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Disney has reportedly scrapped plans for a UK premiere of its upcoming Snow White remake amid fears of an “anti-woke” backlash, following a wave of criticism over the film’s casting, creative choices, and comments made by its lead actress, Rachel Zegler.
The highly anticipated reimagining of the 1937 classic, set to hit cinemas later this month, has already sparked controversy for its decision to omit “the seven dwarves” from its title and replace them with “magical creatures” portrayed by live actors.
The film, starring 23-year-old Zegler, has faced criticism from both sides of the “woke” debate, with some accusing Disney of straying too far from the original story.
Typically, Disney remakes are celebrated with lavish red carpet premieres in London, but the studio has opted to scale back its promotional efforts for Snow White.
According to Mail Online, the film will instead have a “handful” of tightly controlled press events.
A source told the publication: “Disney are already anticipating an anti-woke backlash against Snow White and have reduced the media schedule to just a handful of tightly controlled press events.
“That is why they have taken the highly unusual step not to host a London premiere for the film and are minimising the amount of press questions that Rachel Zegler gets.”
Zegler, who rose to fame in 2021’s West Side Story remake, has been at the centre of much of the controversy.
In a 2022 interview, she described the original Snow White story as “dated,” calling Prince Charming “a guy who literally stalks [Snow White]” and deeming the tale “weird.”
Her comments, along with her casting as Snow White, have drawn criticism. Zegler is of Colombian and Polish descent, while the character is German, leading some to question Disney’s commitment to cultural accuracy.
The actress has also faced racist backlash on social media, with one troll comment’s summing up the general sentiment of her naysayers.
“Snow White not very white,” wrote the poster, who attracted thousands of likes, alongside one of Zegler’s recent Instagram snap of herself tanned in a bikini.
Zegler has also drawn criticism for her stating in an interview with Variety that her Snow White would be “not going to be dreaming about true love” but rather “about becoming the leader she knows she can be and the leader that her late father told her that she could be if she was fearless, fair, brave, and true.”
David Hand, whose father worked on the original 1937 film, has been among the most vocal critics of the remake.
He told The Telegraph in 2023 that his father and Walt Disney “would be turning in their graves” over the changes. “I find it quite frankly a bit insulting [what] they may have done with some of these classic films.
There’s no respect for what Disney did and what my dad did… I think Walt and he would be turning in their graves,” he said.
But in an interview with Vogue Mexico, which has been translated to English by other outlets, Zegler said she thinks criticism was due to fan's love of the original.
“I interpret people’s feelings about this film as a passion for it," she said, adding that it was an honour "to be part of something that people feel so passionate about".
The film’s use of CGI has also drawn complaints, with the first teaser trailer, released in August 2024, racking up more than 1.4 million dislikes from its 11 million views.
Critics called the effects overdone, particularly in the depiction of the seven dwarfs, now reimagined as “magical creatures.”
Further controversy surrounds the casting of Israeli actress Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen. Gadot, 39, has publicly advocated for Israel, leading pro-Palestinian activists to call for a boycott of the film.
Meanwhile, Zegler has expressed support for Palestine, writing on X (formerly Twitter): “And always remember, free Palestine.”
Disney’s recent push for more culturally representative storytelling, including black US actress Halle Bailey’s casting as Ariel in The Little Mermaid last year, has divided audiences.
Originally slated for a 2024 release, the film was delayed due to the 2023 Hollywood strikes and is now set to premiere on March 21.
