Disney’s latest Snow White remake has been mired in controversy for months, even after its release.
Game of Thrones star Peter Dinklage has called the live-action remake “f*cking backwards” because of how it represents people with dwarfism.
Appearing on Marc Maron’s WTF podcast to promote his film Cyrano, Dinklage slammed the studio for what he saw as a contradictory attempt at progressiveness.
While Disney won praise for casting West Side Story breakout Rachel Zegler as the first Latina Snow White, the actor called out the film’s continued use of the Seven Dwarfs concept.
He began, “Literally no offence to anyone, but I was a little taken aback when they were very proud to cast a Latina actress as Snow White.”
“You’re still telling the story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.”
Dinklage, who has been vocal about media representation of people with dwarfism, questioned the logic behind Disney’s decision.
He added, “Take a step back and look at what you’re doing there. It makes no sense to me.”
“You’re progressive in one way and you’re still making that f***ing backwards story about seven dwarfs living in a cave together, what the f*** are you doing man?”
Dinklage is one of the most well-known actors with dwarfism today. He rose to fame with roles in Game of Thrones and the X-Men films, and more recently as the romantic lead in Cyrano.
He is frustrated that his work hasn’t shifted how people see those with dwarfism.”
He said, “Have I done nothing to advance the cause from my soap box?”
“I guess I’m not loud enough.”
Despite his clear criticism of the story, Dinklage clarified his remarks weren’t directed at the cast or creatives.
He noted, “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?”
The Snow White backlash intensified after it was revealed that Disney had chosen to digitally generate the dwarfs using CGI rather than casting actors with dwarfism.
Speaking to Sky News, comedian and model Fats Timbo said the move left many feeling “disregarded” and “erased.”
She described the choice as a lost opportunity to give visibility to people with dwarfism and to educate young audiences.
Despite the publicity, the remake struggled at the box office, earning just $44 million (£34 million) on its opening weekend—Disney’s lowest domestic debut for a live-action adaptation to date.
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