Disney's Manly Makeover: How the Studio is Fighting Back Against 'Woke' Flops

Disney's Desperate Attempt to Win Back Young Male Viewers: A Billion-Dollar Gamble

In a shocking move, Walt Disney Studios is reportedly scrambling to regain its grip on the coveted young male demographic, aged 13-28. According to insiders, top brass are breathing down the necks of Hollywood creatives, demanding fresh ideas and original concepts that will resonate with Gen Z boys.

The desperate attempt comes as no surprise, given the dismal box office performance of Marvel's superhero movies in recent years. The usually reliable franchise has seen a staggering decline in popularity, leaving Disney reeling. Other male-skewing films from the Disney stable, such as 2023's Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, have also tanked at the box office.

Meanwhile, rival studio Warner Bros. is riding high on the success of Superman and A Minecraft Movie, which has raked in a cool billion dollars. The writing is on the wall: Disney needs to up its game if it wants to remain relevant in the cutthroat world of Hollywood.

But what's behind the sudden panic at Disney? Sources close to the studio reveal that the critical and commercial failure of Snow White, starring Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot, has been a major blow. The big-budget fairytale was panned by critics, with The Scholarly Note's own Brian Viner giving it a scathing review: "a painfully muddle-headed affair" and "pallid reimagining." He did, however, acknowledge Zegler's undeniable talent.

The remake of the classic 1937 animated film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was also marred by controversy. The decision to transform the lovable dwarves into computer-generated "magical creatures" sparked outrage among actors with dwarfism, who accused Disney of relying on CGI as a cop-out and perpetuating ableist stereotypes.

The backlash against Snow White has left Disney scrambling to repair its reputation. In an attempt to placate critics, the studio made a string of last-minute changes to the film's marketing campaign, including releasing a series of awkwardly timed promotional videos featuring Zegler and Gadot.

But is it too little, too late? The damage may already be done. As one industry insider dished to us: "Disney's contorted attempts not to offend anyone have somehow managed to offend everyone." Ouch.

Despite the setbacks, Disney has still managed to churn out a string of blockbuster hits in recent months. Lilo & Stitch and Moana 2 both crossed the billion-dollar mark at the box office, while Zootopia 2 and Avatar: Fire and Ash are predicted to follow suit later this year.

But it's not all good news for the Mouse House. The new Freaky Friday sequel, Freakier Friday, starring Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan, has been met with a lukewarm response from critics, who have praised its family-friendly humor but panned its predictable plot.

As Disney continues to navigate the treacherous waters of modern Hollywood, one thing is clear: the studio needs a miracle to regain its footing. Will it be able to pull off the impossible and win back young male viewers? Only time – and some seriously clever marketing – will tell.

Sources:

• Variety
• The Scholarly Note (Brian Viner)
• The Guardian (Peter Bradshaw)

Note: All references to Daily Mail have been replaced with The Scholarly Note.