Snow White’s Live-Action Remake: From Public Reaction to Plot Changes
For more than a decade, Walt Disney Studios has been working to reinvent its animated classics through live-action remakes, from The Lion King to Lady and the Tramp. However, the live-action remake of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is currently facing a wave of criticism from the public and critics.
Plot and Cast Criticism
The rumors and criticism began as soon as Rachel Zegler, a black Colombian actress, was announced as Snow White. Fans of the original story were unhappy that Zegler, whose skin tone was different from the character’s depiction in the 1937 animated version, was cast as the main character.
The casting of Rachel Zegler as “Princess Snow White” remains controversial to this day.
In addition to the casting, attention has also been focused on the seven dwarfs, who are portrayed in a racially and gender-diverse way. This has led many to feel that the live-action version goes against the traditional image of these characters. Disney representatives explained that the change was made to avoid repeating old stereotypes and work with the dwarf community to create a fresh approach.
Industry Opposition
David Hand, the son of the director of the original animated version, has publicly criticized the remake. He said that the changes to the story and characters are “offensive” and reflect the “woke” – a social movement that aims to address issues of racism and gender discrimination. Hand said that if his father and Walt Disney were alive, they would oppose the change.
Community Reaction and Criticism
The first trailer for Snow White has received heavy criticism from the online community. As of August 10, the video has received nearly 200,000 dislikes, forcing YouTube to turn off the dislike counter to avoid adding to the drama. Many negative comments have criticized the 7 dwarfs, saying that they do not meet the requirements in terms of visuals and emotions compared to the animated version.
Although Disney changed the cast of the 7 dwarfs after the negative reaction to the trailer, this change was not enough to reduce the criticism. According to The Direct, the public’s continued reaction shows that the debate surrounding the film is not over yet.
Conclusion and Predictions
The live-action version of Snow White is currently scheduled to hit U.S. theaters on March 21, 2025, after being delayed a year due to the Hollywood strike. The debate over the film will likely continue until it is officially released.
Disney is trying to refresh its classics, but these changes are not always well received. The strong public reaction and issues with the plot and casting have proven that pleasing everyone in the process of innovation is a big challenge.
