Disney's live-action Snow White remake remains at the center of controversy, with cast members now voicing their frustration over how the studio has handled the project. Martin Klebba, who plays Grumpy in the film, recently expressed his deep disappointment and anger over Disney’s decision to cancel the movie’s major premiere.
According to Klebba, this move has left the cast feeling abandoned, with many believing that the ongoing controversies surrounding lead actors Gal Gadot and Rachel Zegler have overshadowed the film itself.
The Snow White remake has been surrounded by backlash since its announcement. The casting of Rachel Zegler as the iconic princess was met with mixed reactions, with some fans questioning Disney’s creative direction. Adding fuel to the fire, Zegler’s past comments about the original 1937 animated film sparked outrage.
She criticized aspects of the classic story, calling it outdated and problematic, which led to heated debates online. Many fans saw this as a direct insult to the legacy of Disney’s first-ever animated feature.
Another major controversy involved Disney’s portrayal of the Seven Dwarfs. Instead of hiring actors with dwarfism, early leaked set photos showed that Disney had cast a diverse group of performers of various ethnicities and heights.
This creative choice was met with immediate backlash, particularly from actors within the disabled community. Game of Thrones star Peter Dinklage was among the most vocal critics, calling out Disney for perpetuating outdated stereotypes while failing to approach representation in a meaningful way.
Although Disney later made changes, including bringing in at least one actor with dwarfism, the damage had already been done. Fans remained skeptical about the film, believing Disney was prioritizing modern inclusivity trends over preserving the spirit of the original story.
As a result, Snow White continued to face scrutiny across social media platforms.
The controversy did not stop there. Rachel Zegler's public remarks in various interviews only added to the backlash. She distanced herself from the romantic elements of the original Snow White, stating that the film’s classic love story would be changed to focus more on female empowerment.
While some applauded this update, others felt it was a forced attempt to rewrite the beloved tale, further alienating longtime Disney fans.
With all of these issues looming over the production, Disney appears to have distanced itself from the film. Unlike previous live-action remakes, Snow White has received minimal promotional efforts.
The absence of a grand premiere event, a common tradition for Disney’s blockbuster releases, was the final straw for cast members like Klebba.
Speaking to TMZ, Klebba did not hide his frustration. As a veteran actor who has worked on major Disney productions, including Pirates of the Caribbean, he had high expectations for how the company would handle the film’s rollout.
Instead, he now feels as though Disney has quietly abandoned Snow White, hoping to release it without stirring up further controversy.
Klebba’s comments reflect the larger sentiment among the film’s cast and crew. Many feel that Disney’s lack of support for Snow White is an indication of the company’s own doubts about the project’s success.
With the backlash continuing to overshadow any positive anticipation, some wonder if Disney is preparing for the film to underperform at the box office.
Industry experts suggest that Disney’s hesitation may stem from a broader trend of live-action remakes facing diminishing returns. While The Lion King and Aladdin achieved major box office success, more recent adaptations like The Little Mermaid received mixed reactions and underwhelming ticket sales.
If Snow White follows a similar path, it could be a significant blow to Disney’s future plans for reimagining its animated classics.
Despite the ongoing controversy, there are still supporters of the film. Fans of Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot argue that the movie should be judged on its own merits rather than being clouded by external debates.
They believe that Snow White has the potential to be a visually stunning reimagining that brings new life to the iconic fairy tale.
However, as the release date draws closer, the question remains: Can Snow White overcome its rocky start, or will it be another high-profile misstep for Disney? With tensions still running high between cast members and the studio, Disney’s next move will be crucial in determining whether the film can recover from its troubled production or if it will join the growing list of live-action remakes that failed to meet expectations.