Though the film is just getting ready to debut, Disney’s big-budget remake of Snow White is already a hot topic in the film world. Based on Walt Disney’s seminal classic, the remake has made waves for its reinvention of the story, its visuals, and a number of controversies. With so much discussion, many likely don’t realize how long it took to actually get the massive remake off the ground. From production delays to changes in leadership, Disney’s reimagining of its own classic overcame a bumpy road in order to come to fruition. However, the O.G. princess isn’t out of the woods yet, as it still has to prove itself at the global box office in the face of controversy.
‘Snow White’ was Originally Announced a Decade Ago
Many movies have found themselves lingering in development hell for some time. From Jurassic Park to Barbie and Disney’s own The Emperor’s New Groove, it is a common practice in Hollywood. Snow White found itself stuck in development for nearly 10 years. The Hollywood Reporter first broke the story back in October 2016. Though details were scarce back then, Disney had attached The Girl on the Train writer, Erin Cressida Wilson, as the film’s screenwriter, and had promised a slew of new songs. Meanwhile, La La Land and Broadway’s Dear Evan Hansen composers, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, were signed to write the new songs, while Wicked’s Marc Platt would produce. All would end up playing a role in the film’s production. However, the mantle of director had not yet been solidified, leading to the movie’s first delay.
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Noticeably absent from the press release was mention of a director, and like many films, it took some time to nail down Snow White’s. In fact, it was three years before there was even a hint of who might tackle the film. After Greta Gerwig was added to the writing team, Variety reported that Spider-Man director, Marc Webb, was in talks to oversee the production in 2019. Webb did officially sign on to direct the picture, and thus, one would assume that the creatives would be eager to get the production off the ground. Indeed, they were, and Disney set a date for work to begin on the film. Unfortunately, an unforeseen circumstance would not only delay production but shut down the entire world.
‘Snow White’ Faced Multiple Production Delays
When the world was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, countless movies and TV shows had to shut down production. Snow White was in a particularly off-putting situation, initially planned to release earlier in the decade, but, as we previously reported on Collider, the pandemic caused the film’s production to be delayed. It would be nearly two years before production finally got underway, shifting filming locations from Vancouver and Los Angeles to London. However, the film still had plenty of other hurdles ahead of it.
When the 2023 SAG/AFTRA strike hit Hollywood, the entertainment industry was once again at a standstill. As such, Snow White was delayed once again. As a response, Disney took a cautionary step in delaying the picture’s release from March 22, 2024, to March 21, 2025. The strike, of course, lasted 118 days, meaning shooting didn’t recommence for roughly six months. Finally, though, Snow White was ready to finish, bringing an end to a nearly decades-long journey. Even still, the film has one more giant challenge ahead of it, one that maybe its biggest yet.
‘Snow White’ Is Filled with Controversy
Delays aren’t the only production issue Snow White has faced. Ever since production began, the modern reinvention has been ripe with controversy, kickstarted when a set photo was released that seemingly replaced the seven dwarfs with individuals who were not living with dwarfism. As stated by the A.V. Club, this caused a slew of controversy from varying sides of the aisle. While Disney assured that the actors were only stand-ins, the first look at the characters only heightened the backlash. As stated by IndieWire, actor Peter Dinklage called out the company’s portrayal of the dwarf characters, leading Disney to pivot towards using CGI to create the characters as opposed to casting actual actors living with dwarfism. This move was also met with controversy for taking away valuable film roles from little people actors.
So much controversy prior to a film’s release certainly does not bode well for the movie’s box office performance, a challenge only made worse by the picture’s massive budget. The film is estimated to have cost more than $200 million to produce and reportedly needs to make about $340 million to break even. Considering the picture’s delays and controversies, many have projected that the film may lose money after so many years of production issues. Will Snow White whistle while it works box office magic, or will it bite the poison apple? We will soon find out when the movie hits theaters.
Snow White is scheduled to be released in theaters on March 22, 2025. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates!
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