The live-action version of one of Disney’s most beloved properties will premier this week to little fanfare as the studio goes into damage control after a production beset by controversy.

Disney will host a Hollywood premiere of Snow White on March 15.

But while it will feature the movie’s stars Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot, the usual throng of media outlets is not invited.

According to Variety, the studio scaled back its premiere plans amid controversies surrounding the Marc Webb-directed film, which opens in Australian cinemas on March 20.

The original 1937 Disney animated production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs made history as the first feature-length animated movie.

It was also the highest-grossing animated film for 55 years and, adjusted for inflation, is regarded is one of the top-10 performers at the North American box office.

However, Disney’s plan to reboot the classic story almost 90 years later has been harshly criticised by everyone from MAGA followers and diehard Disney fans to pro-Palestine campaigners and even Game of Thrones star Peter Dinklage.

These are the Snow White controversies that threaten to derail what was hoped would be a modern Disney classic.

Diverse casting

In 2022, when Latina actress Zegler (West Side Story) was cast as Snow White, far-right conservatives expressed outrage that a non-white actress would play the part, describing it as a ‘woke’ decision.

Rabid ‘traditionalist’ Disney ‘fans’ joined the angry online discourse by pointing out that Snow White’s name derived from her skin that was said to be ‘as white as snow’.

The backlash widened after comments from Zegler that the Snow White story would be modernised.

Calling the 1937 film ‘dated’ because the prince “literally stalks” Snow White, she said her Snow White was “not going to be dreaming about true love.”

Zegler opened up about the movie’s backlash in February, telling Vogue Mexico: “I interpret people’s feelings about this film as passion for it, and what an honour to be able to be a part of something that people are so passionate about.

“We’re not always going to have the same feelings as everyone around us and all we can do is give our best.”

The casting of Zegler as Snow White sparked an immediate backlash. Photo: Disney

Dwarf furore

Game of Thrones actor Peter Dinklage in 2022 described the plans for Snow White as “f–king backwards” for its treatment of little people in the movie.

Dinklage, who has a form of dwarfism called achondroplasia, Dinklage, accused Disney of double standards by choosing a racially diverse cast but maintaining other damaging stereotypes.

“I was a little taken aback by [the fact] they were very proud to cast a Latina actress as Snow White, but you’re still telling the story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” Dinklage told podcaster Marc Maron.

“You’re progressive in one way but you’re still making that f–king backward story of seven dwarves living in the cave … Have I done nothing to advance the cause from my soapbox? I guess I’m not loud enough,” he added.

Disney responded with a statement saying that: “To avoid reinforcing stereotypes from the original animated film, we are taking a different approach with these seven characters and have been consulting with members of the dwarfism community. We look forward to sharing more as the film heads into production after a lengthy development period.”

When the first teaser trailer was released in August, it was revealed that the dwarves would be CGI constructs, prompting another backlash from fans.

Israel v Palestine

Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman), who plays the Evil Queen, is Israeli and served two years in the Israel Defence Forces.

She has been a vocal supporter of Israel in its war in Gaza, particularly since the October 7 attacks.

The Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel has urged people to boycott Snow White over Gadot’s pro-Israel stance.

Zegler, meanwhile, has been visibly pro-Palestine, writing “free Palestine” on X after the first “Snow White” trailer was released online.

Ofir Akunis, Israel’s consul general in New York, accused Zegler of having little knowledge of the Middle East, adding: “Shame on her.”

In an apparent show of unity, Gadot and Zegler were paired together to present an award at last month’s Oscars, although viewers pointed out online that the pair seemed awkward in each others company.

Views pointed out the pair barely glanced at each other at the Oscars. Photo: The Academy

‘F–k Trump’

Zegler sparked a conservative backlash after US election by posting a series of Instagram stories criticising Donald Trump and his supporters.

“May Trump supporters and Trump voters and Trump himself may never know peace,” she said, calling his election victory an indication of a “deep sickness in this country.”

“F–k Donald Trump,” Zegler added, prompting conservative political commentator Megyn Kelly to call her a “pig” .

Zegler later later apologised for her posts in the face of right-wing fury, acknowledging that “hatred and anger have caused us to move further and further away from peace and understanding”.