true love, her character is aspiring to become the strong leader she believes herself to be.

Peter Dinklage voiced concerns about the movie’s depiction of characters with dwarfism, claiming it reinforced harmful stereotypes. In an interview on the “WTF With Mark Maron” podcast in January 2024, he expressed, ” frankly, I was a bit surprised.” He added, “They boast about casting a Latina actress as Snow White, but they’re still telling Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’ story. Pause for a moment and consider your actions.

After Dinklage’s comments, Disney stated to “Good Morning America,” “To ensure we don’t perpetuate the stereotypes present in the original animated movie, we are adopting a unique strategy for the seven characters involved. We have been collaborating with members of the dwarfism community in this process.

Zegler believes that the criticism of the movie stems from a deep-seated love for the original film. “I see people’s feelings towards this film as a sign of deep affection,” she shared in an interview with Vogue Mexico in March. “It’s truly an honor to be involved in something that stirs such strong emotions. Not everyone will align with those around us, but all we can do is our best.” (The quotes were independently translated from Spanish to English by EbMaster.)

In addition to global politics being involved, Zegler has expressed pro-Palestine views on social platforms. On the other hand, Gadot, an Israeli national, has been vocal about her support for Israel not just online but also in a powerful speech delivered at the Anti-Defamation League’s annual summit in New York City on March 4. “I never thought I would witness people in the United States and various cities worldwide failing to condemn Hamas, but instead celebrating, justifying, and encouraging the killing of Jews,” she stated in part.

Gal Gadot, who typically avoids political matters, recently voiced her opinion following the October 7th Hamas assault.

In February, numerous demonstrators advocating for Palestine assembled outside the premiere of “Captain America: Brave New World” in Hollywood, expressing their disapproval and urging a boycott of the movie due to its character Ruth Bat-Seraph (also known as Sabra), portrayed by Israeli actress Shira Haas, who is an Israeli superhero.

As a movie lover penning down my thoughts, I too found myself among those who passionately responded to the election results of Donald Trump. In a moment of emotional fervor, I expressed my feelings on Instagram: “May Trump supporters, Trump voters, and Trump himself never experience peace.” However, understanding the gravity of my words and their potential impact, I offered an apology two days later.

The promotional strategy for “Snow White” has been set, featuring Gadot and Zegler sharing the stage at the Oscars, with Zegel subsequently attending a promotional event in Tokyo. Later on, both Zegler and Webb are scheduled to travel to Spain for the film, followed by Zegler hosting a screening in New York City specifically for the Broadway community.

Gadot was on “Good Morning America” on Monday in support of the movie.

Ever since it premiered on YouTube about three months back, I’ve been keeping tabs on the official trailer for this movie. It’s racked up an impressive 11.8 million views so far!

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2025-03-11 18:17