Disney’s upcoming remake of *Snow White* is already facing a storm of criticism ahead of its March release, as the trailer has garnered an overwhelmingly negative response online. With over 11 million views on YouTube, the trailer has received a staggering 1.4 million dislikes, compared to just 100,000 likes, showcasing a massive disconnect between the studio’s vision and the audience’s expectations.
The backlash began even before the trailer dropped, fueled by controversial statements from lead actress Rachel Zegler, who attacked the original 1937 animated film. In an interview, Zegler criticized Snow White’s classic love story, calling it “weird” and problematic due to the prince’s behavior, claiming he “literally stalks her.” Zegler emphasized that the remake would take a different approach to the love story, downplaying its significance entirely.
“I mean, you know, the original cartoon came out in 1937 and very evidently so. There’s a big focus on her love story with a guy who literally stalks her. Weird! Weird. So we didn’t do that this time,” Zegler said. “We have a different approach to, what I’m sure a lot of people will assume is a love story, just because we cast a guy in the movie, Andrew Burnap, great dude. It’s really not about the love story at all, which is really, really wonderful.”
Such comments are not sitting well with many Disney fans, especially those who hold the original story dear. Zegler’s dismissal of one of the most iconic elements of the original film has sparked outrage. Critics argue that Disney is sacrificing the timeless charm of the original tale in favor of modern political correctness and a shift in storytelling priorities that many feel betray the movie’s roots.
Branding expert Carla Speight warns that this kind of controversial commentary from actors can be disastrous for a film’s success. “Disney will need to be careful with how they have portrayed Snow White and what they do and don’t allow their actors to say about it going forward,” Speight said. “They simply cannot repeat the same mistakes and allow their actors to be so vocal in their own personal opinions during promotions.”
Speight believes that the early backlash could have a significant impact on ticket sales, especially as Disney has already invested heavily in the remake. “It can have a huge impact on ticket sales, especially with the amount of negative backlash so early in the promo trail,” she explained. “They need to get the key messaging and strong selling point into a brief for the cast of the film and ensure they stick to it. If they don’t, it’s a disaster waiting to happen.”
Indeed, the stakes are high for Disney, as industry insiders have noted that the release of *Snow White* was delayed last year due to production costs. The film faces mounting pressure to succeed, as a financial failure at the box office could damage Disney’s broader strategy for remakes and future *Snow White* sequels. One source familiar with the situation revealed, “Disney has spent so much money on it, and if it is a financial disaster at the box office, it might single-handedly cripple future remakes.”
However, despite the growing controversy, Disney remains optimistic, hoping that the delay and the adjustments being made will help turn the tide. “They realize that they were overthinking things and are now reigning it all in a little bit more,” the insider said. “They just need some time to figure it all out. It’s a perfect storm right now, but they are embracing change and anticipate it all to work out and exceed expectations.”
While Disney tries to salvage its *Snow White* remake, fans remain skeptical, and the film’s future hangs in the balance as it struggles to balance its classic charm with modern expectations. Whether it will succeed at the box office or become another cautionary tale for Hollywood’s woke agenda is yet to be seen.
