In a recent episode of Real Time with Bill Maher, host Bill Maher and guest Piers Morgan delivered a scathing critique of Disney’s upcoming live-action remake of Tangled, reigniting debates over Hollywood’s trend of “woke” reinterpretations of classic animated films. Their discussion, sparked by the commercial and critical failure of Disney’s Snow White remake starring Rachel Zegler, reflects growing discontent among audiences and industry observers about the direction of these high-profile projects. The conversation, captured in a widely shared YouTube clip, has amplified calls for studios to reconsider their approach to remaking beloved stories.

The Snow White Debacle Sets the Stage

Disney’s live-action Snow White, released in 2024, was anticipated as a cornerstone of the studio’s ongoing effort to reimagine its animated classics for modern audiences. Starring Rachel Zegler as the titular princess, the film aimed to update the 1937 original with a feminist lens, emphasizing Snow White’s agency and independence. However, the project faced challenges from the outset. Zegler’s public comments dismissing the original fairy tale as outdated and “weird” drew ire from fans who cherished the classic. Coupled with a marketing campaign that leaned heavily into progressive themes, the film alienated a significant portion of its target audience.

Box office numbers tell a grim story. Snow White grossed just $120 million globally against a reported $200 million budget, falling far short of Disney’s expectations for a tentpole release. Critics were equally unkind, with a 32% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes reflecting widespread disappointment. Reviewers cited a lack of charm, tonal inconsistencies, and an overemphasis on political messaging as key flaws. Audience scores were even lower, with many expressing frustration that the remake strayed too far from the heart of the original.

Maher, never one to shy away from controversy, described the film as a “cautionary tale” for studios. “Disney took a story that’s been loved for generations and turned it into a lecture,” he said on his show. Morgan, a polarizing figure known for his outspoken views, echoed this sentiment, arguing that “people don’t go to the movies to be preached at—they want escapism, not ideology.” Their comments resonated with viewers, as the YouTube clip of their discussion garnered over 1.5 million views within days, fueling online debates about the state of Hollywood.

Tangled Remake Sparks Fresh Concerns

The Snow White flop has cast a shadow over Disney’s next live-action endeavor: a remake of Tangled, the 2010 animated hit based on the Rapunzel fairy tale. Announced in early 2025, the project is still in pre-production, but early reports suggest it will follow a similar playbook to Snow White, with a focus on modernizing the story to reflect contemporary values. While details remain scarce, leaked casting calls and concept art hint at significant changes to the original narrative, including a reimagined Rapunzel who is less reliant on Flynn Rider and more focused on self-empowerment.

Maher and Morgan seized on these reports to critique what they see as a broader pattern in Hollywood. “They’re taking these stories that worked perfectly and jamming them full of buzzwords—‘empowerment,’ ‘diversity,’ ‘inclusion’—without asking if it serves the story,” Maher said. Morgan went further, calling the approach “lazy” and accusing studios of pandering to a vocal minority rather than respecting the source material. Their remarks tapped into a growing sentiment among fans, many of whom have taken to social media to express skepticism about the Tangled remake.

Online platforms like X have become battlegrounds for this debate. Posts with hashtags like #SaveTangled and #NoWokeDisney have trended in recent weeks, with users sharing memes and petitions urging Disney to preserve the spirit of the original film. One widely circulated post read, “Tangled is about love, adventure, and finding yourself. Why does it need a ‘modern’ makeover? Leave it alone.” Another user lamented, “After Snow White, I’m scared for Rapunzel. Disney’s turning fairy tales into TED Talks.”

The “Woke” Hollywood Debate

The term “woke,” originally rooted in social justice activism, has become a lightning rod in discussions about entertainment. In the context of Hollywood, it refers to films and shows that prioritize progressive themes—such as gender equality, racial diversity, or environmentalism—sometimes at the expense of narrative coherence or audience expectations. While some praise this shift as a necessary evolution, others, including Maher and Morgan, argue it risks alienating viewers who seek entertainment over advocacy.

Disney is not alone in facing this criticism. Other studios have encountered backlash for similar approaches. Paramount’s Star Trek: Discovery and Amazon’s The Rings of Power have been accused of prioritizing ideology over storytelling, with mixed audience reception. Yet Disney, as a cultural juggernaut with a legacy of family-friendly classics, faces unique scrutiny. Its live-action remakes, including The Little Mermaid (2023) and Mufasa: The Lion King (2024), have sparked similar debates, though none have flopped as dramatically as Snow White.

Industry analysts point to a disconnect between studios and their audiences. “Disney seems to be designing these films for a specific demographic—young, urban, progressive—while underestimating the broader appeal of their classics,” said Dr. Emily Carter, a media studies professor at UCLA. “The original Tangled resonated because it balanced humor, romance, and heart. If the remake feels like a checklist of social issues, it could lose that magic.”

Audience Fatigue and Market Realities

The Snow White failure and the Tangled controversy highlight a broader issue: audience fatigue with remakes. Disney’s live-action slate, which includes The Jungle Book (2016), Beauty and the Beast (2017), and Aladdin (2019), has yielded mixed results. While earlier entries like Beauty and the Beast grossed over $1 billion, recent efforts have struggled to replicate that success. Mufasa: The Lion King, for instance, underperformed with $400 million globally, despite positive reviews.

This trend raises questions about the sustainability of Disney’s remake strategy. “Audiences are savvy—they can sense when a film is trying to sell them something,” said box office analyst Paul Dergarabedian. “After a string of disappointments, there’s less goodwill for these projects. People want innovation, not rehashes with a message.” The financial stakes are high: Disney’s parent company reported a $4 billion loss in its streaming division last year, putting pressure on theatrical releases to deliver.

Maher and Morgan’s critique also touches on a practical concern: the risk of diminishing returns. “You can’t keep milking the same stories and expect people to show up,” Maher said. “If you’re going to remake Tangled, make it fresh, not a soapbox.” Morgan suggested studios focus on original content, pointing to the success of films like Barbie (2023), which balanced social commentary with broad appeal.

Disney’s Response and the Road Ahead

Disney has remained tight-lipped about the Tangled remake, but sources within the studio suggest executives are reevaluating their approach in light of Snow White’s failure. An anonymous insider told Variety, “There’s a lot of soul-searching happening. The data shows audiences want stories that feel authentic, not engineered.” Some speculate Disney may scale back its live-action remake pipeline, focusing instead on original animated projects or sequels like Frozen 3.

The studio has faced similar crossroads before. After the underperformance of The Lone Ranger (2013) and John Carter (2012), Disney shifted gears, doubling down on Marvel and Star Wars acquisitions. Whether it can replicate that pivot remains to be seen. For now, the Tangled remake is moving forward, with a tentative release date of 2027, though casting and directorial choices are still under wraps.

A Cultural Flashpoint

The Maher-Morgan discussion has transcended entertainment, becoming a flashpoint in the broader culture war. For some, their critique reflects a legitimate concern about artistic integrity and audience respect. For others, it’s a reactionary push against progress, ignoring the need for diverse representation in media. Both sides have valid points: fairy tales have always evolved to reflect their times, but straying too far from their roots risks losing their timeless appeal.

As Hollywood navigates this divide, the Tangled remake will serve as a litmus test. Can Disney deliver a film that honors the original while resonating with modern audiences? Or will it repeat the mistakes of Snow White, further eroding trust in the studio’s vision? For now, fans are watching closely, and the voices of Maher, Morgan, and countless others on platforms like X ensure the debate will remain lively.

Conclusion

The backlash against Disney’s “woke” remakes, amplified by Bill Maher and Piers Morgan, underscores a pivotal moment for Hollywood. The failure of Snow White and the skepticism surrounding Tangled suggest audiences are demanding more than ideological updates to cherished stories. As studios grapple with these challenges, the industry may need to rethink its reliance on remakes, prioritizing creativity and authenticity over agendas. For Disney, the path forward is fraught but not insurmountable—if it can listen to its audience and rediscover the magic that made its classics endure.