Okay movie lovers get ready because the new Disney Snow White movie is almost here in 2025 and whew it has been a JOURNEY. Seriously this movie has been making headlines for everything except maybe the actual movie itself. We are talking casting drama dwarf debates box office predictions and enough controversy to fill a poison apple cart. Let's unpack all the drama before it (finally) hits theaters.
Casting Chaos Dwarf Debates and "Wokeness" Accusations: A Timeline of the Snow White Scramble
Right from the start casting Rachel Zegler as Snow White kicked off a storm. Some folks got upset because Rachel is Latina and Snow White in the original story is well you know "white as snow." Rachel handled the backlash like a pro though saying she's excited to be a "Latina princess" and reminding everyone we need to "love people into awareness."
Then came the Seven Dwarfs. Disney decided to ditch the traditional dwarfs and go with "magical creatures" of all shapes and sizes using CGI. Peter Dinklage who has dwarfism himself spoke out saying it was hypocritical to praise casting a Latina Snow White but still stick with the "backward story" of the seven dwarfs. Some actors with dwarfism agreed saying it took away acting opportunities. Disney responded saying they were taking a "different approach" and consulting with the dwarfism community but the debate raged on.
Rachel Zegler then made some comments calling the original 1937 Snow White "outdated" and the love story with Prince Charming "weird" and stalker-ish. This did not go over well with fans of the classic movie. David Hand whose dad directed the original animated film called the remake a "disgrace" saying Disney was making up "new woke stuff." Conservatives jumped on the "woke" train calling for boycotts and even creating their own "anti-woke" Snow White version. Yikes.
Adding fuel to the fire Gal Gadot who plays the Evil Queen has very different political views from Rachel Zegler especially regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict. Gal's pro-Israel stance led to boycott calls while Rachel has been openly pro-Palestine. Some insiders even whispered about "tension" between the two stars. It has been a lot to say the least!
Box Office Predictions are In: Will "Snow White" Be a Hit or a Miss?
Despite all the drama what about the movie's actual box office potential? Well early predictions are a bit mixed. Preview numbers are looking decent better than some other Disney remakes like Dumbo and Maleficent: Mistress of Evil. Some forecasts suggest an opening around $90 million for the long Valentine's Day/Presidents Day weekend in 2025.
However other analysts are more cautious. They point out that audience "definite recommend" scores are low and overall interest seems soft especially among younger women who are usually key for Disney princess movies . Some worry the movie might open closer to $40 million which would be disappointing for such a big-budget film.
Reviews are also pretty mixed with a middling score on Rotten Tomatoes. But hey reviews haven't always tanked Disney remakes before. Movies like Aladdin and the Maleficent sequels did okay box office-wise despite not being critical darlings. Ultimately it might come down to whether families especially those with young daughters decide to give Snow White a chance despite all the noise.
Rachel Zegler's Take: "It's a Great Movie" and Her Defense Against the Haters
Throughout all the controversy Rachel Zegler has consistently defended the movie and her role. She brushed off the casting backlash saying she's proud to be a "Latina princess." She also addressed the "white as snow" line from the original fairytale explaining the remake uses a different version of the story where Snow White's name is about her resilience not just skin color.
Regarding her "outdated" comments Rachel clarified that the love story is still "integral" to the movie but they wanted to update Snow White's character to be more about leadership and justice. She even apologized for her Trump comments saying she let her "emotions get the best of me."
Despite everything Rachel seems to be taking it all in stride. She sees people's strong reactions as "passion" for the film and says "all we can do is give our best." When asked point blank if people should watch Snow White her answer was simple: "Of course—it's a great movie." Confidence right there.
Gal Gadot's Evil Queen and "Not Friends" Status with Zegler
What about Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen? Well reports suggest she "enjoyed filming" and insiders say she and Rachel were "fine" professionally. However they are definitely "not friends" and "have nothing in common" with differing political views possibly adding to the distance. One source put it bluntly "They did a job together and that's it."
Gal has also been outspoken about her pro-Israel stance and defended her right to speak out after the October 7th attacks. She describes herself as an "indigenous person of Israel" and felt she "could not be silent." So while the movie might bring them together on screen it sounds like Rachel and Gal kept things strictly professional off-screen.
Snow White 2025: Key Points of Controversy
- Casting Rachel Zegler: Backlash over a Latina actress playing Snow White.
- Seven Dwarfs Replaced: Dwarfs replaced by CGI "magical creatures" sparking debate about representation.
- "Outdated" Original Film: Rachel Zegler's comments criticizing the 1937 Snow White and its love story.
- Political Divides: Boycott calls due to Gal Gadot's pro-Israel stance and Rachel Zegler's pro-Palestine views.
- "Woke" Accusations: Conservative backlash and claims of Disney pushing a "woke agenda."
Will "Snow White" Rise Above the Noise? The Fate of Disney's Live-Action Remake Hangs in the Balance
So can Snow White overcome all this baggage and be a success? It is a tough question. The movie definitely has an uphill battle. Box office predictions are uncertain and audience reception is a big question mark. Despite the controversies Disney is still hoping families will show up for this new take on a classic fairytale. Will moviegoers be able to ignore the drama and judge the movie on its own merits? We will find out in 2025. Get your popcorn ready because this could be interesting either way!