Little people actors said they will be protesting Disney studios after they opted to use CGI for the seven dwarfs instead of hiring them for the upcoming live-action remake of “Snow White” that hits theaters on March 21.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, actress Ali Chapman — who stands 3ft 8in tall — said “The whole point of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is right up there in the title.”
“The seven dwarfs were the stars of the original 1937 film which is a classic loved by millions of people,” she added. “Disney has made a live-action film and instead of giving seven talented little people the chance to shine they’ve scrapped us completely and used CGI instead.”
“It’s a total travesty and there are a lot of angry little people actors and actresses out there,” Chapman continued. “People are flying in from all over the world to tell Disney this isn’t acceptable.”
Chapman’s husband Matt McCarthy, who stands 4ft 1in tall, also slammed the studio and said that “We’ve been totally shut out but we’re not going down quietly.”
Dozens of Little People Actors Prepare to Protest Outside Disney Studios in Los Angeles Over the Controversial Replacement of Dwarfs with CGI in Snow White Remake https://t.co/u9lY2KyOCU pic.twitter.com/lVo2SxdIoV
— TDPel Media News (@TDPelNews) March 16, 2025
“It’s hard enough in Hollywood,” Matt added. “Everyone’s trying to make their dreams come true. When you’re a little person opportunities are few and far between. I was born to play Dopey the dwarf. It’s my dream role but Disney never gave me a chance.”
“There were seven great parts right there but Disney decided to go with freaking cartoons,” Chapman continued, noting the CGI. “Shame on them!”
Jordanna James — who is 3ft 11in tall — said “’Hollywood is trying to erase us. Everyone goes on about wokeism and inclusion and yet we are constantly overlooked and kept in the shadows. It’s hard enough to go out in the real world and be seen. We exist. Let us have the same opportunities as other people.”
Famed “Elf” and “Game of Thrones” star Peter Dinklage previously made headlines when he slammed the “Snow White” remake when news surfaced that it was in the works.
“It makes no sense to me,” Dinklage said. “You’re progressive in one way, but then you’re still making that f***ing backward story about seven dwarfs living in a cave together.”
Not long after his comments, Disney announced it wasn’t going the traditional route, “to avoid reinforcing stereotypes from the original animated film … “
Images then surfaced on social media of full grown adults playing the characters, as previously reported. A backlash then ensued and Disney ended up using CGI to create the dwarf characters.
Related: ‘Snow White’ Star Rachel Zegler Apologizes After Backlash For Attacking Trump Voters
