Peter Dinklage’s Snow White Criticism Draws Ire from Actors with Dwarfism

Peter Dinklage sparked some great controversy when he shared his opinions on Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and its upcoming remake. During an appearance on Marc Maron’s “WTF” podcast, the Game of Thrones star addressed Rachel Zegler’s casting as Snow White in Disney’s planned live-action remake of the animated film. He suggested that it was “backwards” of Disney to make the movie and reinforce any negative stereotypes associated with dwarfs because of the movie’s characters.

There are rumors that Disney will incorporate “magical creatures” into the movie to replace the dwarfs. This may appease Dinklage, but that news has had a ripple effect of making many other actors with dwarfism feeling unhappy. Some don’t want to see Disney take away these characters from the remake, as these would be seven major roles in a Disney blockbuster that some actors would have loved to play. Now, there’s a concern that those opportunities are now lost.

One person who made his feelings known on the matter is actor Dylan Postl. Also a pro wrestler who’s competed under the names Hornswoggle and Swoggle, Postl has appeared in Muppets Most Wanted and Leprechaun Origins, starring as the titular antagonist in the latter. Speaking with the Daily Mail, Postl explained how he would be happy to play one of the seven dwarfs in the Snow White movie, making it clear he disagrees with Dinklage’s opinion.

“It makes me so sick to my stomach to think that there are seven roles for dwarfs that can’t get normal acting roles, or very few and far between roles, and now they are gone because of this guy,” Postl said. “To be in a remake of one of the biggest fairytales, biggest Disney stories of all time, would be enormous. I know me and six other little people who would love this role. Disney— call me. This would be a dream role for me. I am begging for one.”

He added, “We are in a society and a time of woke and progression and I get that — to an extent — but this is a fairytale. This is a fairytale about Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Dwarfs are one of the focuses — they are literally in the title.”

“Dwarf is a medical term,” actor Jeff Brooks also said. “The condition I have is achondroplasia dwarfism. That is a fact. I am a dwarf. I am hoping they cast Little People and give them the work… Peter Dinklage may be hurting the chance of some dwarf actors here. And it scares me that Disney would change a decision that big over the comment of one actor. They have been too quick here.”

Katrina Kemp agreed, noting, “It’s a missed opportunity to make a movie with seven little people where they actually have intended characters. There will have been people who gladly would have taken those roles. Are they people gunning for a SAG award? No. Peter has the privilege not to take the roles. The people who are freaking out about this do not.”

Related: Rachel Zegler Felt Imposter Syndrome After Snow White and Shazam Casting Backlash

“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,” a Disney spokesperson said when Dinklage’s comments went viral. “We look forward to sharing more as the film heads into production after a lengthy development period.”

It would appear that Disney may be having some backlash to deal with no matter which way they handle the situation at this point. A release date hasn’t yet been set for the Snow White remake.

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