In a recent turn of events, Disney found itself in the midst of controversy again as leaked images from the set of the live-action remake of “Snow White” sparked a heated debate about cultural appropriation and political correctness. The images, initially dismissed by Disney as fake, were later confirmed to be genuine but labeled as “not official.”
Snow White is a 19th century German fairy tale. The name literally refers to the character’s skin color. This is what actual cultural appropriation looks like. Probably the most blatant case we’ve seen yet. https://t.co/erALE33kj0
— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) July 14, 2023
The debate was ignited when conservative Daily Wire host Matt Walsh shared the headline from A.V. Club, which reported Disney’s flip-flopping response. Walsh’s tweet quickly gained traction, catching the attention of his 2.3 million followers. He expressed amusement at the situation, stating, “Photos from Disney’s woke ‘Snow White’ remake leaked. They were mocked so heavily that Disney panicked and claimed the pictures were fake.”
This is pretty hilarious. Photos from Disney’s woke Snow White remake leaked. They were mocked so heavily that Disney panicked and claimed the pictures were fake. A day later they had to admit that the photos are real just “not official.” pic.twitter.com/zS8XzZCR97
— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) July 16, 2023
Walsh criticized the leaked images for what he deemed to be a clear case of cultural appropriation. He argued that “Snow White” is a German fairy tale from the 19th century, suggesting that the character’s skin color is implied in the name itself. He further lambasted Disney for featuring a Hispanic lead and a diverse group of companions, labeling it as the most blatant example of cultural appropriation to date.
Accompanying Walsh’s tweet were photos obtained by the Daily Mail, showcasing actress Rachel Zegler as the lead Disney princess. The images depicted a visually distinct portrayal of the classic character, which intensified the ongoing discussion around the film.
Conservative commentators, including Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk and pundit Dana Loesch, echoed Walsh’s sentiments. They criticized the remake’s casting choices, highlighting the inclusion of a Hispanic Snow White and a reduced number of dwarfs, resulting in a “politically correct band of seven miners.”
Welcome to some of the first images from Disney’s live action remake of Snow White and her DEI Dwarfs. Snow White is played by a Hispanic actress and there’s only one dwarf and 6 full gown adults. Disney says it’s taking the casting of the film in a “new direction” to “avoid… pic.twitter.com/sqiRHkyf97
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) July 14, 2023
Snow White and the Seven Random Strangers She Met and Took Off With doesn’t have the same ring to it. pic.twitter.com/6pvPu2Izuj
— Orietta Rose 🇺🇲 (@0riettaRose) July 16, 2023
The controversy comes at a challenging time for Disney, as the company has reportedly suffered significant losses of around $900 million on their last eight releases. Critics argue that the studio’s focus on diversity and avoiding stereotype reinforcement may have led to creative decisions that failed to resonate with audiences.
Snow White is a 19th century German fairy tale. The name literally refers to the character’s skin color. This is what actual cultural appropriation looks like. Probably the most blatant case we’ve seen yet. https://t.co/erALE33kj0
— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) July 14, 2023
While the leaked images have stirred a fierce debate, Disney has yet to release an official statement addressing the situation or providing further details about the upcoming “Snow White” remake. As the film’s production continues, it remains to be seen how the controversy will impact the final product and Disney’s relationship with its audience.
Yes, it is racist to make Snow White not white, because they are treating the whiteness of the character as a flaw that needs to be fixed. pic.twitter.com/JM2LzFSAmK
— The Matt Walsh Show (@MattWalshShow) July 17, 2023
