Disney delays Snow White remake following controversial backlash

Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarves remake has been delayed.

The upcoming musical fantasy film - directed by Marc Webb and with a screenplay by Greta Gerwig and Erin Cressida Wilson - has come under scrutiny from Disney fans.

A remake of the 1937 classic, some have condemned the movie for straying too far from the original - drawing on comments made by Rachel Zegler who stars as the movie's titular character.

In an interview with Extra TV, Zegler reflected on the original 1937 plot as focusing on a love story 'with a guy who literally stalks' Snow White, calling the movie 'weird'.

"I just mean that it's no longer 1937. She's not going to be saved by the prince and she's not going to be dreaming about true love," she added.

However, Zegler's comments sparked backlash online, one fan of the original movie tweeting: "Rachel Zegler admitting she didn't like Snow White growing up, saying she had only watched it ONCE before getting the role is so sad to me. Out of MILLIONS of women who loved the character, care about the story and yet this is who we get."

Although, another user defended the actor: "Miss rachel zegler should not be in such hot water over saying snow white wasn’t ahead of it’s time (true), it wasn’t a childhood favorite of hers (honest), and the remake is going to attempt more feminism (something i think ALL of the other live-action princesses have said??)."

Disney

Snow White has even been condemned by David Hand - the son of the original movie's director.

In an interview with The Telegraph, he said: "I mean, it’s a whole different concept, and I just totally disagree with it, and I know my dad and Walt would also very much disagree with it.

"[...] I’m afraid of what they’re going to do with the early films... their thoughts are just so radical now. They change the stories, they change the thought processes of the characters, they just aren’t the original stories anymore. They’re making up new woke things and I’m just not into any of that.

"I find it quite frankly a bit insulting that they may have done with some of these classic films.

"There’s no respect for what Disney did and what my dad did... I think Walt and he would be turning in their graves."

Walt Disney Productions

Disney has since revealed its pushed back the release date of the movie.

It was originally set to go out on 22 March, 2024, but as per an update on Friday (27 October), it's now anticipated for release on 21 March, 2025.

Disney did not state the reason why, but as per The Hollywood Reporter, it's thought the push back could be related to the ongoing actor's strike.

UNILAD has contacted Disney for comment.