Disney has responded to criticism made by Game of Thrones actor Peter Dinklage about its forthcoming live-action adaptation of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
Dinklage said the remake of the 1937 animated film, based on story from the Brothers Grimm, was “backward”.
Disney said it was going to “avoid reinforcing stereotypes from the original animated film”.
Dinklage had said Disney should have reassessed the project.
“I was a little taken aback by [the fact] they were very proud to cast a Latina actress as Snow White,” he told podcaster Marc Maron.
“But you’re still telling the story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.”
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Dinklage – who stars in the forthcoming Oscar-tipped film Cyrano – has a form of dwarfism called achondroplasia.
The actor has previously spoken about the representation of dwarfism, saying it was “bad writing” to make it a “dominant character trait”.
The original Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs film, released in 1938, was the first full-length animated feature from Disney, and is considered one of the studio’s classics.
West Side Story star Rachel Zegler and Red Notice actress Gal Gadot are set to star in the adaptation, as Snow White and the Evil Queen respectively.
Speaking about the new film, Dinklage acknowledged Disney’s casting of a Latina actress in the leading role, but said further progressive casting was needed when it came to the other characters.
“You’re progressive in one way but you’re still making that backward story of seven dwarves living in the cave,” he said.
“They were so proud of that, and all love and respect to the actress and the people who thought they were doing the right thing but I’m just like, ‘What are you doing?'”
British Paralympian swimmer Will Perry, who has publicly condemned people who abuse him, said people with dwarfism were often portrayed as “mythical or comical characters” on film and TV.
He told Nicky Campbell on BBC Radio 5 Live: “I know loads of people who love [Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs] for the right reason… but we are now in the 21st Century.
“People like Disney, who have influence over young people, need to be influencing them in the right direction.”
In a statement, Disney said the live action remake will be an updated version of the original 1937 film.
“We are taking a different approach with these seven characters and have been consulting with members of the dwarfism community,” it said in a statement.
“We look forward to sharing more as the film heads into production after a lengthy development period.”
Oscar-nominated producer Marc Platt, who also worked on Disney’s live-action rendition of The Little Mermaid, is set to produce the film.
