Rachel Zegler as Snow White and 1937 Snow White

With only a week left before the premiere of Disney’s Snow White now is as good a time as any to look back on the Snow White spinoff that Disney nearly made back in 2016. For decades, Disney has been behind some of the most iconic animated and children’s films of all time, and one of the most pivotal is Snow White. Remembered as Disney’s very first animated feature film, it tells the story of Snow White, a beautiful maiden who is targeted by her jealous step-mother, forcing her to find safety with a group of seven dwarves.

Disney’s Snow White is the latest in a long line of Disney live-action adaptations, which have premiered to varying degrees of success. Although many of Disney’s live-action remakes have raked in millions, critics have not always been so fond of them. Disney’s Snow White is a particularly interesting case because the movie is reimagining a truly iconic story, yet has been bogged down by controversies such as casting issues and CGI. Thus, it is important to remember how much it took for Disney’s Snow White to get to where it is now, including a whole other spinoff film.

Disney Developed A Snow White Spinoff Movie About Her Sister, Rose Red, In 2016

What Is The Original Story Of Rose Red

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs the prince and snow white while the dwarfs dance

Some may be surprised to learn that before Disney began developing a live-action adaptation of Snow White, they considered making a live-action spinoff about Snow White’s sister, Rose Red. Although 1937’s Snow White and Seven Dwarves never makes mention of the princess having a sister, the original Brothers Grimm fairy tale focuses on both Snow White and her sister, Rose Red. Apparently, Disney hoped to bring back this previously looked-over part of the story via a live-action spinoff. It first went into development in March 2016, and in 2018, GeekTyrant reported that Brie Larson was rumored to join the cast.

Strangely, this is far from the plot of the Grimm Brothers’ Snow-White and Rose-Red, which follows young sisters who befriend a bear, who ultimately ends up being a prince.

Apparently, the plot of Rose Red was going to revolve around the second half of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, wherein Snow White eats the poisoned apple and falls into a deep sleep. Rose Red, along with the dwarves, would have gone on a mission to save her sister. Strangely, this is far from the plot of the Grimm Brothers’ Snow-White and Rose-Red, which follows young sisters who befriend a bear, who ultimately ends up being a prince. Clearly, Disney was more interested in expanding the story it had already told rather than starting a completely new one.

Disney Began Development On A Proper Snow White Live-Action Movie Months Later

Why Disney’s Snow White Has Taken So Long

Rachel Zegler as Snow White looking to the side in Snow White (2025) Rachel Zegler smiling and singing in Snow White Rachel Zegler looking concerned in Snow White clip Rachel Zegler as Snow White with the seven dwarfs in Snow White 2025 Rachel Zegler as Snow White looking worried in Snow White Rachel Zegler as Snow White looking to the side in Snow White (2025) Rachel Zegler smiling and singing in Snow White Rachel Zegler looking concerned in Snow White clip Rachel Zegler as Snow White with the seven dwarfs in Snow White 2025 Rachel Zegler as Snow White looking worried in Snow White

Just seven months after putting Rose Red into development, Disney decided to also pursue a live-action adaptation of Snow White. The project quickly recruited a number of big names, including Marc Platt as lead producer, then went somewhat silent. Three years later, it was announced that Marc Webb would direct the film. Then, casting didn’t truly begin until 2021, when Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot were confirmed to be playing Snow White and the Evil Queen respectively. Ultimately, from 2016 to 2021, Disney was working on both Snow White and Rose Red.

Since Snow White’s development began in 2016, many may be wondering why the movie took nearly a decade to make. Aside from the fact that they were also working on Rose Red, Disney was likely also caught up with other projects. In 2016 alone, Disney put out Zootopia, The Jungle Book live-action remake, Alice Through the Looking Glass, Finding Dory, and Moana. Furthermore, with a story as iconic as Snow White, executives probably wanted to make sure they got everything right, especially in terms of the script. Thus, Disney’s Snow White became a long-haul project.

Disney Officially Canceled The Rose Red Movie In 2021

Rose Red’s Cancelation Is A Good & Bad Thing

Snow white and the Seven dwarfs the dwarfs about to attack Snow White

Just as Disney’s Snow White began heating up, Rose Red was abandoned. Disney canceled production on the live-action spinoff in 2021. It isn’t entirely clear why Disney decided not to move forward with Rose Red, but a good guess would be creative struggles. With Snow White already being so iconic, it may have been difficult to figure out a story that would honor the original Disney princess while also shining a spotlight on Rose Red. On top of that, Disney may have tabled Rose Red in order to focus more heavily on Disney’s Snow White.

Every Upcoming Disney Movie
Release Date

Disney’s Snow White
March 21, 2025

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Road Trip
March 28, 2025

Lilo & Stitch
May 23, 2025

Elio
June 20, 2025

Freakier Friday
August 8, 2025

Tron: Ares
October 10, 2025

Zootopia 2
November 26, 2025

Hoppers
March 6, 2026

Toy Story 5
June 19, 2026

Moana
July 10, 2026

Frozen III
November 24, 2027

In hindsight, Rose Red’s cancelation can be seen as both a good and bad thing. On one hand, it is disappointing that this new story lost its footing, and that audiences won’t be able to see this forgotten character come to life any time soon. Then again, canceling Rose Red has allowed Disney to pursue other projects that might be of more interest at the moment. For example, 2025’s upcoming Lilo & Stitch looks like it could be one of Disney’s best live-action adaptations yet. Perhaps it is better for Rose Red to be delayed until the perfect moment.

Will The Live-Action Snow White Remake Help The Rose Red Movie Finally Happen?

Why Rose Red Should Happen

Andrew Burnap as Jonathan holding Rachel Zegler's Snow White's face in Snow White

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That being said, it would be awesome if Rose Red came to fruition after the release of Disney’s Snow White. If Snow White ends up doing well, at least at the box office, then Disney will have plenty of reason to continue with the franchise. In fact, the same situation occurred after 2019’s live-action Lion King, which resulted in 2024’s Mufasa: The Lion King. The timing could not be better for Rose Red’s return, especially if Snow White manages to renew interest in the fairy tale. Disney’s Snow White could even leave hints towards Rose Red’s story. Ultimately, Rose Red should eventually be made because it has an interesting concept that could go in countless directions. While Disney could continue with its idea of having Rose Red be part of Snow White’s journey with the Evil Queen, the movie could also hark back to the original fairy tale or do something else entirely. Either way, Rose Red is a good opportunity for Disney to mix old with new. Hopefully, Disney’s Snow White can prove that Rose Red needs to happen.