In June 2021, when actress Rachel Zegler was announced for the lead role in Snow White, Disney faced backlash due to the “non-traditional” skin color of the Latina actress. Zegler has a darker complexion, which does not align with the traditional portrayal of “white as snow” for the character of Snow White in the classic fairy tale. Fans were disappointed yet again when the film’s teaser revealed Zegler in her Snow White costume a year later.
However, the controversy surrounding the 2024 film adaptation is far from over. This time, it is fueled by the casting of the seven dwarfs.
Behind the scenes of Snow White. Photo: BackGrid.
On July 15, New York Post reported that the audience is currently “captivated” after images of Snow White and the seven dwarfs were leaked on social media.
In the images, the actress portraying Snow White is seen on set in Bedfordshire, England, flanked by a group of individuals cast as the seven dwarfs. Notably, apart from one individual who fits the traditional short stature, the other cast members differ significantly in appearance — including some who are notably taller. Additionally, there is a mix of skin tones, body types, and genders among the dwarfs.
While some fans have shown support for the film’s modern adaptation of the 1937 animated classic, others have taken to Twitter to express their disbelief: “They should just rename the film to Snow White and the Seven Freelancers,” “How is this dwarf casting even possible?” and “It seems like they don’t care much about the traditional dwarf representation and are now just focusing on the girl.”
Some viewers are concerned that the film is straying too far from its source material, which could undermine the essence of the original story.
The seven dwarfs in the new adaptation are vastly different from the original, not only in height but also in skin color and gender. Photo: BackGrid.
One of the seven dwarfs appears to be a female. Photo: BackGrid.
In the original animated film, the seven dwarfs were depicted as old men and presented in a comical manner. However, Disney has announced that this important group of characters will be modernized and portrayed as “mythical creatures” with varying shapes, sizes, and genders.
At the beginning of 2022, actor Peter Dinklage, known for his role in Game of Thrones, criticized the film’s casting choices for perpetuating stereotypes and offending the disabled community.
In a statement to Deadline, Disney responded by acknowledging the need to approach the portrayal of the seven dwarfs differently while also considering the opinions of members of the disabled community.
Besides the skin color, height, and gender of the seven dwarfs, Snow White will also feature a narrative that does not include any royal characters who rescue Snow White, instead focusing more on the heroine’s journey toward empowerment.
In an interview with Vanity Fair in October 2022, lead actress Zegler stated about the film: “This is an 85-year-old animated film. Our version is a fresh take on the story of a heroine who has a role beyond just waiting for a prince to save her.”
Snow White and the seven dwarfs in the 1937 animated film. Photo: Disney
According to NY Post
