Disney has unveiled the first trailer for its live-action Snow White remake as well as taking a closer look at the controversial CGI dwarf at D23.
While some elements of the film’s material are strong – such as lush, storybook visual style and Zegler’s voice – the dwarfs have been branded ‘scary’ and ‘unsettling’ at first sight.
Billed as the ultimate fan event, D23 saw the company treat guests to almost three hours of announcements, teasers, exclusive clips and live performances from a wide array of movie universes on Saturday night, with the climax of the evening finally revealing the dwarfs in action.
Guests, included Metro.co.ukgot to see the long-awaited film’s teaser trailer first, ahead of its delayed 2025 release, as well as an exclusive look at leading lady Rachel Zegler in action as the titular princess, who sings Whistle While You Work.
West Side Story star Zegler, 23, called playing Snow White the ‘honour of a lifetime’ on stage before showing material from the film, while Wonder Woman actress Gal Gadot – who plays the iconic Evil Queen – described the role as “very different than ” whatever I have done before’.
‘He’s delicious, he’s wicked, he’s magical – we got to sing all these different songs – it’s amazing.’
In the sneak peak of Whistle While You Work, which Zegler introduced as a ‘classic’ on stage, fans saw the actress in costume, the faithful Sandy Powell in her original blue, yellow and red dress, and her hair in a bob. .
Snow White encourages the dwarves to clean the cottage with the help of helpful forest creatures in the number, which has been given a fresher twist through more optimistic theater and musical theater.
Zegler received praise for her beautiful and confident singing from the audience, but fans were less effusive about their reaction to the seven dwarfs.
Disney has called the remake ‘a magical musical adventure journeying back to a timeless story.’
First thought to be a ‘diversified magical creature’ after photos leaked that appeared to show actors of various ethnicities filming the role in Bedfordshire in July 2023, the first images followed in October showing Snow White. surrounded by seven dwarfsmade in CGI.
The look and colors of the remake that match the painting are on full display in the extended song sequence shown at D23, with the dwarves looking very much like their animated counterparts from the 1937 version: Doc, Dopey, Grumpy, Bashful, Happy. , Sleepiness and Sneezing.
Grumpy, in particular, is easy to pick out because of his red tunic, scowl and resemblance to the original character.
Dopey is also a fast spot because of his long green robe and younger face, as well as when he clumsily dances on top of the table.
However, this did not impress some fans.
‘The seven dwarves from the live action Snow White give it an incredible valley effect. Please don’t,’ complained @nateyagi from the character’s face.
‘Literally why didn’t they get real people?? This looks so weird and unsettling, I hate it,’ @Mediocre Menace posted on X, adding: ‘We could have had a peak but these CGI monsters are holding it back.’
Richard Hudson quipped: ‘God, they look like Shrek characters lol.’
Meanwhile, Kaityln observed that the dwarves were ‘giving them the Polar Express’, while @Mxjay-jay asked: ‘Why can’t they hire real actors?’
However, others jumped to the character’s defence, with @drewlymadly_dply pointing out: ‘He looks good to me… not very human to freak me out.’
‘No one complains when they’re the people they are now, they’re angry, I don’t know (sic),’ observed @jslii.
Before the leaked photos, Game Of Thrones star Peter Dinklage heavily criticized Disney’s decision to remake Snow White – especially as a ‘progressive’ company.
The American star, who has achondroplasia, was called ‘f***ing backwards’.
Snow White’s teaser trailer opens with an image of the dwarfs’ cabin through the forest, before showing a shadow and a glimpse of her creating the famous image of the animated version walking on a log.
(Image: Walt Disney Studios)
Gadot, 39, is also seen in her full glory as the Evil Queen demanding the Magic Mirror tell her ‘who is the most beautiful of them all’, as well as a brief glimpse of her in old hag form.
Snow White is seen dreaming by the well that she wishes for, just like the real thing, and then she is rescued from getting lost in the unforgiving forest by a deer that comes out of the shadows.
The trailer ends with a flash of Snow White approaching to take the poisonous red apple from Gadot’s old witch’s hand.
Snow White, directed by The Amazing Spider-Man filmmaker Marc Webb, is based on the old Brothers Grimm fairy tale, although Andrew Burnap plays a new male character called Jonathan, who replaces the traditional Prince Charming.
The musical version of the story, as well as the song featured in the 1937 film, features a new song written by La La Land songwriters Benj Pasek and Justin Paul.
Have a story?
If you have a celebrity story, video or picture, please contact the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE: Hollywood stars who are younger than you think because they’ve been around for so long
MORE: All the Pitbull memes have us wondering – what Mr. Worldwide is up to these days
MORE: Christian Bale’s ‘horrifying and terrifying’ ’00s film is now on Netflix
