Snow White's Live-Action Trailer Sets Record—But Not The One Disney Hoped For

From classic charm to modern controversy. Let's see how Disney reacts to this.

Jesse

• Published in News
• September 2, 2024

It’s not every day that a movie trailer garners more controversy than excitement, but Disney’s latest attempt at a live-action remake has done just that. The upcoming Snow White film, starring Rachel Zegler, has set a peculiar record on YouTube—a milestone for dislikes.

The first official trailer, unveiled earlier this month during Disney’s D23 Expo, was meant to stir nostalgia and anticipation. Instead, it sparked a different kind of reaction. Within three weeks, the trailer racked up over a million dislikes, making it one of the most disliked trailers in recent memory.

The trailer showcases Zegler as Snow White, singing the iconic song "Whistle While You Work" alongside seven "magical creatures," a new twist on the traditional dwarfs. As it ends with Snow White reaching out for the infamous apple, viewers are reminded of the classic tale's darker moments. Yet, despite the nods to the original, many Disney fans aren't impressed.

Critics have voiced their discontent on social media, accusing Disney of straying too far from the beloved animated classic. One viewer even sarcastically celebrated the trailer’s dubious achievement, writing,

'Congratulations to the live-action Snow White trailer on reaching 1 MILLION DISLIKES!'

As the release date approaches, it remains to be seen whether the final film will win over its skeptics or continue to stir controversy.

This viewer announced that the trailer has just hit a historic milestone

Since its announcement, the live-action Snow White movie has faced its fair share of online criticism. A significant part of this backlash stems from comments made by Rachel Zegler, who portrays Snow White in the new film.

In an interview with Extra TV, Zegler didn't hold back her opinions on the original 1937 Disney movie. She candidly shared that she wasn't particularly fond of the classic tale, even calling the prince "a stalker."

Reflecting on the original, Zegler remarked,

'The original cartoon came out in 1937, and very evidently so. There's a big focus on her love story with a guy who literally stalks her. Weird! Weird! So we didn't do that this time.'

Zegler explained that the remake would steer away from the conventional love story narrative, hinting at a more modern interpretation.

'We have a different approach to what I'm sure a lot of people will assume is a love story just because we cast a guy in the movie. All of Andrew [Burnap]'s scenes could get cut; who knows? It's Hollywood, baby!'

She further elaborated on the film’s new direction, saying,

'I just mean that it's no longer 1937. She's not going to be saved by the prince and she's not going to be dreaming about true love.' Instead, this Snow White is 'dreaming about becoming the leader she knows she can be,' embodying the qualities of being 'fearless, fair, brave, and true,' as her late father envisioned.

Rachel Zegler admits the original Snow White story isn’t quite her favorite.

Another point of contention surrounding the film revolves around its title—simply Snow White instead of the traditional Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

Disney clarified this decision by stating its desire...

'...to avoid reinforcing stereotypes from the original animated film,' adding that they 'are taking a different approach with these seven characters and have been consulting with members of the dwarfism community.'

However, Katrina Kemp, a vocal advocate for Dwarfism and Disability inclusion in the media industry, expressed disappointment, calling the casting...

'a missed opportunity to make a movie with seven little people where they actually have intended characters. There will have been people who gladly would have taken those roles.'

Check out Disney's Snow White trailer

As the debate rages on, Disney's Snow White remake is shaping up to be as much a conversation starter as it is a film.

Whether you see it as a bold reimagining or a missed opportunity, one thing’s for sure—this isn't the fairy tale you remember. With its modern twist, the movie and its princess might just surprise both its critics and its fans when it hits the big screen.

Jesse