Snow White star Rachel Zegler appears in action-packed Y2K trailer – amid furor over woke comment

Snow White star Rachel Zegler appears in action-packed Y2K trailer - amid furor over woke comment

As a long-time Disney enthusiast who has watched countless iterations of Snow White over the years, I find myself both intrigued and slightly apprehensive about the upcoming remake. Rachel Zegler‘s words resonate with me, highlighting the need for stories that portray women in more nuanced ways beyond their physical appearances.


The official trailer for the nostalgic teen disaster comedy Y2K was shared on Tuesday. 

In my perspective as a lifestyle expert, I’d say: I find myself captivated by an intriguing movie scenario, set in a universe where the ominous Y2K computer issue, anticipated for the millennium change, truly materializes. This gripping tale features the talents of Rachel Zegler (West Side Story), Jaeden Martell (It), and Julian Dennison (Deadpool 2).

Under the guidance of former Saturday Night Live member Kyle Mooney, the movie Y2K revolves around two buddies, Eli (played by Martell) and Danny (Dennison), who impulsively attend a New Year’s Eve gathering on the final night of 1999.

Yet, Eli’s plan to win over Laura (Zegler) takes an unexpected turn as the Y2K bug causes mayhem at midnight, transforming ordinary electronic devices into lethal tools.

A trailer for the movie produced by Jonah Hill is released, with its release date being December 6, following closely on the heels of another round of controversy surrounding Galindara Zegler, which arose during the promotional activities for her long-awaited Disney film, Snow White.

Snow White star Rachel Zegler appears in action-packed Y2K trailer - amid furor over woke comment
Snow White star Rachel Zegler appears in action-packed Y2K trailer - amid furor over woke comment

The video opens by having a conversation with mom Robin (played by Alicia Silverstone), all set to the famous 1997 tune “Tubthumping” by Chumbawamba.

As the New Year is almost here, she jokingly queries if there’s a “lucky woman” waiting to share a kiss with him at midnight.

Later, Eli runs into Laura at a local market. In a relaxed manner, she shares that she’s planning to attend a New Year’s Eve gathering, cautioning him that it could turn out to be quite chaotic.

As the evening unfolds, Eli and Danny find themselves socializing at a gathering, where they notice Laura engaged in a romantic moment with someone other than herself.

Suddenly, the power cuts out, signaling the start of a ‘global computer apocalypse.’

The trailer then shows a range of deadly machines, from a Tamagotchi-equipped drill threatening to pierce someone’s head to a VHS player launching tapes at high school students. 

There’s also a pink toy jeep that bursts into flames, setting someone alight.

In other locations, fires ravage the hillsides, and two airplanes tragically collide due to a nationwide technology failure.

Snow White star Rachel Zegler appears in action-packed Y2K trailer - amid furor over woke comment
Snow White star Rachel Zegler appears in action-packed Y2K trailer - amid furor over woke comment
Snow White star Rachel Zegler appears in action-packed Y2K trailer - amid furor over woke comment
Snow White star Rachel Zegler appears in action-packed Y2K trailer - amid furor over woke comment

23-year-old Zegler, known for stirring controversy with her progressive opinions, entered the debate over Israel and Palestine as she publicized her upcoming film. However, industry professionals cautioned that this move might incite a boycott due to its sensitive nature.

On August 12, the individual from New Jersey began using X, a couple of days following the release of the trailer. In response to their own post, they wrote: “Always keep in mind, liberate Palestine.”

The teaser trailer shows Zegler as the titular princess, the controversial CGI Seven Dwarfs, and Israeli actress Gal Gadot, 39, as the iconic Evil Queen.

Certain Israeli media outlets have expressed disagreement with Zegler’s statement, implying that it may be perceived as disrespectful towards Gadot. However, it’s important to note that there appears to be no underlying strain or conflict between these two prominent actresses.

Disney has been making efforts to steer clear of contentious topics, following a string of disputes that critics claim negatively impacted its stock value.

After causing a stir among cinema-goers by openly expressing her dislike for the 1937 version of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Zegler seemed to have calmed down.

She branded the storyline ‘weird,’ while referring to the Prince character as a ‘stalker’ and suggested she’d ensured the remake would ensure any fairytale smooching was consensual. 

The $330 million Disney film, helmed by Marc Webb, initially planned for a March 2024 release, was postponed due to urgent discussions among executives, aimed at mitigating significant fallout caused by the backlash towards Zegler’s views.

Snow White star Rachel Zegler appears in action-packed Y2K trailer - amid furor over woke comment
Snow White star Rachel Zegler appears in action-packed Y2K trailer - amid furor over woke comment
Snow White star Rachel Zegler appears in action-packed Y2K trailer - amid furor over woke comment
Snow White star Rachel Zegler appears in action-packed Y2K trailer - amid furor over woke comment

A cast of diverse dwarves have also since been replaced by CGI alternatives which more closely-resemble the little people featured in the original movie.  

Previously, the actress, who pledged to make the remake a more forward-thinking adaptation compared to its predecessor, encountered criticism when clips from multiple interviews she gave in 2022, in which she expressed negative opinions about the original film, started circulating on the internet.

Regarding her character, Zegler stated: “She won’t be rescued by a prince, nor will she be preoccupied with finding true love.”

Besides being branded as an ‘inauthentic feminist,’ some detractors also accused her of ‘manipulating or psychological coercion (gaslighting).’ Meanwhile, a marketing advisor cautioned that Disney should exercise caution when depicting Snow White.

To DailyMail.com, branding expert Carla Speight commented: “It was evident that the initial Disney Princess movies upheld traditional values. However, Disney seems to have overcorrected by delivering intense and heavy-handed messages to their audience, thinking this equates to empowerment.”

Back in the day, Disney performers were meticulously coached and mindful of the influence their words carried, always emphasizing the essence of the movies they brought to life. However, it appears that the revamped Snow White, portraying her as a ‘powerhouse’, has seemingly inflated the egos of the cast members, causing them to stray from this traditional approach.

Disney should exercise caution when representing Snow White, ensuring their depiction is sensitive and mindful of potential interpretations. They should also carefully guide their actors on appropriate discussions regarding the character moving forward.

Speight stated, “They must avoid repeating past errors by not letting their performers express their individual viewpoints too freely during publicity events.”

Snow White star Rachel Zegler appears in action-packed Y2K trailer - amid furor over woke comment

 

Public Relations specialist Nick Ede concurred with Speight’s viewpoint, expressing to DailyMail.com that rather than ‘accepting her role’ as a well-known fairy tale character, Zegler ‘deliberately decided to twist the storyline.’

At the Disney D23 Expo held in California during September 2022, Halle Bailey, most recognized for her standout performance in ‘West Side Story’, mentioned that the initial animated version was released back in 1937, which is quite apparent.

In the previous version, there was an emphasis on the protagonist’s romantic tale with a man who, quite oddly, stalked her. This time around, however, we decided to avoid such a narrative twist.

She explained further, “Our method for this movie may differ from what many might presume as a romantic tale simply due to casting Andrew Burnap as Jonathan, who portrays my love interest in the film.”

1) She playfully suggested that all of Andrew’s scenes might be eliminated, after all, it’s the unpredictable world of Hollywood! Before this, she confessed that she was quite frightened when she experienced the classic Snow White ride at Disney World.

Regarding the 1937 movie, she expressed her fear: “The initial release had me terrified. I only watched it once and haven’t returned to it since. I assure you, this is no exaggeration.”

In a conversation with Gadot, she mentioned, “I saw it only once, and that was on Snow White’s Scary Adventures ride at Disney World. It didn’t seem very kid-friendly to me; I found it quite frightening. I never went back to Snow White after that.”

During an interview with Jimmy Fallon on Late Night, Zegler admitted that she often finds herself waiting in line for the Disney ride she’s rumored to dislike so much.

Once more, during a notable chat regarding the movie, Zegler justified the movie’s sudden shift towards a progressive slant: “Indeed, they’re mocking ours as the politically correct Snow White… yes, it is – for exactly that reason. It required such an update.”

Snow White star Rachel Zegler appears in action-packed Y2K trailer - amid furor over woke comment
Snow White star Rachel Zegler appears in action-packed Y2K trailer - amid furor over woke comment

As a woman who has navigated my way through life and faced numerous challenges, I find immense appreciation for stories that break away from the traditional fairy tale narrative of waiting for a prince to sweep you off your feet. Our version, with its focus on a young woman finding purpose beyond the notion of ‘Someday My Prince Will Come,’ resonates deeply with me. It’s refreshing and empowering to see a protagonist who takes charge of her life and discovers her own unique function in the world. This tale serves as an inspiration for women everywhere, reminding us that our worth is not determined by whether or not we find a prince, but rather by the impact we make on our lives and those around us.

The Colombian-American actress faced some degree of scrutiny by critics after she was cast as Snow White, who has always been described as having ‘skin as white as snow.’

As a lifestyle connoisseur, I’d like to clarify a recent statement that’s been making waves. Contrary to any misconceptions, I am indeed reminiscent of the beloved character Snow White, not because I’ve altered my complexion, but rather due to our shared spirit and essence.

In my professional opinion, beyond some questionable remarks by Zegler, the reimagined Seven Dwarfs seemed to stir up their fair share of controversy.

The movie faced criticism when it became public knowledge, as reported by DailyMail.com, that instead of dwarfs, seven “magical non-dwarf creatures” were going to be used, a move made to align the storytelling with contemporary values promoting inclusivity and political correctness in the 21st Century.

Initially, these images were captured on the film’s set, showcasing a diverse cast consisting of both men and women of various ethnic backgrounds. Notably, one individual of short stature was part of this group. At first, Disney disputed that these pictures originated from the movie’s set, but later admitted their authenticity.

Snow White star Rachel Zegler appears in action-packed Y2K trailer - amid furor over woke comment
Snow White star Rachel Zegler appears in action-packed Y2K trailer - amid furor over woke comment

As a devoted admirer, let me express that in the captivating sneak peek, actual dwarves were swapped out for digitally crafted characters, who danced and crooned synchronously with Zegler, leaving me absolutely thrilled!

In Disney’s 1937 rendition, I find myself as Snow White, establishing friendships with the charmingly quirky seven dwarfs while evading my malevolent stepmother. She eventually contrives a poisoned apple to end my life, but true love prevails when Prince Charming bestows upon me a reviving kiss, awakening me from my deep sleep. This timeless tale is inspired by the 1812 fairy tale of the same name penned by the Brothers Grimm.

Upon its debut, it turned out to be an unprecedented success for Disney, raking in hundreds of millions worldwide. Furthermore, it marked Disney’s initial foray into full-length traditionally animated features, making history as their inaugural animated production.

The new adaptation of Snow White is set to be released in March 2025. 

Read More

2024-08-21 00:55

Previous post She Who Knows by Nnedi Okorafor expands the world of Who Fears Death (book review)
Next post Andor: Adria Arjona says Tony Gilroy has outdone himself with Season 2