Disney has officially revealed the first trailer for its highly anticipated live-action remake of the classic fairy tale Snow White, which set to hit theaters on March 21, 2025. The film, directed by Marc Webb and starring Rachel Zegler in the title role, has been generating buzz since the casting announcement in 2021.
The trailer, was officially revealed at the D23 Expo on August 10, 2024. It showcases Rachel Zegler's portrayal of the iconic princess and Gal Gadot's chilling performance as the Evil Queen. The film, co-written by Greta Gerwig and Erin Cressida Wilson, promises to bring a fresh and modern take on the beloved story while staying true to its roots.
“I just mean that it's no longer 1937,” Rachel Zegler said in an interview with Variety. “We absolutely wrote a ‘Snow White' that … she's not going to be saved by the prince, and she's not going to be dreaming about true love; she's going to be dreaming about becoming the leader she knows she can be and that her late father told her that she could be if she was fearless, fair, brave and true.”
Rachel's comments have sparked some controversy, with some fans arguing that her efforts to make Snow White more feminist could inadvertently assigning antifeminist sentiment to the character. However, others have come to her defense, praising her for bringing a new perspective to the classic tale.
Rachel Zegler admitting she didn't like Snow White growing up, saying she had only watched it ONCE before getting the role is so sad to me,” one Twitter user wrote. “I hope she grows to love the character and story as much as we do.
Rachel Zegler's Co-stars, Composer, Budget & More in Snow White 2025
The film's cast also includes Andrew Burnap as Jonathan, a new character created for the remake, and Martin Klebba as Grumpy, one of the seven dwarfs. The decision to use computer animation for the dwarfs has also been a topic of discussion, with some praising the move as a way to avoid perpetuating stereotypes and others criticizing it as a departure from the original.
To prevent the reinforcement of stereotypes from the original animated feature, we are adopting a new approach for these seven characters and have been consulting with individuals from the dwarfism community”
– Disney said in a statement.
Despite the controversies, the film's production has been moving forward. Filming took place primarily at Pinewood Studios in England from March to July 2022, with additional filming and pick-ups taking place in June 2024. The film's budget has already reached $209.3 million (£150.5 million), according to Forbes.
Read More Like This:
The trailer has been met with excitement from fans, who are eager to see Rachel's take on the classic character. The film's soundtrack, composed by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, is also generating buzz, with the duo known for their work on “Dear Evan Hansen” and “The Greatest Showman.”
“We have a different approach to what I'm sure a lot of people will assume is a love story just because we cast a guy in the movie,” Rachel Zegler said in an interview with Extra TV. “It's really not about the love story at all, which is really, really wonderful.”
The film's release date has been pushed back from March 22, 2024, to March 21, 2025. Likely due to the SAG-AFTRA strike and the need to rework the story. However, Disney remains optimistic about the film's potential success, with a select few being shown very short clips at the Santander theater in Sao Paulo on April 11, 2024.
As the release date approaches, fans can expect to see more promotional material and behind-the-scenes footage from the film. The cast and crew have been sharing their excitement on social media, with Rachel Zegler posting a photo of herself in costume on Instagram with the caption, “The fairest of them all.”
In conclusion, Disney's live-action remake of “Snow White” is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated films of 2025. With Rachel Zegler's powerful performance, Gal Gadot's chilling portrayal of the Evil Queen, and a fresh take on the classic story, the film promises to captivate audiences of all ages. As the release date draws closer, fans can look forward to more updates and sneak peeks of this magical adaptation.