Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot Kept Away from Press at Low-Key ‘Snow White’ Premiere

(TJV) Disney’s live-action remakes of its animated classics have generally been reliable box office successes. However, the studio’s latest adaptation, “Disney’s Snow White,” has been clouded by controversy, leading to an unusually subdued Hollywood premiere on Saturday.

Unlike the fanfare typically accompanying Disney blockbusters, the event featured no red-carpet interviews, and its lead stars, Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot, were notably absent from speaking with reporters. The decision appeared to be part of Disney’s broader strategy to sidestep questions regarding the film’s depiction of the Seven Dwarfs, a topic that has stirred considerable debate.

AFP reported a similar low-profile approach at the film’s European premiere, held earlier last week at a secluded castle in Segovia, Spain, with limited media presence.

Casting Controversy and Backlash

The backlash surrounding the film began as early as 2021, when Disney cast Zegler, a Latina actress, as Snow White—a character originally described as being “the fairest of them all” in the classic German fairy tale. The casting choice was immediately met with criticism, with some fans and conservative commentators labeling it as another instance of “woke” Hollywood decision-making.

Zegler, known for being outspoken on social media, responded at the time in a now-deleted tweet: “Yes, I am Snow White. No, I am not bleaching my skin for the role.”

However, criticism of Zegler’s involvement intensified after she repeatedly made comments that seemed dismissive of the 1937 animated classic, Walt Disney’s first-ever feature-length film. She called the original story “weird,” citing Snow White’s love interest as “a guy who literally stalks her.” In another interview, she noted that the modern Snow White “isn’t going to be saved by the prince” or spend time “dreaming about true love.”

Such remarks alienated many longtime Disney fans who were hoping for a faithful retelling of the beloved story. On Disney forums and social media platforms, users slammed the film’s deviations from traditional fairy tale tropes, accusing the studio of pandering to modern sensibilities at the expense of nostalgia.

Heated Debate Over the Seven Dwarfs

In addition to its casting choices, the film has also come under fire for its handling of the Seven Dwarfs. Disney removed the term from the title, rebranding the film simply as “Disney’s Snow White.”

Peter Dinklage, an actor with dwarfism famous for his role in “Game of Thrones,” criticized Disney’s decision to remake what he called a “backward story” about “seven dwarfs living in a cave.” His comments in a 2022 podcast interview sparked a major shift in the film’s creative direction. Disney quickly responded, promising to take “a different approach” to avoid reinforcing outdated stereotypes.

The result was a reimagining of the dwarfs as CGI-created, magical, gnome-like creatures rather than human actors. However, this decision sparked further backlash, particularly from actors with dwarfism, who argued that Dinklage’s comments inadvertently cost them rare Hollywood roles. Professional wrestler and actor Dylan Mark Postl expressed frustration, telling The Guardian, “There aren’t many roles for dwarfs in Hollywood, so him saying that canceled these roles… it hurt the dwarf acting community.”

Political and Social Controversies

Adding to the studio’s PR woes, both lead actresses have drawn attention for their public political statements. Zegler has included “Free Palestine” in her social media posts, while Gadot, who portrays the Evil Queen, has openly supported Israel. The stark contrast in their positions has fueled additional debates online, further complicating Disney’s marketing efforts for the film.

High Stakes for Disney

With production costs exceeding $200 million due to reshoots, pandemic delays, and last year’s Hollywood strikes, Disney is banking on the film’s success despite the controversies. According to AFP, Disney remains tight-lipped about the backlash, declining to respond to multiple requests for comment.

Despite the turbulence, Zegler remains optimistic. Speaking to Vogue Mexico, she framed the uproar as a sign of engagement rather than hostility: “I interpret people’s feelings about this film as a passion for it… What an honor to be part of something that people feel so passionate about.”

As “Disney’s Snow White” approaches its theatrical release, the studio can only hope that all the controversy translates into box office interest rather than disappointment.