Sept. 13, 2023

Hollywood and Diversity: One Step Forward, Two Steps Back?

Even before it reaches theatres in 2024, the live-action remake of Snow White is facing much backlash, hit by accusations of Disney warping the classic tale into something that it is not. With Rachel Zegler as the titular princess, and the unconventional casting of the seven dwarfs, some say the producers’ push for inclusivity seems forced, as it abandons the essence of the original fable. This media frenzy has opened up a conversation about diversity and representation in Hollywood. By: Theng

Hollywood has had a long history of whitewashing its characters, from as early as the 20th century, where white actors were cast in non-white roles. In those days, it was common to see actors performing in yellow-face or black-face, exaggerating racial stereotypes into caricatures. Even till the early 2010s, Hollywood was still coming under fire for whitewashing, with films like The Last Airbender (2010) facing criticism for their casting choices.

The Tipping Point

The first watershed moment came in 2017, in the form of Jordan Peele’s social thriller Get Out (2017). Peele’s film, which featured Black protagonist Daniel Kaluuya, catapulted to the top of the box office, grossing $253 million worldwide on a $44.5 million production budget. The success of the film exhibited the audiences’ desire for more diversified stories and characters – a signal that was changing the winds in Hollywood. Massive commercial successes like Black Panther (2018) and Crazy Rich Asians (2018) cemented a new wave of films to come, which focused on minority representation and diversity. It was win-win situation for audience and production studios, whereby the former got to see diversified stories and cast on screen, whilst the latter reaped the rewards from highly popular films.

However, recent developments in the industry have been troubling. Though ethnic minorities are headlining films and series, some viewers are showing their displeasure. Why is that so?

Two Sides of the Coin

Slated for release in 2024, the live-action remake of Snow White came under fire for its casting choices. Some took issue with Zegler’s Latina heritage, saying that it was unfit for the “white as snow” role of Snow White, which is traditionally of European descent. Disney’s reimagining of the seven dwarfs as “magical creatures” of all different shapes, sizes, genders has also sparked debate, with many attacking the production studio’s so-called “politically correct” and “woke” choices.

“We absolutely wrote a Snow White that is not gonna be saved by the prince,” said main lead Zegler. This statement also caused some upheaval amongst Disney fans, who complained that the seismic change in storyline was stripping away the essence of the classic tale.

Disney’s efforts towards inclusivity and diversity seem to have gone awry, with some accusing the studio of not staying faithful to the beloved fairytale, and warping it as an overworked, hollow gesture towards the modern sense of being “politically correct.” Others called for a more authentic minority representation, which does not involve merely dropping an actress of Latina heritage into a fairytale with a European backdrop. Parallels were also drawn with the live action The Little Mermaid (2023), with The New York Times characterising it as having changes that were only “skin-deep.” Referring to the Halle Bailey remake, the article wrote: “The colourisation hasn’t led to a racialised, radicalised adventure. It’s not a Black adaptation, an interpretation that imbues white material with Black culture until it’s something completely new; it’s not “The Wiz.” It’s still a Disney movie, one whose heroine now, sigh, happens to be Black.”

Amidst all the backlash, there are supporters who express that the enduring nature of fairytales allow for radical changes that align with modern times, progressing with the sentiments of the current society. They argue that fairytales are supposed to stand the test of time, traversing through generations, albeit their changing form. In their eyes, the 21st century fairytale mirrors the sign of our times.

Though Hollywood is far from an expert at navigating the tricky landscape of representation in our shifting cultural currents, the recent firestorm of debate could open in-depth conversations around diversity, helping production studios and filmmakers get a better footing for future projects.

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