New Information Comes To Light About Live-Action ‘Snow White’ “Dwarf” Characters, Actors Revealed
Disney’s live-action Snow White is set to arrive in March 2025, but its journey to the big screen has been anything but smooth. The film, helmed by director Marc Webb, has been a focal point of industry and fan conversations, with new revelations continuing to emerge as its promotional campaign unfolds.
One of the most debated aspects of the adaptation has been the portrayal of the seven dwarf characters. Early reports suggested the film would replace them with “magical creatures,” a decision influenced by Game of Thrones star Peter Dinklage, who, while praising the film’s diverse casting, criticized its adherence to what he called a “backward story about seven dwarfs living in a cave together.”
Responding to these concerns, Disney stated on Good Morning America, “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.”
However, when set images surfaced featuring a diverse group of actors, they reignited debate. Jason “Wee Man” Acuña (Jackass: The Movie) openly questioned the decision, stating, “You’re replacing jobs that people could have as little people. It’s for dwarfs. Why are you hiring ‘Snow White and the seven average people’?”
Disney later clarified its approach by releasing a first look at the characters in their final CGI form and announcing the film’s delay from March 2024 to March 2025. While Martin Klebba had been previously confirmed as the voice of Grumpy, a new report has seemingly unveiled the remaining voice cast.
According to IGN, which shared Disney’s Snow White featurette focused on “legacy,” the cast includes Andrew Burnap as Jonathan, Andrew Barth Feldman as Dopey, Tituss Burgess as Bashful, Martin Klebba as Grumpy, Jason Kravits as Sneezy, George Salazar as Happy, Jeremy Swift as Doc, and Andrew Grotelueschen as Sleepy. Notably, Disney has yet to officially confirm these casting details.
As the film continues to stir conversation, Rachel Zegler’s casting as Snow White has drawn parallels to Halle Bailey’s portrayal of Ariel in 2023’s The Little Mermaid. In a 2023 Variety Actors on Actors interview, Zegler and Bailey discussed the significance of diverse representation in reimagining classic Disney heroines.
The adaptation has also faced scrutiny over its take on Snow White’s backstory. In a recent interview, Zegler shared that in this version, the king and queen name their daughter Snow White as a symbol of her resilience after surviving a snowstorm as an infant. This marks a significant departure from the original Grimm Brothers’ tale, where the name referenced her “skin as white as snow.” The revised origin is reinforced in an international trailer, in which Zegler’s voiceover states, “To honor the day I was born, my father named me Snow White.”
Music will also play a role in shaping this modern take on the fairytale. The film will feature a new song, “Waiting on a Wish,” composed by Pasek and Paul, known for their work on The Greatest Showman (2017) and La La Land (2016). Despite this, marketing efforts for the film have been relatively muted compared to Disney’s usual rollout.
Beyond the creative changes, Snow White’s development has been marked by headline-making moments. Zegler’s comments at the 2022 D23 Expo—where she described the prince as a stalker and emphasized the film’s focus on “leadership and strength” over romance—divided audiences. Additionally, her outspoken activism during the SAG-AFTRA strikes and political remarks about President Donald Trump while starring in Romeo + Juliet on Broadway have kept her in the spotlight, drawing both praise and criticism.
Financially, the film carries significant stakes. Forbes reports that Snow White’s production budget has ballooned to nearly $300 million, yet it was notably absent from Disney’s Q4 2024 financial disclosures. While other major releases like Captain America: Brave New World (2025) and Avatar: Fire and Ash (2025) were highlighted, Snow White’s omission raised questions about Disney’s confidence in the project. The studio later confirmed its place in the 2025 slate, stating in a press release:
“The Walt Disney Studios’ diverse and entertaining slate will feature highly anticipated releases like Captain America: Brave New World, Thunderbolts, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps from Marvel Studios; live-action adaptations of Snow White and Lilo & Stitch; eagerly awaited sequels Freakier Friday and Zootopia 2; a new original film from Pixar in Elio; new installments from fan-favorite franchises Avatar: Fire and Ash, TRON: Ares, and Predator: Badlands.”
As a reimagining of Disney’s first-ever animated feature, Snow White carries both historical weight and high expectations. The 1937 original was a landmark achievement in animation, earning $8 million on a $1.49 million budget and cementing its place in cinematic history. Walt Disney himself received an honorary Academy Award—a full-sized Oscar alongside seven miniature statuettes—as a tribute to the film’s beloved characters.
Now, nearly 90 years later, Disney’s latest adaptation must find the balance between honoring that legacy and evolving for modern audiences. Written by Erin Cressida Wilson and Greta Gerwig, Snow White is set to premiere on March 21, 2025.
Will this adaptation overcome its challenges and stand among Disney’s successful live-action remakes? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
