Martin Klebba Shares Frustration Over Snow White Premiere as Controversy Clouds Disney’s Vision

Martin Klebba, who voices Grumpy in Disney’s upcoming live-action Snow White, recently opened up about the muted nature of the film’s premiere. While the movie is scheduled to screen at the iconic El Capitan Theatre, there will be no traditional red carpet celebration due to ongoing public controversy. Klebba expressed disappointment that what could have been a major milestone for Disney is being downplayed. He believes that public backlash, particularly surrounding the film’s lead, Rachel Zegler, influenced the decision.

Zegler’s Comments and Dwarf Representation Spark Debate Around Snow White’s Modern Adaptation

Rachel Zegler has drawn criticism since being cast as Snow White, in part because of her candid opinions on the 1937 animated original, which she described as outdated. Additionally, her past social media posts about political events, including criticism of Donald Trump’s election, have stirred debate. While Klebba confirmed that the scaled-down premiere was reportedly “due to the controversy with Rachel,” he also clarified he had received no official confirmation.

The portrayal of the dwarfs has been a topic of heated discussion since actor Peter Dinklage criticized the story’s outdated representation of little people. Klebba, the only little person voicing one of the seven dwarfs in this adaptation, defended the inclusion of the characters, emphasizing their place in the classic story. He acknowledged that while the film uses motion capture and VFX for the miners, it was a logical creative choice given the technical and casting challenges.

Klebba Reflects on Creative Choices, Hopes for More Diversity in Future Roles

Klebba also noted his disappointment that the new Snow White film omits reference to the dwarfs in its title, a departure from the original. While he personally would have preferred to retain the classic naming, he defers to the marketing team’s strategy. He sees the use of CGI for the dwarf characters as a practical decision that maintains visual consistency and addresses logistical casting difficulties.

Despite the current challenges, Klebba remains optimistic and proud of his work on Snow White. He reflects fondly on his roles in other Disney projects such as Pirates of the Caribbean and Haunted Mansion. Looking to the future, he expressed interest in portraying Marvel’s Puck, a superhero with dwarfism, advocating for more diverse representation in superhero roles. His lighthearted wish is to see more characters who break the mold of Hollywood’s typical leading man.