Disney’s live-action Snow White is set to hit theaters in March 2025, but its path to release has been filled with controversy. Directed by Marc Webb, the film has been at the center of debates since its inception, and as Disney ramps up its promotional campaign, new details continue to emerge.
Several moments throughout Snow White‘s development have kept it in the headlines. At the 2022 D23 Expo, Zegler made waves when she stated that the prince was a stalker and emphasized that the film would focus more on “leadership and strength” than romance. Additionally, her outspoken activism during the SAG-AFTRA strikes and her political statements regarding President Donald Trump while starring in Romeo + Juliet on Broadway have continued to keep her in the public eye, earning both praise and criticism.
Financially, the stakes are considerable. Forbes reports that Snow White’s production budget has ballooned to nearly $300 million. However, its omission from Disney’s Q4 2024 financial disclosures—while other major 2025 projects like Captain America: Brave New World and Avatar: Fire and Ash were highlighted—has raised speculation about the studio’s confidence in the film. Disney later reaffirmed Snow White’s placement in its 2025 slate, stating in a press release:
“The Walt Disney Studios’ diverse and entertaining slate will feature highly anticipated releases like Captain America: Brave New World, Thunderbolts, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps from Marvel Studios; live-action adaptations of Snow White and Lilo & Stitch; eagerly awaited sequels Freakier Friday and Zootopia 2; a new original film from Pixar in Elio; new installments from fan-favorite franchises Avatar: Fire and Ash, TRON: Ares, and Predator: Badlands.”
One of the biggest talking points has been the depiction of the seven dwarfs. Originally, reports suggested Disney would replace them with “magical creatures” following criticism from Game of Thrones actor Peter Dinklage.
While praising the film’s diverse casting, Dinklage questioned why Disney was still telling what he called a “backward story about seven dwarfs living in a cave together.” Responding to these concerns, Disney stated in a statement to Good Morning America, “To avoid reinforcing stereotypes from the original animated film, we are taking a different approach with these seven characters and have been consulting with members of the dwarfism community.”
The controversy deepened when set images surfaced showing a diverse group of actors, leading Jason “Wee Man” Acuña (Jackass: The Movie) to weigh in: “You're replacing jobs that people could have as little people. It's for dwarfs. Why are you hiring ‘Snow White and the seven average people'?” Disney later provided clarification, revealing that the final versions of these characters would be fully CGI. The studio also announced that the film would be delayed from its original March 2024 release to March 2025.
A new report has now seemingly confirmed the full voice cast of the CGI-rendered characters. IGN, after sharing Disney’s latest Snow White featurette focused on “legacy,” listed the film’s ensemble: “Disney's Snow White also stars Andrew Burnap as Jonathan, Andrew Barth Feldman as Dopey, Tituss Burgess as Bashful, Martin Klebba as Grumpy, Jason Kravits as Sneezy, George Salazar as Happy, Jeremy Swift as Doc, and Andrew Grotelueschen as Sleepy.” Disney has not yet officially confirmed these casting details.
Rachel Zegler’s portrayal of Snow White has also drawn comparisons to Halle Bailey’s role as Ariel in 2023’s The Little Mermaid. During a 2023 Variety Actors on Actors interview, Zegler and Bailey discussed the importance of diversity and the impact of reimagining iconic Disney heroines.
Beyond casting, the film’s reworked storyline has raised eyebrows. Zegler revealed that in this version, Snow White receives her name because “the king and queen decided to name her Snow White to remind her of her resilience,” referencing how she survived a snowstorm as a baby. This reimagining contrasts with the original Grimm Brothers’ tale, where her name symbolizes “skin as white as snow.” This new narrative is reinforced in an international trailer featuring Zegler’s voiceover: “To honor the day I was born, my father named me Snow White.”
The film will also introduce a fresh musical number, “Waiting on a Wish,” composed by Pasek and Paul, known for their work on The Greatest Showman (2017) and 2016's La La Land. Despite these updates, Disney’s marketing campaign for Snow White has been notably understated compared to previous live-action adaptations.
Written by Erin Cressida Wilson and Greta Gerwig, Snow White is slated for release on March 21, 2025.
Will this live-action reimagining overcome its controversies and stand among Disney’s most successful remakes? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
No no and no! This is going to be another huge fail for disney…leave the classics alone!!!