Disney Quietly Fixes Snow White's Biggest Problem For Future Live-Action Films

Pedro Alvarez

5 min read

Post on May 14, 2025

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The Problem with the Original Snow White's Portrayal

The original animated Snow White film, while a beloved classic, presents a problematic depiction of its heroine. Criticisms largely center around two key areas: Snow White's passive nature and the prince's questionable actions.

Passive and Damsel-in-Distress Trope

Snow White's character in the original film is largely passive. She is frequently depicted as a victim, relying on others for her survival and happiness. This reinforces the outdated damsel-in-distress trope, a narrative that is increasingly criticized for its negative impact on modern audiences.

• Examples of Snow White's passivity:
  • She passively awaits rescue from the prince after being poisoned.
  • She shows little agency in escaping her stepmother's clutches.
  • Her primary function within the narrative is to be rescued and admired.

This portrayal fosters an unhealthy view of female roles, suggesting that women are inherently weak and require male intervention to overcome obstacles. Such a narrative is deemed problematic in the contemporary landscape.

The Prince's Problematic Actions

The prince's actions in the original Snow White also raise significant ethical concerns. His approach to "rescuing" Snow White can be interpreted as coercive, if not predatory.

• Questionable behaviors:
  • He enters her bedroom without permission, while she is unconscious.
  • He kisses her without her consent.
  • His actions are driven more by lust than genuine concern for her well-being.

These actions present a problematic romantic ideal, normalizing behavior that would be unacceptable in today's society. The lack of agency for Snow White, coupled with the prince's actions, creates a narrative that has rightly attracted much criticism.

Disney's Subtle but Significant Changes in the Live-Action Remake

Disney's live-action Snow White attempts to address these criticisms through a series of subtle but significant alterations, primarily focusing on the portrayal of Snow White and, to a lesser extent, the Prince.

Rachel Zegler's Proactive Snow White

The casting of Rachel Zegler as Snow White is itself a pivotal change. Zegler's portrayal offers a departure from the passive damsel of the original. This Snow White is more proactive, independent, and determined.

• Examples of Snow White's agency:
  • She actively participates in her own rescue.
  • She shows resilience and strength in the face of adversity.
  • She challenges societal norms and expectations.

This proactive Snow White establishes a more positive and empowering female role model for young audiences, effectively addressing the "damsel in distress" criticism.

Reimagining the Prince's Role

While the live-action remake does not drastically alter the prince’s overall narrative role, his characterization demonstrates a more cautious and respectful approach compared to the original. Subtle changes in his interactions with Snow White attempt to soften the potentially problematic elements of his previous behavior, shifting the focus towards a more consensual relationship. However, whether these subtle adjustments are sufficient to fully address the previous criticisms remains open to interpretation.

A More Modern Narrative

The overall narrative arc of the live-action Snow White presents a more nuanced and progressive storyline. It attempts to modernize the tale, providing a more contemporary and relatable story for a modern audience.

• Progressive storytelling elements:
  • The film adds layers of complexity to the characters, exploring their motivations in more depth.
  • It acknowledges the problematic elements of the original story without entirely discarding its classic charm.
  • The narrative arc emphasizes themes of self-discovery, empowerment, and female friendship.

The Implications for Future Disney Live-Action Films

The changes made in the live-action Snow White remake represent a significant step forward for Disney in addressing criticisms and updating classic fairytales for a more modern, progressive, and inclusive audience.

Setting a New Standard

This revised portrayal of Snow White sets a new standard for Disney's future live-action adaptations. It signals a willingness to re-evaluate classic narratives and address problematic elements in their storytelling.

• Influence on future princesses: This approach could encourage similar re-evaluations of other Disney princesses, such as Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and Ariel, offering more nuanced and empowering portrayals.

Addressing Representation and Inclusivity

By creating a more active and independent Snow White, Disney contributes significantly to creating a more inclusive and representative depiction of female characters in media.

• Positive role models: This portrayal of a strong, independent female character offers a much-needed positive role model for young girls and women. Such positive representation is crucial for promoting healthier views of gender roles and capabilities.

Conclusion

Disney's live-action Snow White successfully addresses many of the problematic aspects of the original animation. By presenting a more proactive Snow White and re-evaluating the prince’s role, Disney has made significant steps toward creating a more nuanced and progressive narrative. This approach sets a positive precedent for future live-action adaptations, encouraging the company to critically examine its classic stories and adapt them for modern audiences while maintaining their inherent magic. Watch the live-action Snow White and join the discussion on Disney's handling of Snow White's problems in its live-action remake—Disney's progressive approach to Snow White is a significant development for the future of fairytale adaptations. Let's continue the conversation about how Disney can continue to modernize its classic tales and create more positive and representative characters for future generations.