Snow White: How 1 Trailer Destroyed a Movie

Last week, Disney dropped the latest teaser trailer for its highly anticipated Snow White remake, and the backlash was immediate and intense. With over 850,000 dislikes compared to only 70,000 likes, and a comment section filled with criticism, the teaser has become one of the most disliked trailers of all time. The film, already controversial, has been described by many as emblematic of everything wrong with Disney in 2024. It seems almost comical how Disney has managed to mishandle such a beloved story so badly.

Initially, the controversy centered around the casting of the film’s lead, Rachel Zegler. Zegler, who plays Snow White, had made headlines for her outspoken criticism of the original 1937 animated film. She labeled the classic as "extremely dated" and described its love story as "creepy" and "weird." Such comments from the lead actress, especially one taking on such a pivotal and iconic role, naturally led to a backlash from fans who felt that Zegler's negative views undermined the project.

The problems didn't stop there. Disney's attempt to modernize the film led to further issues, particularly with the portrayal of the Seven Dwarfs. Originally, the film intended to include dwarfs, but faced backlash for not casting actual dwarf actors. In response, Disney decided to replace the dwarfs with CGI characters, which has been met with widespread derision. The CGI dwarfs have been criticized for their poor design and unrealistic appearance, making the film look more like an animated feature rather than a live-action one.

The shift to CGI was intended to avoid reinforcing stereotypes but instead resulted in a product that many viewers found even less satisfying. The backlash intensified when set photos leaked, revealing the dwarfs' CGI designs and igniting further criticism about Disney’s attempt to meet diversity quotas at the expense of authenticity and quality. The decision to overhaul the dwarfs and replace them with digital creations contributed to a general perception that the film was hollow and lacked the charm of the original.

Disney's attempts at damage control, including a public relations strategy to downplay earlier controversies, have not been well received. The studio’s efforts to revise Zegler’s public image and adjust the film’s portrayal have been criticized as insincere. The core issues, including the film’s departure from the original’s spirit and its over-reliance on CGI, remain glaring.

Moreover, the film has been accused of pushing heavy-handed political messaging and virtue signaling. This criticism is compounded by Disney’s broader trend of altering classic characters and stories to fit modern sensibilities, often at the expense of the original narratives that endeared them to audiences. Many feel that Disney’s modern take on Snow White lacks the genuine emotional depth that made the original so special.

The film's troubles extend to its behind-the-scenes dynamics. There have been reports of tension between Zegler and her co-star, Gal Gadot, who plays the Evil Queen. The political rivalry between Gadot, an outspoken supporter of Israel, and Zegler, who has expressed support for Palestine, has reportedly influenced promotional activities. Gadot’s scenes were removed from the trailer and some interviews, further complicating the film’s press and contributing to its troubled image.

In summary, the Snow White remake has faced significant criticism for its handling of beloved characters, reliance on CGI, and the perceived insincerity of its modern updates. What was once a film poised to celebrate Disney’s heritage now seems emblematic of the studio's recent missteps. The remake's failure to capture the essence of the original while attempting to modernize it has led many to view it as a major disappointment. The project, which should have honored Disney’s storied past, has instead become a symbol of the studio's current struggles, making it a poignant example of how even the most cherished franchises can falter when mishandled.

Last week, Disney dropped the latest teaser trailer for its highly anticipated Snow White remake, and the backlash was immediate and intense. With over 850,000 dislikes compared to only 70,000 likes, and a comment section filled with criticism, the teaser has become one of the most disliked trailers of all time. The film, already controversial, has been described by many as emblematic of everything wrong with Disney in 2024. It seems almost comical how Disney has managed to mishandle such a beloved story so badly.

Initially, the controversy centered around the casting of the film’s lead, Rachel Zegler. Zegler, who plays Snow White, had made headlines for her outspoken criticism of the original 1937 animated film. She labeled the classic as "extremely dated" and described its love story as "creepy" and "weird." Such comments from the lead actress, especially one taking on such a pivotal and iconic role, naturally led to a backlash from fans who felt that Zegler's negative views undermined the project.

The problems didn't stop there. Disney's attempt to modernize the film led to further issues, particularly with the portrayal of the Seven Dwarfs. Originally, the film intended to include dwarfs, but faced backlash for not casting actual dwarf actors. In response, Disney decided to replace the dwarfs with CGI characters, which has been met with widespread derision. The CGI dwarfs have been criticized for their poor design and unrealistic appearance, making the film look more like an animated feature rather than a live-action one.

The shift to CGI was intended to avoid reinforcing stereotypes but instead resulted in a product that many viewers found even less satisfying. The backlash intensified when set photos leaked, revealing the dwarfs' CGI designs and igniting further criticism about Disney’s attempt to meet diversity quotas at the expense of authenticity and quality. The decision to overhaul the dwarfs and replace them with digital creations contributed to a general perception that the film was hollow and lacked the charm of the original.

Disney's attempts at damage control, including a public relations strategy to downplay earlier controversies, have not been well received. The studio’s efforts to revise Zegler’s public image and adjust the film’s portrayal have been criticized as insincere. The core issues, including the film’s departure from the original’s spirit and its over-reliance on CGI, remain glaring.

Moreover, the film has been accused of pushing heavy-handed political messaging and virtue signaling. This criticism is compounded by Disney’s broader trend of altering classic characters and stories to fit modern sensibilities, often at the expense of the original narratives that endeared them to audiences. Many feel that Disney’s modern take on Snow White lacks the genuine emotional depth that made the original so special.

The film's troubles extend to its behind-the-scenes dynamics. There have been reports of tension between Zegler and her co-star, Gal Gadot, who plays the Evil Queen. The political rivalry between Gadot, an outspoken supporter of Israel, and Zegler, who has expressed support for Palestine, has reportedly influenced promotional activities. Gadot’s scenes were removed from the trailer and some interviews, further complicating the film’s press and contributing to its troubled image.

In summary, the Snow White remake has faced significant criticism for its handling of beloved characters, reliance on CGI, and the perceived insincerity of its modern updates. What was once a film poised to celebrate Disney’s heritage now seems emblematic of the studio's recent missteps. The remake's failure to capture the essence of the original while attempting to modernize it has led many to view it as a major disappointment. The project, which should have honored Disney’s storied past, has instead become a symbol of the studio's current struggles, making it a poignant example of how even the most cherished franchises can falter when mishandled.