Credit: Disney
The curtain has just risen on the first trailer for Disney’s highly anticipated live-action Snow White, a reimagining of the classic tale, set to grace theaters in 2024. While the trailer offers a glimpse into a visually rich world, it has ignited a debate, particularly concerning the portrayal of the iconic seven dwarfs.
Starring Rachel Zegler as Snow White, alongside Gal Gadot as the formidable Evil Queen, and Andrew Burnap as Prince Jonathan, the film promises a star-studded cast. However, even before diving into the narrative, the visual presentation of the dwarfs has become a central point of discussion.
Let’s take a look at the trailer:
Initial reactions to the previously released still image featuring Snow White and her dwarf companions were mixed. While there was relief that the characters were indeed presented as dwarfs, concerns quickly emerged about the decision to animate them rather than casting little people actors. This trailer amplifies those concerns, bringing the debate to the forefront. The recent Time Bandits series on Apple TV, which notably omitted little people entirely, has sharpened the critical lens through which such casting choices are now viewed.
This shift in approach seems to stem from a heightened sensitivity around representation and potential stereotypes associated with dwarfs and similar mythical beings. Ironically, this move away from casting little people actors in roles like the dwarfs in Snow White directly impacts the very community it intends to be sensitive towards. Many talented little people actors are actively seeking roles in mainstream productions, and a film like Snow White, with its historical association with dwarf characters, would seem a natural fit. The absence of little people in the Hobbit roles in Lord of the Rings was a point of contention for some, and the trend continues in productions like Rings of Power, where characters like Harfoots and Stoors, while diverse in other aspects, also lack representation from little people actors.
Peter Dinklage, a prominent voice in the little people community, previously voiced his thoughts on the matter on Marc Maron’s WTF Podcast. He questioned the progressive nature of casting a Latina actress as Snow White while simultaneously perpetuating what he perceived as an outdated and potentially stereotypical portrayal of the seven dwarfs living in a cave.
Disney’s response to such critiques appears to be animation. Instead of re-evaluating the narrative around the dwarfs, the studio opted to animate them, effectively removing little people from on-screen roles. While actor Martin Klebba is confirmed to voice Grumpy, the visual representation leans towards animation, further limiting opportunities for little people actors in prominent roles. In a landscape where roles for little people are already scarce, this decision raises questions about inclusivity and representation in Hollywood. The short-lived Willow series on Disney+, while featuring Warwick Davis, largely focused on Daikini characters, further highlighting the limited scope for little people actors in major productions.
Kristen Lopez, writing for IndieWire, aptly notes a recurring pattern: “If you’re a member of the LP community, or the disability community in general, you’ve seen this story before: the media frenzy, followed by backpedaling, followed by the eventual erasure of disability altogether.” The removal of “And The Seven Dwarfs” from the official title of Snow White may also be seen within this context of minimizing the dwarf characters’ presence.
Beyond the representation issue, the visual execution in the trailer presents a jarring contrast. The animated dwarfs, placed alongside a live-action Snow White, create a noticeable visual disconnect. While animated animals seamlessly integrate into live-action films, the same effect feels less cohesive when applied to characters intended to be human-like, albeit smaller in stature. This artistic choice is arguably a misstep from Disney and director Marc Webb, adding to a string of less-than-stellar live-action remakes of Disney classics. However, Snow White 2024 does stand out visually with its vibrant and colorful aesthetic, a departure from the often desaturated palettes of previous remakes.
Ultimately, Snow White 2024 arrives with significant anticipation and pre-release discussion. While the film may offer a visually engaging experience and a fresh take on the classic narrative, the choices surrounding the portrayal of the dwarfs raise important questions about representation and inclusivity in contemporary filmmaking. As audiences await the full release, the conversation sparked by the trailer promises to continue, shaping expectations and critical reception for this latest Disney venture.
