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Disney’s Live-Action Adaptation of Snow White Faces Significant Challenges

Disney has been confronted with a harsh reality regarding their live-action adaptation of Snow White, which debuted to disappointing box office returns of $42.2 million over its opening weekend. Given its hefty production budget of $270 million, the film’s prospects for success appear increasingly bleak. Various controversies that emerged prior to its release have sparked debate on whether they directly impacted its performance. However, it’s clear that the film faced numerous hurdles during all stages of its development and marketing, contributing to a wave of negative sentiment that preceded its release. Disney’s own “mirror mirror” seemed to overlook the signs of trouble.

The path to Snow White‘s production began with optimistic intentions, notably with the casting of Rachel Zegler, a relative newcomer who gained prominence from her remarkable performance in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story. Despite her fresh entry into the industry, Zegler demonstrated both talent and musical ability suitable for a live-action rendition of this classic tale.

Indeed, Spielberg personally advocated for Zegler’s casting in the role of Snow White. Joining her was Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen, a choice that seemed promising, given Gadot’s capability to embody a villainous character with ease. Initial casting decisions did not raise significant concerns until backlash erupted from a segment of internet users, particularly targeting Zegler due to her heritage.

Rachel Zegler’s Casting Led to a Barrage From Racist Internet Trolls

As a Colombian actress, Zegler faced an unfortunate wave of racist trolling following her casting in the lead role. This pattern of negative reaction has unfortunately become commonplace when a character, typically portrayed as white, is adapted with a person of color. This has been seen previously, such as the criticism aimed at Halle Bailey for her role as Ariel in Disney’s The Little Mermaid.

Addressing the controversy, it’s essential to remember that Snow White, as a fictional character, can be interpreted in various ways, independent of historical accuracy. Yet, societal perceptions often impede this understanding. Zegler was thrust into the crosshairs of unwarranted racist commentary that tarnished her and the film’s reputation, negatively impacting their reception before audiences officially got to see the film.

Critics of Zegler’s casting justified their stance by accusing Disney of being overly progressive in their decision-making. While there is truth in noting that Disney’s approach can sometimes appear performative, the harmful intensity of the backlash exceeded mere complaints about the studio’s perceived wokeness. It became clearly evident that Zegler endured a barrage of racist remarks that overshadowed the film’s launch, raising questions about Disney’s responsibility to protect their talent during such a fraught controversy.

Zegler also faced scrutiny for her candid remarks regarding the film, where she characterized the 1937 animated classic as “outdated,” stating that Snow White’s narrative would not focus on being saved by a prince, a statement that seemed to aggravate some Disney fans who felt it undermined the legacy of the original film. Following the release of the first trailer, her subsequent political comments on social media further stirred the pot and drew attention to her personal beliefs, complicating the film’s narrative as it headed toward its release.

Problems With ‘Snow White’ During Production & Post-Production

During production, Snow White encountered several setbacks, including the backlash regarding its portrayal of the dwarfs. Peter Dinklage publicly criticized the initial character design, leading to a decision to utilize CGI for these roles. Further complications arose due to COVID-19, delaying schedules and forcing changes to accommodate Zegler’s participation in events she was initially excluded from.

The budget for the film ballooned to an estimated $270 million, exceeding initial projections and prompting concerns about financial viability. The final blow came when the release date was pushed back a year to March 21, 2025, ostensibly due to the SAG-AFTRA strike.

These issues leaked to the public well before the film debuted, creating a palpable sense of negativity surrounding the project. Disney scaled back promotional events to mitigate scrutiny, yet the stigma continued to loom, likely deterring audiences from attending the film, as anticipation shifted towards skepticism.

With the risk of audiences becoming increasingly discerning about Disney’s live-action adaptations, it appears that moviegoers are not simply inclined to embrace every new release without scrutiny. While some adaptations have found success, others have faced allegations of lacking originality. For example, the buzz around the upcoming Lilo & Stitch hints at strong audience interest, contrasting starkly with the tepid reception of Snow White.

The struggles of Snow White portray a concerning trend, as audiences become weary of films plagued by controversy. The negative reviews accumulating on platforms like IMDb spotlight the challenges that arose long before the film’s release. The broader lesson is that Snow White seemed to have its fate sealed from the outset—a reality that Disney may have failed to foresee as they now grapple with this unfolding saga.

Snow White is currently in theaters.

Source
movieweb.com