Movies

Rachel Zegler’s Nostalgic Snow White Throwback Amidst Disney Remake Backlash

BBG News

In simpler terms, Rachel Zegler posted an old picture of herself in costume as Snow White, while still receiving criticism about the upcoming live-action adaptation produced by Disney.

On Saturday, the actress from West Side Story, aged 23, shared a charming snapshot from 2004 on Instagram, depicting her in childhood attire as the cherished fairy tale princess character.

In addition, she added a backstage photo from the movie’s production, showing her adorned in Snow White’s iconic attire – a shawl and bonnet – while comfortably seated on a director’s chair.

The film, faced with a barrage of unfavorable criticisms, is experiencing difficulty at the ticket counter.

‘2004 to NOW — dreams really do come true. Snow White is now in theaters!’ she captioned the post.

Her subsequent post displays an unexpected change in the tone, as it contrasts with her earlier criticism towards the initial Snow White film.

In response to the uproar over Disney’s remake, Zegler seems to be softening her earlier criticism of the 1937 film as ‘unusual’ and ‘biased,’ which she had made years ago.

On the recent Good Morning America broadcast, Zegler left viewers taken aback as she expressed her heartfelt gratitude and honor for portraying the legendary princess.

As a devoted Disney enthusiast, I happened to catch a viewing of the movie later on, but let me clarify – while I may have expressed some critiques in the past, my admiration for Disney has never wavered.

Speaking of it, getting cast by Disney in 2021 was an unforgettable honor for me. I believe every young person nurtures the hope of receiving such a call someday, and this one holds a very unique charm because I’m a big Disney enthusiast.

‘It’s an exceptional and beautiful chance for me to breathe life into her in such a distinctive manner. I feel deeply privileged for this opportunity.’

Zegler’s comments arise during a time when the expensive reboot of the film is receiving negative reviews, and speculation about a dispute between her and her co-star, Gal Gadot (who portrays the Evil Queen), has intensified due to a more subdued press tour.

In a separate part of Thursday’s conversation, Zegler discussed the movie’s contemporary spin, which has drawn controversy for being labeled as “progressive” or “woke.” This is due to changes made to the original, criticized romantic storyline and the substitution of real dwarf actors with computer-generated imagery (CGI).

Zegler’s political views, particularly her support for Palestine and her criticism of President Donald Trump, have contributed to the growing opposition she faces.

As a devoted enthusiast, I firmly believe that my mission is to connect timeless masterpieces with today’s vibrant youth, making them accessible and appealing for this new generation.

‘[Snow White‘s] superpower remains her heart, you know, that’s always been the core of this story.

‘That’s always been the core of the Disney Company.’ 

Additionally, she emphasized that the forthcoming live-action movie is designed to appeal not just to kids, but also to the playful spirit within each one of us.

In the year 2022, during an interview with Extra TV at the D23 Expo, Zegler initially voiced her critique of David Hand’s original animated Snow White from 1937.

She described the movie as “remarkably outdated concerning female characters wielding power.” Additionally, she confessed that she’s watched it just a single time.

In a recent interview, Zegler stated, ‘The initial animated version was released in 1937, and it certainly shows its age. The storyline revolves heavily around a man who, quite strangely, stalks her. However, we chose to approach things differently for this adaptation.’

We employ an unusual narrative strategy, contrary to what many might guess based solely on the casting of a male lead in our film.

The ‘guy’ she is referring to, Andrew Burnap, plays a man named Jonathan.

‘All of Andrew’s scenes could get cut, who knows? It’s Hollywood, baby!’ Zegler joked.

Previously, as an ardent devotee, I too chose not to lend my voice to the cherished melody “Some Day My Prince Will Come,” hailing from the timeless 1937 masterpiece.

In a conversation with Variety in 2022, Zegler expressed that unlike before, we didn’t take that action this time. Originally, I was quite fearful of it. To be honest, I only watched it once and decided not to revisit it ever again.

Last year, during the Disney expo, Zegler stated that her character won’t be rescued by a prince. Instead of pining for true love, she will aspire to become the strong leader she believes she can become.

Later on, she excitedly shared with Varity that she’s envisioning herself as a leader, just like the one her father believed she could become if she was courageous, honest, and unyielding to fear. Her co-star Gadot stood nearby, smiling.

Meanwhile, a feud is also rumored to be ongoing between the West Side Story actress and Gadot.

It’s been reported that they share no significant similarities, with their age difference (Zegler being 23 while Gadot is 39) and contrasting political beliefs often cited as the reasons.

The Wonder Woman star was also absent from the film’s secret Spanish premiere last week.

As reported by PEOPLE, Gal has four children, whereas Rachel is currently at a distinct phase in her life.

‘On top of that, their political views differ, adding to the tension’.

Israeli-born Gadot, a former IDF member, has openly advocated for the liberation of Israeli captives. Conversely, Zegler has utilized her public profile to express solidarity with Palestine during the clashes in Gaza.

This divide has reportedly further fueled their feud.

Following a string of public relations issues, Disney decided to limit the number of Snow White premieres and instead organized a few closely monitored events.

Last Saturday, only a limited group of photographers were granted access to the Los Angeles premiere held at the iconic El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood.

In their casting process, the team only interacted with interviewers who worked for Disney, including Jodi Benson, the voice behind Ariel from Disney’s 1989 animation, The Little Mermaid.

Zegler and Gadot individually showed up, and they only took a limited amount of photos together with other actors and staff from the movie set.

At the screening, Rachel Zegler, who played a role in the 2021 reinterpretation of West Side Story, briefly acknowledged the criticism the film has faced, often labeled as ‘progressive’ due to its modernized adaptation of the storyline from Disney’s initial full-length movie, debuted in 1937.

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2025-03-22 20:19

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