Disney's live-action remake of Snow White has not had the warmest of receptions. The recently released trailer has already racked up over 1 million dislikes on YouTube, a stark contrast to its meager 80,000 likes. This lopsided ratio reflects the growing discontent among fans who feel Disney's recent trend of remaking animated classics has gone too far.
The backlash has been particularly fierce, with over 50,000 comments on the trailer, many of which express frustration and disappointment. A key point of contention is the casting of Rachel Zegler as Snow White. Zegler, who previously faced criticism for her comments labeling the original 1937 animated classic as “weird” and calling Prince Charming a “stalker,” has drawn ire from fans who see her casting as emblematic of the movie's perceived issues.
Adding fuel to the fire, a leaked scene from the movie earlier this year was widely ridiculed online. The scene, heavily laden with CGI, was criticized for its lack of realism, with one character, Dopey, being compared to Alfred E. Neuman of Mad Magazine fame. The uncanny visuals and the jarring shift from the beloved animation style to a CGI-heavy interpretation have only deepened skepticism.
Financially, the stakes are high for Disney. Reports indicate that the movie's budget could be as high as $330 million, a significant investment even for the entertainment giant. The film, directed by Marc Webb and written by Greta Gerwig, stars Zegler alongside Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen. After wrapping principal photography in June 2022, the film underwent reshoots in 2023, further fueling speculation about the project's direction.
With a scheduled release next year, Snow White is set to face a daunting challenge: winning over an audience that seems increasingly skeptical of Disney's live-action endeavors. As the release date approaches, it will be fascinating to see whether the final product can overcome the negativity and surprise its critics.
