It looks like even Disney is beginning to learn the hard way: go woke, go broke.
In what many are calling a much-needed reality check, Disney has officially hit the brakes on its planned live-action remake of *Tangled*, following the humiliating collapse of its *Snow White* remake at the box office. Multiple outlets confirmed the decision Thursday, with *The Hollywood Reporter* breaking the story and *Entertainment Weekly* and *Deadline* quickly corroborating.
Once seen as a surefire hit, *Tangled*—Disney’s 2010 animated take on the classic *Rapunzel* fairytale—was in active development. Big names had already signed on, including *The Greatest Showman* director Michael Gracey and *Thor: Love and Thunder* screenwriter Jennifer Kaytin Robinson. Casting talks were reportedly underway when Disney slammed the brakes.
The reason? *Snow White*’s stunning failure.
With a bloated budget of $270 million and barely $145 million in global box office revenue, *Snow White* didn’t just flop—it sank like a stone. And while poor storytelling and weak audience reception certainly played a part, Disney’s real problem was its all-too-familiar cocktail of progressive pandering and political controversy.
From day one, the *Snow White* remake was dogged by backlash. The film’s portrayal of the iconic Seven Dwarfs—reimagined to fit modern “sensitivities”—sparked confusion and criticism. But things went from bad to worse when lead actress Rachel Zegler repeatedly alienated half the country with her far-left political hot takes.
The 23-year-old actress, best known for *West Side Story*, regularly lashed out at Donald Trump supporters and took pro-Palestinian stances during a time of high global tension—moves that may have scored her likes on social media, but cost Disney at the box office. Things got even more awkward thanks to her public political mismatch with co-star Gal Gadot, an Israeli actress and former IDF soldier.
When politics overshadow the plot, audiences tune out. And tune out they did. *Snow White* earned a lackluster B+ Cinemascore from audiences—far below the standard Disney used to enjoy with its family-friendly classics.
It’s no wonder then that Disney has decided to “re-evaluate” its live-action remake strategy. While the House of Mouse had seen billion-dollar successes with reimaginings like *The Lion King*, *Aladdin*, and *Beauty and the Beast*, the trend is clearly losing steam—and credibility.
Unlike those earlier hits, newer remakes have been increasingly politicized, with the creative focus often taking a backseat to virtue signaling. Projects like *Dumbo*, *Pete’s Dragon*, and now *Snow White* serve as cautionary tales for studios betting on nostalgia while alienating core audiences.
The *Tangled* remake was once considered a slam dunk. The original, starring Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi, grossed nearly $600 million globally and remains a fan favorite. But under Disney’s current regime, fans feared the live-action version would follow the same “reimagined” path—complete with race-swapped characters, feminist monologues, and a thinly veiled disdain for traditional values.
Instead, the project has now been shelved indefinitely. And for millions of Disney fans tired of watching their childhood favorites be rewritten to suit Hollywood’s political agenda, that’s not a disappointment—it’s a win.
Disney still has other live-action remakes on the calendar, including *Lilo & Stitch* (out this May) and *Moana* (arriving in June). But if the studio continues to prioritize progressive messaging over heartwarming storytelling, those projects may also struggle to find the magic.
At the end of the day, families want to be entertained—not lectured. And if Disney wants to remain relevant, it might need to remember who its real audience is.
