'Snow White' Actor Reacts to 'Controversy' Surrounding the Live-Action Remake, Claims Disney Is 'Afraid of the Blowback'
Martin Klebba, an actor in Disney's live-action remake of Snow White, is sharing his thoughts on the controversy surrounding the soon-to-be-released film.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Klebba, 55 — who voices Grumpy, one of the seven dwarfs, and also serves as an advisor for the characters — reacted to the project's premiere plans that are set to take place in Los Angeles on Saturday, March 15.
'It really isn't going to be a red carpet,' the actor told the outlet. 'It's going to be at the El Capitan [Theatre], which is cool. But it's basically going to be a pre-party, watch the movie, and that's it."
"There's not going to be this whole hoopla of, 'Disney's first f------ movie they ever made.' Because of all this controversy, they're afraid of the blowback from different people in society," Klebba continued.
The star also claimed that Snow White's California premiere was changed from original plans because of 'the controversy with Rachel," referring to Rachel Zegler, who portrays the titular Snow White. THR clarified, however, that Klebba "had not been given direct information on why the event was altered." A source with knowledge of the situation also tells PEOPLE, "Nothing was scaled back. It was always the plan to have an afternoon event for families as Disney has done in the past on other family films."
Representatives for Klebba, Zegler and Disney did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.
Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Related: Rachel Zegler Responds with a Swift Correction to Commenter Questioning Her Casting as Snow White
Snow White, which also stars Gal Gadot as The Evil Queen, is a live-action retelling of Disney's first-ever animated feature, 1937's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Ahead of its release, the film — which is directed by Marc Webb, written by Erin Cressida Wilson and features original songs from composers Benj Pasek and Justin Paul — has faced backlash for a few different reasons.
Following her casting announcement in 2022, Zegler, 23, dealt with racist backlash over her playing the Disney Princess while being of Latinx background. (The actress is of Colombian and Polish descent.) She then faced controversy on other occasions, including when she revealed that Snow White's name has a different origin story in the new film and when she described the original movie as 'dated' and added that Prince Charming 'literally stalks' Snow White.
The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!
There has also been rumors of a rift between Zegler and Gadot, 39. A source recently told PEOPLE the two "have a huge age gap and very different political views.' (The Israeli-born Gadot, who served in the Israel Defense Forces, has advocated for the release of Israeli hostages, while Zegler has voiced support on social media for Palestine amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.)
Elsewhere, Snow White has been called out by Peter Dinklage, who was born with a form of dwarfism called achondroplasia. He accused Disney of "hypocrisy," citing the fairy tale's "backwards story about seven dwarfs living in a cave together." (Disney opted to use CGI to bring the characters to life.)
Related: Inside Snow White's 'Iconic' Costumes, Including the Evil Queen's 'Glamour and Sophistication' (Exclusive)
Speaking about the concerns with using real people to portray the seven dwarfs, Klebba told THR, 'I don't usually get into the political stuff, but I [felt], 'Dwarfs aren't going to go away just because you can't imagine that they're there.' We're still going to be walking around."
"So I didn't get the whole stuff about not doing the dwarfs. The story's been around forever, and it's a classic," he continued.
Klebba did explain to the outlet, though, that he understands why CGI was ultimately used to create the characters — which also include Doc, Happy, Sleepy, Bashful, Sneezy and Dopey.
'If you guys go this route, it just makes sense to be able to draw them the way you want,' the actor said. 'This way, they're all the same size. And to find seven little people actors to pull it off, that's not an easy thing either.'
Klebba previously appeared in two other versions of Snow White, including 2012's Mirror Mirror, which starred Julia Roberts and Lily Collins, and Snow White: The Fairest of Them All, a 2001 TV movie starring Miranda Richardson and Kristin Kreuk.
Snow White is in theaters on March 21.
Read the original article on People
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
31 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Lin-Manuel Miranda Reunites Original 'Hamilton 'Cast for Epic 10th Anniversary Performance at 2025 Tony Awards
The original Hamilton cast reunited during the 78th annual Tony Awards in New York City to celebrate its 10th anniversary on Sunday, June 8 Lin-Manuel Miranda, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Leslie Odom Jr., Phillipa Soo, Daveed Diggs and more took the stage to perform a melody of songs Miranda and Odom Jr. kicked off the tribute with "Non-Stop," following with "My Shot," "The Schuyler Sisters" and more score favoritesThe original cast of Hamilton were in the room where it happens! During the 78th Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Sunday, June 8, Lin-Manuel Miranda and his ensemble of American revolutionaries reunited for a special performance in honor of the hit musical's 10th anniversary. Miranda, the creator and star of the Tony-winning show, was joined by more than two dozen members of the original cast, including including Leslie Odom Jr., Phillipa Soo, Daveed Diggs, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Anthony Ramos, Christopher Jackson, Jonathan Groff and Ariana DeBose. The tribute kicked off with Miranda, 45, and Odom Jr., 43, performing a snippet from the song "Non-Stop." Then, the show-stopping performance continued with a melody of tracks from the beloved Hamilton score, including "My Shot," "The Schuyler Sisters," "You'll Be Back," "The Room Where it Happens" and "History Has Its Eyes on You." Hamilton's reunion performance came hours after footage from rehearsals was shared to the musical's official Instagram account, set to a backing track of The Cranberries' hit "Dreams." Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories. Speaking to PEOPLE on the red carpet ahead of the ceremony, Diggs, 43, and his wife, Emmy Raver-Lampman, who is also an original cast member, opened up about them all coming together again. "It was the most heartwarming, beautiful reunion of just 28 people that we love so much in a room," said Raver-Lampman, 36. "There's a lot of us that see each other often, and everybody sees each other, but not in this capacity. So, yeah, it was beautiful." Diggs, who won a Tony Award in 2016 for his performance in the show, added, "In this business, you keep moving so much that you don't often take the time to recognize how special something is while you're in it. It was really special. Obviously, the response was special, but that group of people is pretty singular. I've never been in a room like it." Goldsberry, 54, another Tony winner, recalled the reunion being an emotional affair. "I walked in there, and every single person that came into the room, just tears of joy bubbled up from my soul," she said. "We group hugged a million times. We just love each other so much." Hamilton officially opened on Aug. 6, 2015, at New York City's Richard Rodgers Theatre, where it continues to play. Written and composed by Miranda with direction by Thomas Kail, the musical — which blends hip-hop, R&B, and classical musical theater to tell the story of founding father Alexander Hamilton — was an immediate hit, and remains one of the hottest tickets on Broadway. At the 2016 Tony Awards, the show collected 11 statuettes including Best Musical. Hamilton went on to win Grammys, Oliviers and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The original cast was also featured in a filmed version of the stage production, streaming now on Disney+. The production most recently made history again when its original Broadway cast recording was certified Diamond by the RIAA, the first Broadway album ever to reach that milestone. is now available in the Apple App Store! Download it now for the most binge-worthy celeb content, exclusive video clips, astrology updates and more! The Tonys aren't the only celebration for Hamilton's 10th anniversary, as Odom will soon reprise his Tony-winning role as Aaron Burr in a special 12-week engagement beginning Sept. 9 and running through Nov. 23. "Returning to Hamilton is a deeply meaningful homecoming," Odom said in a statement. "I'm so grateful for the chance to step back into the room — especially during this anniversary moment — and to revisit this brilliant piece that forever changed my life and the lives of so many." See PEOPLE's full coverage of the 78th annual Tony Awards, hosted by Cynthia Erivo at New York City's Radio City Music Hall and airing now on CBS and Paramount+. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Jim Henson's Daughter Makes Rare Public Appearance to Join Fans at the Closing of Muppet Vision 3D at Disney World
Jim Henson's daughter Heather Henson was the last guest at the final showing of Muppet*Vision 3D at Disney's Hollywood Studios on Saturday, June 7 The beloved show ended its run after 34 years 'Muppet fans are the best," Heather told the crowdJim Henson's daughter helped fans say goodbye to one of his enduring creations. Heather Henson was a special guest at the final showing of Muppet*Vision 3D. After 34 years, the beloved attraction ended its epic run at Disney's Hollywood Studios on Saturday, June 7. Heather, 54, made it a moment by being the last person to walk through the doors of the classic attraction, which featured Muppet characters created by her father Jim and was the last project he worked on before his death in 1990 at age 53. 'Muppet fans are the best. You guys are the absolute best. We love you so much. Thank you so much for being here. We're hanging it up. Bye, guys,' Heather said in a video (shared on the Disney-focused Instagram account Kates Takes) that captured her greeting fans before she entered. 'We love you back,' a person replied. 'The daughter of Jim Henson, creator of The Muppets and Muppet Vision 3D, was the last guest to enter the theater for the final guest showing of Muppet Vision 3D at Disney's Hollywood Studios," the post's caption read. Fans appreciated that Heather made the gesture. 'That's great that she came out for the final showing. Thanks for the footage!' one person wrote in the comments. Others were still in dismay that the attraction — which combined a 3D movie, real special effects and character animatronics — was shutting down. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 'Why does this make me wanna cry? Ahh I just got to ride the ride my first time last my last as an adult and I'm so sad. I loved the ride,' one follower commented. In November 2024, Disney confirmed that the long-running show, which debuted in 1991, was ending its run to make way for the new Monsters Inc. land. However, it's not a final farewell for the Muppet characters that Jim created. Kermit, Miss Piggy and the gang will now be the stars of a re-themed Rock 'n' Roller Coaster at the park, according to the official Disney Parks Blog. "We know so many of you share our love for The Muppets and know their energy will be a perfect fit for this coaster," the Parks blog post read. "Plus, as the first Disney ride ever to feature The Muppets, there's sure to be laughter, screams and new tunes for this attraction for fans to enjoy throughout the adventure and plenty of Muppets-themed merchandise on Sunset Boulevard." Read the original article on People
Buzz Feed
5 hours ago
- Buzz Feed
25 Disney And Universal Theme Park Essentials
Hey guys! I'm Samar Hadri, a BuzzFeed shopping writer and Orlando, Florida native 🍊. I've been a Disney World *and* Universal Studios Annual Passholder for well over a decade (I may or may not have even gotten married at Disney 😅), so yeah, I'm something of a theme park expert. These are the products that I've tried and can recommend firsthand to make sure your amusement park experience is as smooth and stress-free as possible. With these products, you can feel prepared for almost any situation that pops up during a full day of trudging through the parks. First things first, a mid-size sling backpack to carry all of your essentials, while being small enough to fit in the pouch of whichever rides you love the most. With several compartments inside the bag, as well as a front pouch on the strap, you can keep everything incredibly organized to cut down on the time it takes for you to dig for your phone for spontaneous photos or sunscreen for your two-hour reapplications. Plus, it even has mesh pockets for your water bottle and umbrella! A reusable rain poncho for the buckets of water that can suddenly, without warning, drop from the Florida skies. With a long body piece and a big hooded cap, this poncho will keep you dry head to toe. It also comes with a matching carrying case so you don't have to worry about lugging a drenched poncho around the park after your excursion down a "waterfall" at Kali River Rapids in Animal Kingdom. A four-pack of cooling towels because that Florida sun can be brutal. Just soak it in some cold water at any sink/water fountain, wring it, and place it on your neck for some much-needed relief! These towels will stay chilly for several hours, saving you from having to refresh in every country you pass through in Epcot. Bonus: each towel comes with a carrying pouch and a carabiner clip, so you can just clip it onto your backpack for easy access! A Disney ear holder that clips onto your backpack for the times when your head is tired of propping up those famous Mickey ears (or new Universal headbands!), but you still want them on public display. With the ability to hold up to two ears, this strap is great for parents when your little ones might be over wearing the ears, and you don't want them to take up any space in your bag. A trendy pair of polarized sunglasses to block out the sun's rays while you're enjoying the weather. No need to fear losing these bad boys while aboard Hagrid's Motorbike Adventure at Universal; these polarized glasses (while cute) are extremely affordable, so you can even keep a backup pair on hand in case Fluffy happens to board your ride and run away with your original pair! A handheld fan that will bring some much-needed cooling relief as you trek your way through your favorite rides. Small and compact, with two different speed functions, this fan is a necessity, especially during the height of summer. No need to let the humidity ruin your day, this FAN-tastic device will ensure your vacation remains as cool as can be. (Plus: the fan also works as a backup portable charger!) And a stroller fan so that your little one stays cool in the heat as well! The fan's head can adjust vertically and horizontally in any direction to create the perfect cooling breeze, while also having three speeds so you can ensure your baby is the perfect temperature. Now, the fear of your child overheating can disappear as swiftly as Peter Pan at the sight of an adult! A four-pack of reusable straws because absolutely nobody enjoys the taste of the soggy paper straws that grace every Disney concession stand and restaurant. This straw is collapsible and fits into a small carrying case, which can also be clipped onto your backpack, making it incredibly convenient to carry without feeling like it's taking up some much-needed space. Absolutely perfect for that midday Pandoran Sunrise you'll be happy to sample at Animal Kingdom. A Body Glide anti-chafe balm you'll want to apply liberally before starting your day at Universal City Walk. The last thing you want during your vacation is any pain halting your ability to walk freely through the parks. With this balm, say goodbye to chafing troubles and say hello to magical relief! And an anti-blister foot balm to ease the pain of walking over 10 miles through four different parks, all in a single day. This will add a layer of protection between you and your shoes so you can skip through Diagon Alley with ZERO pain! Vanish the potential of blisters with this balm — even Hermione herself would be jealous of how magical this product seems! A two-pack of reusable snack bags because sometimes hunger pangs hit right in the middle of a line, when exiting to purchase a bite to eat is pretty much impossible. These bags come with a zippered closure and are made from waterproof fabric, so no need to fear the splatters from Tiana's Bayou Adventure tainting your go-to snack. A foldable water bottle that will take up little space and be the hydrating savior of your park day. Buying several bottles of water while inside the park will get expensive FAST, so having a refillable bottle on hand is key, especially when they can roll into a small size so that they don't take up too much room. A much-needed addition to your park essentials when you find yourself incredibly thirsty while waiting to meet Toothless. A 10-pack of mosquito-repellent bracelets you will be incredibly grateful you packed when love-bug season hits Florida. Powered by essential oils such as citronella, these bands can help repel the pests without the need to douse yourself in bug spray several times a day. No mosquito will dare approach you as you embark on your theme park adventures; these bracelets will help keep the creepy-crawlies far, far away! A tube of Neutrogena Ultrasheer SPF 70 sunscreen to protect your skin from the harsh rays of the sun. This lightweight formula helps prevent sunburn without the heavy finish and is conveniently travel-sized, making it the perfect addition to your pre-Disney routine. With this lotion, the only sun you need to fear is the one that comes barreling toward you on Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. A pack of compression socks that can help your circulation, foot swelling, and pain, and make it easier for you to hike across the Magic Kingdom parking lot. You can say goodbye to the days of leg swelling and hello to *sweet* relief as you march countless miles each day of your trip. Don't let the potential pain stop you from having the time of your life at the Happiest Place on Earth! A Color Wow Dreamcoat anti-frizz hairspray to maintain those picture-perfect locks, despite the heat! This spray repels moisture to stop humidity from impacting your hair, leaving your hair feeling smooth and silky. Just spray it liberally on damp, towel-dried hair, then blow dry for the finishing touch. With this spray, your blowout will stay as perfect as Princess Belle herself! A Burt's Bees after-sun lotion perfect for bringing some relief to any sunburns that may occur while you're skipping across Tomorrow Land. With aloe and coconut oil, this skin lotion can soothe and bring hydrating relief to your sun-kissed skin. An Anker portable charger because you will be constantly using your phone to check the wait times, plan ahead with your Genie+, or just playing Charades with your family (or random strangers) while stuck in a line. Don't let its slim exterior fool you; this device is one of the highest reviewed power banks on Amazon for a reason. It can charge a smartphone up to three times while still being light enough to comfortably carry around Hollywood Studios as you search for hidden Mickeys! A pill organizer to keep all of your meds on hand so that you're not trying to dig through your bag for different bottles. With eight multi-size compartments, this carrier can safely store any size pill or vitamin you need. Small enough to fit in your pocket, this organizer will be your saving grace as you attempt to squeeze in just one more plushy from the Emporium into your bag. A travel umbrella designed to block out both the constant Florida showers and the overbearing midday sun. This is a heavy-duty umbrella has eight sturdy fiberglass ribs, making it incredibly wind-resistant, while still being able to fold into a small size. Don't miss your chance to join the line for Pandora's Flight of Passage just because of a little rain, this umbrella will help you make the most of your day no matter the weather! A set of travel perfume carriers that can hold all of your favorite eau de parfums as you make your way around The Isle of Berk. After sweating under the sun for a whole day, you will be happy you packed these sprays so that you can refresh yourself at your convenience. A Miss Mouth's stain remover spray to help wipe away the Mickey Ice Cream Bar residue from your little one's shorts. Designed to remove even the toughest of stains, this spray is a necessity when wrangling your family through the parks while attempting to keep their clothes Instagram-worthy. A three-pack of Disney-inspired lanyards so your family can keep their key cards strapped close to them at all times. With pouches to hold any additional cards or cash, these are great for anyone trying to waltz around Disney without the feeling of being weighed down by a wallet. Perhaps one of the most important items on this list, these ID holders are necessary for those who tend to misplace things more often than not. A pair of aqua socks to protect your feet and save you from any pool slipping incidents while at Typhoon Lagoon or Volcano Bay. Super lightweight and flexible, these socks are perfect for your water excursions during your ultimate Disney vacation! A hand sanitizer holder because you should always have one on hand when you're in a place as crowded as Disney or Universal. Hook these cute keychains to your backpack and don't fear losing them on the monorail, your favorite scented sanitizer is always close by! Ta-da! I declare you ready for your theme park adventure!
