Disney Drastically Cuts ‘Snow White’ Premiere Amid Growing Backlash!
Looks like this premiere won’t be the fairest of them all.
Disney is scaling back its usual glitzy Los Angeles premiere for the live-action Snow White amid mounting backlash, Variety reported on March 11.
Instead of a star-studded red carpet event, the studio is opting for a low-key pre-party and screening at Hollywood’s El Capitan Theatre on March 15. Unlike typical premieres, lead stars Rachel Zegler, 23, and Gal Gadot, 39, won’t be facing a swarm of media interviews. Disney has reportedly selected only a handful of photographers and an in-house crew to cover the event. Zegler plays Snow White, while Gadot takes on the role of the Evil Queen.
Disney declined to comment on the decision, and reps for Zegler and Gadot have yet to respond.
Set to hit theaters on March 21, the Marc Webb-directed film has faced heavy criticism over its modernized take on the classic fairy tale. The decision to replace the seven dwarfs with “magical creatures” of various sizes and genders has sparked accusations of Disney being “too woke.” Additionally, some have taken issue with Zegler, a Latina actress, being cast as Snow White.
Even Game of Thrones star Peter Dinklage, who has dwarfism, voiced his concerns.
“Literally no offense to anyone, but I was a little taken aback [when] they were very proud to cast a Latina actress as Snow White, but you’re still telling the story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” Dinklage said in 2022.
Peter Dinklage didn’t hold back his criticism of Disney’s Snow White remake.
“You’re progressive in one way, but then you’re still making that f–king backward story about seven dwarfs living in a cave together. What the f–k are you doing, man? Have I done nothing to advance the cause from my soapbox? I guess I’m not loud enough,” the Game of Thrones star said.
In response, Disney defended its changes, stating it was taking a “different approach” to “avoid reinforcing stereotypes” from the 1937 animated classic.
Lead actress Rachel Zegler has also stirred controversy. She previously criticized the original film as “extremely dated” and dismissed the traditional love story. “She’s not going to be saved by the prince, and she’s not going to be dreaming about true love,” Zegler said in 2022. “She’s dreaming about becoming the leader she knows she can be.”
Zegler has also faced backlash for her outspoken political views, including criticism of Donald Trump voters and her X post reading “free Palestine” after the Snow White trailer dropped. Co-star Gal Gadot, who is Israeli, has also been vocal about the ongoing war in Palestine.
Despite the heated reactions, Zegler addressed the controversy in February, telling Vogue Mexico:
“I interpret people’s feelings about this film as passion for it, and what an honor to be a part of something that people are so passionate about. We’re not always going to have the same feelings as everyone around us, and all we can do is give our best.”