See the controversies about the new live-action ‘Snow White’

With a premiere scheduled for 2024, the live-action “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” has been the subject of controversy since its announcement. The production, which features actress Rachel Zegler as the protagonist, and Gal Gadot giving life to Rainha Má, promises to recreate in a modern way the classic released in 1937.

Despite Disney having a recent history of successful live-actions, such as “Beauty and the Beast” (2017), “Aladdin” (2019), “The Little Mermaid” (2023), among others, many fans are not pleased with the recent news about the adaptation of The Walt Disney Company’s first princess.

If you are out of everything that has been happening, check out some of the main controversies involving the live-action “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”!

1. Modernization of the classic

The modernization of the stories has been a common practice for Disney in its remakes. In “Aladdin” and “The Little Mermaid”, for example, Jasmine and Ariel are portrayed in more empowered ways, while remaining faithful to their original plots. According to information revealed by Racher Zeglerthe remake of “Branca de Neve” should also be different from the 1937 animation.

During the D23 Expo held last month, the actress revealed that the live-action will feature some changes, such as Snow White’s own personality, who will become a more empowered princess and who will find her own voice, without having to depend on any prince — since, in the new version, the famous prince charming does not exist. The princess’ romantic partner will be Jonathan, a character who resembles Robin Hood and who will be played by Andrew Burnap.

2. Without the seven dwarfs

Another big question among fans is the absence of the seven dwarfs. The classic characters, which have great importance in the original story, will be replaced by other magical creatures, as stated in an announcement made by Disney.

The decision to change the characters came after a criticism made by the actor. Peter Dinklage, from “Games Of Thrones”, who has dwarfism, and accused the studios of reinforcing the stereotype of people with dwarfism. In an interview with the WTF Podcast, he said:

“They are proud to have cast a Latino woman as Snow White, but they are still telling the story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Take a step back and see what you’re doing there. It doesn’t make sense to me. You make progress in a way, but you’re still doing a retrograde story about seven dwarfs living in a cave together.”

3. Rachel Zegler Casting

Rachel Zegler was announced as Branca de Neve in 2021 and, since her casting, several debates on social networks began to emerge due to her origin.

This is because the actress is Latin with Colombian ancestry, so many Internet users began to share publications with racist and xenophobic content, stating on the internet that she would not be a good option to give life to a character who is portrayed as having “the white skin as the snow”, and it does not have this characteristic.

4. Criticism of the protagonist

Despite having thanked on her social networks everyone who defended her selection, and celebrated the fact of being able to give life to such an important princess, Rachel has already criticized the 1937 animation in old interviews, causing a new wave of questions about his role to emerge on the internet.

As reported by Cosmopolitan (via ScreenRant), Zegler said a few years ago that “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” is “hugely outdated in terms of ideas of women occupying roles of power and what a woman is appropriate in the world.”

Last week, Rachel participated in the strike of screenwriters and actors in Hollywood where, during the protest, according to adoraCinema, the actress would have said: “If I’m going to stay there 18 hours a day dressed as an iconic Disney princess, I deserve to be paid for every hour that I stay online”.

5. Reviews from the son of David Hand, original animation director

This week, another big controversy arose after strong criticisms made by the animator David Hale Handson of David Handoriginal animation director alongside walt disney. During an interview with The Telegraph (via Cine Pop), the professional said that both his father and disneywould be “turning over in their grave” with the live-action changes.

“The new ‘Snow White’ movie is a totally different concept, and I totally disagree with it, and I know my dad and Walt would too. There’s no respect for what Disney did, what my dad did… I think Walt and he would be rolling over in their graves.”

The pro added, stating, “It’s a disgrace that Disney is trying to make something new out of something that was a huge success before… Their thoughts are so radical now. They change the stories, they change the thought process of the characters. They are inventing new things and I just don’t like any of it. I find it frankly a little offensive what they may have done with some of these classic films. [A Disney] it shouldn’t take a classic and rewrite it in its own image. Choose to do something else… Create new characters, but don’t destroy or try to destroy a classic.”