Disney’s 2025 live-action remake of “Snow White” takes an unconventional twist on the beloved 1937 animated classic, sparking media controversy and a slow box office performance. The cast features Rachel Zegler as Snow White, Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen and Andrew Burnhap as Jonathan, Disney’s replacement for Prince Charming.
Among the most noticeable changes was Zegler’s casting—an actress of Colombian background, unlike the animated character, who was often depicted as having “skin as white as snow.” The film explains this by instead naming Zegler’s interpretation in honour of her resilience after surviving a snowstorm as a baby. Addressing the internet controversy, Zegler told People Magazine, “Snow White is a really big deal in Spanish-speaking countries … at the end of the day, I have a job to do that I am really excited to do. I get to be a Latina Princess.”
The seven dwarfs, brought to life through computer-generated imagery (CGI), looked far from animated, lacking their original liveliness. Trying to balance nostalgia with innovation, Disney became entangled in the challenge of incorporating both elements while maintaining a coherent visual style. The CGI itself is unpolished and distracts from the immersion into the fairytale. The effects diminish the dwarfs’ charm and individuality, but captivate the audience through their realistic magical visuals.
The musical numbers captured the magic of the classic, specifically in the original song “Heigh-Ho” and the new song “Waiting on a Wish,” but were introduced at awkward moments throughout the film. Regardless, Zegler’s vocals encapsulated the sincerity and emotional depth, adding to her aim of bringing Snow White to life in a way that makes her heart and kindness shine. She remarks, “[Snow White’s] superpower is her heart. It’s nothing supernatural. It’s something that all of us have, and deep within us, there is an inherent, good belief in the kindness of humanity.”
The storyline of a princess finding her prince is replaced by Snow White falling for Johnathan, a rebellious bandit, turning the “love at first sight” trope on its head. Jonathan and Snow White’s dynamic is built on mutual respect and shared ideals, offering a modern take on relationships. However, many fans valued the simplicity of an original story tale romance and have noted how insignificant Jonathan is to Snow White’s journey in defeating the Evil Queen.
Zegler recognized these changes while speaking to Variety. “I just mean that it’s no longer 1937, and we absolutely wrote a ‘Snow White’ that’s not gonna be saved by the prince, and she’s not gonna be dreaming about true love. She’s dreaming about becoming the leader she knows she can be and the leader that her late father told her she could be if she were fearless, fair, brave, and true.” 2025’s “Snow White” explores thematic components of courage and self-discovery, diverging significantly from the original tale. The yearning for love and rescue is lessened in this remaking, leaving the audience divided between appreciation for the non-traditional gender roles depicted and disappointment in its lack of similarity to the original storyline.
Ultimately, Disney’s “Snow White” succeeds in presenting a fresh take on a popular tale, but struggles to capture the magic and embodiment of what the story was intended to be.
