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“Doomed”: Disney Scales Back ‘Snow White’ Premiere Amid Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot Controversies
Disney is scaling back the Hollywood premiere of its upcoming live-action movie, Snow White, this weekend.
The movie has been plagued with controversy for some time now, including significant backlash over the casting of Rachel Zegler, a Latina actress, as the titular character.
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Disney is scaling back on the premiere of its upcoming Snow White movie amid controversy
Image credits: Disney Movies
Disney’s Hollywood premiere for Snow White won’t be a spectacle. According to Variety, the production company will not be rolling out a red carpet with dozens of media outlets and photographers who interview the cast and the crew that we’re used to seeing in similar Hollywood premieres.
Highlights
- Disney is set to scale back on its new "Snow White" Hollywood premiere.
- The new live-action has been plagued with controversy ever since its announcement in 2022.
- Fans called out Disney's "Snow White" over casting Rachel Zegler, a Latina actress, for the titular character.
The premiere on March 12 will have a pre-party and the movie screening at the El Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles. The film’s leading actors, Rachel Zegler (Snow White) and Gal Gadot (the Evil Queen) are among the stars who will be attending the event. The premiere will be covered by a limited number of photographers and an in-house crew.
The movie received backlash from fans for casting a Latina actress as Snow White
Image credits: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images
Image credits: DisneyMusicVEVO
Marc Webb’s Snow White will be theatrically released on March 21. However, the movie has been plagued with controversy since its announcement in 2022, and Disney reportedly decided against premiering the film in the United Kingdom amid strong backlash from fans.
Some fans questioned the motives behind casting Zegler in the titular role as she is a Latina actress set to play a character described as having “skin as white as snow” in the original fairytale.
Zegler commented on the backlash the movie received, saying, “I interpret people’s sentiments towards this film as passion,” in an interview in the March 2025 issue of Vogue Mexico. “What an honor to be a part of something that people feel so passionately about,” she added.
Rachel Zegler called 1937’s original Snow White cartoon dated
Image credits: Disney
Zegler was also the target of angry comments after her comments on the original Snow White. “The original cartoon came out in 1937, and very evidently so,” Zegler said in a 2022 interview. She added, “There’s a big focus on her love story with a guy who literally stalks her. Weird!”
In another interview with Variety, Zegler said, “She’s not going to be saved by the prince. She’s not going to be dreaming about true love. She’s dreaming about becoming the leader she knows she can be.” Fans nicknamed Zegler’s portrayal of the iconic character the “woke” Snow White.
Snow White’s CGI portrayal of the seven dwarfs was criticized
Image credits: rachelzegler
The film has also been criticized for its CGI portrayal of the seven dwarfs, with Game of Thrones actor Peter Dinklage calling the movie “backwards” in 2022. Dinklage said, “Literally no offense to anything, but I was sort of taken aback,” in the WTF With Mark Maron podcast in 2024.
“They were very proud to cast a Latino actress as Snow White, but you’re still telling the story of ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.’ Take a step back and look at what you’re doing there,” the actor added.
Image credits: Variety
In response to Dinklage’s comments, Disney shared a statement in Good Morning America, which read, “To avoid reinforcing stereotypes from the original animated film, we are taking a different approach with these seven characters and have been consulting with members of the dwarfism community.”
Gal Gadot was under fire for being cast as Cleopatra as well, with critics calling the choice “whitewashing”
Image credits: Disney
After being announced as the lead in Disney’s Snow White, Zegler faced criticism from those who believed the role should align more closely with the fairytale depiction of Snow White.
The controversy in Zegler’s casting echoes the backlash that Gal Gadot experienced after being cast as Cleopatra in an upcoming film. Critics accused the production of “whitewashing” by casting Gadot as the ancient Egyptian queen, traditionally portrayed as Arab or African. Defending her role, Gadot told BBC, “I want to celebrate the legacy of Cleopatra and honor this amazing historic icon that I admire so much.”
Gal Gadot and Rachel Zegler have been politically outspoken on social media
Image credits: gal_gadot
Image credits: Disney
Aside from the controversies regarding the casting choices, Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot’s political remarks have also been publicly criticized, which led to calls to boycott the movie.
Gal Gadot, who is Israeli, has been active on social media and in public appearances, voicing her opinions. While Zegler is also using her platform to do so. The political remarks made the fans lash out amid the movie’s promotional events.
The lead actresses continue to promote their upcoming movie
Image credits: ABC
Image credits: Disney
Aside from their political differences, Gal Gadot and Rachel Zegler continue promoting their film. On March 2, the duo presented an award together at the 2025 Academy Awards to promote Snow White.
On March 5, Zegler attended the movie’s Tokyo premiere, where she performed the first single from the movie. Gadot also promoted the movie on the new episode of Good Morning America on March 10.
The movie’s official trailer, which was released three months ago, got over 12 million views on YouTube.
Online users commented on Disney’s upcoming Snow White
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What do you think ?
William Teach 9 months ago
Zegler is exhausting, and not a particularly good actress. How she got the leads in all those movies right from the get go, I have no idea. She was terrible in Y2K. Not that the movie was good to start with. Could have been good, poorly filmed. Also, how is she more beautiful than Gadot?
Šimon Špaček 9 months ago
How about making an original story? For Snow white (called that because "her skin was as white as snow) you should get white and beautiful girl (or at least somebody looking better than whoever you got for the queen). The best time for live action Snow white was 25 years ago, when they could get 17 years old Anne Hathaway and 50 years old Maryl Streep for the queen. That would be absolutely amazing movie.
Shane S 9 months ago
Isabella Rossellini would make an amazing evil queen! But yeah times have shifted and trying to “break stereotypes” had its moment in the sun and now everyone wants comfort watches.
Load More Replies... Jacob B 9 months ago
I never even knew people hate on her because of being a latina. I though the main reason is that she's quite insufferable and hates the original material. A widely beloved classic. I mean, how can you play Snow White if you hate Snow White? That makes no sense.
Leg less In Minneapolis 9 months ago
The only two Disney live action movies that worked were Cinderella and 101 Dalmatians.
Ashlie Benson 9 months ago
In regards to the dwarves, I'm not sure what they were really meant to do. They wanted to use real little people, and then Peter Dinklage decided to speak for every little person everywhere and say how offensive it is, so they listened and didn't do it. Now everyone is still mad about it.
Asaf Rokni 9 months ago
How the hell is casting Gadot (middle eastern skin tone and overall look) whitewashing for cleopatra, who was of greek descent?? Have people lost their mind??
david stephens 9 months ago
Not sure about the Zegler casting as Snow White but why were people complaining of "white washing" about Gal Gadot as Cleopatra? Cleopatra VII (the famous one) was of Macedonian-Greek heritage with possibly some Persian and/or Sogdian Iranian which if I am not mistaken are mostly light skinned.
Lady Eowyn 9 months ago
This movie should never have been made. The whole idea of "live" action versions of animated classics is flawed. Casting a Latina as a character whose literal description is the title of the film is a *big* mistake.
BeKind&Rewind 9 months ago
No more Disney. Period. Walt would be MORTIFIED if he saw how bad his company has become.
Beak Hookage 9 months ago
I was already not going to watch it purely because it's another frigging live action remake nobody asked for. If they want to be more "diverse" then they need to start making more movies that are about diverse people, not pulling stupid stunts like this.
TruthoftheHeart 9 months ago
I honestly don't know anything about any of these people the only thing that caught me off guard when I saw the trailer was that Snow White wasn't looking very white as snow. I don't care if they use CGI or anything like that I'm going to be watching the movie anyways I have a 5-year-old and that's already been decided for me. Hopefully they've done something good to it but you shouldn't write it off before you even seen it because either way people worked hard to make it
DadManBlues 9 months ago
She can be a beautiful young latina actress, but standing beside of Gal Gadot it's hard to believe she accepted a role of a girl who's more sparkling than Gal Gadot. It's the same as when Charlize Theron was the evil stepmother or stg. Theron and Gadot are in the club of the most beautiful Hollywood actresses.
Enlee Jones 9 months ago (edited)
I hope Rachel Zegler enjoyed her career while it lasted, but that's Hollywood, baby!
L H 9 months ago
I don't have an opinion on her acting as I'm not sure I've seen her in anything - but I wouldn't want her promoting anything that was costing me money
Load More Replies... Laura ballam 9 months ago
there have been too many interpretation of snow white... honestly who cares at this point? do we really need more?
Ellinor 9 months ago
I keep seeing people say that but beside the fact that she was in the Israeli army, which is mandatory for any citizen, what did she do ?
Load More Replies...
Lady Eowyn 9 months ago
Have you ever read the fairy tale? Snow White is a description of her complexion.
Load More Replies... William Teach 9 months ago
Zegler is exhausting, and not a particularly good actress. How she got the leads in all those movies right from the get go, I have no idea. She was terrible in Y2K. Not that the movie was good to start with. Could have been good, poorly filmed. Also, how is she more beautiful than Gadot?
Šimon Špaček 9 months ago
How about making an original story? For Snow white (called that because "her skin was as white as snow) you should get white and beautiful girl (or at least somebody looking better than whoever you got for the queen). The best time for live action Snow white was 25 years ago, when they could get 17 years old Anne Hathaway and 50 years old Maryl Streep for the queen. That would be absolutely amazing movie.
Shane S 9 months ago
Isabella Rossellini would make an amazing evil queen! But yeah times have shifted and trying to “break stereotypes” had its moment in the sun and now everyone wants comfort watches.
Load More Replies... Jacob B 9 months ago
I never even knew people hate on her because of being a latina. I though the main reason is that she's quite insufferable and hates the original material. A widely beloved classic. I mean, how can you play Snow White if you hate Snow White? That makes no sense.
Leg less In Minneapolis 9 months ago
The only two Disney live action movies that worked were Cinderella and 101 Dalmatians.
Ashlie Benson 9 months ago
In regards to the dwarves, I'm not sure what they were really meant to do. They wanted to use real little people, and then Peter Dinklage decided to speak for every little person everywhere and say how offensive it is, so they listened and didn't do it. Now everyone is still mad about it.
Asaf Rokni 9 months ago
How the hell is casting Gadot (middle eastern skin tone and overall look) whitewashing for cleopatra, who was of greek descent?? Have people lost their mind??
david stephens 9 months ago
Not sure about the Zegler casting as Snow White but why were people complaining of "white washing" about Gal Gadot as Cleopatra? Cleopatra VII (the famous one) was of Macedonian-Greek heritage with possibly some Persian and/or Sogdian Iranian which if I am not mistaken are mostly light skinned.
Lady Eowyn 9 months ago
This movie should never have been made. The whole idea of "live" action versions of animated classics is flawed. Casting a Latina as a character whose literal description is the title of the film is a *big* mistake.
BeKind&Rewind 9 months ago
No more Disney. Period. Walt would be MORTIFIED if he saw how bad his company has become.
Beak Hookage 9 months ago
I was already not going to watch it purely because it's another frigging live action remake nobody asked for. If they want to be more "diverse" then they need to start making more movies that are about diverse people, not pulling stupid stunts like this.
TruthoftheHeart 9 months ago
I honestly don't know anything about any of these people the only thing that caught me off guard when I saw the trailer was that Snow White wasn't looking very white as snow. I don't care if they use CGI or anything like that I'm going to be watching the movie anyways I have a 5-year-old and that's already been decided for me. Hopefully they've done something good to it but you shouldn't write it off before you even seen it because either way people worked hard to make it
DadManBlues 9 months ago
She can be a beautiful young latina actress, but standing beside of Gal Gadot it's hard to believe she accepted a role of a girl who's more sparkling than Gal Gadot. It's the same as when Charlize Theron was the evil stepmother or stg. Theron and Gadot are in the club of the most beautiful Hollywood actresses.
Enlee Jones 9 months ago (edited)
I hope Rachel Zegler enjoyed her career while it lasted, but that's Hollywood, baby!
L H 9 months ago
I don't have an opinion on her acting as I'm not sure I've seen her in anything - but I wouldn't want her promoting anything that was costing me money
Load More Replies... Laura ballam 9 months ago
there have been too many interpretation of snow white... honestly who cares at this point? do we really need more?
Ellinor 9 months ago
I keep seeing people say that but beside the fact that she was in the Israeli army, which is mandatory for any citizen, what did she do ?
Load More Replies... Lady Eowyn 9 months ago
Have you ever read the fairy tale? Snow White is a description of her complexion.
Load More Replies...
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