section_path: Production/Writing
section_name: Writing
paragraph_text: Writing
  
  In October 2024, Zegler explained that the film would feature an altered origin for Snow White's name, with the character being named as an homage to the weather on the night of her birth, after surviving a snowstorm with her parents, a narrative element she stated was inspired by a previous adaptation of the fairy tale. She also faced criticism for comments about modernizing the titular character, particularly regarding the prince's role. At D23 Expo 2022, she stated:
  
  The original cartoon came out in 1937 and very evidently so. There's a big focus on her love story with a guy who literally stalks her. Weird! Weird. So we didn't do that this time. We have a different approach to what I'm sure a lot of people will assume is a love story just because we cast a guy in the movie, Andrew Burnap, great dude. But it's really not about her love story at all, which is really, really wonderful. All of Andrew's scenes could get cut, who knows? It's Hollywood, baby!
  
  Some criticized these changes as overly feminist, while others accused Zegler of misrepresenting feminism. David Hand, son of the original film's co-director, called the remake "insulting". The controversy prompted The Daily Wire to announce a competing adaptation, though production stalled after star Brett Cooper 's 2024 departure. Zegler later clarified that the film would still include a love story, expressing sadness that her comments were misunderstood.
  
  In January 2022, actor Peter Dinklage, who has a form of dwarfism and has played dwarfish characters in his career, criticized the remake as a "backward story". Disney responded that they were "taking a different approach" after consulting with the dwarfism community. This drew mixed reactions from other actors with dwarfism including Hornswoggle, who felt Dinklage was costing them roles. Production footage from July 2023 revealed the dwarfs had been reimagined as one actor with dwarfism and six non-dwarf actors of diverse backgrounds. Disney initially denied then confirmed these were production stand-ins (with confirmed dwarf actor Martin Klebba not appearing).
  
  The changes were criticized as overly politically correct and reducing opportunities for dwarf actors. Jason "Wee Man" Acuña of Jackass criticized Disney, asking "Why are you hiring 'Snow White and the seven average people'?" Postl defended the original animated portrayals, disagreeing with Dinklage. The final film features CGI versions resembling the 1937 characters, though they are never called "dwarfs" in dialogue or marketing. The film's title was shortened to Snow White to avoid emphasizing the dwarf characters. It also avoids Snow White being relegated to the dwarfs' maid; upon arriving at the cottage, she falls asleep, and the dwarfs agree to let her stay for her safety. During the musical number “ Whistle While You Work,” all the characters share in cleaning up the home.
  
  In addition, other traditional plot points are also reimagined: the huntsman spares Snow White's life and, instead of placing an animal heart in a box as in the original, uses an apple, eliminating the need for animal death while preserving the deception. The film also reframes Snow White's identity; her destiny is to be a fair and fearless leader, and the classic song " Someday My Prince Will Come " is replaced with "Waiting On A Wish," a solo about her "hope to become her father's daughter and the kind leader she was raised to be." Prince Charming is also replaced by Jonathan, a bandit leader, whose relationship with Snow White evolves from mutual skepticism to earned respect and love.
  
  In October 2024, Zegler explained that the film would feature an altered origin for Snow White's name, with the character being named as an homage to the weather on the night of her birth, after surviving a snowstorm with her parents, a narrative element she stated was inspired by a previous adaptation of the fairy tale. She also faced criticism for comments about modernizing the titular character, particularly regarding the prince's role. At D23 Expo 2022, she stated:
  
  The original cartoon came out in 1937 and very evidently so. There's a big focus on her love story with a guy who literally stalks her. Weird! Weird. So we didn't do that this time. We have a different approach to what I'm sure a lot of people will assume is a love story just because we cast a guy in the movie, Andrew Burnap, great dude. But it's really not about her love story at all, which is really, really wonderful. All of Andrew's scenes could get cut, who knows? It's Hollywood, baby!
  
  Some criticized these changes as overly feminist, while others accused Zegler of misrepresenting feminism. David Hand, son of the original film's co-director, called the remake "insulting". The controversy prompted The Daily Wire to announce a competing adaptation, though production stalled after star Brett Cooper 's 2024 departure. Zegler later clarified that the film would still include a love story, expressing sadness that her comments were misunderstood.
  
  In January 2022, actor Peter Dinklage, who has a form of dwarfism and has played dwarfish characters in his career, criticized the remake as a "backward story". Disney responded that they were "taking a different approach" after consulting with the dwarfism community. This drew mixed reactions from other actors with dwarfism including Hornswoggle, who felt Dinklage was costing them roles. Production footage from July 2023 revealed the dwarfs had been reimagined as one actor with dwarfism and six non-dwarf actors of diverse backgrounds. Disney initially denied then confirmed these were production stand-ins (with confirmed dwarf actor Martin Klebba not appearing).
  
  The changes were criticized as overly politically correct and reducing opportunities for dwarf actors. Jason "Wee Man" Acuña of Jackass criticized Disney, asking "Why are you hiring 'Snow White and the seven average people'?" Postl defended the original animated portrayals, disagreeing with Dinklage. The final film features CGI versions resembling the 1937 characters, though they are never called "dwarfs" in dialogue or marketing. The film's title was shortened to Snow White to avoid emphasizing the dwarf characters. It also avoids Snow White being relegated to the dwarfs' maid; upon arriving at the cottage, she falls asleep, and the dwarfs agree to let her stay for her safety. During the musical number “ Whistle While You Work,” all the characters share in cleaning up the home.
  
  In addition, other traditional plot points are also reimagined: the huntsman spares Snow White's life and, instead of placing an animal heart in a box as in the original, uses an apple, eliminating the need for animal death while preserving the deception. The film also reframes Snow White's identity; her destiny is to be a fair and fearless leader, and the classic song " Someday My Prince Will Come " is replaced with "Waiting On A Wish," a solo about her "hope to become her father's daughter and the kind leader she was raised to be." Prince Charming is also replaced by Jonathan, a bandit leader, whose relationship with Snow White evolves from mutual skepticism to earned respect and love.