Faced with criticism from Peter Dinklage, Disney claims to “take a different approach” to representing dwarfs in its live-action adaptation of Snow White.
Disney, targeted by criticism from actor Peter Dinklage, defended itself in a press release. The comedian, who has dwarfism, accused the studio of “hypocrisy” and “backsliding” for choosing to make a live-action version of his classic Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter , a Disney spokesperson said:
“To avoid reinforcing the stereotypes of the original animated film, we’re taking a different approach with these seven characters, and we’ve consulted with members of the dwarf community. We look forward to sharing more.” as the film enters production, after a long period of development.”
In a podcast broadcast on Tuesday, Peter Dinklage was very critical of this film project. “I was a little surprised: they were very proud to hire a Latina actress for Snow White,” he said. “But yet they tell the story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs over and over again . Step back and watch what you are doing. It makes no sense to me.”
“On the one hand, you’re progressive, and on the other hand, you keep putting forward this damn retrograde story of seven dwarfs who live together in a cave – but what do you do?”, he added. “Have I done nothing to advance the cause on my scale? I guess I’m not strong enough.”
The production of this new film, which will be directed by Marc Webb ( The Amazing Spider-Man ), should begin in 2022. The princess will be played by Rachel Zegler, star of Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story , daughter of a Colombian mother and from a Polish father. Israeli actress Gal Gadot landed the role of the wicked stepmother.
Snow White is the adaptation of a tale by the Brothers Grimm, who published the first version in 1812 and to whom we owe many other tales, from Rapunzel to Hansel and Gretel. The tale has been the subject of many adaptations, starting with the mythical Disney cartoon in 1937. More recently, Julia Roberts slipped into the skin of the evil queen, opposite Lily Collins in Snow White, in Blanche Snow , in 2012 but also Charlize Theron and Kirsten Stewart, in Snow White and the Huntsman , the same year.