Insights from Martin Klebba on the Upcoming Live-Action *Snow White*
As the premiere of Disney’s new live-action *Snow White* approaches, performer Martin Klebba, who voices Grumpy, weighs in on the ongoing discussions about the film’s launch. Having participated in previous adaptations, including the 2012 film *Mirror Mirror*, Klebba brings a unique perspective to the current context surrounding the movie.
In a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, Klebba addressed the modifications to the premiere event, notably the absence of a press invitation to the red carpet. He expressed that, despite the unease caused by recent controversies, he remains proud of the film, which features Rachel Zegler as Snow White and Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen. “It really isn’t going to be a red carpet,” he noted. “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 movie they ever made.’ Because of all this controversy, they’re afraid of the blowback from different people in society.”
Derek Storm/Everett Collection
Klebba indicated that changes to the premiere stemmed from “the controversy with Rachel,” although he admitted he had not received detailed explanations for the adjustments. Zegler has been candid about her feelings regarding the original 1937 animated film, expressing her discontent over its antiquated storylines—a stance she reiterated following her critical comments about Donald Trump’s election in 2016, for which she later apologized.
A Historical Perspective
The discourse around the film intensified in 2022 when actor Peter Dinklage publicly criticized Disney for reviving what he described as a “backward story” about the seven dwarfs. However, Klebba clarified that the production team had already planned to utilize motion-capture technology to animate these characters. As the sole little person voicing one of the dwarfs, he commented, “I don’t usually get into 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.”
Additionally, Klebba explained that considering the film includes CGI-created animals, employing visual effects for the dwarfs seems logical. “If you guys go this route, it just makes sense to be able to draw them the way you want,” he argued, noting that this decision enhances visual consistency among the characters. He also acknowledged the challenges of casting seven little actors for such roles.
Concerns Beyond the Screen
Interestingly, Klebba expressed surprise about the film’s title, *Snow White*, which omits any mention of the dwarfs, a notable departure from the original. “I wish they would’ve kept it,” he reflected, acknowledging that the marketing experts undoubtedly had their reasons for the change.
Klebba shares gratitude for his connections with Disney, having participated in three film projects linked to Disney theme park attractions in addition to roles in the *Pirates of the Caribbean* and *Haunted Mansion* series. When considering future roles within the Disney universe, he expressed keen interest in portraying Marvel character Puck, a superhero with dwarfism. “I’ve been waiting forever for somebody to write something for the Marvel Universe,” he stated humorously, contrasting himself with more conventionally attractive leads like Chris Pratt. “Let’s see some people that aren’t exactly nature’s wonder.”
As the film’s release date nears, industry watchers and audiences alike will be eager to see how these conversations play out both on-screen and off.
For more details, visit the original article on The Hollywood Reporter.