In a bid to prioritize diversity and inclusivity, Disney’s upcoming live-action remake of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” is taking a fresh approach to the iconic characters. Recently released set photos obtained by British outlet The Daily Mail have shed light on the production’s commitment to reimagining the beloved fairy tale.
The first notable change is the casting of Hispanic actress Rachel Zegler as Snow White. The images showcased a stunt double for Zegler, dressed in Snow White’s classic blue and yellow attire with a red cloak. Zegler’s casting had initially generated controversy due to her Colombian and Polish descent, considering the original character was depicted as a German princess with fair skin.
However, Zegler emphasized the necessity for a more inclusive portrayal of the beloved character, stating, “People are making jokes about ours being the PC ‘Snow White’, where it’s like, yeah, it is – because it needed that.
Additionally, the set photos unveiled the “magical creatures” who replace the traditional seven dwarves. The new characters are depicted as multi-racial, multi-gender individuals, varying in height. Disney’s decision to re-envision the dwarves as “magical creatures” stems from concerns raised by actor Peter Dinklage, known for his role in “Game of Thrones,” who has dwarfism. Dinklage had expressed his reservations during a podcast, stating that the original depiction perpetuated stereotypes and lacked sensitivity. In response, Disney chose to consult with members of the dwarfism community and take a different approach in order to avoid reinforcing such stereotypes.
Dinklage said at the time, “There’s a lot of hypocrisy going. Literally no offense to anyone, but I was a little taken aback when 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.’ Take a step back and look at what you’re doing there. It makes no sense to me.”
He added, “You’re progressive in one way, but then you’re still making that f—ing backwards story about seven dwarfs living in a cave together, what the f— are you doing, man?”
Among the new “magical creatures” shown in the set photos, only one character appears to have dwarfism, while the others are portrayed by fully-sized men and women from various racial backgrounds.
EXCLUSIVE Snow White and the Seven… Politically-Correct Companions? https://t.co/gOantUJDEQ pic.twitter.com/Gn8NpFIEKP
— Daily Mail US (@DailyMail) July 14, 2023
The live-action production has been underway in Bedfordshire, U.K., with the photos capturing scenes featuring Snow White walking through a picturesque field alongside her fairy tale companions. The movie is set to release in March 2024.
Yes, it is racist to make Snow White not white, because they are treating the whiteness of the character as a flaw that needs to be fixed. pic.twitter.com/JM2LzFSAmK
— The Matt Walsh Show (@MattWalshShow) July 17, 2023
“These are roles made for actors of my stature… I can’t go for the Harrison Ford or the George Clooney roles.”
Dylan Postl thinks the casting of the live action Snow White And The Seven Dwarves is the opposite of progressive.@DylanPostl | @piersmorgan | @TalkTV | #PMU pic.twitter.com/yvsgnw2fPl
— Piers Morgan Uncensored (@PiersUncensored) July 17, 2023
