Disney’s ‘Snow White’ Remake:11 Major Twists You Won’t Believe!

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The modern, live-action retelling of “Disney’s Snow White” starts with a storybook unfolding, setting the stage for the tale of our compassionate princess, much like its 1937 animated counterpart, “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” However, the narrative diverges swiftly from there, as the fresh take on “Snow White” introduces an alternate origin story for the titular character. This is just one of many transformations Disney implements in their 2025 live-action adaptation of “Snow White,” a departure from its original animated version of 1937.

To put it simply, Disney’s original animated “Snow White” is undeniably impressive as their first venture into animation, yet it falls short in character development. The main character, the princess, longs for her prince, flees from the wicked queen, encounters dwarfs, succumbs to a magical sleep, and awakens from the kiss of her first love – essentially, that’s all there is. In contrast, the new live-action film, with Rachel Zegler as Snow White and Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen, maintains the same basic narrative structure but significantly expands upon it by delving deeper into Snow White’s emotions and motivations.

For those who are diehard Disney fans curious about the differences between the latest live-action adaptation and the original 1937 animated film, here’s an overview of the 11 major variations you might notice.

    Snow White’s Backstory

    In both the original Brothers Grimm tale and Disney’s 1937 animated movie, Snow White acquires her name due to her distinctive physical traits. Her complexion is as pale as snow, symbolizing her gentle and innocent nature. The upcoming live-action film provides a fresh take on Snow White’s past, with her name originating from her birth during a fierce blizzard night. As the song “Waiting on a Wish” suggests, “My father told me long ago I braved a bitter storm of snow.” The rest of Snow White’s background is largely consistent with the animated film, where her mother passes away, her father remarries the Evil Queen, and he is later disposed of. The Queen then makes Snow White work as a scullery maid within her kingdom.

    “Someday My Prince Will Come” Gets Cut Out

    In the revamped version of “Snow White,” only “Heigh-Ho” and “Whistle While You Work” retain their original lyrics, while new tunes by the team behind “La La Land” and “The Greatest Showman,” Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, have been added. These include “Waiting on a Wish,” “Princess Problems,” “Good Things Grow” and “All Is Fair,” among others. The well-known song from the animated film, “Someday My Prince Will Come,” is no longer featured, neither is “I’m Wishing/One Song.” These songs were part of the traditional Disney “I Want” series, where the princess expresses her deepest desires, such as Snow White wanting a prince. In this case, she yearns for love (“I’m wishing for the one I love”). However, in the live-action remake, these songs have been omitted altogether.

    In the revamped live-action movie, there’s no prince character as you might expect, so the song “Someday My Prince Will Come” wouldn’t have been fitting. Instead, Snow White’s personal anthem in this film is titled “Waiting on a Wish.” This tune expresses her yearning to embody the ideal daughter her father wished for her. Throughout the story, she comes to realize that she has already become what she’s aspiring for, which empowers her to reclaim the kingdom from the wicked queen.

    Dopey Talks!

    A striking difference in the modern retelling of “Snow White” is found in the character Dopey, who now speaks. In the original animation, he remained silent. However, in this updated version, Broadway star Andrew Barth Feldman lends his voice to Dopey. He begins speaking only after Snow White helps him regain his self-confidence. Interestingly, it’s revealed at the end that Dopey is the one narrating the story throughout the live-action film.

    No Glass Coffin

    One of the memorable scenes from the 1937 “Snow White” is the image of the princess lying in a glass coffin in the forest, following her ingestion of the Evil Queen’s poison apple. However, in the live-action adaptation, there’s no glass coffin. Instead, the dwarfs lay Snow White’s body on a stone in the woods and surround her with a tent left open, embellished with hanging flowers.

    The Prince Is Now a Bandit Named Jonathan

    In this modern retelling of “Snow White,” the prince is swapped out for a forest bandit named Jonathan, portrayed by Andrew Burnap. Unlike the prince who had minimal presence in the 1937 animated version, Jonathan plays a significant role in the live-action movie. He initially encounters Snow White in the kingdom as he pilfers potatoes to feed the starving townsfolk. Their paths cross again in the woods, where Snow White assists Jonathan and his bandit crew in escaping from the Evil Queen’s pursuing guards who are hot on the trail of the princess. As their bond deepens, it is Jonathan who gives Snow White a passionate kiss, awakening her from her death-like slumber.

    “Whistle While You Work” Restaged

    In the same vein as the 1937 animated film “Whistle While You Work,” this musical scene stands out in the live-action adaptation. However, it has undergone a significant transformation. The song now blends original lyrics with entirely fresh verses and is performed as a collaborative effort between Snow White and the seven dwarfs while they tidy up their disorganized home.

    In the cartoon movie, “Whistle While You Work,” unfolds before the dwarves return home and cross paths with Snow White. Initially, Snow White supposes that the cottage is inhabited by seven orphaned kids, so she bands together with her woodland companions to tidy up the place. The cartoon showcases a primarily orchestral rendition of “Whistle While You Work.” In the live-action version, there are more lyrics in the song as Snow White spurs the dwarves on to cooperate, clean, and conquer their mutual stubbornness.

    Evil Queen’s Death

    In the live-action “Snow White”, the Wicked Queen’s general plot points are similar to those in the animated version, with the addition of a unique musical number titled “All Is Fair”. However, the method of the Wicked Queen’s demise differs significantly. In the animated film, Snow White is found unconscious by the dwarfs, with the Wicked Queen to blame. A chase ensues between the dwarfs and the Wicked Queen, culminating in her being cornered at a cliff’s edge. Desperate, she attempts to crush the dwarfs by rolling a boulder down the cliff, but lightning strikes the boulder instead, causing it to knock the Wicked Queen off the cliff and resulting in her death.

    In the live-action film, there’s no pursuit as the Evil Queen deceives Snow White into consuming the apple and returns to her kingdom. Once awakened by Jonathan’s kiss, Snow White collaborates with the dwarfs and outlaws to reclaim her father’s kingdom. By demonstrating compassion, Snow White persuades the Evil Queen’s guards to defect. The Evil Queen inquires one final time from the Magic Mirror who is the most beautiful among them, and it answers that it will always be Snow White. Overwhelmed by jealousy, the Evil Queen breaks the mirror, causing her to disintegrate and vanish into nothingness.

    No Dwarfs Bathing

    In the live-action version, a notable scene missing from the animated film is “Bluddle-Uddle-Um-Dum (The Dwarfs’ Washing Song)”, a nearly five-minute musical sequence where the dwarfs engage in comedic antics during their bath time after Snow White asks them to clean up before dinner.

    Snow White Doesn’t Bake Gooseberry Pies

    Apart from the dwarves no longer taking baths, the live-action “Snow White” also removes the scene where Snow White prepares meals and cleans for the dwarves as they go to work daily. Unlike the animated film where Snow White makes gooseberry pies with the names of the dwarves inscribed on the crust, you won’t find any such pies in the live-action movie.

    “Heigh-Ho” Expanded

    Just like “Whistle While You Work,” the well-known tune “Heigh-Ho” of the dwarfs has been significantly extended from the animated film. In this new version, the song unfolds as the dwarfs travel to and from their mine jobs, but it now contains additional verses where each dwarf gets a chance to present himself. Each time, the other dwarfs respond with a chuckle: “Oh yes, we’re already familiar!

    You Actually See the Kingdom

    In the animated “Snow White,” we primarily follow Snow White, the Wicked Queen, the Huntsman, and the seven dwarfs. The live-action adaptation expands the story’s world by incorporating townspeople into both introductory and concluding musical sequences, which are reminiscent of the classic tune “Good Things Grow.” Unlike its animated counterpart, this version offers a glimpse into the daily lives of the kingdom’s villagers in the town square, as well as showing us how Snow White’s father won the people’s affection by offering them fruit and making apple pies. During the film’s dramatic finale, Snow White unites the kingdom against the Wicked Queen.

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2025-03-22 01:18