A fter braving mass amounts of controversy and delays, Disney’s long-awaited live-action Snow White is set to grace the silver screen on March 21. Through years of editorial squabbles about casting choices, modernized themes and CGI dwarfs, the film has undergone significant changes, each change fueling yet another debate about whether this reimagining will stick with audiences. From the beginning of the scripting process, Disney was clear in making this a story of a damsel-in-distress no more. Rachel Zegler, the actress of the starring role in the re-telling of the classic tale, stated that Snow White was “not going to be saved by the prince, and she’s not going to be dreaming about true love” and that instead the film would position her as a leader, reflecting values of female independence.
“I think it’s cool because they are making it into a realistic form,” junior Javon Godfrey said.
However, before the film could even reach production, controversy sparked over the casting of Zegler, a Latina actress, in such a role. Critics questioned the decision, arguing that the character’s description in the original fairy tale, was needed for her identity. Others applauded Disney for embracing diversity, seeing it as a necessary step in the ongoing push for inclusion. The reimagining didn’t just stop at Snow White herself. Disney initially planned to cast a diverse group of actors to portray the Seven Dwarfs. However, this idea was met with criticism from actor Peter Dinklage, who called the depiction of the dwarfs outdated and offensive. In response, they opted to replace the Seven Dwarfs with CGI characters, a decision that sparked yet another round of debate this time over the replacement of real actors with digital figures.
“I was really excited for it but it hasn’t been talked about a lot recently,” junior Kailyn Curtis said. “It is a modern take on a classic story.”
The film wasn’t just hit with controversy after controversy but also significant roadblocks to the filming and editing process. The COVID-19 pandemic delayed production, and just as filming wrapped, the 2023 actors’ strike even further postponed the project. Originally slated for an earlier release, the film was ultimately pushed to the current release date, a delay that only added to the growing tension surrounding the film. As the movie prepares for its long-awaited theater debut, it remains a film drenched in debate but just as much as its ingenuity and creativity. Disney’s efforts to modernize the classic tales have sparked ongoing debates time and time again about representation, storytelling and the balance between honoring nostalgia and embracing 21st century values. Whether this movie will finally meet its happily ever after or become a cautionary tale in the age of reworking classic movies remains up in the air.
“I’m not opposed to it but we have to keep in mind that the animated films are the OG’s,” junior Morgan Smith said.
