Casting Controversies Surrounding Disney’s Live-Action “Snow White”

The role of Snow White is one of the most iconic in cinematic history. As the lead in Disney’s first animated feature back in 1937, the character was described as “the fairest of them all,” with “skin as white as snow.” This description, ingrained in the cultural consciousness for decades, has made Snow White a symbol of innocence and beauty as traditionally defined. So when Disney cast Rachel Zegler, a Latina actress, to play the titular character, the decision was both praised and criticized.

Zegler, best known for her breakout role in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story, is undeniably talented. Her vocal and acting abilities earned her critical acclaim, and many saw her casting as a welcome step toward greater diversity in Hollywood. For Disney, the choice seemed to align with their recent trend of reimagining classic characters to reflect a more inclusive, modern audience. Supporters hailed the decision as a move forward, an example of Disney embracing a world where beauty and heroism are not limited by race or ethnicity.

However, not everyone was pleased. Critics argued that casting a Latina actress as Snow White departed too far from the character’s original description. For some, the defining attribute of Snow White was her appearance as described in the Brothers Grimm tale: “white as snow, red as blood, and black as ebony.” They felt the casting deviated from the source material, breaking the immersion and tradition that had been part of the character’s identity for generations.

Adding fuel to the fire, Zegler herself made comments about the original animated film that didn’t sit well with fans of the classic. In interviews, she pointed out that the 1937 movie’s portrayal of romance, particularly the role of the prince, felt outdated and problematic. While many younger viewers agreed that Disney’s earlier films could benefit from modern, empowered narratives, others saw her remarks as dismissive of a cherished piece of film history. The backlash was swift, with fans taking to social media to express their disappointment.

Check out Rachel Zegler’s remarks in a recent interview.

Zegler’s comments underscored a larger debate about how to handle classic stories in today’s world. Should filmmakers stay true to the original material, even if it’s dated by modern standards? Or should they adapt and change the story to better align with contemporary values and sensibilities? The answer is far from straightforward, and Disney’s decision to take a more progressive approach to Snow White has placed them in a tricky position.

Another source of contention arose from the portrayal of the seven dwarfs. Historically, the seven dwarfs have been depicted as a group of small-statured men living and working together in the forest. Disney’s early promotional images for the live-action film suggested a significant shift in how these characters would be portrayed. Instead of a uniform group of dwarfs, the new film’s cast featured a more diverse group of performers, some of whom did not have dwarfism. This led to accusations that Disney was both erasing representation of people with dwarfism and straying too far from the original concept of the story.

Learn more about the seven dwarfs controversy from Business Insider.

Actor Peter Dinklage, himself an advocate for better representation of people with dwarfism in Hollywood, voiced his concerns about perpetuating outdated stereotypes. He praised Disney for casting Zegler but criticized their handling of the dwarfs. Disney responded by stating that they were taking a different approach to the characters in an effort to avoid reinforcing negative portrayals. However, this explanation failed to satisfy many fans, who either wanted a faithful rendition of the original dwarfs or felt the changes didn’t go far enough.

Watch Peter Dinklage’s interview on the topic. (This is a placeholder link.)

As a result of these controversies, the lead-up to Snow White’s release has been more tumultuous than Disney likely anticipated. The studio had hoped to recreate the magic of its live-action successes, like Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast, but instead found itself in the middle of a cultural debate. The uproar demonstrates the delicate balancing act studios face when revisiting beloved classics. On the one hand, there is a desire to modernize and be inclusive. On the other, there is a risk of alienating the core audience that holds these stories so dear.

Ultimately, the controversy surrounding Disney’s live-action Snow White is emblematic of a larger conversation about representation, tradition, and progress in entertainment. It remains to be seen whether the finished film will win over skeptical fans or be remembered as a bold but polarizing attempt at reimagining a classic.