Walt Disney Studios is notorious for making questionable live-action versions of their previously animated features. These include Beauty and the Beast (2017), The Lion King (2019), and The Little Mermaid (2023), all being subjects of criticism and controversy. However, disputes regarding the 2024 remake of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs have been especially prominent in the media, as the new story diverges so much from the original film that some are debating whether it even deserves to share the same name as the 1937 classic.
This story has been recreated countless times, so why is it getting so much backlash now? The main criticism surrounding the film is that the dwarfs are no longer, well, dwarfs. They are a diverse group of magical creatures that are not played by members of the dwarfism community, aside from one.
Jason Acuna, more commonly known as “Wee Man” is a television personality with achondroplasia, a form of dwarfism. “You’re replacing jobs that people could have as little people. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, it’s for dwarfs. Why are you hiring Snow White and the Seven ‘average people?’” said Acuna, in a viral TikTok video surrounding the movie. Many agree with the performer, as there are not many acting opportunities for little people in Hollywood.
In addition to this, disputes regarding gender roles have surrounded the film. These mostly came from a viral interview with Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot, who have been cast as Snow White and the Evil Queen in their respective roles. In a viral interview published by Variety, the actresses made comments about the “modern edge” that they are bringing to the original story:
Zegler: “I just mean that it’s no longer 1937, and we absolutely wrote a Snow White that is…”
Gadot: “She’s not gonna be saved by the prince.”
Zegler: “She’s not gonna be saved by the prince and she’s not gonna be dreaming about true love, she’s dreaming about becoming the leader she knows she can be, and the leader that her late father told her she could be…”
Many people think it’s not an obsolete or naïve idea to want to find true love, and are offended by these notions. Some even go as far as to say that Zegler is a narcissist because she’s taking advantage of her growing platform and pushing her agenda onto others.
There has also been a racial backlash towards the film. The original tale described Snow White as having skin as “white as snow”, hence her name. The Latina actress and singer is excited about portraying the character, despite the contention surrounding the film.
Zegler wants people to be able to see themselves in Snow White and her companions, as well as to follow their aspirations and believe in themselves. If that’s successful, Walt Disney Studios will have fulfilled its mission statement amidst the controversy and will hopefully spark a more inclusive future together.
