Early Reactions Praise ‘Snow White’ As One of Disney’s Best Live-Action Remakes, Highlighting Stunning Visuals

Disney’s highly anticipated live-action adaptation of Snow White is set to hit theaters on March 21.

Directed by Marc Webb, known for his work on 500 Days of Summer and The Amazing Spider-Man, this fresh reinterpretation of Disney’s beloved 1937 animated classic, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, offers a modern take on the timeless tale.

Rachel Zegler stars as Snow White, a young princess forced into hiding in the forest after her wicked stepmother, the Evil Queen, played by Gal Gadot, seizes control of her kingdom. With the help of seven dwarfs, Snow White comes up with a clever plan to reclaim her rightful throne. Andrew Burnap joins the cast as a newly introduced love interest, adding a contemporary twist to the timeless tale.

The film marks Disney’s latest effort to reimagine its animated classics in live-action, following the upcoming Lilo & Stitch adaptation, set for release in May. In an interview with Variety at D23, Zegler highlighted a significant shift in Snow White’s character arc:

“She’s not going to be saved by the prince. Instead of dreaming about true love, she’s focused on becoming the leader she knows she can be.”

However, the film has also sparked controversy. Peter Dinklage, known for his role in Game of Thrones, criticized Disney’s decision to use CGI for the seven dwarfs instead of casting actors for the roles. Speaking on the WTF podcast in January 2024, he expressed his concerns about representation in the industry:

“I mean no disrespect, but I was honestly surprised. They seemed very enthusiastic about casting a Latina actress as Snow White, yet they’re still telling the traditional story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. It’s worth taking a moment to reflect on what that signifies.”

With a blend of nostalgia and modern reinvention, Snow White aims to captivate a new generation of audiences while sparking important conversations about storytelling and representation.