Disney’s live-action Snow White remake continues to stir controversy, and this time, a satirical article suggesting Kevin Spacey would replace Rachel Zegler has only added fuel to the fire.
While the report originated from The Babylon Bee, a well-known satire site, the story quickly gained traction as Disney’s real-world struggles with the film’s production, casting, and reception remain a hot topic.
Satirical Story Sparks Online Reactions
The Babylon Bee’s article, joking that Kevin Spacey was being considered as a replacement for Zegler, was meant as a humorous dig at Disney’s handling of the film’s backlash.
The piece claimed that the company was running “damage control” following Zegler’s divisive comments about the 1937 animated classic, which she criticized for being outdated in its portrayal of women.
While the claim was obviously false, it highlighted a larger issue—many fans are unhappy with the film’s direction, and the controversy surrounding it doesn’t seem to be going away anytime soon.
The Real Controversy: Zegler’s Casting and Disney’s Modernization
From the beginning, Disney’s decision to cast Rachel Zegler, a Latina actress, as Snow White sparked heated debates. Critics argued that the move strayed too far from the original fairy tale, while others supported the inclusive casting choice.
Adding to the fire, Zegler’s own comments about the 1937 film did little to ease tensions. She openly criticized the original movie, stating that:
“We’re not doing the love story. She’s not going to be saved by the prince. She’s the leader her people need.”
While some fans appreciated the attempt to modernize the character, others saw it as disrespecting a beloved classic.
Disney’s “Woke” Overhaul of the Seven Dwarfs
Beyond casting changes, Disney also redesigned the seven dwarfs, turning them into “magical creatures” of various races, genders, and heights, allegedly to avoid reinforcing stereotypes.
However, critics, including actor Peter Dinklage, pointed out the hypocrisy in altering the characters while still calling it “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.”
The backlash prompted Disney to go back to the drawing board, reportedly adding actual dwarf actors back into the film—but not before the internet had a field day mocking the changes.
Production Drama and On-Set Tensions
Adding to the film’s troubles, rumors of tensions between Rachel Zegler and co-star Gal Gadot (who plays the Evil Queen) have surfaced.
Reports suggest that Zegler’s attitude on set led to frustrations with cast and crew, further complicating the movie’s marketing efforts.
This has resulted in Disney downplaying the film’s promotional campaign, with fewer trailers, low-key premieres, and a general sense that the studio just wants to get it over with.
