In recent years, Disney has begun producing a series of live-action remakes of some of their most iconic takes on classic fairy tales. Rumored to be next was “Snow White” starring Rachel Zegler. While several live-action remakes of the original fairy tale already exist (starring Lily Collins in “Mirror Mirror” in 2012 and Kristen Stewart in “Snow White And The Huntsman” in 2012), Disney has yet to enter the ring. Filming was rumored to begin recently in the U.K., with set photos leaking across social media.
EXCLUSIVE Snow White and the Seven… Politically-Correct Companions? https://t.co/gOantUJDEQ pic.twitter.com/Gn8NpFIEKP
— Daily Mail US (@DailyMail) July 14, 2023
The images leaked showed what many conservative media personalities dubbed “politically correct Snow White,” as the seven dwarves appeared to be actors of average height and different racial backgrounds. The criticisms then fell on actor Peter Dinklage. Dinklage once called the 1937 original film “backwards” for depicting a group of little people as savages who lived in a cave. Dinklage, a little person himself, has long been an advocate for the community throughout his own successful acting career.
These are Snow White's seven fucking dwarves!!? Where do they work? The Benetton mines!? Nice job Peter Dinklage pulling the ladder back up behind you. I'll be watching Time Bandits for the 3 millionth time instead of this "for a modern audience" pandering shit! pic.twitter.com/PdoDN82q1G
— Movies Merica ???? (@MoviesMerica) July 14, 2023
Others came to the actor’s defense, saying that Dinklage never stated that the cast should not include little people, only that the writing should not reinforce harmful stereotypes.
Disney not hiring actors with dwarfism for their Snow White remake is not Peter Dinklage's fault. He never said don't hire them… he said portray them like complicated human beings not stereotypes. In response Disney chose not to portray them at all.
— DanDivination????????️????????️⚧️???????? (@DanDDoes) July 14, 2023
The most recent on-set images were later proven to be a fabrication, after Zegler shared on her Instagram story that filming was cut short due to the newly announced SAG-AFTRA strike. It appears that the majority of the actors involved in the project were also American SAG-AFTRA members, despite filming in the U.K.
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Clarafication:
Rachel and all the other actors are NOT on set for Snow White reshoots and they have left london due to the Sag Aftra strike.
What they were filming were their stunt doubles who (I dont think) are part of the ACTORS guild. #SnowWhite #SAGAFTRA pic.twitter.com/BaOpylVALA
— Snow White News (@SnowWhiteNews) July 14, 2023
Disney’s Response
Disney CEO Bob Iger has been one of the most outspoken studio executives amid the ongoing joint WGA and SAG-AFTRA strike. Yesterday, Iger told the press he found the strike to be “disturbing” and that the writer’s demands were unrealistic. Now, the company is frantically confirming the leaked “Snow White” images to be false after they took over the Twitter timeline.
https://twitter.com/VanityFair/status/1679919810698964992?s=20
The images were first leaked by the Daily Mail, and the Daily Beast later received comment that the company was hustling the Mail to provide a correction. Despite the images being confirmed to be false, many onlookers were still surprised at the strange conservative backlash to the alleged leaks.
Imagine getting pissed off because Snow White is Hispanic.
Imagine getting pissed off because a corporation decides they want to “avoid reinforcing stereotypes.”
Can't we just figure out things that should piss us ALL off, like homelessness, poverty, mental health and kids… pic.twitter.com/8RUdfp8C9a
— Brian Krassenstein (@krassenstein) July 14, 2023
Prior to her announcement that she left London due to the SAG-AFTRA strike, Zegler published a lengthy Twitter thread regarding the importance of a fair contract for writers and actors.
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the SAG strike voting process has got to be one of the most tedious things i have ever experienced as an actor and that’s saying something
— rachel zegler (she/her/hers) (@rachelzegler) July 13, 2023
She later retweeted her support for Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders‘ statement on the strike. Sanders has long been an advocate for labor unions across several industries in the U.S..
Wealthy studio executives would rather see workers lose their housing than pay them what they deserve. Greed, greed, greed. I stand in strong solidarity with @sagaftra and @WGAWest. The studios need to get back to the table and negotiate a fair deal NOW. https://t.co/O0wueSCj45
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) July 13, 2023
SAG-AFTRA and the WGA are striking together for the first time in 60 years. The previous joint strike was led by then SAG-AFTRA president Ronald Reagan. It is unclear when the now double strike will end, and several studio CEOs appear to have halted negotiations.
