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Disney’s live-action remake of Snow White And The Seven Dwarves has topped the North American box office chart, despite a controversy-packed run-up to the film’s release.

Based on the 1937 classic that established Disney’s name as an industry leader, Snow White took an estimated $43m (£33.1) domestically, and $87.3m (£67.3) worldwide according to Box Office Mojo.

Pic: Disney
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Pic: Disney

For comparison, Disney’s Mufasa: The Lion King, which came to cinemas in December, took $35m domestically (£27m). It’s now gone on to take over $700m (£540m) globally.

Meanwhile, Disney’s 2019 live-action Dumbo, directed by Tim Burton, took $45m (£35m) domestically in its opening weekend. It has since taken over $350m (£270m) worldwide.

Snow White hasn’t performed well in China, only making it to seventh place in the Chinese box office charts and grossing less than $1m (£770,000) over its opening, according to EntGroup’s China Box Office website.

Reviews for the movie have been mixed, with The Guardian calling it an “exhaustingly awful reboot” and The Observer similarly judging it to be “toe-curlingly terrible”.

The Independent wasn’t a fan of the “uncanny CGI caricatures” which it said were reminiscent of 2004 movie The Polar Express, a sentiment echoed by Empire which called the reimagined dwarves an “unholy VFX disaster”.

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The Daily Mail called it “painfully muddle-headed”, but gave Zegler the thumbs up, highlighting her “oodles of talent”, while The New York Post said it was “mediocre” and unmemorable.

Some US outlets have given a more favourable critique, with Variety calling it “one of the better live-action adaptations of a Disney animated feature,” and The Hollywood Reporter judging it “mostly captivating”.

Reviews aggregator Rotten Tomatoes gives the movie a 44% critic score – which translates to “rotten” – however the audience score on the site’s “Popcornometer” is currently at 74%, rating it “fresh”.

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‘To use CGI like we’re mythical creatures disregards us’

Dubbed ‘woke’ and plagued with speculation

The movie had a muted marketing campaign, with no UK premiere and reduced US press opportunities.

Costing around $250m to make, the film had been flagged as a potential tent-pole movie (a film that is expected to be very successful and support a range of merchandise or spin-off opportunities) for Disney early on.

But aspirations faded as it approached release as it was hit by controversy after controversy.

Early on, Snow White was labelled “woke” due to its casting of Latina actress Rachel Zegler, who is of Colombian-Polish descent, in the lead role.

Zegler also faced a backlash after suggesting the early version of the film had content that was unsuitable for the 21st century – namely the fact the prince “literally stalks” Snow White.

There was then speculation as to whether Zegler got on with Israeli actress Gal Gadot, who plays the evil queen, as they have previously expressed very different views over the Israel-Hamas war.

The use of CGI to create the seven dwarf characters, thus replacing the potential for little people to take up the roles, has left disability activists to accuse the movie of “erasing” them from the narrative.

Ahead of the film’s release, comedian, model and content creator Fats Timbo told Sky News she believed Disney missed a golden opportunity to educate children during what was likely to be their first encounter with someone with dwarfism.

Snow White is in cinemas now.

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Jewish comedian says shows cancelled as Gaza in the spotlight at Edinburgh Fringe

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Jewish comedian says shows cancelled as Gaza in the spotlight at Edinburgh Fringe

The Edinburgh Fringe, the world’s largest arts festival, is getting under way, and the conflict in Gaza seems to be feeding into what’s happening.

From shows cancelled to artists divided, it’s no joke.

Rachel Creeger has had a distressing start to her stand-up run.

Two weeks ago, out of the blue, she says the venue Whistle Binkies rang her and fellow Jewish comedian Philip Simon to cancel their slots.

rachel creeger
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Rachel Creeger says her Edinburgh shows have been cancelled by the venue

She told Sky News it’s come down to “what we bring to that venue by being ourselves”.

The pair were allegedly given three reasons for the cancellation.

One was linked to a “vigil for IDF soldiers” that she says the venue initially claimed had been held during her performance last year but, according to Creeger, later had to ad­mit hadn’t taken place.

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“That never happened,” she insists.

Rachel says she was told her previous performances there had resulted in the venue having to pay for graffiti to be removed from toilet doors every three days.

“Again, we didn’t see evidence of that at all,” she says.

“We’re not the ones writing it… but if it was bothering them and they worried it was bothering us, then maybe we’d have volunteered to help them – or to help clean it.”

She claims she was also told the venue was responding to staff concerns about their own safety should Creeger’s show go ahead.

“It’s a pub in Edinburgh, it’s a music venue, they themselves have bouncers most evenings… And perhaps they might say if there’s a concern about extra risk, we should do all we can to make our performers safe.”

‘More unites us than divides us’

Creeger says her show is in no way political.

“It’s based around the idea that a Jewish mother can answer any question, solve any problem… I will make it better for you, the audience gets to write a question and put it into a chicken soup pot… The reason I kind of love it is because by the end of it people leave feeling actually more unites us than divides us.

“We’re not the people making the trouble,” she adds.

“I’ve certainly never started a protest, I’ve never done graffiti, I’ve never caused harm anywhere; my show doesn’t do that, my show is lovely.”

As Britain’s only touring comedian who is also a practising Orthodox Jew, she says since the 7 October attack she and other Jewish comedians are experiencing a significant increase in antisemitism while performing.

“We’re not Israeli, we’re British Jews,” says Creeger.

“The situation there is horrendous and distressing and painful for people of any number of religions and races… To be kind of scapegoated with dog whistles around that is clearly very, very unpleasant.”

The Fringe Society has said its role is to provide support and advice to all participants at the festival “with a vision to give anyone a stage and everyone a seat”.

A spokesperson explained they don’t manage or programme venues and “we understand that the show cancellations have been a choice made by the venue”.

Whistle Binkies hasn’t responded to multiple requests for comment.

Police Scotland told Sky News it hasn’t “received any reports of concern” about Creeger’s show.

There are, of course, huge sensitivities when it comes to discussing what’s going on in the world right now.

American stand-up Zainab Johnson is making her Fringe debut this year.

While her show Toxically Optimistic is all about putting a positive spin on life’s challenges, she doesn’t shy away from tackling the serious stuff if it comes up.

Zainab Johnson
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Zainab Johnson says her show doesn’t shy away from tackling serious issues

‘Shows becoming serious is a part of life’

“If I’m doing a show and somebody wants to yell out Free Palestine, well let’s talk about it,” she tells Sky News.

“I am the comedian where, if the show has to become serious, it becomes serious. That’s a part of life, you know?”

Johnson adds: “I’m from the United States and they talk about free speech all the time, but then you find out free speech ain’t really free because the moment you say something that is contrary to what the majority feels or wants to be heard, then you can be penalised…

“But isn’t that the beauty of this festival? So many people just telling their story, whatever their story is.”

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The carpenter sleeping rough
Huge rise in prison drone incidents
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Comedian Andy Parsons has had a long-standing career in satire, appearing regularly on shows like BBC2’s Mock the Week.

While he has the likes of Elon Musk and Nigel Farage in his sights for his stand-up show, Please #@!$ Off to Mars, they’re not his only focus.

Andy Parsons says comedians 'should be able to talk about anything and find a way to get that to work, including Israel and Gaza'
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Andy Parsons says comedians ‘should be able to talk about anything’

He says stand-ups “should be able to talk about anything and find a way to get that to work, including Israel and Gaza”.

He explains jokingly: “I’ve got some stuff about Israel in the show and obviously it can work both ways. It can give you some publicity and obviously it can get you cancelled.”

Irish-Palestinian comedian Sami Abu Wardeh – a clown comic – is the only Palestinian doing a full run of a comedy show at this year’s Fringe. 

“My show is clowning, it’s storytelling, it’s even got a bit of stand-up and it’s heavily inspired by the comedian Dave Allen, who is one of my comedy heroes,” says Wardeh.

“It felt really important that I come and just exist in this space, as a Palestinian, and speak my words and have my voice heard. 

“I’ve used all of these skills to make a show that is about really what’s going on in this country and in the world at the moment.

sami abu wardeh
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Irish-Palestinian comedian Sami Abu Wardeh is the only Palestinian doing a full run at this year’s Fringe

“I think most people in this country are going to recognise that Britain is in a very dark place… and I’m hoping to reach those people and to give a voice to the dissatisfaction.”

‘Plans in place’ for disruption

He’s had to consider the possibility of protests and take steps to “make sure that the audience and myself are safe and secure”.

“We have plans in place to know how to deal with people who are disruptive,” he says. “And particularly anybody who wants to bring any kind of bigoted views into the room.”

As one of the very few Palestinians at the festival, Wardeh says it is “not only my duty” but “an honour to be here and to represent my people”.

He also feels it’s wrong that Rachel Creeger has had her venue cancelled.

“I sincerely support free speech and I think everyone should be able to get on the stage and say what they want, within reason obviously,” says Wardeh.

Rachel says she hopes to confirm a new venue for her show on social media in the coming days.

“We’ve thankfully had a number of venues approach us to say that they have space available, so I’m hopeful that I’ll get – if not a full – then at least part of the run for the show.”

Since arriving in Edinburgh she’s been overwhelmed by how many hugs of support she’s received.

“To have super high-profile comedians put their heads above the parapet to say ‘this is wrong’, it means so much…In a way the story is that someone’s done something very hurtful… But look at all the love, that’s amazing.”

Sami Abu Wardeh’s Palestine: Peace de Resistance is at the Pleasance Dome in Edinburgh until 24 August
Andy Parsons’ Please #@!$ Off to Mars is at Pleasance Courtyard’s Cabaret Bar until 10 August
Zainab Johnson: Toxically Optimistic is at Pleasance Courtyard until 24 August

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Flintoff praises NHS staff who treated him after crash, as doctor says his injuries were ‘among most complex’ he’s ever seen

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Flintoff praises NHS staff who treated him after crash, as doctor says his injuries were 'among most complex' he's ever seen

Andrew Flintoff has praised the “love and compassion” of “superhero” staff in a visit to the hospital that treated him after his crash.

The cricket legend was seriously injured during the incident on the Top Gear track in Surrey in December 2022.

He was airlifted to St George’s in Tooting, with a surgeon calling Flintoff’s injuries some of the most complex he’s seen.

“I just want to say a massive thank you to all the staff at St George’s,” Flintoff said, as he returned to the London hospital.

“I came here probably the lowest I’ve ever been, in need of help and the expertise, the love, the compassion they showed me was incredible.

“I’ll be eternally grateful – absolute superheroes.”

Flintoff with St George's Consultant Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon Jahrad Haq. Pic: PA
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Maxillofacial surgeon Jahrad Haq said Flintoff’s case was very complex. Pic: PA

Jahrad Haq, a maxillofacial surgeon, said he knew immediately the case was something out of the ordinary.

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“I was on call that day and received a phone call from the emergency department consultant,” said Mr Haq.

“A lot of injuries are managed at a more junior level before escalating, so I knew this one was serious.

“Of all the trauma cases I’ve seen in over 20 years, this was among the most complex.”

Flintoff with nurses Linda Holden (left) and Sonia Steer. Pic: PA
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The ex-cricketer with nurses Linda Holden (left) and Sonia Steer. Pic: PA

Flintoff was also pictured on his visit meeting lead dental nurse Linda Holden and principal orthodontic nurse Sonia Steer.

Shamim Umarji, who also treated the 47-year-old, said it was “wonderful to see Freddie again and his visit gave staff a real boost”.

“He spent a lot of time chatting to everyone and it meant a lot,” added the trauma and orthopaedic surgeon.

Read more from Sky News:
Dentist who poisoned wife’s protein shakes jailed for life
Record-breaking US baby born from oldest ever embryo

Flintoff previously described how he thought he had died in the accident – which saw him “pulled face-down on the runway” for about 50m under a three-wheel car.

The incident led to the BBC pulling the plug on Top Gear and it remains unclear if it will ever return.

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Brian Cox: Trump talking ‘b*******s’ on Scottish independence

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Brian Cox: Trump talking 'b*******s' on Scottish independence

Hollywood actor Brian Cox has told Sky News that Donald Trump is talking “bollocks” after suggesting there should be 50 or 75 years between Scottish independence referendums.

The US president said a country “can’t go through that too much” when questioned by reporters during his visit to Scotland this week.

The Emmy-winning star, who is an independence supporter, has hit back, branding him “that idiot in America”.

The 79-year-old told Sky News: “He’s talking bollocks. I’m sorry, but he does. It’s rubbish. Let’s get on with it and let’s get it [independence] done. We can do it.

“It’s been tough as there’s a great deal of undermining that has gone on.”

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Trump responds to Sky question on Israel

SNP fraud probe causing ‘harm’

Mr Cox said the police fraud investigation examining the SNP’s finances has done “enormous harm” to the party and wider independence movement.

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Nicola Sturgeon was arrested as part of the long-running police probe but cleared of any wrongdoing earlier this year.

The former first minister’s estranged husband Peter Murrell, who was SNP chief executive for two decades, appeared in court in April to face a charge of alleged embezzlement. He has entered no plea.

Brian Cox is preparing to return to the Scottish stage for the first time in a decade in a play about the Royal Bank of Scotland’s role in the 2008 financial crash.

Ahead of the Edinburgh festival performances, the veteran actor told Sky News: “I think it’s a masterpiece. It’s certainly one of the best pieces of work I’ve been involved in.

Brian Cox
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Brian Cox speaking to Sky’s Connor Gillies

‘My friend Spacey should be forgiven’

The Succession star was also asked about his “old friend” Kevin Spacey.

The former House of Cards actor, 65, was exiled from the showbiz world in 2017 after allegations of sexual misconduct.

Spacey has admitted to “being too handsy” in the past and “touching someone sexually” when he didn’t know they “didn’t want him to”.

Spacey stood trial in the UK for multiple sexual offences against four men in July 2023 but was acquitted on all counts.

Kevin Spacey outside Southwark Crown Court
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Kevin Spacey

Mr Cox told Sky News: “I am so against cancel culture. Kevin has made a lot of mistakes, but there is a sort of viciousness about it which is unwarranted.

“Everybody is stupid as everybody else. Everybody is capable of the same mistakes and the same sins as everybody else.”

Asked if he could see a return to showbiz for Spacey, Cox replied: “I would think so eventually, but it’s very tough for him.

“He was tricky, but he has learnt a big lesson. He should be allowed to go on because he is a very fine actor. I just think we should be forgiving.”

He concluded: “What is the joy you get out of kicking somebody in the balls when they are down? That is what I cannot stand.”

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