The character of Snow White, as we know her, is set to undergo a significant transformation. The upcoming live-action adaptation of Disney’s iconic “Snow White” will feature a revamped storyline that will redefine the standard of being “the fairest of them all”. Rachel Zegler, known for her role in “West Side Story”, who will play Snow White, has revealed that the character will no longer be a mere beauty but a social activist.

A Snow White for the Modern Age

“Snow White” was first created 85 years ago, in a different era with a different perspective towards women and their roles in society. The idea of a woman being defined by her physical beauty is no longer relevant in our contemporary world.

During a recent interview at the D23 Expo, Zegler announced that Snow White will be reinterpreted as a feminist icon. “The reality is that the cartoon was made 85 years ago, and therefore it is extremely outdated when it comes to the ideas of women in roles of power and what a woman’s role in the world is,” she said.

“The Fairest of Them All” Gets a New Meaning

The reimagined Snow White will no longer be valued for her physical beauty. Instead, the focus will be on her sense of justice, reflecting the changing societal norms and ideas about women’s worth. “When we reimagine Snow White’s role, she becomes the fairest of them all, not in terms of physical beauty, but in fairness,” Zegler noted, referring to the original storyline in which the queen was threatened by Snow White’s surpassing beauty.

Zegler further shared her thoughts on Snow White’s character development in the movie. “The reality is, you know, Snow White has to learn many lessons about how to come into her own power before having power over a kingdom,” she added.

A Tale of Self-Reliance and Empowerment

In this new take on the classic tale, Snow White will not be a damsel in distress waiting for her prince to come. Instead, she will be a proactive character who sets her own terms. This approach to Snow White’s character echoes the sentiments expressed by Gal Gadot, the actress portraying the Evil Queen in the film. Gadot stated, “The fact that The Prince is not saving her, and she is the proactive one, is what makes it so relevant for today.”

The forthcoming movie will reinvent the traditional fairy tale where the beautiful maiden enamours the prince who saves her from death with a memorable kiss. The 2024 Snow White will be a feminist activist fighting for social justice and rescuing herself.

A Diverse Cast and Not-So-Typical Dwarfs

The upcoming Snow White adaptation won’t stop at redefining the title character. The film will also reimagine the famous “seven dwarfs”, turning them into diverse “forest creatures”. These changes reflect Disney’s efforts to create more inclusive and diverse narratives.

Only one of the characters will be played by a dwarf actor, while the others will be portrayed by a range of individuals representing various ethnicities and sexual orientations.

Scheduled for release on March 22, 2024, the Snow White adaptation is a part of Disney’s efforts to recreate all their animated films into live-action versions. Despite the potential box office risks, as experienced with other recent releases, Disney seems undeterred in its pursuit of reinventing classic tales for contemporary audiences.

Financial Risks and Expectations

Disney’s venture into reimagining its classic animated films into live-action versions is not without significant financial risks. Snow White’s production and marketing costs are projected to be around US$ 400 million, comparable to Disney’s previous project, “The Little Mermaid”, which resulted in a financial loss despite its hefty earnings at the box office.

The film giant has also faced financial setbacks with several other major releases this year, including “Indiana Jones 5”, “Elemental”, “Peter Pan & Wendy”, and “Ant-Man: Quantumania”. Their only profitable film this year has been “Guardians of the Galaxy 3”.

As of now, it seems the upcoming Snow White adaptation is poised to become another financial gamble for Disney. Whether this movie’s fresh take on the beloved character and its socially relevant themes can capture audiences’ hearts and wallets, remains to be seen.