Disney’s live-action Snow White is just weeks away from hitting theaters, but instead of building excitement, the film is facing a crisis. What was once expected to be a tentpole release for Disney is now shaping up to be one of its biggest question marks of the year.
The latest box office tracking paints a grim picture—early estimates had the film opening between $63 million and $70 million, but new projections have slashed that number down to $53 million. For a movie that reportedly cost over $250 million to produce, this is not the news Disney wanted to hear.
So, what went wrong?
A Controversial Start
The trouble began long before Snow White even entered production. The project immediately made headlines when Game of Thrones actor Peter Dinklage criticized Disney’s decision to remake the classic story, calling it outdated and problematic. His comments led to Disney announcing changes to the depiction of the seven dwarfs, but the move didn’t sit well with all audiences.
Then came the casting of Rachel Zegler, which sparked a new wave of discussion. While many supported Disney’s decision to cast a Latina actress in the role, others questioned whether the film was deviating too far from its original inspiration. But it wasn’t just the casting that raised eyebrows—Zegler’s own words about the 1937 animated film sent shockwaves through the Disney fan community.
Rachel Zegler’s Response Made Things Worse
Zegler’s remarks about the original Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs didn’t go over well with die-hard Disney fans. She described it as outdated, dismissing the classic love story as something that didn’t belong in modern times. While Disney has been evolving its princess narratives for years, many felt that she was outright disrespecting the film that started it all.
Instead of diffusing the situation, Zegler doubled down in several interviews. Her statements about not needing a prince and changing Snow White’s story didn’t have the empowering effect she may have hoped for. Instead, they came across as dismissive, leading to backlash that has only grown stronger over time.
Marketing Woes and Audience Disinterest
Adding to the problem is Disney’s strangely low-key marketing approach. Compared to past remakes, Snow White has received far less promotional push, leading some to speculate that the studio is preparing for an underwhelming release. Even more concerning, Disney completely left Snow White out of its Q4 financial report, which suggests that executives may already be bracing for impact.
Meanwhile, on platforms like YouTube, the film’s trailers have been met with an overwhelmingly negative response. The first trailer was massively downvoted, a trend that has continued with each new promotional clip. This kind of online reaction is hard to ignore, and it raises an important question—who is actually excited for this movie?
What Happens Next?
With all these challenges, Snow White is in a precarious position. The numbers suggest that audiences simply aren’t interested, and unless there’s a last-minute surge in ticket sales, this could be one of Disney’s biggest misfires.
There’s still time for Disney to shift the narrative, but if the latest projections are accurate, the writing may already be on the wall.
The real question now is: can Snow White turn things around, or has this fairy tale already met its unhappy ending?
