Disney limits premiere of Snow White amid controversy

Disney has decided to significantly scale back the Hollywood premiere of its upcoming live-action remake of "Snow White." The decision follows controversies surrounding the casting of actress Rachel Zegler in the lead role and the portrayal of the seven dwarfs.

According to "Variety," the traditional grand premiere, typically featuring a red carpet event and extensive media presence, will now be limited to photographers and internal crew only.

Feminist approach and audience reactions

Controversy around the film began in 2023 when Rachel Zegler, known from "West Side Story," suggested that the remake would have a more feminist perspective compared to the 1937 original. "Snow White will no longer wait for the prince or dream about true love. Instead, she dreams of becoming the leader she knows she can be," Zegler said in an interview.

The decision to cast Zegler, who is of Colombian descent, also faced criticism from conservative viewers unhappy with the character’s ethnicity change.

Controversy over the Seven Dwarfs

The portrayal of the seven dwarfs added further complexity. Actor Peter Dinklage, famous for "Game of Thrones" and who has dwarfism himself, criticized Disney for continuing stereotypes despite their progressive casting choices. "It's completely baffling. You're progressive in one area, but you're still telling this backward story of seven dwarfs living together in a cave," Dinklage stated in a 2022 interview. Disney responded at the time, noting that it was consulting individuals within the dwarfism community to avoid perpetuating stereotypes present in the original film.

Political Controversies

The film also attracted attention due to the political views of its actors. Gal Gadot, playing the evil queen, has publicly supported Israel during the Gaza conflict. Meanwhile, Rachel Zegler faced criticism from Donald Trump supporters for her reaction to his re-election. She later apologized for contributing to negative discourse.

Rachel Zegler’s Commentary

In a recent interview with "Vogue Mexico," Zegler addressed the controversy, suggesting it reflects the audience's passion for the original story. "It’s an honor to be part of something that evokes such strong emotions. We won’t always agree with everyone, but all we can do is our best," the actress concluded.