Disney found itself in hot water after initially denying the authenticity of leaked photos from its live-action Snow White remake. The images, published by the Daily Mail, revealed the film's reimagining of the seven dwarfs as "magical creatures," a move intended to avoid perpetuating stereotypes. Disney initially dismissed the photos as "fake" to outlets like The Daily Beast, even seeking a correction from the Daily Mail. However, the company later backtracked, admitting the images were from the production, though not official promotional shots. This flip-flop fueled the ongoing debate about the film's approach to the classic characters.

The decision to replace the dwarfs with "magical creatures" has drawn criticism, particularly from some conservative voices. This change, announced in 2022, followed criticism from actor Peter Dinklage, who has dwarfism, regarding the portrayal of the characters in the original animated film. Disney stated it consulted with members of the dwarfism community to develop a more sensitive approach.

This incident is not Disney's first brush with controversy surrounding its reimagining of classic tales. The company's attempts to modernize beloved stories have often sparked debate, highlighting the challenge of balancing artistic license with cultural sensitivity and audience expectations.