Controversies force Disney to change 'Snow White' premiere plans
What's the story
Disney is giving the old Hollywood premiere format a makeover for its upcoming film, Snow White, with the premiere set for March 15.
The premiere will now be a scaled-down red-carpet affair at the El Capitan Theatre, reported Variety.
While the lead actors Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot are expected to attend, media will get access to photographers and house crew, with no press interviews.
This decision comes amid ongoing controversies surrounding the film.
Film debates
Controversies surrounding 'Snow White' intensified discussions
Zegler, who plays the titular character, has been at the center of controversy since she was cast.
Critics and viewers have questioned Disney's decision to cast a Latina actor for the role.
To further stoke the fire, Zegler had previously called the 1937 animated film "dated" and slammed its original storyline where the prince "literally stalks Snow White."
Moreover, actor Peter Dinklage's criticism of the portrayal of the dwarfs added to the controversies.
Dinklage's criticism
Dinklage's concern and makers' response
In 2022, Dinklage said on the WTF podcast, "It makes no sense to me."
"You're progressive in one way and you're still making that f—ing backward story about seven dwarves living in a cave together. What the f— are you doing, man?"
Disney responded by saying, "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."
Political debates
Political tensions further worsened the situation
Political tensions have added another layer of complexity to the Snow White discussions.
While Zegler has openly supported Palestine, Gadot, the Israeli actor, voiced her support for Israel, especially after the October 7 Hamas attack.
The conflicting positions have triggered online debates and calls to boycott the film.
Despite the controversies, promotional efforts for Snow White continue unabated.
The film, directed by Marc Webb, will release on March 21.