Disney has responded to recent criticisms made by Peter Dinklage about the upcoming live-action remake of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
In an interview on comedian Marc Maron’s podcast WTF on Monday, the Emmy-winning Game of Thrones star, who has a form of dwarfism known as achondroplasia, called the story, based on the 19th-century fairytale, “backward”.
“Literally no offence to anything, but I was a little taken aback…They were very proud to cast a Latina actress as Snow White – but you’re still telling the story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” the actor said.
“Take a step back and look at what you’re doing there. It makes no sense to me. You’re progressive in one way…, but you’re still making that fucking backward story about seven dwarfs living in a cave together? What the fuck are you doing, man? Have I done nothing to advance the cause from my soapbox? I guess I’m not loud enough.”
https://youtu.be/yAT0-CWi07U
Responding to the actor, Disney said it is taking a different approach with these seven characters and have been consulting with members of the dwarfism community.
“To avoid reinforcing stereotypes from the original animated film, we are taking a different approach with these seven characters and have been consulting with members of the dwarfism community. We look forward to sharing more as the film heads into production after a lengthy development period,” a Disney spokesperson said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter.
“We look forward to sharing more as the film heads into production after a lengthy development period.”
The remake of Disney’s 1937 animated film has been in development for three years. The original story features seven dwarf miners who take in a princess after she is exiled by her wicked stepmother. West Side Story actress Rachel Zegler will be seen as Snow White and Israeli actress Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen.
Marc Webb is directing, while Marc Platt, the Oscar-nominated producer who worked on the live-action rendition of The Little Mermaid for the studio, is producing.
The new Snow White movie is scheduled for release next year.
