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Dinklage accused Disney of taking half-measures on progressive changes.

Disney is currently in the process of producing yet another live-action remake of one of their classic animated films, this time being Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Of particular note in the production process was the decision to cast Latina actress Rachel Zegler in the starring role of Snow White. As Snow White is typically played by Caucasian actresses, this announcement earned Disney some minor praise for progressive casting decisions.

However, as famous actor Peter Dinklage explained on his recent appearance on Marc Maron’s WTF podcast, Zegler’s casting is but a small progressive improvement in the face of a major problematic depiction inherent to the story of Snow White.

“Literally no offense to anyone, but I was a little taken aback when they 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,” Dinklage said. “Take a step back and look at what you’re doing there. It makes no sense to me.”

Dinklage, who himself lives with dwarfism, has spent much of his career advocating for the proper equal treatment of those like him, which is why the existence of the titular seven dwarfs is a potentially regressive issue that he says Disney is deliberately ignoring.

Peter Dinklage ripped into Disney’s brass for going forward with a live action remake of ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,’ accusing the studio of trying to have it both ways when it comes to progressivism and representation. pic.twitter.com/zarwmuJbfh

— NowThis (@nowthisnews) January 25, 2022

“You’re progressive in one way, but then 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 soap box? I guess I’m not loud enough. I don’t know which studio that is, but they were so proud of it. 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?”

Dinklage concluded by saying he doesn’t think the movie needs to be abandoned, but the entire concept of the seven dwarfs needs to be overhauled. “If you tell the story of Snow White with the most f—ed up, cool, or progressive spin on it? Let’s do it,” he said. “All in.”