The Walt Disney Company, a titan of the entertainment industry, has announced a dramatic pause in its ambitious slate of live-action remakes following the high-profile failure of its Snow White adaptation, starring Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot. The decision, which has sent ripples through Hollywood, marks a significant shift in strategy for a studio that has leaned heavily on reimagining its animated classics for modern audiences. The Snow White debacle, plagued by controversies, poor critical reception, and disappointing box office returns, has prompted Disney to reassess its approach to live-action adaptations, raising questions about the viability of such projects in an evolving cinematic landscape.

A Costly Misstep

Disney’s Snow White, released in early 2025, was poised to be a cornerstone of the studio’s live-action portfolio. With a reported budget of $270 million, the film was a lavish production featuring Zegler as the titular princess and Gadot as the Evil Queen. However, the film grossed just $143 million globally, a far cry from the studio’s expectations for a project of its scale. Posts on X described the film as “arguably the biggest failure in Disney history,” a sentiment echoed by industry analysts who pointed to a 66% drop in box office receipts after its opening weekend.

The film’s financial underperformance was compounded by its critical reception. Snow White earned a record-low 1.5/10 rating on IMDb, driven in part by review bombing but also reflective of broader dissatisfaction with the film’s creative choices. Critics and audiences alike criticized the adaptation for deviating significantly from the 1937 animated classic, with some accusing it of prioritizing political messaging over storytelling. “The film felt like a lecture, not a fairy tale,” wrote one prominent critic in a widely circulated review.

Controversies and Casting Backlash

The Snow White project faced scrutiny from its inception, with much of the controversy centered on Rachel Zegler’s casting and her public comments. Zegler, a rising star known for her role in West Side Story, was selected to portray Snow White, a decision that sparked debate among fans of the original film. Some criticized the casting as a departure from the character’s traditional depiction, while others defended Zegler, arguing that her talent and charisma made her a fitting choice.

Zegler’s remarks during promotional interviews further fueled the fire. She openly expressed disdain for aspects of the original Snow White story, describing it as outdated and suggesting that the remake would focus on a more empowered protagonist. “She dissed the old story and got backlash for it,” noted a post on X, capturing the polarized reactions to her statements. While Zegler’s intent may have been to highlight the film’s modernized narrative, her comments alienated a portion of Disney’s core audience, who viewed the remarks as dismissive of the studio’s legacy.

The casting of Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen was less controversial but failed to generate the anticipated buzz. Despite Gadot’s star power, her performance was overshadowed by the film’s broader issues, including a script that many described as uneven and overly ambitious in its attempt to blend nostalgia with contemporary themes.

Creative Missteps and Review Bombing

Beyond casting, Snow White struggled with its creative direction. Disney’s decision to reimagine the story with significant alterations—such as reducing the role of the seven dwarfs and emphasizing Snow White’s agency—drew mixed reactions. While some praised the attempt to update the narrative for a 21st-century audience, others felt the changes stripped the story of its timeless charm. “It’s not the Snow White we grew up with,” lamented one fan on X, echoing a common sentiment.

The film also became a lightning rod for broader cultural debates, with some accusing Disney of pandering to progressive ideals at the expense of universal appeal. This perception contributed to a coordinated review-bombing campaign on platforms like IMDb, where thousands of users posted low ratings before the film’s release. While review bombing is not uncommon for high-profile projects, the scale of the backlash against Snow White was unprecedented, further tarnishing its reputation.

Disney’s Live-Action Legacy

Disney’s live-action remakes have been a cornerstone of its strategy since the success of Alice in Wonderland (2010), which grossed over $1 billion worldwide. Subsequent adaptations, including Cinderella (2015), Beauty and the Beast (2017), and The Lion King (2019), delivered strong box office returns, reinforcing the studio’s commitment to reimagining its animated catalog. However, not all remakes have been unqualified successes. Films like Dumbo (2019) and Pinocchio (2022) received lukewarm responses, hinting at audience fatigue with the formula.

The Snow White failure has amplified concerns about the sustainability of Disney’s live-action model. The studio’s reliance on nostalgia, coupled with high production costs, has made these projects increasingly risky in a market where audiences are gravitating toward original content and franchise-driven blockbusters. “Disney’s been coasting on its brand for too long,” said one industry insider. “Snow White shows that even a beloved classic isn’t a guaranteed hit if the execution falters.”

The Decision to Pause

In response to Snow White’s underperformance, Disney has announced a temporary halt to its live-action remake pipeline. Projects that were in various stages of development, including rumored adaptations of Hercules, The Aristocats, and Tangled, have been shelved indefinitely. “Disney is putting a pause on live-action remakes after disappointing sales and reviews,” reported an X post, citing sources close to the studio.

The decision reflects a broader reassessment of Disney’s creative and financial priorities. Under the leadership of CEO Bob Iger, who returned to the company in 2022, Disney has faced pressure to streamline its operations and restore investor confidence. Iger’s tenure has been marked by challenges, including the underperformance of several high-profile projects and criticism of the company’s handling of cultural and political issues. Posts on X have been particularly harsh, with one user claiming, “Bob Iger has just about destroyed this storied company in nearly every conceivable manner.”

Disney’s pause on live-action remakes does not mean the studio is abandoning the genre entirely. Insiders suggest that the company is exploring ways to refine its approach, potentially focusing on lower-budget adaptations or projects that hew more closely to their animated predecessors. “They’re not done with live-action,” said an analyst. “But they’re realizing they can’t just throw money at these films and expect audiences to show up.”

Industry Implications

Disney’s decision has broader implications for Hollywood, where studios have increasingly relied on intellectual property and brand recognition to drive box office success. The Snow White failure underscores the risks of over-relying on nostalgia, particularly when adaptations stray too far from their source material or become embroiled in controversy. Competing studios, such as Universal and Warner Bros., may take note, reevaluating their own approaches to remakes and reboots.

The setback also raises questions about the role of social media in shaping a film’s fate. Platforms like X amplified the backlash against Snow White, with posts from influencers and fans shaping public perception long before the film’s release. While Disney has weathered controversies before, the speed and intensity of the Snow White backlash highlight the challenges of navigating a hyper-connected, polarized media landscape.

The Road Ahead

For Rachel Zegler, the Snow White failure is a setback but not a career-ender. The young actress, still in her early 20s, has several projects in the pipeline, including a role in the upcoming Y2K comedy. However, the intensity of the backlash has taken a toll, with some X posts describing her as “unrecognizable” in the wake of the film’s failure. Zegler has remained largely silent on social media, a departure from her previously outspoken persona.

Disney, meanwhile, is shifting its focus to other areas of its portfolio. The studio has a robust slate of animated films, Marvel projects, and Star Wars content planned for the coming years, which may help offset the loss of live-action remakes. Additionally, Disney+ remains a key pillar of the company’s strategy, offering a platform to monetize both new and classic content.

The Snow White saga serves as a cautionary tale for Disney and the broader entertainment industry. It underscores the delicate balance between innovation and tradition, as well as the challenges of adapting beloved stories for a new generation. As Disney pauses its live-action remakes, the studio faces a pivotal moment: whether to double down on its storied legacy or chart a bold new course in an uncertain future.

For now, the magic mirror on the wall has delivered a sobering verdict: even the fairest of tales can falter without the right touch.