Peter Dinklage pushes back against dwarves in new 'Snow White' adaptation, Disney responds

Edward Segarra, USA TODAY
·3 min read

The upcoming live-action adaptation of “Snow White” is not a fairy tale reimagining for Peter Dinklage.

During an appearance on a Monday episode of the “WTF with Marc Maron” podcast, the former “Game of Thrones” star told host Marc Maron that remaking the story of “Snow White” is a step backward for media representation of dwarfism. The Disney adaptation directed by Marc Webb, currently set for release in 2023, stars “West Side Story” breakout Rachel Zegler as Snow White and “Wonder Woman” Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen.

“There’s a lot of hypocrisy going on,” Dinklage said on the podcast. “Literally no offense to anything, but I was a little taken aback 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.

He added: “It makes no sense to me.”

Peter Dinklage accepts the Screen Actors Guild award for outstanding performance by a male actor in a drama series for his role as Tyrion Lannister in “Game of Thrones.”
Peter Dinklage accepts the Screen Actors Guild award for outstanding performance by a male actor in a drama series for his role as Tyrion Lannister in “Game of Thrones.”

Want more Peter Dinklage? See the best movie musicals of 2021, ranked (including Dinklage's 'Cyrano')

Dinklage said while he appreciates the inclusivity of the film’s casting, he still has trouble reconciling the insensitivity of the film’s storyline toward dwarfs. The classic animated 1937 film "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" follows the tale of a princess named Snow White, who is saved from the wrath of her evil stepmother by a group of dwarf miners.

“You’re progressive in one way but then you’re still making that … backwards story about seven dwarfs living in a cave together,” Dinklage said. “Have I done nothing to advance the cause from my soapbox? I guess I’m not loud enough.

“All love and respect to the actress and all the people who thought they were doing the right thing, but I’m just like, ‘What are you doing?’ ”

Disney issued a statement Tuesday about the film's planned depiction of the seven dwarfs.

“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," Disney told USA TODAY in the statement. "We look forward to sharing more as the film heads into production after a lengthy development period.”

Dinklage is set to star next in the upcoming Brad Anderson drama “The Dwarf,” which centers on a Machiavellian dwarf who undermines a medieval Italian kingdom by manipulating its prince.

Many on social media are standing by Dinklage's side on the issue.

"I dont know about you guys but I'm inclined to simply trust Peter Dinklage on the concept of offensive portrayals of dwarves in fiction," Twitter user Casey Lee Danger wrote.

"it’s not easy to hear things you enjoy be criticized but media as a whole will be much better if you listen to and accept critiques from the people whose communities are being represented," Twitter user @First_c0w wrote. "i’m just happy to see actors speaking up about concerns."

"Not sure why so many people are willingly defending Disney — a company with a LONG track record of, let’s say, problematic behavior — when Dinklage makes a good point about their hypocritical approach to progressivism," Twitter user Keith LaFountaine wrote.

SAG Awards snubs: Kristen Stewart, Leonardo DiCaprio, Peter Dinklage miss out on nominations

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Peter Dinklage: 'Snow White' remake bad for dwarf representation

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