Summary:
- Rachel Zegler announced that the live-action Snow White will change the character’s origin story, naming her after surviving a snowstorm to highlight her resilience.
- This shift has sparked controversy, particularly around Zegler’s casting as a Latina actress, but the original 1937 film will still be available.
Rachel Zegler, the star of the upcoming live-action Snow White, has revealed that the film will alter an aspect of her character’s origin story.
Directed by Marc Webb, this remake of the 1937 animated classic is the latest addition to Disney‘s series of live-action adaptations. The film also features Gal Gadot, Andrew Burnap, and Lorena Andrea, and follows Zegler’s Snow White as she meets seven quirky dwarves while being pursued by her evil stepmother, the Queen.
In a recent interview with Variety, Zegler shared that the remake will change the reason behind Snow White’s name. In the original film, she was called Snow White because she had “skin as white as snow,” but the new version will introduce a different inspiration for the name. Check out Zegler’s comment below:
“It fell back to another version of ‘Snow White’ that was told in history, where she survived a snowstorm that occurred when she was a baby. And so the king and queen decided to name her Snow White to remind her of her resilience. One of the core points in our film for any young woman or young person is remembering how strong you actually are.”
#1. Snow White’s Origin Story Change: A Compelling Shift in Narrative Perspective
The Snow White remake has faced controversy since its announcement, much of which has been directed at Rachel Zegler.
As a Latina actor cast in the lead role, Zegler has encountered backlash related to her ethnicity, especially since the original 1937 animated film depicted Snow White as having very fair skin.
Additionally, Zegler’s promise to modernize the character—making Snow White more of a leader and less dependent on her true love—has also sparked criticism.
The news that the film will change the origin of Snow White’s name is likely to further fuel the outrage among those who are already upset.
It’s also unclear which version of Snow White Zegler is referencing; while the 1937 film is based on the 1812 fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm, there have been suggestions that the Grimms were inspired by historical figures, such as the Spanish countess Margaretha von Waldeck from the 16th century.
#2. Our Take On Snow White’s Origin Story Change
With Zegler leading the cast of the Snow White remake, it makes practical sense for the film to alter her origin story. This change appears to support the movie‘s themes of empowerment and self-discovery.
If the story focuses on how a young woman becomes a leader, an origin involving a traumatic snowstorm could be more meaningful than simply naming her based on her appearance.
However, it’s understandable that not everyone is pleased with changes to one of Disney’s most beloved animated classics. Remakes must balance capturing the magic of the original while also feeling fresh.
The good news for those resistant to these changes is that the 1937 film will still be available to stream on Disney+ for the foreseeable future. As for the remake, it remains to be seen how audiences will react when it releases next year, but it is sure to provoke mixed opinions.
