Once upon a time, in the land of Hollywood, a young actress decided to speak her mind—perhaps a little too much.
That actress, Rachel Zegler, was cast as Snow White in Disney’s highly anticipated live-action remake of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
However, her outspoken views and some of the film’s unexpected choices have stirred up quite a storm.
A Troubled Film Production
Disney’s £215 million production was already facing hurdles, but when Zegler entered the scene, the controversy only deepened.
I recently saw the film on a giant screen at the Cinemark Playa Vista, and let’s just say the experience was far from magical.
The auditorium, designed for 450 people, had only six attendees, and two of them walked out after just 40 minutes.
What drove them away? Perhaps it was the moment when Zegler’s Snow White teaches Dopey how to whistle—an oddly painful scene that didn’t seem to capture the spirit of the beloved classic.
The Prince is a Letdown
If that wasn’t enough to turn audiences off, Zegler’s love interest in the film, Prince Jonathan (played by Andrew Burnap), is hardly a swoon-worthy figure.
Instead of a bold prince, we get a mild-mannered character who seems more suited for an afternoon of craft beer and sympathy for menstrual cramps than a grand romance.
As he tells Snow White, “You continue to impress me,” it’s hard not to think: Where’s the magic?
A Snow White With a Feminist Agenda
From the very start, this remake strays far from the original. Snow White is no longer the classic damsel in distress waiting for her prince to rescue her.
Zegler’s Snow White is a modern, self-empowered figure who doesn’t dream of true love.
She’s also determined to reshape the story’s narrative to fit a “girl-power” mold.
In interviews, Zegler openly criticized the original Snow White for its outdated gender politics, claiming that the love story in the 1937 version was nothing more than a “stalking” scenario.
She made it clear that her version wouldn’t follow in those footsteps, but whether this revision makes the film better is debatable.
The Controversial Politics of Rachel Zegler
It’s one thing to alter a classic story for modern sensibilities, but Zegler’s political posts have added a layer of unnecessary controversy.
Zegler has made her political views known, particularly regarding her disdain for former President Donald Trump and her strong support for Palestine.
While everyone is entitled to their opinions, her outspoken political posts raised eyebrows, especially considering her co-star, Gal Gadot, is Israeli.
One of Zegler’s posts even contributed to a spike in death threats aimed at Gadot, forcing Disney to provide her with private security.
Zegler’s Apology and Producer Concerns
It didn’t take long for producer Marc Platt to step in and express concern over Zegler’s social media presence, even flying to New York to speak with her directly.
She eventually apologized, claiming that she let her emotions get the best of her.
Still, the damage had been done. Jonah Platt, the producer’s son, didn’t mince words when he criticized Zegler for using the film’s platform to air her personal grievances, calling it an act of narcissism that hurt the team working on the film.
Box Office Disappointment
Despite Zegler’s attempt to steer the conversation towards empowerment, the film is struggling at the box office.
To date, it has earned only $94.7 million globally—far below the $500 million needed to break even.
Some of the blame can be attributed to the film’s underwhelming content, while others argue that Zegler’s actions have contributed to the film’s poor reception.
A Missed Opportunity for Zegler
Zegler, a talented actress with a remarkable voice, was perhaps miscast in this project.
After a standout performance in Spielberg’s West Side Story, it’s clear she has the ability to shine.
Unfortunately, the film’s poor writing and misguided attempts at modernizing Snow White left her with little to work with.
The new song, “Waiting On A Wish,” is no match for the classic “Someday My Prince Will Come,” and the entire film feels like a missed opportunity.
A Final Verdict on the New Snow White
In the end, Disney’s attempt to create a more “woke” version of Snow White has alienated both fans of the original and potential new viewers.
The changes made—ranging from Snow White’s backstory to the redesign of the dwarfs—have left audiences dissatisfied.
As for Zegler, her well-intentioned feminist revisionism and outspoken politics may have overshadowed her talents.
Disney’s efforts to avoid offending anyone ultimately ended up offending everyone, and the film’s legacy will likely be defined more by the controversies surrounding it than the story itself.
As the credits rolled on Snow White in the nearly empty cinema, I couldn’t help but think: if only the original animated classic had been playing instead.
That film, with all its simplicity and charm, still holds a place in our hearts.
Sadly, the new version doesn’t quite measure up.