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Hollywood Grapples with Course Correction After ‘Snow White’ Box Office Disappointment
The Walt Disney Company’s recent live-action film, Snow White, has become a symbol of Hollywood’s current predicament. Plagued by lackluster ticket sales, controversy surrounding its progressive themes, and protests, the movie’s underperformance has sparked discussions about the direction of the entertainment industry.
Industry Insiders Signal ‘Crisis Mode’
Experts within Hollywood, from Oscar-nominated producers to acclaimed television writers, have expressed concerns about an industry they describe as being in ‘crisis mode.’ Speaking anonymously, these insiders suggest a significant shift is underway following a period of intense focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
‘Following the #MeToo movement and the George Floyd protests, every major studio embraced the “woke” agenda,’ a Disney insider revealed. ‘Now, five years later, there’s a palpable sense of fear as everyone tries to salvage their projects and the industry itself. It truly feels like a fight for survival.’
‘Snow White’ Failure Seen as Turning Point
The $270 million Snow White reboot’s disappointing $43 million opening weekend is viewed by some as a critical blow to ‘wokeism’ within the industry. This box office failure has intensified anxieties and triggered a re-evaluation of current strategies.
Controversy Surrounding Lead Actress and Film’s Direction
The casting of Rachel Zegler, an actress of Colombian-American heritage, in the lead role of Snow White, while praised by some for diversity, became a focal point of debate. However, it was Zegler’s public statements that ignited significant controversy.
Rachel Zegler’s Remarks and Political Views
During the film’s promotion, Zegler’s characterization of Prince Charming as a ‘stalker’ drew criticism. Furthermore, her social media posts, including expressions of support for Palestine and disparaging remarks towards former President Trump and his supporters, amplified the film’s divisive reception.
Changes to Classic Storyline and Character Depictions
The reimagining of the classic fairytale also involved alterations to key elements. Prince Charming was replaced with a ‘Robin Hood-style bandit’ named ‘Jonathan,’ and the Seven Dwarfs were substituted with computer-generated ‘magical creatures.’ This decision to move away from the traditional depiction of dwarfs sparked outrage and protests from actors with dwarfism, who felt excluded and misrepresented.
Protests Over Dwarf Representation
Actor John Ferguson, who has dwarfism, staged a protest at a cinema dressed as a dwarf, holding a sign that read: ‘Hire real dwarfs.’ This demonstration highlighted the growing discontent over representation and the perception that authentic portrayals were being sacrificed for political correctness.
Disconnect Between Hollywood and General Audiences
An Oscar-nominated producer shared observations of Hollywood executives dismissing ‘flyover states’ – a term for Middle America – revealing a perceived disconnect from a significant portion of their audience. ‘It’s those very people who watch our shows and go to the movies,’ he noted.
The producer also pointed to declining viewership of the Academy Awards, suggesting that recent ceremonies have showcased ‘movies nobody cares about,’ potentially due to a shift in focus towards films that prioritize DEI criteria over broader appeal.
DEI Requirements and Oscar Nominations
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences implemented new rules in 2020, requiring films to meet specific Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) benchmarks to be eligible for Oscar consideration. This policy change has sparked debate about its impact on artistic merit and creative freedom.
‘To even be considered for an Oscar, films now have to tick boxes – the number of minorities, women, disabled individuals, and so on. Classic movies like The Godfather and Casablanca might not even be nominated today due to a lack of cast diversity,’ the producer argued.
He contrasted these classic films with contemporary movies like Emilia Perez, which centers on a cartel boss transitioning gender, suggesting it appeals only to a niche audience of ‘ultra-left liberals,’ and alienates mainstream viewers.
Identity Politics and Industry Confusion
Hollywood’s entanglement with identity politics has reportedly led to internal confusion, with some insiders arguing that the industry’s embrace of ‘woke’ policies was primarily driven by financial motives rather than genuine values.
‘Initially, “woke” was about the bottom line,’ the producer explained. ‘Studios believed it would attract younger audiences and boost profits. Instead, it alienated a broad spectrum of viewers.’
An Amazon Prime Video insider corroborated this view, stating, ‘DEI was never genuinely about assisting minorities for most executives. It was seen as another revenue stream. Now that strategy has backfired, and there’s a rush to change direction.’
Resentment and Hypocrisy Allegations
This shift towards DEI initiatives has also generated resentment among some industry professionals. A white woman in her late 50s recounted being overlooked for projects but then called upon to rescue a DEI-focused film that was struggling. Despite her efforts in turning the project into an award-winner, she was reportedly excluded from public recognition due to concerns about ‘optics.’
A 60-year-old male writer echoed this sentiment, describing a decline in work opportunities followed by a resurgence of requests to rewrite scripts developed by DEI hires. ‘Their DEI hires lacked the necessary experience. So, studios turned to experienced writers like myself, often white men, for rewrites, while denying us credit. That’s the hypocrisy of Hollywood,’ he stated.
Anti-‘Woke’ Backlash Gaining Momentum
The entertainment industry appears to be witnessing a growing anti-‘woke’ backlash. Mel Gibson, previously ostracized for past controversies, recently announced the commencement of filming for a sequel to The Passion of the Christ, signaling a potential shift towards content with broader appeal.
A source close to Gibson indicated that financing for the film had been challenging, reflecting the previous climate in Hollywood. ‘The environment in Hollywood under President Biden wasn’t favorable for faith-based films, especially for someone like Mel, who had been “cancelled.” Now, Hollywood is realizing the landscape has changed.’
Disney’s animated series Win or Lose reportedly removed a transgender character, with the studio acknowledging parental concerns about discussing certain topics with children on studio-defined timelines. Amazon has also revived The Apprentice, the show that propelled Donald Trump to fame, experiencing ‘incredible numbers’ according to an insider, suggesting a renewed appetite for content that deviates from DEI-centric programming.
Return of Traditional Programming and Values
A&E has brought back Duck Dynasty, a reality show centered on a Christian family, which was previously perceived as incompatible with DEI policies. A source noted that the show’s emphasis on ‘Christian values’ was deemed ‘exclusionary’ under the DEI framework.
TV presenter Dan Abrams’s show, On Patrol, a police-focused series, has also found renewed success after its predecessor, Live PD, was canceled in the wake of George Floyd’s death in 2020. Abrams believes a ‘course correction’ is underway in entertainment, suggesting that the initial backlash against shows like Live PD was not representative of broader public opinion.
Hollywood’s Future Direction Uncertain
The Disney insider concluded by observing Hollywood’s tendency to adapt to prevailing trends. ‘Hollywood will shift in whatever direction the wind blows. We’re now approving non-“woke” projects aimed at attracting our core Disney fanbase. The question is whether we’ve waited too long.’