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Disney's live-action Snow White hasn't even hit theaters, yet it's already caught in a storm of controversy. Set to premiere in the UK next week, the film has become a battleground for debates on representation, political correctness, and the evolving nature of classic fairy tales.
At the center of the debate is the portrayal of the Seven Dwarfs. Hollywood heavyweight Peter Dinklage, who has achondroplasia (a form of dwarfism), slammed the film in 2022 for its "backward" depiction of the characters. In response, Disney opted for CGI-generated dwarfs instead of hiring actors with dwarfism—a decision that has drawn backlash from performers who argue that it eliminates opportunities for them in Hollywood.
Actor Choon Tan called the move "absolutely absurd," while fellow performer Blake Johnston accused Disney of bowing to "peer pressure on political correctness" at the expense of dwarf actors. Meanwhile, Dinklage remains unimpressed, questioning why Disney modernized Snow White's casting but still stuck to the outdated portrayal of the dwarfs.
That's not the only storm brewing. Rachel Zegler, who plays Snow White, has been at the center of heated discussions. Her comments about the 1937 animated film—calling the original prince "a guy who literally stalks her" and labeling the movie "extremely dated"—haven't sat well with nostalgic fans. The backlash intensified when people criticized Disney for casting a Latina actress in a role historically described as having "skin as white as snow."
Adding fuel to the fire is the rumored tension between Zegler and her co-star, Gal Gadot (who plays the Evil Queen). Some speculate that their opposing views on the Israel-Palestine conflict may have caused friction, though both actresses have publicly supported each other at events.
Despite the drama, Disney is moving full steam ahead with its latest live-action venture. The film's European premiere took place at a medieval castle in Spain, the real-life inspiration for the Evil Queen's lair. However, the Los Angeles premiere is expected to be notably low-key, with limited press access.
With a reported budget of $280 million, Snow White is Disney's latest attempt to breathe new life into its classics. Whether it will be remembered as a groundbreaking adaptation or a misstep in Hollywood's diversity and representation discourse remains to be seen.
