Snow White furthers Disney’s approach of transforming it’s beloved animated classics into live-action films, but it does so by revisiting the very origins of the story. The original Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs debuted in 1937, marking Disney’s inaugural feature-length animated film, and it stands as one of the most impactful animated films (if not films in general) ever created.
The live-action adaptation features Rachel Zegler from West Side Story in the role of the Disney princess, alongside Gal Gadot portraying her wicked stepmother, the Evil Queen. In a recent media interview Jeff Morrow discussed his contributions to the live-action adaptation of Snow White.
He elaborated on the elements he drew from the original film and his previous experiences with Disney projects, including the live-action The Little Mermaid, while also expressing his desire to introduce new perspectives to the narrative.
Jeff Morrow Shares His Method For Live-Action Snow White
Jeff Morrow landed the role of composer for Snow White after he created a sample score for the first five minutes of the film. Once he secured the position, he dedicated significant time to discussions with director Marc Webb regarding the musical direction.
According to Jeff Morrow, “These films, particularly Snow White, carry a profound musical heritage. We were keen to pay tribute to the original movie, but we also recognized that this is a film designed for viewers in 2025, featuring real people on screen.”
Morrow elaborated, expressing his desire to incorporate classic elements that pay tribute to the original animated version while ensuring it resonates with the sound of 2025. He achieved this through specific orchestration choices.
As per Jeff Morrow, “If I were to create something more in line with traditional Disney, we aimed for a sound that is grand and high-fidelity, akin to a contemporary film score.”
Furthermore, Morrow ensured that the score progressed in tandem with Snow White’s journey throughout the film. “The music that evolves the most during the film is Snow White’s theme,” the composer stated.
Morrow elaborated that “It needed to convey the sorrow of her losing her parents at the start, the tragedy of her demise, and the victory at the film’s conclusion. This was a genuine artistic consideration. I’m not merely composing any random piece of music that comes to mind.”
To achieve the full potential of Snow White’s theme, Morrow crafted a piece that features significant leaps upward and minor descents. Depending on the context, these leaps can evoke feelings of triumph or a touch of sadness, while the descents are undeniably melancholic. Fortunately, this melody proved effective in all the intended moments.