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Martin Klebba, who voices Grumpy in Disney's upcoming live-action remake of "Snow White," has expressed disappointment that the film's premiere has been scaled back. The actor, however, doesn't blame Disney for the decision.
"I was a little disappointed," Klebba told The Post. "I'm not disappointed in Disney. I'm disappointed in the world."
Disney reportedly made the decision to scale back the premiere due to controversies surrounding the film's stars, Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot, as well as the treatment of the "seven dwarves" characters, which were created using CGI rather than casting live actors.
Klebba elaborated on his disappointment: "We've come to this place in society where people work really hard on this movie, where Marc [Webb], the director, is probably four years into putting this together, [along with] the producers and Disney, and just because a couple of people have views that not everybody feels the same way, now we're having to alter the fun part of making a movie, which is premieres."
The actor acknowledged the reasoning behind Disney's decision. "Disney is one of the greatest production companies of all time, so you gotta be really careful in today's world. So I see why they did it."
Klebba was particularly looking forward to the red carpet experience with his castmates. "I just was really hoping to get to get together and walk the red carpet with these guys," he shared.
Having worked on other Disney franchises including "Pirates of the Caribbean" and "The Haunted Mansion," Klebba offered a perspective on acceptance: "The world has come a long way. Whether you're woke or not woke, God doesn't make mistakes. Just be you and accepting. Accept everybody for who they are and the world would be a great place."
The actor also highlighted the challenges he faces in Hollywood as someone with a disability. "I wish Hollywood would be a little bit more open minded with people with disabilities," he said. "Whether they're in a wheelchair or they're shorter or whatever it might be, give everybody an opportunity."
Klebba's agent, Raphael Berko, confirmed these struggles: "It's unbelievable the prejudice against him. It's terribly frustrating."
Despite the controversy, Klebba praised the film as "amazing" and credited director Webb with doing "a great job." He concluded with a sentiment of loyalty toward Disney: "I love Disney. They do what they gotta do. It's sad that society has gotten to the point where we have to do this nowadays."
