The much-anticipated live-action remake of Snow White from Disney, which has stirred up controversy from the start, is struggling to make an impact at the box office in the UK.
The film, which stars Rachel Zegler in the lead role, has faced significant backlash, with many viewers voicing their disappointment on social media.
Videos of empty theatres have flooded the internet as people attend screenings of the movie in multiple UK cities.
Poor Ticket Sales and Empty Seats Across Major Cities
MailOnline investigated a selection of screenings across five major UK cities, finding that, on average, only 12 people attended each show.
In London’s bustling Leicester Square, usually a prime location for cinema-goers, only 17 seats were reserved for a 4:45 PM showing, a time generally popular with parents of young children.
The evening screening at 7:30 PM fared a little better, with 26 seats booked.
However, cinemas in other cities saw even worse numbers.
For instance, in Manchester’s Vue Printworks, a 4:00 PM screening had just four attendees, and the later 7:45 PM showing was expected to have no viewers at all.
The Backlash Against the Film’s Reinterpretation
The modern remake of the classic Grimm Brothers tale has drawn criticism from various corners, particularly for the changes made to the story.
One key controversy is the absence of the beloved song Someday My Prince Will Come, and Zegler’s public remarks about the original 1937 animated film.
In a 2022 interview, Zegler described the original as “weird” and “extremely dated,” and criticized the romantic storyline, saying the prince character in the original “literally stalks” Snow White.
The remake has reimagined the love story between Snow White and Jonathan, the leader of a group of thieves, as opposed to a prince, and Snow White does not passively wait for a hero to save her—though he does awaken her with a kiss.
Disappointing Box Office Performance and Mixed Reactions
The film was expected to gross around $100 million during its opening weekend but fell short, earning only $87 million globally.
This has led to the film being labeled a “bomb” when compared to other live-action remakes from Disney.
In Odeon’s Liverpool One cinema, just five tickets had been sold for a 4:40 PM screening, while 14 were sold for the 8:00 PM show.
Other cinemas, like Vue’s Bristol Cribbs, saw a more favorable response with 38 seats booked for a 6:00 PM screening, but the numbers quickly dropped again for later showings.
Criticism Over Dwarf Representation and Accusations of ‘Wokeness’
A major point of contention with the film is Disney’s decision to replace real actors with CGI to depict the Seven Dwarfs, which has upset many fans.
Disability advocates have expressed frustration that Disney missed an opportunity to cast little people in these iconic roles.
Additionally, the movie has faced accusations of being “too woke” after the dwarfs were re-imagined as magical creatures rather than their traditional forms.
Film critic Brian Viner from MailOnline slammed the film as a “painfully muddle-headed affair,” adding that Disney’s attempts to avoid offending anyone have managed to offend just about everyone.
International Backlash and Racist Criticism of Casting Choices
The remake has also struggled internationally. In mainland China, it failed to make it into the top five films at the box office, earning less than $1 million (£800,000) in its first three days.
Casting decisions have been controversial as well, with some racist backlash against Zegler, who is of Colombian and Polish descent, being cast as the “white” Snow White.
Another point of contention is the casting of Gal Gadot, a former Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) soldier, as the Evil Queen.
Gadot’s military background, particularly her involvement in the 2006 Israel-Lebanon war, has led to boycotts from audiences, especially in the Arab world and among supporters of Palestine.
Internal Disney Struggles and Growing Criticism
The criticism doesn’t stop with the public. According to insider reports, Disney is also facing internal dissatisfaction with the film.
Sources say that Zegler’s outspoken comments about the original animation have made her difficult to work with, with one insider reportedly calling her “out of control.”
Disney has yet to comment on the situation when contacted by MailOnline.
The new Snow White remake, once touted as a bold reimagining of a classic, now faces severe backlash both from audiences and critics, with poor box office results and mounting controversy surrounding the film’s production choices.
It remains to be seen if Disney can turn things around or if this will go down as one of the company’s biggest flops.