Disney has unveiled the official trailer for its highly anticipated live-action remake of Snow White, reigniting interest in the tale that started it all. Starring Rachel Zegler (The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes) as Snow White and Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman 1984) as the Evil Queen, the movie aims to reimagine the iconic 1937 animated classic, blending familiar elements with new creative directions. The trailer showcases the titular character embarking on a quest to reclaim her kingdom, featuring snippets of a new power ballad, ‘Waiting on a Wish’, written by Dear Evan Hansen (2015) songwriters Benj Pasek and Justin Paul.
While the trailer promises a visually rich retelling, it also stirs controversy. The inclusion of the seven dwarfs — Bashful, Doc, Dopey, Grumpy, Happy, Sleepy, and Sneezy — as CGI characters has drawn criticism. Fans have expressed disappointment that actors with dwarfism were not cast in these roles, a decision that has sparked widespread debate. Moreover, the addition of a rebellion subplot, in which Snow White rallies forces to confront the Evil Queen, has drawn comparisons to Universal’s Snow White and the Huntsman, a 2012 film that performed moderately well at the box office but failed to resonate critically.
The production history of Snow White reflects Disney’s ambitious vision for the remake. Announced in 2016 with Greta Gerwig and Erin Cressida Wilson attached as screenwriters, the project saw Marc Webb, director of The Amazing Spider-Man (2012), join in 2019. Principal photography began in 2022 and concluded in July of that year, with additional reshoots conducted in mid-2024.
Zegler, reflecting on her casting as Disney’s first princess, acknowledged her surprise at landing the role, stating, “Never in a million years did I imagine this would be possible for me.” However, her casting also sparked backlash from some audiences who argued that Snow White should remain Caucasian, citing the original description of the character as having “skin as white as snow.”
To address this, the live-action adaptation reinterprets Snow White’s name, linking it to her resilience after surviving a snowstorm as an infant. Zegler emphasised that this new narrative angle underscores themes of strength and perseverance, aligning with the film’s message of empowerment for young viewers.
Despite its ambition, Snow White faces an uphill battle to win over audiences and critics. Its reliance on CGI for the seven dwarfs and significant deviations from the original story risk alienating long-time fans. These factors could place it alongside Disney’s recent live-action remake of 2023’s The Little Mermaid, which earned US$569.6 million globally but fell short of expectations given its US$240.2 million production budget.
As Disney continues its trend of revisiting animated classics, Snow White seeks to balance nostalgia with modern sensibilities. Whether this reimagining will resonate with audiences remains uncertain, but it is undeniably a bold addition to Disney’s live-action repertoire.
Disney’s Snow White opens in cinemas on 21 March 2025.
Natalie is a big fan of anything related to movies, TV shows, and anime — you name it. When she’s not reading or being a dedicated cinephile, she’s probably playing gacha and tabletop games, or daydreaming of Sylus from Love and Deepspace.
