Disney’s live-action remake of “Snow White” is facing a storm of controversy as dwarf actors plan to protest outside Disney Studios over the company’s decision to use CGI instead of casting real dwarf actors for the iconic seven dwarfs. The decision has sparked outrage within the dwarf community, with actors feeling excluded from roles specifically written for people of their stature in the original story. How might Peter Dinklage’s previous criticisms have influenced Disney’s controversial decision?
Protest Plans and Actor Outrage
Dwarf actors are organizing a protest outside Disney Studios against the company’s decision to replace the seven dwarfs with CGI characters in the upcoming “Snow White” remake. The decision has been met with significant backlash from the dwarf acting community, who feel they’ve been denied roles specifically written for people of their stature.
Dwarf actress Ali Chapman has been particularly vocal, calling the remake a “total travesty” while expressing her disappointment over the missed opportunity. Her husband, also a dwarf actor, shared his frustration, stating, “We’ve been totally shut out but we’re not going down quietly. It’s hard enough in Hollywood. Everyone’s trying to make their dreams come true. When you’re a little person, opportunities are few and far between. I was born to play Dopey.”
IN CASE YOU DON’T HATE DISNEY ENOUGH YET:
First thing Disney did to "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" was to make Snow White NOT WHITE.
Then, they REMOVED THE "SEVEN DWARFS" from the title.
Then, because some dwarf actor complained about "seven dwarfs living in a cave… pic.twitter.com/l8wJNoqbav
— Byl Holte (@SirBylHolte) March 15, 2025
Dinklage’s Influence and Disney’s Response
Actor Peter Dinklage appears to have influenced Disney’s controversial decision after he publicly criticized the original story. “It makes no sense to me,” he said. “You’re progressive in one way, but then you’re still making that fucking backward story about seven dwarfs living in a cave together.”
Following Dinklage’s comments, Disney opted to replace the dwarfs with what they’re calling “magical beings,” portrayed by actors of various heights. The decision represents a significant departure from the classic tale and has left many dwarf actors feeling that Disney overcorrected in response to one actor’s opinion.
DISNEY: I read into what the “scaled back Snow White premiere” meant…
No media and interviews at the red carpet.
If the diversity dwarfs in the beginning were not enough every time Rachel Zegler spoke about the film it got worse for them.
The original Snow White at the time… pic.twitter.com/13v2l06sej
— Sarah Sansoni (@sarahsansoni) March 14, 2025
A Broader Issue of Representation
The protest organizer emphasized that this issue speaks to broader concerns about inclusion in Hollywood. “If Hollywood is about inclusion and diversity, then you could have had talented little people actors in all of these roles,” they told the Standard.
This is not an isolated incident, as the remake of “Time Bandits” has similarly replaced dwarf actors with full-sized performers. Critics point out the irony that while Hollywood has made efforts to increase representation for many marginalized groups, dwarf actors continue to be overlooked even for roles historically portrayed by people of their stature.
The controversy comes as early box office projections for “Snow White” are reportedly not promising. Disney’s decision to alter fundamental elements of the beloved classic while simultaneously excluding an underrepresented group of actors has created a perfect storm of criticism that could potentially impact the film’s commercial success.