Rachel Zegler Views ‘Snow White’ Movie Criticism as Fans’ Passion for the Beloved Character

According to Rachel Zegler, fans’ strong attachment to the narrative and characters is the reason behind the backlash to Disney’s live-action ‘Snow White’ remake.

 The 23-year-old actress addressed criticism about her casting and previous remarks against the original animated movie in an interview with Vogue Mexico.  She admitted that the 1937 classic ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’ and the adored princess evoke great feelings of protectiveness in viewers.

 She revealed that she views the responses as evidence of people’s love for the character and feels privileged to be a part of something that holds such deep significance for them.  She added that although opinions may vary, her objective is to perform to the best of her abilities in the position.

Since the release of the movie, Zegler and the adaptation have been criticized in a number of ways.  The actress faced harsh criticism from right-wing opponents after being cast in 2022 because of her Latina origin, which includes Polish and Colombian ancestry.

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 Achondroplasia actor Peter Dinklage, who starred in ‘Wicked’, also brought attention to the initiative after criticizing Disney for what he perceived to be a hypocritical strategy.  He referred to the fairy tale’s antiquated depiction of seven dwarfs coexisting in a cave as a “backward” story.

Zegler previously discussed the subject with Andrew Garfield on Variety’s Actors on Actors series, recollecting that the social media outcry against her casting lasted for days.  Fans who have strong opinions should be welcomed and helped to understand, she said.  She expressed her excitement about playing a Latina Disney princess while remaining focused on the opportunity in spite of the criticism.

 The actress also came under fire for remarks she made at the 2022 D23 Expo, calling the first movie “dated” and criticizing Prince Charming’s performance by claiming he “literally stalks” ‘Snow White’.

Image Courtesy: Getty Images

She assured viewers in her interview with Vogue Mexico that Disney has struck a delicate balance between adhering to the 1937 animated classic and adding features that make the tale relevant for a younger audience.

 The live-action ‘Snow White’, which was directed by Marc Webb (‘The Amazing Spider-Man’), will open in theatres on 21st March.

–Farheen Ali