March 2025 will see The Walt Disney Company unveil its long-anticipated live-action remake of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937). Starring Rachel Zegler (West Side Story) as Snow White and Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman) as the Evil Queen, this reimagining from director Marc Webb has faced nothing but turbulence since its inception.
With a staggering budget nearing $300 million, Disney’s Snow White carries an enormous financial burden. On paper, remaking Disney’s first animated feature—an 87-year-old cultural cornerstone—seems like a box-office slam dunk. But is it?
The film, penned by Greta Gerwig (Barbie) and Erin Cressida Wilson (The Girl on the Train), has garnered attention for all the wrong reasons. From Zegler’s casting to her polarizing remarks about the original 1937 classic, the project has been mired in debates. The release of the teaser image and trailers only exacerbated the division, leading many to wonder if this film is beyond saving.
Disney’s own actions have raised eyebrows. In its most recent earnings report, the company conspicuously excluded Snow White from its highlighted 2025 slate, opting instead to spotlight Captain America: Brave New World, Fantastic Four: First Steps, and the live-action Lilo & Stitch. The promotional disparity between Lilo & Stitch and Snow White is palpable, with the former already enjoying robust marketing efforts.
Adding to the drama, Disney wasn’t the only studio tackling the Snow White story this year. Conservative outlet The Daily Wire announced its version, Snow White and the Evil Queen, starring Brett Cooper. However, Cooper’s departure has thrown that project into question.
Meanwhile, despite the criticism surrounding Zegler—including backlash over her resurfaced D23 comments about the original Snow White—a recent report suggests her Disney journey might continue after Snow White with a new, unexpected project.
Disney’s Phantom Movie
In September 2024, news broke of a Disney+ adaptation of Gaston Leroux’s “The Phantom of the Opera.”
“EXCLUSIVE: Disney+ is in early development on Phantom, a YA movie reimagination of the classic novel “The Phantom of the Opera” by Gaston Leroux, sources tell Deadline,” the outlet reported. “The project hails from Disney Branded Entertainment and Kenny Ortega, who has led two major Disney franchises with High School Musical and The Descendants.”
Rumored to have franchise potential akin to The Descendants, details remain scarce. However, a new report claims a familiar face might take on the lead role of Christine.
According to Comic Book Movie, “scooper [My Time To Shine Hello] claims Rachel Zegler (Snow White, West Side Story, Shazam! Fury of the Gods) is being eyed to play Christine, the object of the titular Opera Ghost’s obsession.” Whether she is in active talks or simply on the studio’s radar remains unconfirmed.
Zegler’s musical pedigree lends credibility to the rumor. From her breakout role in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story (2021) to her musical-driven roles in Snow White and The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (2023), she’s no stranger to the genre.
What do you think of this casting rumor? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
