Snow right... or wrong?

Movie remake of Disney classic dogged by controversy from start

- BY JESSICA BOULTON

At first glance, the European premiere of Disney's live action remake of Snow White looks as magical as the fairy tale itself.

There, in a gown as pure and white as driven snow, is its star Rachel Zegler, singing her heart out for a small crowd of tearful fans.

Behind her is the very castle that is said to have inspired the animators of the original movie.

Throw in some crooning woodland creatures and Walt himself could not have painted a prettier picture. But just like any fairy tale, scratch beneath the surface and the reality is a little more grim(m).

This "grand" European premiere on Wednesday night was actually a small, select event at the conveniently remote Castle Alcázar in Segovia, about 50 miles north of Spain's capital Madrid.

The guests were friendly influencers, no press invited and no date confirmed in media diaries. It could not be further from the usual glitzy Leicester Square premieres that other huge Disney movies have enjoyed.

The £185million film is not going to get the big, noisy showy debut many might have expected.

Forget the poisoned apple, Disney's live action Snow White has become such a poisoned chalice, its whole press tour has had to be scaled back.

A London premiere is off the table altogether, for fears of "anti-woke" protesters and more PR disasters from its outspoken stars Rachel and Gal Gadot, who plays the Evil Queen.

The LA premiere has banned journalist questions on the red carpet. And TV interviews are being kept to a few "safe" outlets.