The Disney remake of Snow White, which reimagines the 1937 animated classic, has faced significant criticism for its use of CGI in recreating the seven dwarfs. The film, starring Rachel Zegler as Snow White and Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen, has drawn attention for various reasons. One of the most contentious decisions was the portrayal of the seven dwarfs, who have been brought to life using visual effects instead of being portrayed by actors with dwarfism.
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The controversy intensified when actor Peter Dinklage voiced his concerns about the film. Dinklage argued that while Disney was proud to cast a Latina actress as Snow White, the inclusion of the seven dwarfs in the story perpetuated outdated stereotypes. He suggested that it made no sense to modernise the character of Snow White while still relying on the old-fashioned portrayal of dwarfs living in a cave. In response to this feedback, Disney stated that they were consulting with members of the dwarfism community and decided to reimagine the dwarfs as CGI characters in an effort to avoid reinforcing harmful stereotypes.
Despite Disney’s attempt to modernise the characters, the decision to use CGI has faced backlash from people with dwarfism. Comedian Fats Timbo criticised the move, arguing that the representation of actors with dwarfism is already limited, and using CGI to create the dwarfs reinforces the idea that people with dwarfism are “mythical creatures.” He emphasised that casting real actors with dwarfism would have been a valuable opportunity for educational representation. Similarly, professional wrestler Dylan Postl highlighted that this decision further reduces opportunities for actors with dwarfism in the entertainment industry, where roles for them are already scarce.
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The actors involved in the film, including Martin Klebba, who voices Grumpy, have defended the decision to use CGI. Klebba explained that casting directors were welcome to audition actors with dwarfism for the voiceover roles but acknowledged that finding actors who could act and work well together was a challenge. He stated that the use of CGI did not diminish the opportunity for him as an actor, as it allowed him to be part of a major franchise. Nonetheless, the controversy surrounding the portrayal of the dwarfs in the remake highlights ongoing debates about representation and the opportunities available to actors with dwarfism.
