Son Of 1937 ‘Snow White’ Director Criticizes Live-Action Remake With Rachel Zegler For Being ‘Insulting’

Aug 22, 2023 by apost team

While David Hale Hand, 91, carries the legacy of his father, David Dodd Hand, the co-director of the 1937 animated movie "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," he wouldn't be among the moviegoers watching when Disney's live-action remake of the classic arrived in the theaters. 

A former Disney designer, David criticized the film for its departure from the original concept and accused Disney of being too radical in its approach. In an exclusive with The Telegraph, he voiced concern that the remake lacks respect for the work of his father and Walt Disney. He also said that his father and Disney would be "turning in their graves" if they knew what was being done to the remake.  

The movie, set to come out in theaters in 2024, has already ignited a culture war over its changes to the beloved original. The new film has faced criticism from both old and young audiences alike.

The casting of Latina star Rachel Zegler in the titular role drew backlash from conservative critics due to the character's original description as having "skin as white as snow." Additionally, the decision to transform the seven dwarfs into a diverse collection of magical creatures with varying sizes and genders raised concerns.

However, the controversy escalated when old comments from Zegler resurfaced, in which she expressed her disapproval of the original film's portrayal of women and love stories. Zegler stated in a 2022 interview that her version of the iconic character would not be dreaming of true love but rather of becoming a fearless and fair leader, deviating from the traditional narrative. 

While some argued that Zegler's take on “Snow White” was a refreshing departure from the traditional damsel-in-distress narrative, others contended that her perspective did not resonate with the essence of the original story.

"They change the stories, they change the thought processes of the characters, they just aren’t the original stories anymore," David said. "They’re making up new woke things and I’m just not into any of that."

“I find it quite frankly a bit insulting that they may have done with some of these classic films," he added. "There’s no respect for what Disney did and what my dad did... I think Walt and he would be turning in their graves.”

In his younger years, David had the opportunity to meet Adriana Caselotti, the original star of "Snow White," and he believes that she would be unsettled by the notion that her character lacked a feminist perspective. He conveyed that Caselotti took immense pride in her role and regarded it as a source of lifelong joy, embodying the character's essence throughout her life. 

​​Advocating for creative innovation over remaking established classics, David also stressed the importance for studio executives to explore fresh ideas instead of reimagining cherished old and successful films. The 1937 original is a celebrated film, hailed as a groundbreaking animation and became the cornerstone of Disney's success. 

The director’s son emphasized that the studios should refrain from altering the essence of a classic to fit their own vision. He also urged them to consider creating entirely new characters, if necessary, while preserving the integrity of beloved works.

Amid the heated discourse, Zegler responded on social media by urging kindness and empathy. She stated that the world needs to become kinder and encouraged her followers to treat each other with patience and love. Disney remained tight-lipped about the controversy, and fans eagerly awaited more information about the 2024 film. 

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