Brave Faces at Snow White’s Controversial Premiere: Stars Weather the Storm

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Summary

  • Snow White’s premiere was toned down due to past controversies, as Disney aims to avoid more problems before its March release.
  • The live-action reboot faced backlash for diverse character changes, leading Disney to reshoot scenes and make major alterations.
  • Leading actresses, Zegler and Gadot, have faced criticism for their comments and political views, potentially impacting the film’s reception.

A movie that has faced a lot of criticism raised some eyebrows when it was announced that the premiere of “Snow White” this week would be a low-key event with limited press involvement. In recent months, Disney’s upcoming live-action adaptation of the classic tale has been embroiled in controversy, and its leading actresses were required to stay strong during the film’s initial screening.

Snow White is a live-action reboot of Disney’s very first feature film, which makes it a stand-out production compared to the previous line-up of recycled classics. This is the movie that solidified the company’s hold on animated princess musicals and inspired a generation of audiences, writers, and artists. It is unfortunate, then, that its entire production schedule has had nothing but back-to-back contentious opinions from its cast members and complaints from discontented online voices. Unsurprisingly, the focus this week was placed upon its two leading stars, Rachel Zegler as the titular hero and Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen, Snow White’s step-mother.

The Los Angeles premiere of the film would have been a great way for this remake to claw back some support, but The Hollywood Reporter detailed that almost all the red carpet press was missing. Disney CEO Bob Iger and live-action film boss David Greenbaum were present to throw their weight behind the film, but the company is clearly wanting to avoid any more hiccups before its March release in theaters. Despite a nervous House of Mouse, the event appeared to be a success, with Zegler and Gadot celebrating the film’s premiere after its long and troubled journey to the Silver Screen.

However, their upbeat attitudes were masking a lengthy and problematic behind-the-scenes drama. Past interviews involving Zegler have come under fire, with her comments about Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’ more traditional values sparking anger among its older fans. Zegler saw the movie as “extremely dated when it comes to the ideas of women being in roles of power“, and that jokes about her “PC Snow White” were misplaced, arguing that a modern retelling “needed that” new social commentary.

The new Snow White has also been quite prone to sharing her political views on social media, which, for a company that sells itself on a broad, family appeal, has dropped the movie into hot water by association and only inflamed disgruntled audiences. After President Donald Trump’s win last year, Zegler went on Instagram to vent her thoughts, “May Trump supporters and Trump voters and Trump himself never know peace.“

Disney has still kept both actresses on the news circuit, with Gadot handling the film’s US promotion on various talk shows. At the same time, Zegler performed “Waiting on a Wish” at the Alcázar of Segovia Castle in Spain for its European publicity. For now, Disney is playing it safe by keeping its main cast fairly under the radar, but it remains to be seen whether this will help or hinder a film that is yet to improve its reputation with the general viewing public. Snow White‘s early box office sales remain relatively middling despite the negative coverage, so this live-action remake may have a quieter, less eventual release than previously expected.

Snow White is set to be released in theaters on the 21st March.

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2025-03-17 03:25