Disney’s live-action remake of Snow White is sparking controversy again, this time over an extensive list of trigger warnings ranging from “a woman deliberately poisoned” to “a girl is surrounded by ominous trees.”
The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) has posted a lengthy list of disclaimers for audiences, prompting debate about whether these warnings help potential viewers deciding on whether to take their children to the remake.
The new film, which reportedly cost around $380 million to make, has been in the spotlight for months.
It swapped out the original Seven Dwarfs for a diverse group of “magical creatures” and features a leading lady, Rachel Zegler, 23, who has been vocal about rejecting some of the 1937 animated version’s older storytelling elements.
Gal Gadot, 39, stars as the Wicked Witch, although rumours suggest she and Zegler have had a chilly relationship on set.
Among the BBFC’s warnings are statements that “A couple gently kiss and are teased about being in love, a character threatens to shove something up another’s backside during a comic exchange, and skeletal remains lie on the floor of a dungeon.”
The advisory also notes that “A man is shot in the chest with an arrow,” while the film includes “brief sword fights” and a scene in which “a woman is deliberately poisoned.”
One of the more unexpected warnings informs audiences that “Characters drink alcohol briefly at a party.”
The controversy is not limited to Snow White.
Wicked, another big-budget adaptation of a stage musical starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, had also been issued a significant amount of warnings.
The BBFC warnings included discrimination against “a green-skinned woman,” who is “mocked, bullied, and humiliated because of her skin colour,” as well as the persecution of “talking animals.”
Zegler, best known for her role in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story, was quick to distance herself from the classic Snow White storyline.
Speaking to Variety, she admitted that she never felt comfortable with the 1937 original’s emphasis on a “love story with a guy who literally stalks her.”
She said she refused to sing the famous Someday My Prince Will Come, describing it as “weird” and out of step with modern views on women’s roles.
“We didn’t do that this time,” said Zegler, referring to the perceived sexism of the original.
“I was scared of the original version. I think I watched it once and never picked it up again. My character is not going to be saved by the prince. She’s not going to be dreaming about true love. She’s dreaming about becoming the leader she knows she can be.”
Zegler also said Snow White is pursuing her own ambitions rather than waiting to be rescued.
According to Zegler, the film moves away from the idea of romance and leans toward a coming-of-age tale, with the princess trying to honour her late father’s wishes to be “fearless, fair, brave, and true.”
Amid these story changes, Disney has faced criticism for adjusting the original fairy tale’s Seven Dwarfs.
The film now features an ethnically and physically diverse ensemble of “magical creatures,” with some fans calling it progressive and others calling it disrespectful to the original movie.
Meanwhile, reports of a feud between Zegler and Gadot have only fuelled the film’s turbulent press tour.
A source told People magazine the two have “nothing in common,” pointing to their 16-year age gap and significant differences in their political views.
Israeli-born Gadot, who served in the Israel Defence Forces, has publicly supported the release of Israeli hostages in the current conflict.
Zegler has shown solidarity with Palestinians on social media.
Observers suggest this ideological divide may be one reason Gadot was noticeably absent from the film’s secret premiere in Spain.
With so many controversies swirling, Disney has scaled back its promotional events.
The official US premiere saw only a few photographers allowed on the red carpet, and interviewers were mostly Disney insiders.
Jodi Benson, best known as the voice of Ariel from Disney’s 1989 animated film The Little Mermaid, handled some of the cast Q&As.
At the Hollywood screening, Zegler briefly acknowledged the backlash but did not delve into details.
She focused on how the new film modifies the original storyline and pledged her commitment to retelling Snow White through a “contemporary lens.”
While the cast showed a united front, the discussions around “woke” changes, feuds, and now elaborate trigger warnings persist.
Some critics see these developments as a natural evolution of storytelling, reflecting changing social attitudes.
Others argue that Disney is alienating fans of the classic film by stripping away much of its original charm and treating certain time-honoured scenes as too outdated.
What seems certain is that Snow White, set to open in theatres next week, will be accompanied by reminders that older movies, no matter how beloved, may no longer fit modern expectations.
In the midst of all this, Disney has remained relatively quiet, declining to speak in-depth about its creative decisions.