Snow White's "Little" Problem: Disney's Live-Action Remake Sparks Controversy
The first trailer for Disney's upcoming live-action adaptation of *Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
has dropped, and it's sparked controversy regarding its representation of dwarf characters. The film, starring Rachel Zegler as Snow White, Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen, and featuring Andrew Burnap as the prince, is set to hit cinemas on 21st March 2025.
The contentious issue revolves around the decision to animate the dwarves rather than cast actors with dwarfism. This has drawn criticism from the Little People (LP) community and various disability advocates who argue that the animation perpetuates a harmful trend of erasing disability representation in mainstream media.
Prior to the trailer's release, the casting of animated dwarves had already raised concerns among some. The decision to use animation, critics argue, reinforces the narrative that people with dwarfism are not suitable for roles that would allow them to portray their own experiences.
Peter Dinklage, a prominent LP actor, expressed his disappointment with the approach in a recent interview: "They were very proud to cast a Latino actress as Snow White, but youâre still telling the story of âSnow White and the Seven Dwarfs.â Take a step back and look at what youâre doing there. It makes no sense to me." Dinklage's statement highlights the irony of embracing diversity in one aspect while perpetuating exclusion in another.
Kristen Lopez, writing for IndieWire, observed that the media frenzy surrounding the casting choice, followed by the decision to animate the dwarves, reflects a pattern of erasure within the disability community. This sentiment is shared by many within the LP community who feel their stories and experiences are consistently disregarded.
While Disney has chosen to animate the dwarfs, they are voiced by LP actors, including Martin Klebba, who voices Grumpy. However, the lack of on-screen representation for LP actors remains a significant concern.
The decision to animate the dwarves has also been criticised on a purely aesthetic level, with many finding the visual disparity between the live-action characters and the animated dwarfs jarring and distracting.
The controversy surrounding the casting and depiction of the dwarves raises important questions about representation and inclusivity in cinema. While Disney's ambition to promote diversity is commendable, the decision to use animation instead of casting real LP actors appears to be a missed opportunity to advance representation and break down harmful stereotypes. The film's choice to erase the presence of LP actors, even in a role as iconic as the dwarfs, leaves many questioning whether progress towards a truly inclusive and representative film industry is actually being made.
