Disney is on the verge of releasing its latest adaptation of "Blanche-Neige" on March 19, 2025, but the company is taking extraordinary steps to dampen potential backlash stemming from the film's casting and thematic elements. Originally set to hold grand premieres typical of its productions, Disney has now opted for privacy and exclusivity at its Los Angeles premiere, scheduled for March 15, 2025, at the El Capitan Theatre.
Instead of the usual media blitz, only photographers and selected crew members will be allowed to attend, as reported by Variety. This is a significant departure from tradition and reflects the studio's desire to sidestep the controversies and criticisms surrounding the film. The decision arrives as the film draws heightened scrutiny due to its star, Rachel Zegler, and the depiction of beloved characters like the seven dwarfs.
After her casting as the titular character, Colombian-American actress Zegler faced backlash for comments she made about her character's role, asserting the reboot would present "a more feminist take" than the original 1937 animated classic. During an interview two years ago, she stated, "We are no longer in 1937. She will not be saved by the prince, nor will she dream of true love. She aspires to be the leader she knows she can be, as her late father told her if she is brave, just, and fair."
Peter Dinklage, best known for his role as Tyrion Lannister on "Game of Thrones," also criticized the film for continuing the outdated narrative of the seven dwarfs, saying, "You are progressive somewhat, but you continue to tell this retrograde story of seven dwarfs living together in a cave?" His comments highlight the problematic stereotypes associated with the dwarfs' depiction. Following this criticism, Disney announced it would use CGI to create the dwarf characters and removed the mention of 'seven dwarfs' from the film's title.
Rachel Zegler has also stirred up controversy through her social media presence, particularly for her outspoken views on political issues. She promoted messages supporting Palestinian rights, which contrasted sharply with her co-star Gal Gadot's vocal support for Israel. This juxtaposition has resulted in conflicting reactions among fans and political commentators, intensifying scrutiny of the film's promotional efforts.
Disney's cautious approach seems to be guided by concerns over the potential for "anti-woke" backlash described by sources close to the production. "Disney is already anticipating an anti-woke reaction against 'Blanche-Neige' and has reduced the media program to tightly controlled events," stated a source to the Daily Mail. These fears led to the cancellation of the intended London premiere and limitation of media questioning for Zegler.
Despite the turmoil, the film has already been promoted internationally. Recently, Zegler successfully garnered attention for "Blanche-Neige" during promotional events, including appearances at the Oscars and Tokyo. The upcoming press efforts will also include appearances by both Zegler and Gadot in Spain and a planned screening event in New York City. Still, the absence of traditional promotional events casts uncertainty over the project's reception.
Initial ticket sales for "Blanche-Neige" have sparked concern, with the ticketing process opening later than usual on March 10, 2025. Typically, Disney movies have ticket sales open more than a month before their release. The company now faces challenging forecasts for box office performance amid these controversies.
The situation intensifies with reports predicting "Blanche-Neige" could become one of Disney's most significant artistic and commercial failures of the decade. A recent article speculated, "It is hard to foresee the final outcome of this blockbuster, but less than miraculous results are expected, making it likely to rank as one of Disney's worst disasters." The film reportedly cost over $200 million to produce, placing immense pressure on Disney to deliver success.
Through this radical shift from typical promotional tactics, Disney has signaled its intent to navigate the treacherous waters of modern cinematic release carefully. The decision not to invite journalists to the premiere and to scale back promotional efforts appears to be rooted firmly in the desire to avoid exacerbated conflict and negative publicity.
Rachel Zegler, reflecting on the fervent reactions, expressed appreciation for the passion surrounding the film's original narrative. "I interpret the public's reaction to this film as passion. What an honor it is to be part of something so meaningful to people. We don't always agree, and we can only do our best," Zegler stated.
With less than a week until its release, the fate of "Blanche-Neige" remains uncertain. Disney's bold approach to mitigating controversy will likely factor heavily not only on its initial reception but on its longer-term legacy.