Disney since responded to Peter’s comments, releasing a statement soon after the podcast episode aired. A spokesperson told Polygon:
“To avoid reinforcing stereotypes from the original animated film, we are taking a different approach with these seven characters and have been consulting with members of the dwarfism community. We look forward to sharing more as the film heads into production after a lengthy development period.”
Here’s everything we know about the upcoming update to a fairytale favourite.
Who has been cast in the new Snow White live-action remake so far?
Tony award-winning actor Andrew Burnap has been cast in a new role – opposite Rachel Zegler, who will play Snow White. According to The Hollywood Reporter, he won’t be playing either the huntsman or the Prince, but is due to sing.
Zegler recently starred as Maria in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story which was released last year. Wonder Woman herself Gal Gadot is set to play the Evil Queen.
Variety broke the news of Zegler’s casting, and shortly after the actress wrote on Twitter: “I HAVE MANIFESTED MY ENTIRE LIFE I THINK I THINK.”
She also shared a video of her meeting Snow White in costume, with the caption: “homegirl we have LOTS to catch up on.”
Disney’s Snow White live-action remake has cast its male lead.
However, Zeglar was met with some abuse on social media by a few who questions why a Latina actress had been cast as a character who is originally described as the “fairest one of all” with “skin as white as snow.”
Thankfully, the actress hit back at critics, saying: “yes i am snow white no i am not bleaching my skin for the role [sic]” she wrote in a since-deleted tweet.
After coming under fire for whitewashing its princess characters and traditionally portraying lead characters with white actresses, Disney’s casting of Zeglar follows its 2019 announcement that Black R&B singer Halle Bailey is set to star as Ariel in its remake of The Little Mermaid, the first Black princess in a live-action movie in 22 years.
Who else is involved in making the Snow White live action remake?
The director confirmed for the Snow White remake is Marc Webb, who previously worked on 500 Days of Summer and The Amazing Spider-Man.
In a statement, Webb said: “Rachel’s extraordinary vocal abilities are just the beginning of her gifts. Her strength, intelligence and optimism will become an integral part of rediscovering the joy in this classic Disney fairytale.”
Will the remake revitalise the beloved songs from the original Snow White?
The remake will contain some of our old favourites from the 1930s version, along with new songs penned by musical geniuses Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, who are the Tony Award and Oscar-winning duo behind songs from La La Land, Dear Evan Hansen and The Greatest Showman.
Zegler and her singing voice have already won our hearts with her incredible performances in West Side Story, and we can’t wait to hear the magic she performs with Snow White‘s tunes.
When will the Snow White remake be released?
No release date has been confirmed yet, but production is expected to begin in the spring of this year. So watch this space.