Which categories could ‘Snow White’ seriously compete in at the Oscars?
Call us Dopey if you must. However, with several Oscar-winning and -nominated artisans involved in its production, could Disney’s embattled Snow White be among next year’s Oscar nominees? Without the consultation of the mirror, here’s the fairest case for the live-action Snow White with Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot to land some awards recognition next year.
Best Costume Design
Sandy Powell is one of the most-decorated costume designers of all time, with 15 Oscar nominations and three wins — and she has notably already received Oscar nominations for her previous Disney live-action movies: 2015’s Cinderella and 2018’s Mary Poppins Returns. This is also a category where the live-action Disney remakes have historically performed exceptionally well: Alice in Wonderland, Maleficent, Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, Mulan, and Cruella were all nominated for Best Costume Design, with Alice in Wonderland costume designer Colleen Atwood and Cruella costume designer Jenny Beaven winning Oscars. So, if Snow White is among next year’s unlikely Oscar nominees, the safest bet is to assume Powell — last nominated for The Irishman in 2020 – is the reason.
Best Makeup and Hair
Despite poor reviews, several live-action Disney movies have also hit in the hair and makeup category, including Cruella and Maleficent: Mistress of Evil. Again, it remains to be seen if Snow White can carry through the year to the Academy shortlists in the hair and makeup category. (Best Makeup and Hair is one of the 10 categories where the branches whittle down contenders before the nominations vote.) However, the film could be a safe bet for recognition despite its middling reviews if it does.
Best Song
Emmy-, Grammy-, Oscar-, and Tony Award-winning songwriters Benj Pasek and Justin Paul wrote several new songs for Snow White. However, if one is going to break through with the Academy next year, the smart money is on “Waiting on a Wish.” Disney elevated the track during the marketing push for Snow White, with Zegler performing “Waiting on a Wish” live on ABC’s Good Morning America and the network’s late-night show Jimmy Kimmel Live. It’s a standout moment in the film, and Zegler has received praise for bringing the song to life onscreen. Still, Pasek and Paul aren’t locked here for several reasons. It remains to be seen if Disney will even submit “Waiting on a Wish” for Academy consideration or if the song will stick in the zeitgeist for several months before the Oscars shortlists are revealed in December. Another flag: Despite their status as EGOT winners, the Academy hasn’t nominated the duo since 2018, despite several significant projects, including the live-action Aladdin. So, from another perspective, one might even say they are waiting on a wish... to get back to the Oscars.
Snow White is out now.