Disney’s live-action Snow White (2025) has finally arrived, but the journey to its release has been anything but smooth. From casting controversies to story changes and heated political discourse, the film has been at the center of ongoing debates since it was first announced.
The adaptation of Walt Disney’s 1937 animated classic introduces Rachel Zegler (The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes) as the iconic princess. Her casting, however, was met with polarized reactions, fueling the wider cultural conversation surrounding representation, political correctness, and the evolution of Disney’s storytelling approach.
A Controversial Reimagining
One of the most scrutinized aspects of Snow White was the portrayal of the seven dwarfs. Game of Thrones alum Peter Dinklage previously called out the contradiction of modernizing Snow White’s background while still “telling a ‘backward story about seven dwarfs living in a cave together.’” In response, Disney stated on Good Morning America that they were “taking a different approach with these seven characters and have been consulting with members of the dwarfism community.”
Beyond the dwarfs, the film introduces a reworked origin story for its leading character. Instead of the classic tale’s emphasis on Snow White’s complexion, the remake presents a new explanation. “The king and queen decided to name her Snow White to remind her of her resilience,” Zegler explained in a 2024 interview, referencing her character’s survival through a snowstorm as an infant. This shift was highlighted in early trailers, which featured Zegler’s voiceover saying, “To honor the day I was born, my father named me Snow White.”
Backlash and Political Firestorms
Zegler’s comments at the 2022 D23 Expo added further fuel to the fire. The actress openly criticized the original film’s depiction of romance, calling the prince a stalker and asserting that this new version would focus more on leadership and self-discovery rather than love. These remarks sparked widespread online discourse that has persisted into 2025.
Gal Gadot’s involvement as the Evil Queen also became a point of contention due to her IDF background amid the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict. Meanwhile, Zegler’s outspoken political activism, including her reaction to Donald Trump’s presidential victory over Kamala Harris while starring in Romeo + Juliet on Broadway, has continued to draw strong reactions from audiences.
The Prince’s Kiss Debate
Despite its numerous changes, the film surprisingly retains one of the most debated moments from the original: the prince’s kiss. The scene, in which Andrew Burnap’s Jonathan (the prince character replacement in the remake) revives Zegler’s Snow White with a kiss at the corner of her lips while she lies unconscious, takes place after the famous poisoned apple scene.
The debate about the non-consensual act reignited in 2021 when Disneyland updated its Snow White attraction to include the kiss, leading SFGate reviewers Katie Dowd and Julie Tremaine to criticize the moment, saying: “he gives [the kiss] to her without her consent, while she’s asleep, which cannot possibly be true love if only one person knows it’s happening,” (via Entertainment Weekly).
However, the film attempts to justify its inclusion through a new duet, “A Hand Meets A Hand,” performed by Zegler and Burnap. The lyrics suggest mutual consent, with the characters singing, “And maybe I’m dreaming—well, I’d like to stay just like this / But if there’s a world where you wake me / Promise to wake me with a kiss.”
A Struggling Box Office and Disney’s Priorities
With a reported budget nearing $300 million, Snow White faces an uphill battle at the box office. The film’s marketing campaign has been noticeably restrained compared to Disney’s other major releases, particularly with the studio shifting focus to the upcoming Lilo & Stitch (2025) remake, set for a May release.
The Cast and Music
The film stars Rachel Zegler as Snow White, Emilia Faucher as Young Snow White, Olivia Verrall as Baby Snow White, Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen, Andrew Burnap as Jonathan, Patrick Page as the Magic Mirror, Ansu Kabia as the Huntsman, and Andrew Barth Feldman as Dopey/Narrator. The seven dwarfs are played by Tituss Burgess (Bashful), Martin Klebba (Grumpy), Jason Kravits (Sneezy), George Salazar (Happy), Jeremy Swift (Doc), Andy Grotelueschen (Sleepy), and George Appleby (Quigg), with additional roles portrayed by Colin Carmichael, Dujonna Gift, Samuel Baxter, Jimmy Johnston, Idriss Kargbo, and Jaih Betote.
The musical score features new original songs by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, including “Waiting on a Wish,” “All Is Fair,” and “Good Things Grow.”
Disney’s Snow White is now playing in theaters. What are your thoughts on the live-action remake? Let us know in the comments!
Not a fan of Zegler and this remake. Disney continues to stray from Walt’s formula. Too bad.