The brand new Snow White movie was released on March 21st. Starring Rachel Zegler as Snow White and Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen, the movie has modern twists in comparison to the original film. The animated film, released in 1937, is a beloved classic. Snow White was the first Disney princess, characterized by her sweet voice and kind personality. However, when filming began for the new movie in 2022, some reactions were sparked, intertwining anticipation with controversy.

One of the significant shifts in this adaptation is the portrayal of the Seven Dwarfs. Responding to critics about reinforcing stereotypes, Disney has reimagined these characters as “magical creatures” of diverse sizes and genders. This decision emerged after actor Peter Dinklage labeled the original depiction as “backward.” However, the movie has faced backlash from this, specifically from some in the dwarfism community, who argue it reduces acting opportunities for actors with dwarfism. Jason “Wee Man” Acuña expressed disappointment, stating, that Disney was replacing jobs that people could have as little people. On top of this, the dwarf actors in the movie are animated to look like dwarfs, which also made people wonder why they couldn’t have simply cast people with dwarfism to give other actors chances to act and to reduce the amount of CGI present in the film.

Another criticism of the movie was the casting decisions. Rachel Zegler, who was cast as Snow White, is of Colombian and Polish descent. This choice sparked discussions of fidelity to the original character’s description. Critics argue that this choice deviates from Snow White’s portrayal as a German princess with “skin as white as snow.” Zegler addressed the backlash, emphasizing the importance of representation and her pride in being cast. Supporting this argument, some believe that instead of casting people that do not fit the original characters, now films should be made specifically tailored to people of other ethnicities or characteristics.

Zegler’s comments about updating the 1937 animated classic have also been contentious. In interviews, she described the original as ‘extremely dated” and advocated for a more proactive Snow White, one who would move beyond the traditional narrative of waiting for a prince to save her. These remarks led to debates about balancing modern values with classic storytelling, with some accusing Zegler of misinterpreting feminism.

In light of the current controversies, Disney has made changes to their promotional strategies. The planned grand premiere was scaled back to a modest event at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood on March 15. Media access was limited, with no extensive interviews from the cast, which reflected the company’s cautious approach amid ongoing debates.

The movie stands at the intersection of artistic reinterpretation and cultural sensitivity, prompting discussions about modern adaptation of classic tales.