Disney’s Snow White (2025) has sparked considerable debate within the entertainment community, adding a new layer of complexity to the company’s storied history.
Under the direction of Marc Webb and featuring a star-studded cast including Rachel Zegler as Snow White, Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen, and Andrew Burnap as Jonathan, the film was initially slated for release this month. However, amidst the backdrop of SAG-AFTRA strikes and growing criticism, Disney opted to delay the premiere by a full year, rescheduling it for March 21, 2025. While some reports indicate that the decision was made solely due to the strikes, there are other insiders who believe the backlash from millions of fans had more to do with it than anything.
In a poignant reflection, Zach and Tori Roloff, renowned personalities from the reality TV series Little People, Big World, shared their perspectives on the film’s adaptation and the contentious decision to utilize CGI for the dwarves. Zach Roloff, himself living with achondroplasia, highlighted the missed opportunities for genuine inclusion and representation, lamenting the loss of potential roles for individuals with dwarfism. He advocated for a more progressive approach, suggesting that the narrative of the seven dwarves could be reimagined without perpetuating stereotypes.
“That’s jobs for them that were taken away,” Zach said. “That’s an opportunity for them to get on a Disney resume.”
Zach said that there were other ways Disney could’ve updated the film.
“So they’re being progressive by updating Snow White. Be progressive by updating the dwarves,” Zach said. “You could tell the story of the seven dwarves without putting them in a cave, without making it all magical and a bunch of hermits out in the wilderness mining.”
Moreover, Zach emphasized the empowering nature of visibility, acknowledging the complexities of on-screen portrayal while underscoring the significance of representation in media.
“Even though some people might say, ‘You’re not being portrayed the right way,’ there are still parts of the population that will simply look at you and be like, ‘You are on TV. You’re awesome. That’s so cool. I respect you,’” he added.
At the heart of the controversy lies the purported alterations made to the beloved tale. Despite the enduring legacy of the original 1937 animated masterpiece, accusations surfaced that Disney had embarked on a path of ‘wokeness’, deviating from tradition in favor of a more progressive narrative. Rachel Zegler’s commentary further fueled the flames, asserting that the portrayal of the Disney princess needed to evolve with the times, transcending the antiquated notions of rescue by a prince.
However, as the controversy continued to rise and Disney made the decision to delay the film, Rachel Zegler changed the way she framed many comments about the upcoming movie. In multiple interviews, the actress called the Disney princess “iconic” and said that she understood this cartoon is “beloved by many” and that she “doesn’t want to mess it up.”
“It’s been amazing to work alongside Disney to breathe life into such an iconic fairy tale… Of course, she’s an iconic Disney princess, and so a lot of those iconic beauty moments for her are still scattered throughout the film,” she told Gotham Magazine.
Beyond its technical achievements, Snow White fundamentally transformed the entertainment landscape, solidifying Disney’s status as a pioneering force in the industry. The film’s unprecedented success not only propelled the studio to the forefront of animation but also established a template for immersive storytelling that would resonate for generations. Its timeless tale of love, jealousy, and redemption captivated audiences worldwide, transcending cultural boundaries to become a cornerstone of popular culture.
Moreover, Snow White‘s enduring legacy extends beyond the realm of cinema, permeating various facets of society and influencing subsequent generations of filmmakers and animators. Its iconic characters and enchanting narrative continue to inspire countless adaptations, reimaginings, and tributes, reaffirming the enduring power of storytelling.
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