Disney’s Snow White Teaser Sparks Outrage Over Villain Mistakes Yet Again

by

Summary

  • Disney’s live-action movies struggle with creating impactful villains due to sympathetic portrayals.
  • The upcoming Snow White remake hints at giving the Evil Queen a softer side, deviating from the iconic evil character.
  • Disney should maintain the Evil Queen’s villainous nature to uphold the classic good vs. evil dynamic.

I’m thrilled to share that I’m part of the exciting journey where Disney is revisiting one of their earliest masterpieces – the timeless 1937 animation “Snow White”. This honorary Academy Award-winning movie is being reimagined and set for release on March 21, 2025. I can’t wait to see a modern take on this classic tale through the talented eyes of Rachel Zegler, who will be stepping into the role of Snow White.

The movie is planned to adapt a story similar to the original, but it’s faced controversy since its inception. From debates about the casting choices to Zegler’s public criticisms, Snow White has been embroiled in various problems, and it seems these issues may extend into the film itself, as suggested by the latest sneak peek trailer.

Disney’s Live-Action Movies Have Often Struggled To Create Villains

Since Disney began remaking their classic animated films into live-action, the quality has varied significantly. A significant contributing factor is the treatment of the villains. In the original animations, they were frequently wicked characters with minimal redeeming traits. However, in the live-action adaptations, these villains are often provided with more background and depicted in a compassionate manner, which can lessen their impact. Maleficent serves as the most notable example, transitioning from a terrifying villain in the animated classic to an antihero, and Disney even produced a second film focusing on her transformation.

In various films, characters like Scar from The Lion King, Cruella from 101 Dalmatians, and Gaston have undergone development, revealing their pasts and complexities that make them appear more sympathetic. For instance, Emma Stone’s portrayal of Cruella in the live-action film presented her as a rebellious character on her path to villainy, eliciting sympathy from viewers. Similarly, Luke Evans’ Gaston in the recent Beauty and the Beast was shown with insecurities and flaws, unlike his animated counterpart. While these modifications enriched the stories, they may have diminished some of their original charm.

Snow White Trailer Has Teased The Evil Queen Will Have A Softer Side

In a recent glimpse, Disney unveiled an engaging conversation between Snow White and the Evil Queen from their upcoming live-action production. This particular scene showcases Snow White requesting kindness towards the village and suggesting they share pies to alleviate their hunger. This interaction effectively develops Snow White’s character, hinting at layers beyond what was shown in the animation.

This expanded portrayal of Snow White is crucial because she was previously perceived as one-dimensional and lacked the ability to assert herself. However, it seems this enhanced depth might be coming at the cost of the Evil Queen’s character development. Her willingness to engage with Snow White already indicates that her character could undergo a transformation, potentially revealing a tender side.

It might not be wise for Disney to proceed with this plan since it seems they aren’t heeding past lessons and are set on making the villain more likable. The new backstory and expanded role for the Evil Queen could add depth, but her friendship with Snow White is a significant departure from the original tale. In the upcoming live-action adaptation, their dynamic will be portrayed as that of stepmother and stepdaughter, yet it doesn’t have to be a warm relationship. Gal Gadot is undeniably talented, so expanding her character could boost the film’s quality. However, turning her into another antihero in Disney’s live-action universe would follow suit with Maleficent, and we don’t need another instance of diluting iconic characters further.

Disney Doesn’t Need To Make The Evil Queen Sympathetic

In Disney lore, the Evil Queen stands out as one of the most memorable villains due to her wicked actions. She is truly deserving of her moniker, for she is consumed by an obsession with being the most beautiful person in the realm. This desire drives her to extreme lengths, including attempting to murder Snow White to secure her position. In fact, she resorts to using magic to disguise herself as an older, hideous witch in an effort to poison Snow White. Her willingness to stoop so low demonstrates just how ruthless and terrifying she is. The original tale instilled fear in younger audiences, and this element should be preserved in the live-action adaptation rather than attempting to soften her character or provide a sympathetic backstory. Instead, Disney could have amplified her frightening qualities to emphasize the struggle between good and evil.

The latest trailer suggests a potentially more compassionate aspect to her character, one who might consider reason. Despite dismissing Snow White’s idea of making pie for the people, this doesn’t necessarily mean the Evil Queen will be as frightening as viewers expect. The original’s strength lies in the stark contrast between the malevolent Evil Queen and the blameless Snow White, a dynamic that worked exceptionally well. However, the notion that the live-action Snow White is veering away from a successful formula indicates that Disney continues to overhaul established stories unnecessarily.

Read More

2025-03-13 18:39