Whether you like live-action adaptations of Disney classics or not, they're often a big deal for the company with the big ears. Whether it's The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, or even Beauty and the Beast, the studio is banking heavily on these reimaginings to attract large audiences to theaters. And it's working. While Mufasa: The Lion King was somewhat disappointing—it grossed $712 million compared to over $1.6 billion for its predecessor—it's clear that it's a profitable venture for the company. And in the event that the reception isn't exactly good, these projects have a prime spot in the Disney+ catalog. We can cite Pinocchio in 2022 or Lady and the Tramp two years earlier.
With Snow White, the company could find itself in a fine mess... Since its announcement, the project has been criticized from all sides, for its approach to the seven dwarfs as much as for its casting. Like The Little Mermaid before it, the film directed by Marc Webb has been disowned by some viewers for its casting choices. Rachel Zegler's statements on the need to reinvent mythology to adapt it to the contemporary era have also sparked a wave of indignation. The actress's Colombian origins are being singled out by some viewers, the same people who castigated Disney for giving the role of Ariel to Halle Bailey.
Behind the scenes, Disney has even made some major changes. Following statements by Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones) on the stereotypes conveyed by the 1937 animated film, the company had chosen to first bet on a name change by evoking magical beings (played by actors who did not suffer from dwarfism) before using digital effects to bring the princess's companions to life.
This decision was strongly criticized by several actors, who regretted seeing seven roles and therefore seven opportunities to play disappear. There are also the two actresses' obvious differences on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with Zegler having campaigned for a free Palestine while Gadot spoke at the Anti-Defamation League's annual summit: "I never imagined that on the streets of the United States and other cities around the world, you would see people not condemning Hamas, but celebrating, justifying, and cheering the massacre of Jews."
Disney in survival mode
Faced with this tense situation, to say the least, Mickey Mouse has taken radical measures. While the company defended its choices regarding the seven dwarfs, stating that it had worked closely with short people to avoid perpetuating clichés with these heroes, it has been more discreet on the other aspects. So, instead of the traditional epic premieres, where the press and many celebrities are invited, the Walt Disney Company will finally organize a discreet screening for those close to the film's cast and crew. According to Variety, a few photographers and a film crew are expected to immortalize the event. The film will be shown at the El Capitan theater, in the presence of Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot.
It's hard not to see this as a way for Disney to limit the damage and save precious promotional money, as well as to offer its project discreetly and away from controversy. The film reportedly cost more than $200 million, a high range for this kind of remake. With such a budget, the company has little room for error and will have to go well over $500 million to achieve profitability.
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