--- description: Disney's Snow White remake is facing multiple criticisms title: All the Controversies Surrounding Disney's Snow White Remake image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltc5342f2c1f5d8626/6998c4df93610cfcf2c2f723/GettyImages-2202461633.jpg?branch=production&width=2400&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  * [Entertainment](/section/entertainment/) ## Entertainment Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close * [movies](/tag/movies/) ## movies Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close # Why Disney's _Snow White_ Remake Is Creating Controversy  by [Olivia B. Waxman](/author/olivia-b-waxman/)  ## Olivia B. Waxman Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Staff Writer Updated: Mar 19, 2025 5:11 PM CUTPublished: Mar 13, 2025 7:50 PM CUT  Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot present together at the 97th Oscars on March 2, 2025. Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot present together at the 97th Oscars on March 2, 2025.Courtesy of Getty Images  by [Olivia B. Waxman](/author/olivia-b-waxman/)  ## Olivia B. Waxman Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Staff Writer Updated: Mar 19, 2025 5:11 PM CUTPublished: Mar 13, 2025 7:50 PM CUT _Snow White_ has been one of Disney’s most popular movies since it came out in 1937\. But the live-action adaptation, starring Rachel Zegler in the titular role and Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen, has been surrounded by controversy ahead of its theatrical release at the end of March. The _Snow White_ remake has drawn so much scrutiny, Disney will permit only photographers and house crew at the [film's March 15 premiere](https://variety.com/2025/film/columns/disney-snow-white-premiere-zegler-gadot-controversies-1236333285/ "undefined"), reducing the number of journalists in attendance who could potentially questions. The production has faced multiple issues, from criticisms over statements made by the movie's stars to debates over how the film portrays dwarfs. Here’s a look at controversies facing _Snow White_ in the walk-up to its release. ## **The casting of** **_Snow White_** The idea of Zegler, an actor of [Colombian descent](https://time.com/collection/time100-next-gala-2023/6325446/rachel-zegler-rita-moreno-time100-next-gala/ "undefined"), playing the Disney princess prompted racist backlash. “The name of the movie is Snow _White,_ okay?!” conservative pundit Ben Shapiro said in a YouTube video published six months ago that boasts about 700,000 views. Backlash against Zegler intensified after some fans questioned her appreciation for the role when she called out some of the more sexist elements of the original _Snow White_ story. In 2022, Zegler [told](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tyxeuN4hBo&t=30s "undefined") _Extra TV_ that the original _Snow White_ has “a big focus on her love story with a guy who literally stalks her. Weird! WEIRD!” In other [interviews](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/snow-white-disney-rachel-zegler-controversy-1236159512/ "undefined"), she’s talked about how the film is “dated” in terms of its representation of [women in power](https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/rachel-zegler-viral-backlash-snow-white-disney-live-action-rcna99848 "undefined"), saying she approached playing Snow White as someone who would “be dreaming about becoming the leader she knows she can be” rather than as a character who is solely looking for her Happily Ever After. The take went viral on TikTok where, as NBC News [reported](https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/rachel-zegler-viral-backlash-snow-white-disney-live-action-rcna99848 "undefined"), users argued that not all female characters have to be “girl bosses.” Zegler has stood by her comments. “What an honor to be part of something that people feel so passionate about,” Zegler [told](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/rachel-zegler-backlash-snow-white-comments-passion-1236145897/ "undefined") _Vogue Mexico_ for a 2025 feature. “We’re not always going to have the same feelings as everyone around us, and all we can do is give the best of ourselves.” ## **Making a** **_Snow White_** **movie** **to begin with** It’s not just the casting that’s been criticized, but also the whole idea of doing a _Snow White_ movie in 2025\. Some think a fairy tale that features seven dwarfs is politically incorrect, like [_Games of Thrones_](https://time.com/5401898/peter-dinklage-game-of-thrones-prank/ "undefined") star [Peter Dinklage](https://time.com/4645092/peter-dinklage-game-of-thrones-indie-movie/ "undefined"). “I was a little taken aback,” Dinklage said on Marc Maron’s “WTF” podcast in 2022\. He described the _Snow White_ fairytale as a “f—ing backwards story about seven dwarfs living in a cave together,” arguing, “Have I done nothing to advance the cause from my soapbox? I guess I’m not loud enough.” After [Dinklage](https://time.com/6151028/cyrano-review/ "undefined")’s comments, Disney [told](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/peter-dinklage-disney-responds-snow-white-criticism-1235080612/ "undefined") the _Hollywood Reporter_ that it was taking a “different approach” with the seven dwarfs characters and consulted with members of the dwarfism community during the making of the film. In the film, Snow White is flanked by seven computer-generated little people, a blow to little people who have aspired to the roles, according to Dylan Postl, an actor who is a little person. As he [told](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdUCDZQrwlY "undefined") the broadcaster Piers Morgan in 2023, “I can’t go for the Harrison Ford or George Clooney roles because that’s not for me. These dwarf roles are for people of my stature...now think about the additional stunt actors or body doubles, now you’re talking about multiple actors of my stature that don’t get these major roles.” ## **The Israel-Hamas war** Snow White and the Evil Queen are not only at odds in the movie, but also in real life—at least in terms of political opinion. The movie got caught in the crosshairs of the culture wars just as the [Israel-Hamas war](https://time.com/6326080/gaza-palestinians-grief-israel-hamas-war/ "undefined") broke out on Oct. 7, 2023\. Gadot, who used to serve in the Israel Defense Forces, has been unabashedly pro-Israel, urging world leaders to do more to free the [hostages](https://time.com/6324741/israel-hostages/ "undefined") taken by Hamas. More than a year into the war, in a March 4, 2025, keynote speech at an Anti-Defamation League summit, Gadot denounced those who are not “condemning Hamas, but celebrating, justifying and cheering on a massacre of Jews.” On March 18, a few days ahead of _Snow White_'s theatrical release, pro-Palestine and pro-Israel demonstrators gathered at Gadot's Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony, where she was honored with a star. About [two dozen protestors](https://variety.com/2025/film/news/gal-gadot-palestine-israel-protest-walk-of-fame-1236340490/ "undefined") were in each group, according to _Variety_; some [held signs](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2025-03-18/gal-gadot-walk-of-fame-pro-palestine-pro-israel-protesters-snow-white "undefined") that said "No Other Land Won an Oscar" and "Heros Fight Like Palestinians" while others held the Israeli flag. Zegler, who describes [herself](https://x.com/rachelzegler/status/1789320544958992520 "undefined") as “pro-Palestine,” has been outspoken about her views. After a _Snow White_ trailer came out in Aug. 2024, Zegler thanked her followers in a [post ](https://x.com/rachelzegler/status/1823146134769893534?lang=en "undefined")on X, and added: “always remember, free palestine.” The two stars did appear at the Academy Awards onstage together on Mar. 2, 2025, where they presented the Oscar for best visual effects. Both are expected to attend Disney’s premiere of the film on Friday, where all eyes will likely be following any interactions they have. _Snow White_ releases in theaters on March 21. ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/7267440/snow-white-disney-rachel-zegler-gal-gadot/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/7267440/snow-white-disney-rachel-zegler-gal-gadot/"},"headline":"Why Disney's Snow White Remake Is Creating Controversy","datePublished":"2025-03-13T19:50:39.000Z","dateModified":"2025-03-19T17:11:21.000Z","description":"Disney's Snow White remake is facing multiple criticisms","url":"https://time.com/7267440/snow-white-disney-rachel-zegler-gal-gadot/","keywords":["movies","Explainer","culturepod"],"thumbnailUrl":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltc5342f2c1f5d8626/6998c4df93610cfcf2c2f723/GettyImages-2202461633.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Olivia B. 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