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When studying the feminist evolution of the Disney princesses I came to the conclusion that it was time for Disney to once again reinvent the fairy tale for contemporary audiences. It seems that might be happening, though perhaps not in the way I’d expect.
In the past year or so I’ve read a number of reports indicating that one of the latest trends in proposed films is the “dark fairy tale.” Several studios are green lighting movies that take classic fairy tales and “de-Disneyfy” them, supposedly turning them back to their darker roots.
Whether or not the true sources of these stories were as dark as the new proposed films might suggest is a question that should be saved for another day. What’s relevant here is the Disney backlash.
“Snow White” is one of Disney’s most famous films, and 2012 is going to see two new adaptations hit the big screen. Neither of which, as far as I can tell, is being made by Walt Disney Co. or any of its subsidiaries.
The first, still being called “Untitled Snow White,” is slated for release next March. Its Internet Movie Database page summarizes it as, “a dark twist on the classic fairy tale, in which Snow White and the seven dwarfs look to reclaim their destroyed kingdom.” Sean Bean and Julia Roberts star as The King and The Evil Queen, respectively, and Snow White is being played by Lily Collins.
Next is “Snow White and The Huntsman,” which is gaining bigger buzz and thus set for potential blockbuster release in June. IMDB says of this one, “In a twist to the fairy tale, the Huntsman ordered to take Snow White into the woods to be killed winds up becoming her protector and mentor in a quest to vanquish the Evil Queen.”
This movie, starring Kristen Stewart as Snow White, Chris Hemsworth as The Huntsman, and Charlize Theron as The Evil Queen, looks to be a big-budget action piece. The released stills of the main characters display all but the Queen wielding weaponry. The Prince and Snow White both brandish swords and are bedecked in full armor.
Though I’m a bit cynical about the need to remake gritty versions (note the use of the word “twist” in both Snow White summaries) of all of our fairy tales, I admit I’m excited for this one. If nothing else it looks like Snow White will actually attempt to take control of her own fate, a rare occurrence for the character in most of her incarnations.
But what does this mean for Disney, the company that by all rights ought to have started this trend? Well, they’re trying to jump on the bandwagon. Whether or not they’re late to the party is up for debate.
Around the time Tim Burton’s “Alice in Wonderland” came out last year, rumors surfaced that Disney wanted to make a feature length on popular “Sleeping Beauty” villain Maleficent. Burton himself was attached to then dropped from the project, but rumors of the movie persist. Adding fuel to the twisted fairy tale fire were reports in August of Disney execs also considering a “dark” Cinderella.
Whether or not Disney’s contribution to the trends will actually see theater screens remains to be seen. In the internet age water cooler talk between movie execs can end up as “breaking news” online, even if the movie will never exist.
If these films ever happen I’ll be interested to see how Disney approaches a dark take on a fairy tale. Meanwhile, I’ll be here waiting for “Brave” and still hoping that Disney/Pixar’s next female protagonist isn’t a princess, be she cool like Merida or her story “dark” or not.
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*(This image by Camera Obscurist is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 License.)
