The following contains spoilers for Snow White, now playing in theatersSnow Whiteteases some wild changes to the lore of the Disney classic, and I’m obsessed with one unique change in particular.Snow Whiteis the latest of the live-action remakes of animated Disney classics, which has been a steady trend of Disney for over a decade. Despite sharing many elements withSnow White and the Seven Dwarfs,Snow Whitemakes a lot of changes from the source material. Many of these tweaks are minor in nature, fitting the live-action tone without changing the underlying story or world too much.
However, there is one element that is altered for the film that actually teases a very interesting fallout to the events ofSnow White’s ending. It’s also not the only Disney movie in recent years to suggest that a classic element of Disney animation actually has a far deeper lore than what has ever been presented on film. It’s an interesting idea that only gets more compelling the more questions it raises, and it quietly presents some very intriguing possibilities about the full scope and rules ofSnow White’s world
Snow White’s Ending Hints That The Magic Mirror Leads To Another Space
Image via Disney
Snow Whitehints at a deeper lore for the Magic Mirror used by the Evil Queen, which is a fascinatingtwist. The Magic Mirror is one of the most iconic elements of theSnow Whitestory, especially the version depicted inSnow White and the Seven Dwarfs. However, the Magic Mirror in the live-action remake expands the mystical artifact and hints that it has a deeper lore. After using the mirror repeatedly in the film to affirm she is thefairest in the land, the Evil Queen lashes out in anger at the mirror in the climax ofSnow White.
Shattering the mirror doesn’t actually destroy it, insteadcreating a rift into a netherspace that appears dark and empty. The Evil Queen is quickly reduced to ash and drawn into the mysterious space, with the mirror repairing itself in the aftermath. It’s a sudden and dark turn of events, effectively solving the threat of the Evil Queen in a visually memorable way. It also hints that the Magic Mirror is a conduit to something beyond the mortal plane, and that’s a fascinating idea that could expand the lore of Disney’s magical settings.
Snow White’s Magic Mirror Reveal Connects To Newer Disney Lore
Wish And Snow White Might Be Secretly Connected Through The Mirror
One of the most interesting elements of the Magic Mirror, which has a deeper magical history inSnow White,is the way this carries over a subtle touch from one of the most recent films from Walt Disney Animation,Wish. In that film, the villain is King Magnifico, a powerful sorcerer who hoards the wishes of his subjects along with his mystical power and fears the disruption presented by Star. After using forbidden magics for much of the film, the powers backfire on Magnifico, andhe is trapped within the mirror-like crystal that had been atop his staff.
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In afreeze-frame easter egg inWish, Magnifico’s face can be briefly seen morphed into a new pale visage. This actually shares a look with the face that appears in the magic mirror, suggesting that Magnifico will eventually transform into that state and be used by the Evil Queen much as he abused the magic available to him. The idea that you could be trapped behind the magic mirror suggeststhere was a deep magic and lore to the artifact, something thatSnow Whiteseems to build on by hinting that there’s an entire dimension behind that iconic item.
I Need To Know More About What The Magic Mirror Really Is
There’s More To The Lore Of Snow White Than Anyone Realizes, And That Has Me Really Excited
I love the idea of teasing out a grander lore of the Disney animated universe, especially if recent films likeWishare going to highlight the potential connections between movies. The live-actionSnow Whitedoes something similar toWish, suggesting there is a greater and darker magic at play than what the Evil Queen or Magnifico were aware of.This sets up the idea that there are greater forces at work than what the heroes or villains are fully aware of, hinting at a larger scope of stories still unseen. It adds a layer of hubris to those antagonists.
It sets up a larger mysterious and mystical world happening in the background of the familiar Disney musicals likeSnow White…
That common element is something that’s been at the core of the Disney villain archetypesince the very beginning. It can now be seen as a better thematic connection as multiple villains mess with a power they can’t fully comprehend. It also raises questions over what force is behind the scenes creating objects like the Magic Mirror, and for what purpose. It sets up a larger mysterious and mystical world happening in the background of the familiar Disney musicals likeSnow White, and could be the key to opening up a wider world of connected fantasy.
