Disney Scales Down "Snow White" Premiere Amid Controversy

Walt Disney Studios is significantly reducing the scale of the upcoming Los Angeles premiere for its live-action adaptation of "Snow White." Instead of the typical grand, star-studded affair, the studio is opting for a more subdued event, signaling a potential strategy to minimize media attention and public scrutiny surrounding the film.

Variety first reported the change in plans, noting that the premiere, scheduled for March 15th, will lack the usual red-carpet interviews with the cast and crew that are customary at such events. While lead actress Rachel Zegler and co-star Gal Gadot are expected to attend a pre-party and screening at L.A.’s El Capitan Theatre, media coverage will be limited to photographers and a house crew, effectively silencing direct commentary from the film’s key figures.

Fox News Digital reached out to Disney for an explanation regarding the downsized premiere, but the company declined to comment. The decision, however, arrives amidst a period of sustained controversy surrounding the film, primarily fueled by the outspoken views of Zegler and concerns about the film’s portrayal of the Seven Dwarfs.

Zegler’s Controversial Comments Spark Backlash

Rachel Zegler, cast as Snow White, has faced considerable online criticism for her comments regarding the original 1937 animated film. During Disney’s D23 expo in 2022, Zegler openly criticized the classic’s themes, particularly the romantic relationship between Snow White and the Prince.

"I mean, you know, the original cartoon came out in 1937 and very evidently so," Zegler stated. "There’s a big focus on her love story with a guy who literally stalks her. Weird! Weird. So we didn’t do that this time."

Zegler further elaborated on her perceived anti-feminist aspects of the original film, suggesting that the remake would offer a more empowering and progressive interpretation of the classic tale. These comments immediately generated significant backlash on social media, with many accusing Zegler of disparaging a beloved film and imposing modern ideologies onto a classic narrative.

In response to the criticism, Zegler has defended her right to express her opinions, asserting that the negative reactions were simply a consequence of her outspokenness and her willingness to be "fearless" in expressing her views. This stance, however, did little to quell the ongoing controversy.

Political Statements Add Fuel to the Fire

Zegler’s outspokenness extended beyond film criticism and into the realm of politics, further intensifying the controversy surrounding the "Snow White" remake. Following the 2024 presidential election, Zegler posted a politically charged message on Instagram, expressing her disapproval of President Trump and his supporters.

"May Trump supporters and Trump voters and Trump himself never know peace. F— Donald Trump," she wrote.

While Zegler later apologized for the post, acknowledging that she had allowed her emotions to get the best of her, the damage was already done. The statement ignited a fresh wave of criticism and renewed calls for Disney to address Zegler’s controversial behavior.

Another instance of Zegler’s political commentary drew further scrutiny. In an X post promoting the "Snow White" trailer, Zegler included the phrase "And always remember, free Palestine." This message sparked debate, with some suggesting that it was a subtle dig at her co-star, Gal Gadot, who had previously defended Israel following the Hamas terror attack on October 7th.

These political statements, combined with her comments on the original "Snow White" film, have created a perception of Zegler as a divisive figure, potentially tarnishing the image of the film and contributing to the decision to scale down the premiere.

Controversy Over the Seven Dwarfs

In addition to the controversy surrounding Zegler, the "Snow White" remake has also faced criticism regarding its portrayal of the Seven Dwarfs. In 2022, "Game of Thrones" actor Peter Dinklage, who has dwarfism, publicly criticized Disney for what he perceived as an insensitive and stereotypical depiction of the dwarfs.

Dinklage’s criticism prompted Disney to issue a statement, indicating that they were taking a "different approach" to the Seven Dwarfs and consulting with members of the dwarfism community to avoid reinforcing stereotypes from the original animated film.

However, recent trailers for the film revealed that Disney ultimately opted to portray the Seven Dwarfs in a manner similar to the original animated classic, albeit in CGI form. This decision triggered another wave of criticism, with some accusing Disney of backtracking on its commitment to inclusivity and sensitivity.

Social media users speculated that the studio made further changes after the negative reaction to the initial modernized depiction, showcasing the level of public scrutiny the film has been subjected to.

Production Delays and Speculation

Amidst the controversies, the "Snow White" remake was delayed from its planned 2024 release to 2025. This delay further fueled speculation that the film was undergoing significant revisions in response to the backlash surrounding Zegler’s comments and the portrayal of the Seven Dwarfs.

While Disney has not officially confirmed the reasons for the delay, the combination of controversies and production adjustments likely contributed to the decision to postpone the film’s release.

The Downsized Premiere: Damage Control?

The decision to scale down the "Snow White" premiere appears to be a strategic move by Disney to minimize further negative publicity and control the narrative surrounding the film. By limiting media access and focusing on a more contained event, Disney may be hoping to avoid potentially damaging interviews and public statements that could exacerbate the existing controversies.

The downsized premiere could be seen as an attempt to distance the film from the controversies and focus attention on the cinematic aspects of the remake. This strategy, however, remains to be seen, as the pre-release controversies are likely to continue to cast a shadow over the film’s debut and reception.