Summary
The original Snow White director's son slams upcoming live-action Snow White movie, calling it a "disgrace" to the original film and a disrespect to his father's work.
He strongly opposes the "new and changed idea" behind the remake and feels offended by Disney's inclusion of "progressive ideas" in the narrative.
He argues that the recent movie shows a lack of reverence towards Disney's accomplishments and his father's legacy, speculating that both would express disapproval if they were still alive.
The upcoming live-action Snow White movie starring Rachel Zegler has received criticism from the son of the director of Disney's animated Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. David Hand, son of director David Hand, expressed his disapproval of the remake, considering it a "disgrace" to the original work. Hand finds it offensive that Disney is incorporating "woke things" into the new version, which he disagrees with.
Why Disney's Live-Action Snow White Is Already So Controversial
: I strongly disapprove of this entirely new concept, which my father and Walt would also vehemently object to. The drastic changes being made, both in terms of the storyline and the mindset of the characters, are simply unacceptable. Disney's attempt to incorporate novel woke elements does not resonate with me. To be honest, I find it somewhat offensive how they may have tampered with these timeless films. There seems to be a lack of respect for the accomplishments of Disney and my father. I believe that both Walt and he would be profoundly disappointed.Hand's remarks appear to echo some sentiments surrounding the upcoming live-action remake of Snow White and the modifications that Disney is implementing in comparison to its animated version. Apart from Zegler's casting, the narrative of Snow White is set to undergo changes, granting the eponymous character a more prominent and active role. Additionally, Disney is taking a different approach to the portrayal of the Seven Dwarves, prompted by remarks made by actor Peter Dinklage highlighting concerns about the original depiction being offensive.
Zegler herself has defended her casting and the updated story of the movie on numerous occasions. She has spread positivity amidst the backlash towards Snow White, sharing childhood pictures of herself dressed as various Disney princesses, including Snow White. However, the controversy surrounding Snow White shows no signs of waning, with pushback against the backlash and Hand's comments about the film fueling the fire.
Snow White's controversy mirrors that of Disney's live-action remake of The Little Mermaid, which faced criticism for casting Halle Bailey, a Black woman, as Ariel. Furthermore, Snow White has not yet released any footage, so the backlash against the film is solely based on statements made by Zegler, Gadot, and other individuals involved in the project. Although it is unlikely, the arrival of actual footage from the film may potentially alleviate some of the controversy surrounding Snow White.
Source: The Telegraph