Game of Thrones star Peter Dinklage had some thoughts about Disney's upcoming version of a classic animated film, and he did not mince words.
Peter Dinklage on Disney\u2019s \u2018Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs\u2019\u00a0Remakehttps://thedisinsider.com/2022/01/24/peter-dinklage-on-disneys-snow-white-and-the-seven-dwarfs-remake/\u00a0\u2026— The DisInsider (@The DisInsider) 1643059750
In June 2021, Disney made a casting announcement for their live-action adaptation of the Walt Disney classic that started it all–Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
The re-imagining of the 1937 film–based on the Brothers Grimm fairytale–follows the studio's recent trend of reworking their iconic films with 2017's Beauty and the Beast, starring Emma Watson; and 2019's Aladdin, featuring Will Smith.
The new Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs will feature Steven Spielberg's West Side Story breakout star Rachel Zegler in the titular role.
The casting of Zegler–who is of Colombian and Polish descent–is the mouse house's latest move in diversifying the role of Disney princesses, following the casting of Black actress Halle Bailey as Ariel in the live-action remake of The Little Mermaid.
Although the new Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is getting lauded for its diverse casting, not everyone is embracing this remake.
Peter Dinklage has some thoughts about Disney's live-action #SnowWhite reboot.https://ew.com/movies/peter-dinklage-slams-live-action-snow-white-remake-disney/?utm_campaign=entertainmentweekly_entertainmentweekly&utm_content=new&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_term=61ef6411dfb48e00011b2450\u00a0\u2026— Entertainment Weekly (@Entertainment Weekly) 1643078708
Actor Peter Dinklage, who has a common form of dwarfism known as achondroplasia, called out Disney's double standards and for revisiting the “f'king backward story.”
The four-time Emmy Award-winner discussed his point of contention on the podcast, WTF with Marc Maron.
"There's a lot of hypocrisy for someone who is a little bit unique," Dinklage told Maron regarding topics that are considered taboo to discuss in the industry.
When Maron asked him to elaborate on the issue, Dinklage replied:
“No offense to anything, but I was a little taken aback … They were very proud to cast a Latino actress as Snow White, but you’re still telling the story of 'Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs.'”
"Take a step back and look at what you're doing there," said Dinklage. "It makes no sense to me."
The actor touches on the subject at the 43:00 minute mark in the interview, which can be seen, here.
WTF Podcast - Peter Dinklageyoutu.be
He continued:
“You’re progressive in one way, but you’re still making that fucking backward story of seven dwarfs living in the cave. What the f'k are you doing, man? Have I done nothing to advance the cause from my soapbox?"
"I guess I’m not loud enough.”
In all deference to Zegler, Dinklage questioned Disney's intentions.
“They were so proud of that, and all love and respect to the actress and the people who thought they were doing the right thing, but I’m just like, ‘What are you doing?’”
People weighed in with their observations, starting with some who were unable to identify the problem.
probably mad they didn't offer him a role, the dwarves in snow white are not offensive, nothing about them is offensive, they just happen to be brothers who live together because they're not accepted by society and they care for Snow White in her exile, how is that offensive?— \ud835\udd77\ud835\udd86\ud835\udd89\ud835\udd9e \ud835\udd72\ud835\udd94\ud835\udd99\ud835\udd8d-\ud835\udd72\ud835\udd86 \ud83c\udf65 (@\ud835\udd77\ud835\udd86\ud835\udd89\ud835\udd9e \ud835\udd72\ud835\udd94\ud835\udd99\ud835\udd8d-\ud835\udd72\ud835\udd86 \ud83c\udf65) 1643131590
Someone tell Peter that it's a fairy tale, not a historical piece.— Insurrectionist (@Insurrectionist) 1643127410
Why is this an issue? Lord of the rings had dwarves and it wasn\u2019t an issue. It\u2019s not furthering stereotypes about people who have dwarfism but about the mythological beings.— Fall (@Fall) 1643128075
Dwarfs in Snow White are a race of people. Like Tolkien Dwarfs. Not a bunch of guys with dwarfism. Plus, Snow White is fantasy, a world with witchs.— GF76 (@GF76) 1643134064
Why did he take a role playing an \u2018impish\u2019 dwarf on GOT? Does he want 7 roles for people with similar conditions, who may get their one break bc of this, to get replaced with 7 average height miners?— Choctaw Stu (@Choctaw Stu) 1643142999
They\u2019re portraying fairytale dwarves not him. Idk what the problem is? Get a platform and everyone is \u201cwoke\u201d about something— 100% Pure Lust (@100% Pure Lust) 1643134693
It\u2019s a cottage not a cave firstly. They have jobs. & hopefully for this remake. They make the group racially diverse, have the dwarves be both male and female, or give them love interests (7 men, 7 women or 4 men, 3 women).— Secrets Of Dumbledore (@Secrets Of Dumbledore) 1643081604
He allowed himself to play a character that was a drunk, a womanizer, and regularly called an \u201cimp\u201dbut he draws the line at fictional dwarf roommates that work in a diamond mine and take in a homeless woman. \n\nI\u2014— Rae The Writer (@Rae The Writer) 1643124044
I'm not sure if there's anything inherently offensive about a bunch of good hearted dudes living in the woods just doing their thing, who happen to be dwarves, unless there's something specifically about the story that is insensitive that I'm missing.— Leo (@Leo) 1643082286
Others agreed with Dinklage how some films just don't translate well from cartoons to real life.
The Disney version of the Dwarves, iconic though they may be, are glorified minstrels. Works in the old cartoon, but the situation needs updating.— LerXander (@LerXander) 1643124975
I love all these people angrily trying to defend Disney as though the height of Snow White's friends in any way contributed to or effected the plot at all... Absolutely nothing would change if they were just miners & not dwarves, not a single thing— CharlieAsher (@CharlieAsher) 1643138590
A story about a 14 year old running away and being a maid to a bunch of guys and kissed without consent. That'll do great in this day and age right?— Sparrow (@Sparrow) 1643144520
I don't think they should be making a live action Snow White remake anyway. That being said... U can't do Snow White without the 7 Dwarfs. That's like Willy Wonka without Oompa Loompas.— Kyle W. (@Kyle W.) 1643080751
The number of average height people on this thread telling a person with dwarfism how he should feel about the depiction of people with dwarfism is\u2026 startling. It\u2019d be like me explaining to a black person why the crows in Dumbo aren\u2019t that racist: I wouldn\u2019t. You shouldn\u2019t.— Andrew Goldwasser (@Andrew Goldwasser) 1643128375
I\u2019m an actor with dwarfism and I\u2019m glad he said something. I don\u2019t know any actors with dwarfism being asked to audition for this so I\u2019m assuming they will be CGI. Little people actors are shut out of the room all the time until Hollywood wants to do stuff like this. Sucks.— aubrey (@aubrey) 1643096519
The new Snow White is directed by Marc Webb. Joining Zegler in the cast is Wonder Woman’s Gal Gadot, who will play the Evil Queen.
The re-imagining will feature an all-new soundtrack with songs by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, the Tony-winning duo responsible for Best Musical, Dear Evan Hansen; and the 2016 musical film, La La Land, starring Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone.