Disney's upcoming live-action adaptation of the classic tale Snow White is set to hit theaters on March 21, 2025, starring West Side Story breakout Rachel Zegler as the titular princess and Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen. This film aims to expand upon the original 1937 animated classic, showcasing not only beloved elements but also introducing new storylines and characters.
Director Marc Webb shared insights on how the original animated film inspired this new version. Drawing from the Walt Disney Archives, Webb revealed, "When writing the script, we went back to the (Walt Disney) Archives to understand how Walt brought 'Snow White' to life. It was humbling to see the amount of work and care... One sketch... about the Prince being held in the dungeon — really stuck with me." This narrative detail will allow for more depth in the romance plotline, signaling a significant evolution from the original portrayal.
Set to run for about 110 minutes, Snow White's length is nearly 30 minutes longer than the original 83-minute film, offering more time for character development and storytelling. The original animated film remains historically significant as it was the first cel-animated feature produced in the United States, earning it the title of highest-grossing film of 1938 and solidifying its cultural legacy.
Despite the excitement surrounding its release, there are growing concerns about Snow White's box office performance. Box office analyst Shawn Robbins at Box Office Theory suggests the film is tracking to open with disappointing figures, predicting domestic weekend gross between $52 million and $71 million, with the most likely estimate being $56 million. This low prediction raises alarm as it compares unfavorably to the recent box office bomb, Captain America: Brave New World, which opened at only $88.8 million and has struggled significantly since.
Robbins indicated Snow White might follow suit, as projections show it could end with a total domestic gross between $130 million and $209 million, with a more cautious estimate around $155 million. Such estimates are concerning, especially since the film's production budget has reportedly ballooned from $213.9 million to speculated heights nearing $500 million. If true, the film would need to gross at least $1.25 billion to break even, which seems increasingly unlikely.
Under these financial strains, audiences are eagerly watching the response to the film's marketing. Merchandise surrounding the film has begun to surface, adding to the buzz. Recently, Mattel unveiled limited-edition collector dolls of Snow White and the Evil Queen, featuring exquisite details reminiscent of the characters’ design from the film. Significantly, the Snow White doll showcases her iconic dress and accessories, embodying the nostalgia fans hold for the classic story.
Joffrey's Coffee has also joined the promotional wave, recently launching their Just One Bite Brew, inspired by the fairy tale. This special blend captures the essence of Snow White’s narrative with its spiced apple flavor, appealing to coffee lovers and Disney fans alike. The new flavors are available at locations and online, aiming to intertwine the excitement of the film with consumer experiences.
The lead-up to the film's release has not been without controversy. Casting Zegler, who is of Latina descent, as Snow White sparked discussions on representation, drawing mixed responses from audiences. Compound this with reported tensions between Zegler and Gadot over their differing political views concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the film's social media presence has seen significant pushback, including the teaser trailer receiving the dubious honor of being one of the most disliked on YouTube.
Despite these hurdles, Disney continues to promote Snow White vigorously. Disney CEO Bob Iger reinforced confidence during the company's recent earnings call, emphasizing Disney's creative strength and potential for long-term financial recovery through new releases like Snow White. He stated, “Our results demonstrate our creative and financial strength and reflect the success of our strategic initiatives mentioned two years ago.”
With renewed hope for their iconic fairy tale, the company's focus now shifts to how audiences will respond come opening weekend. Will Snow White rise above its projected hurdles to reclaim its legacy? With the clash of enthusiasm and skepticism looming, only time will tell how this ambitious adaptation will be received.