Reporters Run Cover for Disney’s Dwarf Backpedal
What controversy? Reporters pretend studio's woke makeover never happened
Two major storylines haunt Disney’s “Snow White” live-action reboot, and none reflected well on the Mouse House.
The first? Star Rachel Zegler repeatedly mocked and denigrated the 1937 Disney film “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” suggesting its allegedly outdated mores demanded a feminist upgrade.
The second? The film eschewed the titular “Dwarfs,” following comments by actor Peter Dinklage who said the use of Little People in the film would be cruel. Her friends would be replaced by “magical creatures.”
(Some Little People actors rejected that wisdom.)
Both stories generated social media outrage, with many blaming Disney’s woke makeover for the decisions. Now, we’re getting our first official look at the live-action “Snow White,” and some old friends are back in place.
The first still from the film features Zegler as Snow White surrounded by seven CGI dwarfs. It’s as if the controversy never happened, or that the leaked image from the production featuring Snow White surrounded by regular-sized companions was a figment of our imagination.
And, as luck would have it, major news sites ran with that pro-Disney narrative.
Nothing to see here. Move along.
People, Deadline and Variety all reported on the first still’s release without mentioning the obvious context. Disney heard the uproar surrounding the Dwarf-free update and reversed course.
'Snow White' First Look: Rachel Zegler and the Seven Dwarfs Join Forces in Disney's Live-Action Movie https://t.co/RUtwzZqaY9
— Variety (@Variety) October 27, 2023
Variety notes that “The Seven Dwarfs have been reimagined for the remake,” a vague turn of phrase that doesn’t inform readers of the story behind the story.
Plus, the studio bumped the film from a March 2024 release to a March 2025 arrival. That may reflect the ongoing actors’ strike, but it also suggests the film is going back to the shop for a major overhaul.
Savvy Twitter users smelled something funny.
Disney’s Snow White remake has been delayeda full year and this is the difference between the leaked images and the first official promo pic
They’re reshooting the entire film lmao pic.twitter.com/cTJTWgmvkE— Elijah the Middleborne (@TheMiddleborne) October 27, 2023
Ironically, around the same time we’re learning Zegler has doubled down on her attacks on the “Snow White” IP. The actress
“I have learned the hard way that we have to be fearless and loud in order to be heard, and to prepare for the backlash that occasionally comes with that outspokenness.”
Meanwhile, the various outlets also ignored the fact that The Daily Wire is shooting its own “Snow White” story to counter Disney’s woke version. The film will star site superstar Brett Cooper and embrace traditional values.
UPDATE: This reporter wrote a pithy comment at Deadline.com, noting that something vital was missing from the site’s reportage. The site administrator deleted the note.
I did not expect to watch an actress with such an ungracious attitude and comments with a smirk, that IMO, are strikingly revolting, if not disgusting.
With all the negativity around this project, if Iger does not kill this film, it is arrogance and fiduciary irresponsibility.
Regarding an amazing 1937 86-year-old Disney classic, the highest grossing animated film of all time during that era. Skip the remake, the trashing of a classic, and particularly the attitude and scorn of this actress and download the original movie to enjoy what those “original” creative writers, directors, and producers meant it to be. Snow White became one of many Walt Disney classics due to quality, not social messaging in Snow Brown and the 7 Street bums is what Disney has become.