Disney's live-action Snow White movie starring Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot is heading our way soon but things are looking a little different than your typical Disney premiere . It seems like the studio is scaling back the usual Hollywood glitz for this one and you might be wondering why. Well buckle up because there is a bit of a backstory filled with online chatter and some real-world issues.
Red Carpet Rollback: Disney Downsizes Snow White Premiere Amidst Growing Online Discussions
Mark your calendars for March 15th because that is when Disney is hosting the Hollywood premiere of Snow White. Stars Rachel Zegler who plays Snow White and Gal Gadot the Evil Queen are expected to be there at the El Capitan Theatre. Sounds normal right? Here's the twist Disney is not doing a full-blown red carpet event like they usually do.
Instead of inviting tons of media outlets to interview the cast Disney is keeping it pretty low-key. Photographers will be there and a crew from Disney itself will handle coverage but no big red carpet interviews. The studio is keeping quiet about the exact reasons but it is hard not to connect this scaled-back premiere to some of the conversations swirling around the movie.
From Casting Choices to Character Takes: Unpacking the Snow White Buzz and Fan Reactions

Let's be real Snow White has been generating buzz for a while now and not always the good kind. When Rachel Zegler was announced as Snow White some corners of the internet were not happy. Some Disney fans questioned why a Latina actress was cast as Snow White. Yes you read that right some people had issues with a Latina Snow White.
Zegler also got some pushback when comments she made about the original 1937 animated movie resurfaced. She called it "dated" and pointed out that in the original the Prince "literally stalks Snow White". She mentioned her Snow White would be more focused on leadership than true love. This sparked a whole debate online with some arguing not every female character needs to be a "girl boss".
Then there was Peter Dinklage. The actor spoke out about the movie's depiction of the seven dwarfs. He felt it perpetuated negative stereotypes. He said he was "taken aback" that Disney was still telling the story of "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs". Disney responded by saying they were taking a "different approach" to the seven characters and were consulting with the dwarfism community. In the end the movie features seven CGI characters not played by actors with dwarfism which also led to criticism from some.
Real-World Politics and Fairytale Films: When Global Events Intersect with Snow White

As if casting and character debates weren't enough world politics also entered the Snow White conversation. Rachel Zegler has been openly "pro-Palestine" on social media. Meanwhile Gal Gadot who plays the Evil Queen is Israeli and has been a vocal supporter of Israel especially after the October 7th Hamas attack. She even gave a speech at an Anti-Defamation League summit speaking passionately about her views.
Gadot who has usually stayed away from political topics said she felt she needed to speak up after the attack. This difference in viewpoints between the two lead actresses has added another layer of complexity to the movie's release. Earlier this year there were even pro-Palestine protestors outside the premiere of another Marvel movie Captain America: Brave New World because it included an Israeli superhero.
Even before all of this Rachel Zegler faced some heat from MAGA supporters for a reaction she had to Donald Trump's reelection. She later apologized for those comments. It's safe to say Snow White has become a bit of a lightning rod for various online discussions.
Despite the Storm Clouds: Snow White Team Carries On and Zegler Lands Evita Role

Despite all the swirling discussions the Snow White team is moving forward. Gadot and Zegler even presented together at the Oscars. They are both expected to attend the scaled-back premiere. Zegler has also been doing press for the movie in places like Tokyo and Spain. She is also set to host a screening in New York City for the Broadway community.
And despite the controversies Rachel Zegler's career is definitely on the rise. She is set to play Eva Perón in a London West End production of Evita. Director Jamie Lloyd praised her "incredible passion" and said she will "blow the roof off the London Palladium". She is even reported to be one of the highest-paid stars on the West End this season. So while Snow White might be facing some headwinds Rachel Zegler is proving she is a force to be reckoned with.
Snow White Movie: Key Controversies and Details at a Glance

- Casting Backlash: Racist reactions to Latina actress Rachel Zegler being cast as Snow White.
- "Dated" Comments: Zegler's remarks about the original Snow White being "dated" and sexist sparking debate.
- Dwarf Representation: Criticism from Peter Dinklage and others about the portrayal of the seven dwarfs.
- Political Views of Stars: Differing views of Zegler (pro-Palestine) and Gadot (pro-Israel) adding another layer of controversy.
- Scaled-Back Premiere: Disney hosting a smaller Hollywood premiere with limited media coverage.
- Zegler's Defense: Actress stands by her comments and sees backlash as "passion" for the story.
- Movie Release: Snow White is still set to release in theaters on March 21 2025.
- Zegler's Career Growth: Despite controversy Zegler is set to star in West End's Evita and is considered a rising star.
Will Controversy Impact the Magic? Snow White Set to Arrive in Theaters Soon

So with all the discussions and scaled-back premiere plans what does this mean for the Snow White movie itself? Will the online chatter impact how audiences receive the film? Despite the controversies Disney is still releasing Snow White in theaters on March 21st. Rachel Zegler is a talented performer Gal Gadot is a proven star and it will be interesting to see how this live-action reimagining is received by general audiences. Love it or hate it Snow White is definitely a movie people are talking about and it will be arriving in theaters soon for everyone to judge for themselves.