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Will Disney’s Snow White Struggle Under Woke Controversy?
The film Snow White recently premiered at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood. While film premieres often evoke excitement, this one felt markedly different.
The event was closed to the media, lacking the usual glitz and glamour of a red-carpet occasion. Only Disney employees conducted interviews with the cast, highlighting the film’s unanticipated reception.
For many, Snow White has become synonymous with disappointment rather than anticipation.
Over the years, the film has faced extensive coverage, but much of it has skewed negative. This sustained scrutiny has not only cast doubt on the film’s success but has also put Disney’s reputation at risk.
Centrally to the controversy is actress Rachel Zegler, who plays the title character. Reports of a rift between Zegler and her co-star Gal Gadot have surfaced, seemingly aimed at generating buzz for a film that many had already dismissed. This effort to stir drama appears desperate, much like a last-ditch play in a trailing game—though it may add some excitement, it’s unlikely to secure a win.
Zegler’s long history of criticizing the film hasn’t helped matters. In an interview with Variety in 2022, she expressed her discomfort with the original storyline, describing it as featuring a love story about a man who stalks Snow White. This sentiment raises questions about her commitment to the character and the project. Her comments also signal potential ongoing challenges for Disney.
The original Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs debuted in 1937, becoming Disney’s first full-length feature film and a milestone in animation. The classic tale of love and jealousy remains an iconic favorite. Zegler’s dismissive remarks about this cherished narrative strike many fans as disrespectful.
Furthermore, after the recent election, Zegler took to social media to express her negative views about Trump supporters, making comments that could alienate a significant portion of the audience. Such behavior raises concerns about her ability to represent a company with a longstanding family-friendly brand.
Having a controversial actress who offends a large segment of the audience could be tolerated if she possessed remarkable talent or demonstrated strong brand stewardship. Yet, Zegler has failed to prove herself in either regard.
Despite its potential pitfalls, the film may not turn out to be the box office disappointment many predict. The film industry is currently looking to revitalize its stagnant performance, and Snow White could benefit from less fierce competition. This summer, the film Novocaine recorded a mere $8.5 million opening weekend, allowing Snow White a chance to shine comparatively.
Initial projections estimate a $50 million opening weekend for Snow White. However, this number falls short compared to Disney’s prior live-action successes. For instance, the 2019 releases of The Lion King and Aladdin opened to $191.8 million and $91.5 million, respectively. Similarly, the live-action adaptation of The Little Mermaid secured $95.6 million in its debut.
While Disney may view the potential $50 million opening as a success, the challenges leading up to this point have raised critical discussions about the future direction of the company. The drift away from core values may continue to plague their content.
Moreover, Disney’s recent missteps add layers to the challenge. The company has faced backlash for incorporating content warnings on classic films and for removing gendered terminology from its amusement parks. This has led to claims of capitulation to the
