Disney’s original Princess Snow White, introduced in their first full-length film in 1937, has been a cherished asset for the studio. However, the challenge of bringing this classic tale to life on screen has resulted in a wave of negative responses towards the live-action adaptation of Disney’s Snow White. The story undergoes significant changes to appeal to modern audiences, as both the plot and characters are revamped. Unfortunately, these modifications have sparked various controversies around the Rachel Zegler-led Snow White, announced in 2022, leading to a less than stellar box office performance for Disney’s remake of Snow White.
The Disney live-action remake of Snow White carries a unique burden, being that it was Disney’s first animated theatrical release. Amongst numerous studio offerings, Snow White has consistently been one of Disney’s most recognized films, resulting in various spin-offs and adaptations throughout the years. However, the challenges faced by the Snow White remake are more intricate, and both Zegler and Gal Gadot have contributed to these issues, ultimately leading to the decline of Disney’s Snow White.
The CGI Dwarfs Were A Major Criticism Surrounding Snow White Well Before The Movie Released
The Seven Dwarfs’ Casting (Or Lack Thereof) Was Incredibly Decisive From The Beginning
As a dedicated movie enthusiast, I found myself caught in the whirlwind of opinions when Disney declared their upcoming movie, Snow White, would feature CGI-generated versions of Snow White’s Seven Dwarfs. The turmoil ignited over several aspects, with the promotional strategy for a live-action adaptation and the studio’s choice to not cast human actors among them. In 2023, when the first trailer dropped, it showcased an animated glimpse of the dwarfs – Doc, Grumpy, Happy, Dopey, Bashful, Sleepy, and Sneezy. This sneak peek only amplified many of the criticisms already directed at the movie, as it seemed to reinforce a stereotypical and potentially harmful representation of the Seven Dwarfs, solidifying their status as a “fantastical” race.
It is generally agreed that Disney’s Snow White was forward-thinking in some ways, yet it failed to address one of its key elements. Notably, the lack of actors representing dwarves meant missing out on showcasing the talents of many performers with dwarfism. Before the movie’s release, several actors spoke out against this studio choice, among them activist Peter Dinklage, who often uses his influence to support people with dwarfism. Dinklage strongly criticized the film for its inconsistencies, as it cast Rachel Zegler as the main character while still perpetuating the outdated narrative of seven dwarves living together in a cave.
Snow White’s Live-Action Story Was Very Disjointed
Disney’s Snow White Updated Many Elements Of The 1937 Original Plot
The 2017 live-action version of Disney’s Snow White deviated significantly from the original 1937 film by updating the tale. While some adjustments were justified, they ultimately made the storyline fragmented. Most noticeably, the remake seems to stretch the main plot too thin. Above all, Disney’s Snow White introduces an entirely novel third act where Jonathan revives Snow White with a love’s kiss, but it fails to introduce many new elements following this twist and ends in a fashion similar to Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
| Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Songs | Disney’s Snow White Songs |
|---|---|
| “I’m Wishing” | “Good Things Grow” |
| “One Song” | “Good Things Grow (Villagers’ Reprise)” |
| “With a Smile and a Song” | “Waiting On A Wish” |
| “Whistle While You Work” | “Heigh-Ho” |
| “Heigh-Ho” | “All Is Fair” |
| “Bluddle-Uddle-Um-Dum (The Dwarfs’ Washing Song)” | “Whistle While You Work” |
| “The Silly Song” | “Princess Problems” |
| “Someday My Prince Will Come” | “The Silly Song” |
| “Heigh-Ho (Reprise)” | “A Hand Meets A Hand” |
| “One Song (Reprise)” | “All Is Fair (Reprise)” |
| “Someday My Prince Will Come (Reprise)” | “Waiting on a Wish (Reprise)” |
| “Snow White Returns” | |
| “Good Things Grow (Finale)” |
The addition of fresh material created a rhythm issue for Disney’s Snow White as well. It gives the tale a less polished or captivating feel since the movie hurries through significant parts of its history but dwells on unnecessary scenes, such as the inclusion of new songs. Furthermore, some of the extra plot points felt repetitive and puzzling, which added to the film feeling somewhat disjointed. For instance, certain elements like Snow White’s father or the gang of “robbers” lacked clarity because they were not fully developed on screen.
The Younger Generation Doesn’t Have A Connection To Snow White
Younger Audiences Aren’t As Familiar With Snow White’s Character
Despite the fact that Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, which was Disney’s initial motion picture in 1937, has retained its popularity throughout the last century, modern audiences, particularly younger ones, are more familiar with live-action reboots and variations. As a result of the increasing prominence of newer Disney heroines like Moana and Raya, Snow White’s influence has been somewhat eclipsed in recent times. The lack of a strong connection that today’s younger audiences have with Snow White compared to older generations suggests that there may not be as much demand for a live-action remake for this particular story.
It’s important to note that while Snow White’s tale hasn’t completely vanished from memory, thanks to Disney’s classic version being one of their most recognized assets, there have been several adaptations of Snow White in recent times. Movies like “Snow White and the Huntsman” and its sequel have provided a modern twist on the Disney princess, breaking away from traditional fairy tale stereotypes. This updated interpretation might resonate more with younger audiences who are accustomed to the contemporary retelling of the story.
Disney Struggled With Marketing Snow White To The Older Generations
The Marketing For Disney’s Snow White Was Targeted At Children
It seems that one of the major factors contributing to Rachel Zegler’s misfire in Disney’s Snow White might have been an unbalanced marketing approach. Instead of focusing on the older generation, the promotion for the movie was primarily directed towards younger audiences ahead of its release. The marketing strategy concentrated more on highlighting the differences between the live-action film and the animated classic, rather than emphasizing the similarities that still existed. Additionally, actors on the press tour often downplayed the original movie, which may have led Disney to overlook a significant portion of their intended audience who cherished the original film.
Apart from this, Zegler’s comments stirred up debate, leading some to perceive them as implying that fans of the original were “creepy” or “odd.” In relation to this, nostalgia is a potent asset in the film industry which frequently aligns with box office success. Given that Snow White’s marketing focused heavily on the numerous alterations to the plot, it created a significant disconnect between the promotional tactics and the nostalgic attachment older audiences had towards the timeless tale. This gap may have driven some viewers away before the movie even hit theaters.
Various Controversies Hurt Snow White’s Potential
The Snow White Adaptation Was At Risk Before It Released
The controversy surrounding Disney’s Snow White started brewing before its theater release, largely due to the casting choice of Rachel Zegler. This decision sparked heated discussions on representation and diversity in Hollywood. While Zegler’s initial responses on social media were encouraging, her later comments about the original movie fueled further debate, leading to a significant amount of tension during the press tour even before the film hit the screens. Essentially, there was a lot of controversy swirling around the live-action remake long before it was released.
Essentially, the continuous drama attached to the project over an extended period led many people to lose interest and tune out completely. The constant negative reactions towards “Snow White” became overwhelming, resulting in audience fatigue. This apathy is evident in the film’s box office performance, as Disney’s live-action adaptation of Snow White earned a disappointing $169 million.
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2025-04-20 13:11