Disney’s upcoming live-action remake of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, set for release on March 21, 2025, should be a celebration of the studio’s first animated triumph—a 1937 masterpiece that defined the Disney Princess legacy. Instead, it’s become a lightning rod for controversy, much of it centered on lead actress Rachel Zegler. At a time when the House of Mouse is desperate to reclaim its family-friendly crown, the decision to plow ahead with Zegler—an actress whose outspoken behavior and polarizing remarks have alienated swaths of fans—raises serious questions about Disney’s judgment. Why risk tainting a cherished classic with such a divisive figure?
Zegler’s Trail of Controversy
Rachel Zegler, cast as Snow White in 2021, stepped into the role with undeniable talent—her Golden Globe-winning turn in West Side Story proved she can sing and act. But talent alone doesn’t explain Disney’s unwavering commitment to her amid a growing backlash. Zegler’s troubles began when she publicly trashed the original 1937 film, calling it “extremely dated” and dismissing its romantic core as creepy. In a 2022 Variety interview, she boasted that her Snow White wouldn’t be “saved by the prince” or dream of “true love,” but instead aspire to leadership—a stark departure from the gentle, hopeful heroine fans adore. To many, this wasn’t modernization; it was a middle finger to a story that’s resonated for nearly a century.
The backlash intensified in November 2024 when Zegler unleashed a profanity-laced Instagram tirade against President Donald Trump and his supporters following his election win, declaring, “May Trump supporters and Trump voters and Trump himself never know peace.” The post alienated half the U.S. audience—Disney’s core market—prompting conservative voices like Megyn Kelly to demand her firing, labeling her a “pig” and pointing to Disney’s swift axing of Gina Carano from The Mandalorian for less inflammatory remarks. Zegler’s apology didn’t quell the storm; it only fueled accusations of insincerity.
Her social media antics didn’t stop there. Earlier, she posted “free Palestine” alongside a Snow White trailer, a move some interpreted as a jab at co-star Gal Gadot, an Israeli actress playing the Evil Queen. Posts on X have branded Zegler “antisemitic” and “a toxic woke feminist,” amplifying the narrative that she’s more interested in preaching than embodying Snow White’s timeless grace.
A Film Already on Shaky Ground
Zegler’s baggage isn’t the only issue plaguing this $200 million remake. The film’s CGI-heavy seven dwarfs—reimagined after Peter Dinklage criticized the original depiction—have been mocked as “terrifying” and “serial killer-esque” in trailers, per The Guardian. Pre-release tracking suggests an opening weekend well below Maleficent’s, with OutKick reporting its “roughly $30 million below” expectations—a dire sign for a budget this size. YouTube dislikes on the trailer outnumber likes, a visceral fan rejection echoed by sentiments on X like, “The girl who plays Snow White is antisemitic… this looks like trash.”
Disney’s insistence on “modernizing” the tale—stripping away the prince’s rescue and Snow White’s romantic dreams—has only deepened the divide. Zegler’s comments framing the original as sexist have turned a beloved fairy tale into a culture war battleground, leaving fans asking: why mess with perfection?
Why Disney Doubles Down
So why does Disney persist with Zegler? The studio’s silence is deafening—no Q4 earnings mention of Snow White, despite its looming release, hints at internal jitters. Yet, they’ve sunk too much into this project to pivot now. Reshoots replacing Zegler would balloon costs and delay the film further, a risk Disney, already reeling from recent flops, can’t afford. Plus, the “Disney machine” still has muscle—insiders tell Daily Mail it’s banking on the brand’s nostalgia to salvage box office hopes against weak competition in March.
There’s also the progressive agenda. Disney’s been vocal about diversity and inclusivity, casting Zegler, a Latina actress, to signal a break from the past. Her “girl boss” Snow White fits their narrative of updating “dated” classics, even if it alienates the traditionalists who built their empire. But this gamble reeks of hubris—pushing a controversial actress and a reimagined story onto a fanbase that’s already skeptical feels less like boldness and more like tone-deafness.
The Cost to a Cherished Legacy
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs isn’t just a movie; it’s a cultural cornerstone—Walt Disney’s first Oscar-winning feature, a tale of innocence and resilience. Handing it to Zegler, whose public persona clashes with that spirit, risks tarnishing its legacy. Fans aren’t wrong to feel betrayed when the actress playing their princess seems to scorn the original’s charm and half her audience. Disney’s doubling down looks like a stubborn refusal to admit they’ve misjudged the room—a room filled with families who want magic, not manifestos.
This isn’t about canceling Zegler; it’s about accountability. Disney had options—recast, reshoot, or at least coach her PR—but chose to barrel ahead. As Inside the Magic notes, the backlash has been “significant,” yet the studio clings to a sinking ship. With Snow White poised to be either a hit or a historic flop, one thing’s certain: sticking with Zegler is a high-stakes bet on a fractured fanbase. For a company built on dreams, this feels more like a nightmare in the making.