Disney’s Snow White (2025): A Modern Take on the Classic Fairy Tale

Disney’s Snow White (2025): A Modern Take on the Classic Fairy Tale

Introduction

Disney’s live-action remake of Snow White is set to hit theaters on March 21, 2025, bringing a fresh perspective to the beloved 1937 animated classic. With Rachel Zegler taking on the role of Snow White and Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen, this adaptation aims to modernize the timeless fairy tale while staying true to its enchanting roots.

A Look at Snow White Across Languages

Before we dive into the new adaptation, let’s take a moment to appreciate the incredible talent behind Snow White's voice across different languages in Disney’s history:

• English (1937): Adriana Caselotti
• French (1962): Lucie Dolène
• German (1966): Christa Ludwig
• Italian (1938): Rosetta Calavetta
• Spanish (1964): Teresa María
• Japanese (1958): Sayuri Yoshinaga
• Thai (2001): Patcha Anek-ayuwat

These actresses helped bring Snow White to life for audiences around the world, making the story truly universal.

Disney's 2025 live-action

Disney's 2025 live-action adaptation of Snow White features a diverse array of talent for the titular character across various languages. Below is a list of known actresses providing Snow White's voice in different language versions:

• English: Rachel Zegler (speaking & singing)
• French: Emmylou Homs (speaking & singing) - Also singing "Anna in Frozen"
• German: Sophia Riedl (singing) - Also singing "Arielle"
• Italian: Eleonora Segaluscio (singing)
• Japanese: Kiryu Sakura / 吉柳咲良 (speaking & singing)
• Kazakh: Jarqynai Hanaiym / Жарқынай Ханайым (speaking & singing)
• Polish: Katarzyna Sawczuk (singing)
• Romanian: Adina Răducan (speaking & possibly singing)
• Serbian: Katarina Bogićević / Катарина Богићевић (speaking & singing)
• Slovak: Natália Kóšová (speaking & singing)
• Slovene: Saša Lešnjek (speaking & singing)
• Spanish (Castilian): Laura Pastor (speaking) & Anabel García (singing)
• Thai: "Bow" Melada Susi / "โบว์" เมลดา สุศรี (speaking & singing)
• Turkish: Selen Severcan (speaking & singing)

Please note that this list is based on available information and may not be exhaustive. 

Rachel Zegler, speaking & singing in English version

Emmylou Homs, speaking & singing in French version

Sophia Riedl, singing in German version

Eleonora Segaluscio, singing in Italian version

Kiryu Sakura / 吉柳咲良speaking & singing in Japanese version

Jarqynai Hanaiym / Жарқынай Ханайым, speaking & singing in Kazakh version 

Katarzyna Sawczuk, singing in Polish version

Adina Răducan, speaking & possibly singing in Romanian version 

Katarina Bogićević / Катарина Богићевић, speaking & singing in Serbian version

Natália Kóšová, speaking & singing in Slovak version

Saša Lešnjek, speaking & singing in Slovene version

Laura Pastor, speaking in Spanish (Castilian) & Anabel García (singing)

"Bow" Melada Susi / "โบว์" เมลดา สุศรี, speaking & singing in Thai version

Selen Severcan, speaking & singing in Turkish version

What to Expect from the 2025 Remake

🍎 Production and Cast

The film, directed by Marc Webb, has been in development since 2016. Rachel Zegler (West Side Story) stars as Snow White, while Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman) steps into the role of the Evil Queen. A new character, Jonathan, played by Andrew Burnap, has been introduced to the story. The film will feature original songs written by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (known for The Greatest Showman and La La Land).

🍎 New Song: 'Waiting On A Wish'

One of the highlights of the 2025 Snow White is the brand-new song "Waiting On A Wish", performed by Rachel Zegler. Written by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, this song is expected to be a defining moment for Snow White, capturing her hopes and dreams in a more modern and empowering way. Fans are excited to see how this new addition will complement the classic songs from the original film.

🍎 Returning & Additional Songs

• It is currently unclear whether classic songs like "Someday My Prince Will Come" or "Whistle While You Work" will be included. However, Disney has confirmed the movie will feature several new songs in addition to "Waiting On A Wish".
• Pasek and Paul have described their approach as blending "timeless Disney magic" with a contemporary storytelling style.

🍎 Behind-the-Scenes Insights

• Rachel Zegler has spoken about her preparation for the role, including vocal training and working closely with Disney’s animation team to capture the essence of Snow White.
• Gal Gadot underwent extensive voice training for her musical numbers as the Evil Queen, marking her first major singing role.
• Director Marc Webb has stated that he aimed to create a visually stunning, character-driven version of Snow White while keeping the fairytale’s heart intact.

🍎 Controversies and Reactions

This remake has sparked discussions and debates, including:

• Casting Controversy: Some fans criticized the casting of Rachel Zegler, who is of Colombian-American descent, arguing that it diverges from Snow White’s traditional depiction.
• Modern Take on the Story: Zegler has spoken about updating the character, calling the original Prince "a stalker" and emphasizing Snow White’s independence in this version.
• Content Warnings: The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) has issued warnings for ominous trees and scary sequences, indicating a darker tone compared to the original.

Comparison to Other Live-Action Disney Remakes

• Cinderella (2015) focused on a faithful yet modernized approach and was well received.
• Beauty and the Beast (2017) expanded character backstories and introduced new songs.
• The Little Mermaid (2023) sparked controversy over casting but performed well at the box office.
• Snow White (2025) aims to update the character’s independence while introducing new music and visuals.

Fun Facts: Then & Now

The Original 1937 Snow White

• Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was Disney’s first full-length animated film and was considered a major risk at the time.
• It was the highest-grossing film of its era, earning over $8 million during its original release.
• Walt Disney received an honorary Oscar—one full-sized statue and seven miniature ones!
• Adriana Caselotti, the original English voice actress, was contractually forbidden from taking on any other singing roles to keep her voice uniquely tied to Snow White.

The 2025 Live-Action Snow White

• Rachel Zegler was personally chosen by Steven Spielberg for West Side Story, which led to her getting cast as Snow White.
• Gal Gadot had to undergo extensive voice training for her musical numbers as the Evil Queen.
• The film replaces the traditional Seven Dwarfs with "magical creatures" after concerns about representation and stereotypes.
• The teaser trailer became one of the most disliked videos on YouTube, sparking strong reactions from fans.

Merchandise & Theme Park Tie-Ins

• Disney has already released Snow White-themed dolls, costumes, and accessories in anticipation of the movie’s release.
• Speculation is growing that Disney Parks may introduce an updated Snow White attraction or special event to celebrate the film.

Box Office Predictions & Audience Hype

• Will Snow White (2025) be a box office hit like The Lion King (2019), which grossed over $1.6 billion?
• Or will it struggle, like Mulan (2020), which faced backlash and underperformed due to a lack of theatrical releases?
• With a mix of high expectations and controversy, all eyes are on Disney to see if this adaptation will deliver.

Final Thoughts

Disney’s Snow White (2025) is shaping up to be a bold reinterpretation of the classic fairy tale. With a new take on Snow White’s character, fresh music, and high expectations, audiences are eager to see how this adaptation will balance nostalgia with modern storytelling.

What do you think? Are you excited about this live-action remake? Let us know in the comments!