The Walt Disney Company is encountering significant challenges across its diverse portfolio of offerings, with struggles in its movie division, softening park attendance, financial losses from its streaming platform, and a declining stock value, which has dropped by half in recent years. Disney CEO Bob Iger has been grappling with continuous financial hurdles and appears hesitant to make the necessary changes to address these issues.
One key factor contributing to Disney’s difficulties is its focus on social activism and the inclusion of messaging in its content. This approach has turned off some families, while its Star Wars franchise has alienated hardcore fans, and its Marvel franchises have not generated the expected profits. In contrast, Netflix, which abandoned a woke agenda, has achieved success in the streaming industry.
Recently, Disney announced a delay in the release of its live-action remake of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarves,” originally slated for March. The company cited an ongoing actor’s strike as the reason for the delay, but some observers view this as a convenient excuse. It is likely part of a broader recalibration effort for the troubled project.
The project encountered challenges from the beginning. Disney’s decision to cast Latina actress Rachel Zegler as Snow White generated controversy, as did the casting of actors with dwarfism as the seven dwarves, which faced criticism from renowned actor Peter Dinklage. Disney responded by promising a more diverse depiction of the characters.
The problems extended as Zegler criticized the original storyline, describing Prince Charming as a “stalker.” A set photo of the new dwarves was released, revealing a collection of diverse characters dressed in Renaissance Faire costumes, which received a negative response. Disney initially denied the legitimacy of the image but later admitted to using stand-ins. The company now plans to render the dwarves as CGI characters.
This extensive solution to the project’s problems is expected to incur substantial costs. As of this summer, the film’s expenses were estimated at over $200 million, excluding tax breaks. With the actor’s strike and public controversies factored in, expenses are likely to surpass $300 million, making it a costly venture.
The film’s challenges highlight Disney’s persistence in promoting a progressive, woke agenda in its productions, even when faced with proven losses in the industry. In contrast, Netflix’s decision to refrain from catering to vocal critics and embracing free speech has led to their success, as the platform reported better-than-expected subscriptions and a surge in stock value. Disney’s struggles in the streaming industry, where it continues to lose subscribers, exemplify the need for a different approach.
This studio is just a woke mess.
It went politically correct with its founding property that built its entertainment empire, and now it is retooling the entire project and delaying it by a full year.
They blame it on the SAG-AFTRA strike, as it is being completely reworked. pic.twitter.com/z3a6RYYGDC— Brad Slager: Flips On The Highbeams In Fog Of War (@MartiniShark) October 31, 2023
