Once upon a reboot, Disney decided to take a stroll down Memory Lane—remaking its animated classics into live-action spectacles. From The Lion King to Aladdin to Mulan, they’ve remade so many of our childhood favourites, wanting us to embrace the childhood world into our adulthood. Some of these reimaginings were met with calm applause, while others were greeted with the online equivalent of pitchforks and torches. It’s a mixed bag of nostalgia, CGI animals, and bold creative swings—and whether people love them or loathe them, they are talking.

Take Cinderella (2015), for instance. It was elegant, heartfelt, and just modern enough to feel fresh without making you question your entire childhood. People embraced it like a long-lost slipper.

Then came Snow White—a film that, before even hitting theatres, managed to stir up more controversy than the Evil Queen’s skincare routine. From casting choices and storyline tweaks to interviews that launched a thousand YouTube rants, the public reception was... let’s just say, not exactly a PR dream. In this article, we’re diving headfirst into the internet dramas and cultural discussions that are the Snow White remake controversy. Buckle up, because this film has already made history for all the wrong reasons.

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1) The Casting of Rachel Zegler

When Disney first announced Rachel Zegler as Snow White, the internet had a lot to say. You’d think the world was debating the fate of the universe instead of just a casting decision. Zegler, a talented Latina actress, was praised by many for her breakout role in West Side Story, but some fans of the original Snow White animated film didn’t exactly welcome the change.

The issue? Well, the classic fairy tale's iconic opening line described Snow White’s skin as being “as white as snow,” leading some to argue that casting a Latina actress didn’t match the traditional portrayal of the character.

Zegler responded to the backlash with grace, but she wasn’t holding back: “It’s 2023. We’re making Snow White a leader. We’re not making her a damsel in distress.” She added that the remake would show Snow White as a character who doesn’t just wait around for a prince.

Predictably, the reaction was...mixed. Some fans were thrilled about the new, more empowered Snow White, but others were furious—saying the casting decision was “disrespectful” and veered too far from the original. It turned into a heated discussion about representation and the question of whether changing the race of an iconic character was a creative choice or a political move. And so, the Snow White casting controversy was born.

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2) The Prince and the Stalker: "Not some knight in shining armor."

Zegler made headlines again with her sharp critique of the original Snow White film, particularly targeting the Prince. “In the original movie, the prince literally stalks Snow White,” Zegler remarked in an interview. She was referring to the scene where the Prince kisses Snow White, even though she’s unconscious and has shown no sign of consent. To some, this was a bold and necessary criticism of a problematic element in the classic, but to others, it felt like an attack on their childhood memories.

For many, it was too much. Some fans were outraged by the "cancel culture" narrative they saw unfolding before their eyes, accusing Zegler of over-scrutinizing a movie made in 1937 and ignoring the cultural context of its time. But others agreed with her, seeing the kiss as an outdated trope in need of revision.

As the controversy raged on, people were divided: was it a valid critique of harmful old ideas or an overzealous attempt to rewrite history? The debate continued to bubble up each time the new film was discussed.

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3) The Dwarfs Dilemma: "Literally no one asked for this."

Now, let’s talk about the dwarfs. In the original animated film, Snow White spent her time in the forest with seven friendly and unique dwarfs. These characters were beloved for their quirky personalities and played a key role in the story.

However, when Disney decided to make a live-action remake, they chose to go in a different direction. Instead of featuring the traditional seven dwarfs, they cast a group of diverse actors. This included both men and women, and they moved away from the traditional portrayal of dwarfs. This change received a lot of attention and sparked some controversy.

Peter Dinklage, a famous actor with dwarfism, expressed his concerns about this decision. He felt that Disney's approach did not show sensitivity towards people with dwarfism. In an interview, he stated, "No one wanted this change.

It feels like the story is making people like me seem different." His words had a strong impact, causing Disney to reconsider their casting choices. For many fans, the dwarfs are an essential part of the Snow White tale, and changing them to a generic group didn't feel right. Although it was meant to be a modern update, not everyone agreed with it.

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4) The "Woke" Debate: "Snow White is not a feminist icon."

As Disney kept releasing more information about their remake, the word "woke" started to become a regular feature of the conversation. A large faction of viewers began to question whether the studio was more focused on appeasing modern political correctness than on telling a good story. With new spins like Snow White’s role as a more active, powerful leader—rather than a damsel in distress—it became clear that this would be a very different interpretation than what people had loved in the 1937 classic.

"I understand what they’re trying to do, but they’re losing the magic of the original," one frustrated fan tweeted. “Snow White was a passive character who represented innocence and kindness. Now she’s this feminist icon who doesn’t need a prince?” For many, this felt like a betrayal of the story’s roots, while others applauded Disney for rethinking gender roles and giving Snow White a new sense of agency.

Image Credit: Public domain from Wikimedia Commons

5) Rachel Zegler vs. The Internet

Rachel Zegler is a gift from god that keeps on giving in terms of controversy. During the talks about who would play the characters and how Snow White's role was changing to be more feminist, Zegler grabbed attention with some unplanned remarks that caused a stir. At first, she said the original Snow White movie seemed “weird.” Zegler pointed out how the film showed the “damsel in distress” idea, where Snow White just “waited for someone to save her.” She thought it was important for the character to do more. Later, Zegler explained that in the new version, Snow White would be a leader and not just “a girl waiting for her prince.” People were unsure if they were watching a Disney movie or something like a TED Talk, but internet users definitely paid attention.

But Zegler didn’t stop there—oh no, she also threw a bit of shade at classic Disney in general. “You can’t just take the same story and slap a new coat of paint on it,” she said. “You need to make it modern.” Cue the collective gasp from fans who cherished the original Snow White for its charm, simplicity, and, well, 1937 vibes. “Do we really need a modern Snow White?” they questioned. While Zegler had her heart in the right place (empowering women and giving Snow White a more progressive arc), it didn’t stop her from ruffling feathers by basically saying that the original’s magic was outdated. Fans felt it was less about “improving” and more about fixing something that wasn’t broken.

So, what do you think of the film? Write in the comments.