Game of Thrones star Peter Dinklage has harsh criticism about Disney's upcoming live-action remake of the 1937 animated film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
On comedian Marc Maron’s WTF podcast earlier this week, Dinklage spoke about the casting of Disney's Snow White, as well as the premise. In response to Rachel Zegler (West Side Story) being cast in the title role, he said, "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. You’re progressive in one way, but then you’re still making that f***ing backward story about seven dwarfs living in a cave together? What the f*** are you doing, man? Have I done nothing to advance the cause from my soapbox? I guess I’m not loud enough.”
In response to Dinklage's outrage, Disney released the following statement on Wednesday: "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."
Dinklage, who has a form of dwarfism known as achondroplasia, stars in the title role of the movie Cyrano, based on the play Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmond Rostand, about a man whose large nose causes him to doubt his ability to be loved. In the new film version, Cyrano (Dinklage) is afraid to express his love for the beautiful Roxane because of his short stature.
Cyrano was set to release last December, but was delayed due to the pandemic. Although it doesn't have a set release date, it should arrive in theaters later this year. Disney's Snow White live-action remake, which stars Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen, is scheduled to hit theaters in 2023.
The Original animated Classic was my Mom's fav. She purchased piano songbook from movie and played tunes often.tried singing I'm Wishing as Snow White. Do not like new plastcine look only Classic animation like Snow White.
OH no, poor rich publicity-seeking Mr. Dinklage and his soap box, Unless Disney is modernizing the story and telling a non-fantasy story now, Dinklage should stop complaining. The original is about a princess, a prince, dwarves, and a witch with swords and gallant steeds. It is a fantasy musical. Next we will have the Tolkien brand get rid of the dwarves and elves. Maybe no goblins in Harry Potter? Are the wiccans going to get up in arms about the characterization of the evil witch? No one is creating a story with Dwarves to make fun of people with achondroplasia. People are telling fantastical stories with creatures who are short, live underground, typically have full beards, and are great craftsman. I'm surprised Mr. Dinklage didn't get on his soapbox when the movie Snow White and the Huntsman was released. He could have had even more publicity complaining that tall actors (Ian McShane, Bob Hoskins, Ray Winstone, Nick Frost, etc) were used to portray the Dwarves.
@Tom nice attempt at gaslighting there bud. Your ignorance is showing...
I don't want to dispute the Dinklage point of view, after all your country has free speech in its constitution. I understand his point and we all need to be reminded on how to be sensitive. I must admit sometimes it seems sensitive moves over to being over sensitive. I also think Tom has a point about it being a fantasy and the dwarves are the heroes no matter their domicile. Good point about the wiccan point of view too. Carol in Canada
She's called snow white because her skin is white as snow. How is a latino going to pull that off? Tired of all this political correctness to include everyone. The actress needs to suit the character or you need to write a completely different story (with a different name)
Hilarious that Tom claims there is o discrimination while calling them "creatures"
sometimes changes make sense others not do much it’s called Snow White & 7 dwarfs there so little people are needed now a Latina playing Snow White is far more odd as she was called Snow White for having such snow white skin do there’s a disconnect there. you wouldn’t cast a snow white as the lead girl in west side story would we? no.
First off, stop saying the "Dwarves" live underground or live in a cave. have you people not seen the film (that you are arguing about)?! The Dwarves lived in a house, like normal human beings, which is what they were. They went to work in Mines...they had day jobs like normal human beings. ... They take in a homeless single girl (creepy? lol) who becomes their houseslave. (more creepy lol) I'm kidding. ... I don't think these animated films should be made as live action films, since part of the appeal is the fact that it was animated and fantastical. Something is lost, many things are changed, its just not the same. Don't do it. ... You know why Dinklage is so upset? He was up for the role of Grumpy but didn't get it... they said he was too Grumpy.
Enough Already. Hollywood needs to stop making Remakes and so called updating. It's not Social Correctness. It's just plain GREED. She 's called Snow WHITE!
The Dwarfs in the centuries old fairy-tale are mythical creatures, and not at all human beings of any stature.
I agree with Snow White being played by a white person, and the story staying similar to past ones. I do not know where people will draw the line at 'racism', when we distroy statues, etc. It is part of history. Do not glorify either, but movies for example, do we not watch or then get rid of because they show characters who are racist? Not history ones, but like Archie Bunker, ones that call people n****rs, degrade women, etc. Where does it end? And why are there so many name changes? For example...Indians, Indigenous, Natives, Native American, etc. I guess updated but ... And if we find out someone does wrong who has a statue made of themselves, etc., do we take it down? Make Snow White with another race, but perhaps change the name.
Hilarious that @Debbie is worried about discrimination against fantasy creatures/beings/races in a story/movie. LOL Don't want to discriminate against unicorns or fairies or pixies or elves or ogres or giants or dwarves or centaurs or cyclops or fauns. Give the societal correctness a break. Everyone will have to stop telling stories or passing down learned traditions and fairy tales.
Well done Peter! Most of this thread is why you need to speak out and change the world for exceptional people. Thank you! I t's not that they were heroes. The names Sleepy, Dopey etc. - come on you get the drift. How many of you have named your dear child Dopey? Ah... I thought so. And the 7 with dwarfism are presented as fumbling and stumbling. Seriously? Living in a cave. Yes! That was the dark ages. It was written a very long time ago. We have moved through the age of enlightenment and some of these dinosaurs need to catch up. They are Joe every day with a shorter stature. That's it. So maybe rewrite to make them the way they truly are. Or take them out. And maybe change the name of the heroine to something that works with her ethnic origin? Something not quite so insulting. Or give her an unusual white streak of hair to be more honest with the name. Well done Peter Dinklage. At least you have Disney rethinking. Yes!
I find it odd him complaining about a Latina having the role of Snow White while in his role of Cyrano he does not have an overly large nose. And I don't recall Cyrano being a small person either!
Complaining that a fairy tale isn't contemporary enough? You've come up short again, Peter.
So it seems that... If people would just stop making movies and going to them, putting on plays, writing and singing songs, stop making video games, speaking in public or using the internet.... everything would great!!!!
They should have casted Michael Jackson's daughter as Snow White....
Stop your whining!!! Dwarves ARE real....they are part of our world.... this story is a fantasy story....NOT real! Youève done well in your life, be grateful and stop your whingeing.
FYI: There are many latin countries that have very pale-skinned people. Learn your history, people. Now whether they are casting a dark-skinned Latina to play Snow WHITE, I have no idea. Whatever.
I was reading most of the comments and I find it odd that people mostly keep saying its a fairy tale and move on. Back when it was written, there was a different connotation (hatred/carnvival-like fascination)with people who were shorter than the average-little people/dwarfs. Then people are saying what about other mythical creatures...well the story was fantasy, but the dwarfs are based real people. THAT'S THE DIFFERENCE! They were converted to fantasy to suit a fairytale. How can you say Peter Dinklage is whiny and upset he didn't get a part? Ya right, he's renown actor and a damn good one which I'm sure he'd have been hired on the spot if he wanted a role in Snow White! It's not political correctness, it's just that years ago people didn't have a voice. NOW (especially with social media influencing things), people seem to have a voice, especially a renown actor like Peter Dinklage who actually has been arguing for representation of dwarfs. He accepted GoT and was never killed off because he was the smartest character on the show and integral part. He showed everyone that he was more than just his height! We are not dwarfs, so how can we know how he or that particular group of people feel about the situation?! It's like if a negative view of a cartoon or fairytale misrepresented black people or indigenous etc, if you aren't part of that group of people, then STFU. Likely the original story never consulted that group, they just made up a story/fairytale and now it certainly needs a bit of re-tooling! Also, it's funny how people talk about fairy tale creatures and then say Snow White is her name due to her porcelain skin colour so explain how a Latina can play the part?! Um firstly, there are many shades of Latina women. And if you are complaining about Peter Dinklage being upset over fairy tale dwarfs (When dwarfs are actually people), then Snow White is part of the fairy tale too, so she can be changed as well. Everyone who does not have Achondroplasia, spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita or any other type of dwarfism, sit down and keep your ill informed moronic statements to your self. Sure, we are all entitled to freedom of speech, but expect to be called out on your ignorance. Better to remain quiet and be thought of as stupid, rather than opening your mouth and removing all doubt.
These days, the nonsense never stops. Round and round it goes... where we'll end up, nobody knows...
Fools are still doing what psychotics do: confusing fantasy with reality.
I find all these comments hilarious when Disney is known for changing stories to suit their needs. The Little Mermaid? She died in the original story. She didn't get the prince, she didn't live 'happily ever after'. Very few of the original fairy tales had happy endings. They were originally teaching stories. They got sanitized over the centuries and Disney takes that sanitation one step further making them romantic, happy little stories for kids. In this case, it is ridiculous to cast as non-white actor in role called Snow WHITE. The character description says it all.
LOUnwACGaHR
@Tom and the rest decrying societal correctness: unicorns, fairies, pixies, elves, ogres, giants, centaurs, cyclops or fauns are creatures of fantasy. Dwarves are people. And there's Dinklage's rub.
Dinklage's rub?? Ewww....
Has anyone considered that all the political correctness that the media is bending over backward to put forth may be wearing on the general public and beginning to have an opposite, negative effect?
Today I thought I would see if my comment was posted, as I did not see it just after I had written it, in the past. The comment after mine who was TOM, well, I may have gotten off topic a bit, but he laughed that I said if the name is Snow White, that it should be played by a white character. He laughed because he thought I was taking it too far? My comment was just that, and the racism was about people in general, who keep destroying statues, or changing their names, etc., to be politically correct? and when does it end? I did like the person's comment that said that any shade of white could play Snow White. Or cross out the name, and add any other color you want. Diversity is great!
The midge is trying to be a big man. Tall order.
I think Peter can SPEAK his MIND. And I think Snow White should either be called 'Snow Beige' (very in right now) OR-just be Played by Edgar Winter. And Johnny's music as the soundtrack. It's a Fantasy, right?