With just days to go before the release of its live-action Snow White remake, Disney is drastically reducing its usual Hollywood premiere spectacle. The studio is still hosting an event on March 15 at the El Capitan Theatre, but it won’t include the extensive red carpet and media presence typically associated with a major Disney release. Instead, only photographers and a house crew will be allowed to cover the event, with no traditional press interviews taking place.

Rachel Zegler singing the original song “Waiting on a Wish” from Disney’s Snow White live action remake – YouTube, Disney

Disney has not commented on this shift, but even Variety acknowledges that this decision comes amid ongoing controversy surrounding the film. The move follows months of backlash and marketing missteps, making it clear that Disney is playing defense as the film nears its March 21 theatrical release.

A Premiere Unlike Other Disney Films

In the past, Disney has gone all-out for live-action remakes, with elaborate red carpet events, numerous interviews, and a media blitz to build hype. The decision to scale back this aspect of Snow White signals a lack of confidence in the film’s reception.

For context, even underperforming Disney films have received full red carpet treatment.

Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen in Disney’s live-action SNOW WHITE. Photo courtesy of Disney. © 2024 Disney Enterprises Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Captain America: Brave New World, despite concerns over its potential box office performance, still had a high-profile rollout. Yet with Snow White, Disney is seemingly keeping things low-key. That’s a move that only raises more questions about the film’s prospects.

Rachel Zegler Remains Absent from U.S. Media

This premiere downgrade aligns with Disney’s broader approach to limiting Snow White’s exposure. As we previously reported, lead actress Rachel Zegler has been noticeably absent from American press appearances. Instead, Disney sent her on a scripted, highly controlled press tour in Japan, where she was unlikely to face tough questions about her past comments or the film’s creative direction.

Rachel Zegler singing in the Snow White Trailer – YouTube, Disney

This is a stark contrast to how Disney promotes its other high-profile films. Usually, the lead star is front and center in talk shows, interviews, and press junkets leading up to the release. The decision to keep Zegler largely away from the American media suggests the studio is trying to prevent further controversy.

Controversies Continue to Overshadow Snow White

The film has faced intense scrutiny from the start. Many long-time Disney fans expressed frustration over changes to the classic Snow White story, particularly the decision to replace the Seven Dwarfs with a mixed group of characters. Peter Dinklage criticized the original film’s portrayal of little people, leading Disney to overhaul that aspect of the movie, which only fueled further debate. When fans pushed back on the seven diverse individuals, they replaced then with seven CGI characters that have been the subject of fan ridicule.

Rachel Zegler as Snow White in Snow White (2025), Walt Disney Studios

Then there was Zegler’s own approach to the role. Her dismissive remarks about the 1937 animated film—including calling it dated and portraying the prince as a problematic stalker—sparked backlash. Many felt she was insulting the legacy of one of Disney’s most iconic films, further alienating audiences who might have otherwise been interested in the remake.

Beyond the film itself, Zegler has also been at the center of social media controversies. Past comments on political topics from the conflict in the Middle East to President Trump’s re-election have fueled even more division.

Box Office Expectations Remain Grim

Despite the reduced premiere event, Disney still hopes Snow White can pull in strong numbers. However, industry estimates remain unimpressive, with projections placing its opening weekend between $48 million and $58 million. If these numbers hold, it would rank among Disney’s lowest live-action openings in recent years.

Rachel Zegler as Snow White in Disney’s live-action SNOW WHITE. Photo courtesy of Disney. © 2024 Disney Enterprises Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Adding to concerns, the film’s presence in key theaters is much smaller than expected. At Disney Springs AMC in Orlando, a venue on Walt Disney World property known for showcasing Disney films prominently, Snow White is only being allocated a handful of screens. This limited theatrical rollout suggests Disney isn’t expecting a surge of demand, even in its own backyard theater.

What This Means for Snow White and Disney’s Future

Scaling back a Hollywood premiere is not something Disney does lightly. This decision, combined with Zegler’s limited press appearances and the film’s underwhelming box office projections, paints a clear picture: Disney is trying to minimize damage.

This latest move reinforces the ongoing struggles of Disney’s live-action remakes. Once seen as easy box office wins, these films are no longer guaranteed successes. If Snow White underperforms as expected, it could force Disney to rethink its approach to these remakes.

(L-R): Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen and Rachel Zegler as Snow White in Disney’s live-action SNOW WHITE. Photo courtesy of Disney. © 2024 Disney Enterprises Inc. All Rights Reserved.

With just days left until release, Disney seems to be bracing for impact rather than celebrating a major theatrical event. The question now is whether Snow White can overcome its rocky lead-up, or if it will cement itself as yet another cautionary tale in Disney’s recent string of misfires.