Disney Corporation has faced a series of challenges as it strives to adapt its magical kingdom to the demands of modern culture, leading to a recent setback in the form of their revamped rendition of the beloved animated film “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” The updated version, titled simply “Snow White,” takes a new approach by featuring live actors in the retelling.
One particular issue arose when actor Peter Dinklage, known for his role in the popular streaming series “Game of Thrones,” voiced his concerns about the portrayal of dwarves in the original Brothers Grimm tale, which was first published in 1812. Dinklage expressed his disappointment during an interview with Deadline, pointing out that individuals of short stature have been subjected to stereotyping.
Of further contention was the casting choice for Snow White, as Dinklage highlighted his discontent with the fact that a Hispanic actress was playing the titular character, while her companions remained in the traditional depiction of 19th-century dwarves.
“You’re progressive in one way and you’re still making that f*cking backwards story about seven dwarfs living in a cave together,” remarked Mr. Dinklage about the original version of the new Snow White movie.
Disney decided to replace the traditional dwarves in the “Snow White” remake with a group of “magical friends” who vary in height, gender, and race, according to reports from the entertainment industry. The Daily Mail even published photos from a film set in the UK, showcasing these new characters accompanying Snow White. The publication referred to them as “the seven politically correct companions.”
Initially, Disney vehemently denied the authenticity of the published photos, labeling them as “fake.” However, the company has now admitted that their claim was false.
According to a report from the Daily Beast, a Disney spokesperson originally stated, “the photos are fake and not from our production.” Subsequently, Disney acknowledged that the photos were indeed from the production, but clarified that they were not official.
Despite their efforts, it appears that the House of Mouse is struggling to please everyone as it did in the past. While casting a non-White female as Snow White pleased advocates of cultural change, it angered traditionalists. Moreover, the decision to replace the dwarves with a diverse group of individuals, as stated by the Daily Mail, also faced backlash from fans.
In such a predicament, the movie studio finds itself in a challenging position, contemplating the best course of action to satisfy various stakeholders.
