Staff Reports
Disney is in for a rude awakening with its upcoming Snow White remake, and the mess just keeps getting messier. This production, which seems to have derailed long before its first day of shooting, highlights a troubling trend in Hollywood. It seems that in 2024, with all the advanced technology at its disposal, Disney is struggling to match the classic charm of a film from the 1930s. Their problems began with the portrayal of the Seven Dwarfs, who were replaced by a diverse cast of characters that no longer resembled dwarves at all—because, apparently, portraying classic story elements is culturally insensitive. The result? A disaster that only spiraled further out of control.
The turmoil continued when the lead actress, Rachel Zegler, expressed her disdain for the original story, claiming it was misogynistic and creepy. Rather than embracing the beloved aspects of the fairy tale that made it iconic, Zegler and Disney decided to ditch the romance and transform Snow White into a so-called “girl boss.” The worst part? A leaked clip revealed Snow White directing her fellow characters to clean up after themselves, showing an almost sadistic lack of appreciation for their labor. As the dwarfs return from a hard day’s work at the mines, they are met not with gratitude but with a bossy figure demanding more from them. If this is a glimpse into the new feminist narrative, it is truly baffling.
With the release of the film’s teaser, things went from bad to worse. Rather than generating excitement, viewers responded with an avalanche of negative comments, indicating a disconnect between Disney and its audience. Fans expressed their disbelief at the state of the project, asking why the studio would bother remaking a beloved animated classic if they intended to stray so far from what fans loved. With more than a million dislikes to fewer than 100,000 likes on YouTube, the feedback has been nothing short of disastrous. Instead of capturing hearts, Disney appears to have lost nearly all goodwill with this film, and that is quite the feat.
The baffling decision-making doesn’t stop there. Zegler, in a fit of emotional instability on social media, lashed out at Donald Trump and those who voted for him, showing a clear disdain for millions of potential audience members. Not only is she publicly insulting half of America, but she also fails to recognize that her actions could significantly impact the box office success of a film she is supposed to be leading. It’s ironic that Disney, which once vowed to avoid political controversies, has allowed her to take the spotlight. This contradiction highlights an issue with the company’s management, and it is not hard to see how the choices made are indicative of a larger ongoing cultural war.
The irony thickens when one considers Disney’s recent history. The company fired Gina Carano for expressing views that many Americans share while allowing Zegler to ridicule and alienate a significant portion of their potential audience. This selective outrage raises eyebrows and points to a troubling hypocrisy within the studio. If the current trend continues, Disney faces a future where their films do not reflect mainstream values or entertainment; they must grapple with the consequences of alienating audiences with political agendas rather than focusing on storytelling.
As the release date of Snow White approaches, the ongoing train wreck will inevitably continue, quite possibly leading to the film’s cancellation. With a lead actress disparaging a significant demographic and Disney’s attempts at political correctness so glaringly evident, viewers are being sent a message loud and clear: traditional storytelling values are being replaced with a social agenda. Sadly, this does not bode well for Disney fans looking for family-friendly content. If Disney doesn’t shift course, it may find itself losing its grip on the very audience it aims to engage.
