Dwarf actors have shared their outrage at Disney’s Snow White remake over the use of CGI characters, claiming it’s ‘discriminating in a sense’ and could damage their careers.
In the upcoming live-action film, set to be released in the UK on 21 March, the seven dwarves have been replaced by computer-generated ‘magical creatures’.
But the move has been criticised by dwarf actors, including those who have played the ‘much loved’ roles in Snow White pantomimes and now fear that they could lose their livelihood over the American company’s decision.
Bodybuilder and performer Choon Tan, 31, from north London, who has dwarfism, told FEMAIL that the movie’s reliance on CGI for the seven dwarves is ‘absolutely absurd and discriminating in a sense’.
He added: ‘I think Disney is trying too hard to be politically correct, but in doing so it’s damaging our careers and opportunities.
‘There really is nothing wrong casting someone with dwarfism as a dwarf in any given opportunity. As long as we are treated equally and with respect, we’re usually more than happy to take on any acting roles that are suitable for us.
‘Plus it’s also an opportunity for young children to see someone with dwarfism, which they may have never seen before.’
Choon, who started his career as a bodybuilder before getting into acting seven years ago, has appeared as a dwarf in Snow White in Weston-Super-Mare and Yeovil, in 2018 and 2019, respectively.
Bodybuilder and performer Choon Tan (pictured left), 31, from north London, who has dwarfism, told FEMAIL that the movie’s reliance on CGI for the seven dwarves is ‘absolutely absurd and discriminating in a sense’
He said he’s ‘offended and disappointed at Disney’s decision’, adding: ‘There are plenty of actors who are capable and would have loved to have played these roles and it’s just taken away one of the few opportunities that we have.
‘They wouldn’t use CGI for a tall character, so why do they have to use it for dwarfs?,’ questioned Choon. ‘I personally feel discriminated against as everyone should be given an equal opportunity.’
Sharing his concerns, he continued: ‘This decision could have a domino effect onto other productions and opportunities as this initially started with Peter Dinklage saying that dwarves shouldn’t be cast for these particular roles.
‘There aren’t many roles that are suitable for us, so this just makes it harder for our acting opportunities and careers as a whole.’
Choon added that he would’ve loved to have played the role of one of the seven dwarves in the upcoming remake, concluding: ‘We get paid to do what we love to do, acting and performing.’
Echoing the bodybuilder-turned-actor’s views, fellow performer Blake Johnston, 42, from Melbourne, Australia, exclusively told FEMAIL how he believes the decision to use CGI is ‘quite stupid’.
He added: ‘We have plenty of dwarf actors out there who are dying for roles like this. I think Disney have succumb to peer pressure on political correctness, which has now given top dwarf actors less work.’
The actor and businessman bemoaned the missed opportunities for dwarf actors, saying: ‘Once again this will limit us more.
In the upcoming live-action film (pictured), set to be released in the UK on 21 March, the seven dwarves have been replaced by computer-generated ‘magical creatures’
Choon, who started his career as a bodybuilder before getting into acting seven years ago, has appeared as a dwarf in Snow White (pictured) in Weston-Super-Mare and Yeovil, in 2018 and 2019, respectively
Echoing the bodybuilder-turned-actor’s views, fellow performer Blake Johnston (pictured), 42, from Melbourne, Australia, exclusively told FEMAIL how he believes the decision to use CGI is ‘quite stupid’
‘I’m offended by the decision because Disney had the greatest educational story of all time now they have made it as a joke.’
He explained that the film could’ve given ‘dwarf actors the spotlight and shown the world that we can act and that we are pretty reliable.’
Blake admitted he would’ve ‘absolutely loved to play a part as one of the dwarves in this production’, revealing: ‘I’ve always dreamt of playing Dopey as he is one of the most lovable characters.’
For Will Perry, a British Paralympic swimmer in his 20s who has a common form of dwarfism called achondroplasia, ‘Disney is trying way too hard to be politically correct’.
He told FEMAIL: ‘I think it’s firstly sad and secondly outrageous that Disney need to feel like replacing actors with dwarfism with CGI.
‘There are many talented actors out there who have dwarfism waiting for their big break through and this could have been it, but no.
‘Dwarfs have been replaced by an image made by a computer. What does this say about us? We’re better eradicated from a world-famous Disney title than being given an opportunity to create a positive and fun movie.’
He continued: ‘Initially a couple of years ago I was glad Disney wasn’t going to cancel a well-loved fairy tale such as Snow White and the seven dwarves but they cancelled dwarfism inclusion instead.’
Choon (pictured with his co-stars) added that he would’ve loved to have played the role of one of the seven dwarves in the upcoming remake, concluding: ‘We get paid to do what we love to do, acting and performing’
‘They wouldn’t use CGI for a tall character, so why do they have to use it for dwarfs?,’ questioned Choon (pictured with his colleagues). ‘I personally feel discriminated against as everyone should be given an equal opportunity.’
Choon (pictured) said: ‘I think Disney is trying too hard to be politically correct, but in doing so it’s damaging our careers and opportunities’
Will explained how he loved the original movie as a child and ‘still believes it’s one of those films that has that wonderful Disney magic that they seemed to have lost in recent years.’
Elsewhere, Zita Ferry, 32, of Stoke-on-Trent, who suffers from dwarfism and has featured in Snow White productions, previously said: ‘I honestly feel that the shows are good for little people such as myself.
‘The entertainment industry is the biggest positive we have in our position. Peter Dinklage made a vast amount of money in Game of Thrones, a series that saw him referred to as countless derogatory terms.
‘If he was so against the use of the term dwarf or similar, or even dwarf actors would he have been in the series at all?’
Disney announced that ‘magical creatures’ would replace the seven dwarves to ‘avoid reinforcing stereotypes’ after Game of Thrones actor Peter Dinklage criticised the ‘f****** backwards story’ in 2022.
‘I was a little taken aback when they [Disney] were very proud to cast a Latina actress as Snow White, but you’re still telling the story of Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs,’ he told Mark Maron’s WTF podcast.
‘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? Have I done nothing to advance the cause from my soapbox? I guess I’m not loud enough.’
Dinklage’s concerns were shared by some charities, including the Restricted Growth Association in the UK.
Blake (pictured) admitted he would’ve ‘absolutely loved to play a part as one of the dwarves in this production’, revealing: ‘I’ve always dreamt of playing Dopey as he is one of the most lovable characters.’
For Will Perry (pictured), a British Paralympic swimmer in his 20s who has a common form of dwarfism called achondroplasia, ‘Disney is trying way too hard to be politically correct’.
‘I very much stand with Peter Dinklage on the disappointment and irritation towards Disney for the remake of Snow White,’ Rhonda Cutmore, a member of the association, told The Telegraph.
‘As a 46-year-old woman with restricted growth, this story has always had a negative impact on me. Not just the physical characteristics, but the labelling of ‘Dopey’ and ‘Bashful’, were not helpful in the playground.’
She added: ‘People with restricted growth are in majority born to average height parents – they never live in gingerbread houses, have little bear beds nor live in homogeneous groups together.’
The story has also been criticized as being ableist for portraying the dwarfs with lesser intelligence and Snow White seeing them as children.
In a previous statement, Disney said it had been consulting with members of the dwarfism community throughout the early stages of production.
‘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,’ a spokesperson said.
‘We look forward to sharing more as the film heads into production after a lengthy development period.’
MailOnline has contacted Disney for comment.
Disney’s 1937 animated film (pictured) follows Snow White as she befriends the seven dwarves while hiding from her wicked step-mother who later poisons her with an apple before Prince Charming wakes her from her slumber with a kiss
Disney’s 1937 animated film follows Snow White as she befriends the seven dwarves while hiding from her wicked step-mother who later poisons her with an apple before Prince Charming wakes her from her slumber with a kiss.
It was loosely based on the 1812 fairy tale of the same name by the Brothers Grimm.
When the first Snow White trailer dropped in December 2024, it quickly racked up more than a million dislikes as it revealed the use of CGI for the seven characters.
Co-written by Barbie’s Greta Gerwig, the upcoming adaptation – featuring Rachel Zegler as the fictional princess and Gal Gadot as the evil stepmother – will not feature a Prince Charming and will instead focus on a ‘stronger’ Snow White who dreams of becoming a leader.
Ms Zegler previously addressed reports that the film was trying to be politically correct, claiming that the story needed ‘refreshing’.
She said: ‘People are making these jokes about ours being the PC Snow White… yeah, it is – because it needed that. Our version is a refreshing story about a young woman who has a function beyond Someday My Prince Will Come.’
Meanwhile, the Hollywood premiere for Disney’s live-action adaptation will reportedly be ‘scaled back’ amid the backlash against its woke themes.
Despite spending upward of $269.4 million to make the film, which has been plagued with controversy and setbacks, Variety revealed that Disney would not be giving the movie the same red carpet treatment as other similar projects.
While Zegler, 23, and Gadot, 39, are expected attend a pre-party and screening at Los Angeles’ El Capitan Theatre on March 15, ‘coverage will be limited to photographers and a house crew.’
While most premieres invite dozens of media outlets to cover the event and interview the cast, the studio has decided to buck tradition in this case.
The choice comes amid criticism and fears that the remake prioritised ‘woke’ messaging over authentic storytelling.
Earlier this months, a source told Daily Mail: ‘Disney is already anticipating an anti-woke backlash against Snow White and have reduced the media schedule to just a handful of tightly controlled press events.
‘That is why they have taken the highly unusual step not to host a London premiere for the film and are minimizing the amount of press questions that Rachel Zegler gets,’ the insider revealed.
