Rachel Zegler, the actress set to portray Disney’s latest iteration of Snow White, has found herself at the center of a storm after Family Guy unleashed a scathing roast of the film and the company’s recent rebranding efforts. The animated series, known for its sharp humor, didn’t just poke fun; it delivered a brutal critique of Disney’s approach to storytelling, branding, and casting, echoing a growing exhaustion among audiences over the relentless push for “woke” narratives.
Family Guy’s satirical jab exposed a deep-seated frustration. In one memorable scene, Peter Griffin wanders through Disneyland, bewildered by a chaotic landscape of identity confusion that mirrors contemporary Hollywood. The line “What is everything?” struck a chord, highlighting viewers’ disorientation with the rapid changes in storytelling. The implications were clear: Disney’s empire is faltering under the weight of its own reboots, and Zegler has unwittingly become a symbol of this turmoil.
But the roast didn’t stop there. South Park piled on with its own merciless critique, mocking Disney’s formulaic casting choices and the corporate machine behind them. They introduced a character that represented the very essence of Disney’s recent decisions, further amplifying the backlash against the studio. As Zegler stands at the forefront of this controversy, she faces a turbulent public perception fueled by her casting, political statements, and the disastrous box office performance of Snow White.
The film, with a staggering budget of up to $270 million, has floundered, earning a mere $184 million globally, leading insiders to admit that Zegler’s public persona may be a contributing factor to its failure. An empty theater during her promotional event captured the disconnection between the film and its intended audience, turning into a viral moment that encapsulated the film’s broader issues.
As Disney eyes its next ambitious project, a $500 million live-action remake of Tangled, questions loom large. With Zegler already facing backlash, can Disney reclaim its legacy of timeless storytelling, or has it lost the trust of its audience entirely? The stakes are higher than ever, as the world watches closely for the next chapter in this unfolding saga, where even beloved animated series are turning on the once-unassailable Disney brand.