The new trailer for Disney’s Peter Pan & Wendy has been criticized for its portrayal of Tinker Bell and Captain Hook.
Tuesday’s first look at the live-action adaptation of “Peter Pan” introduced Alexander Molony as Peter, Ever Anderson as Wendy, Alyssa Wapanatâhk as Tiger Lily, Yara Shahidi as Tinker Bell, and Jude Law as Captain Hook. The trailer shows Peter and Wendy on an adventurous journey to Neverland, where they encounter various mythical friends and foes.
Twitter users immediately wondered how Law was styled as Hook, lamenting that Disney somehow managed to cast a canonically hot character (according to some) to be played by an actor known as handsome, sure to make around him unattractive. In the trailer, Law shows off a long, fuzzy gray wig and furry mustache while sporting the villain’s signature crescent moon.
“The guts to cast Jude Law as Captain Hook and make him look like this,” he tweeted @bensolohope. “It’s a criminal offense.”
“I thought it was impossible to make Jude Law ugly and illegal to do a fuzzy Captain Hook, but Disney once again proved me wrong.” @neon_heartbeat tweeted.
“I already have very little faith in Peter Pan and Wendy because they were cowards and made Jude Law’s hook unappealing.” @plandefeld410 tweeted.
There was also a racist backlash against Disney’s casting of Black-ish and Grown-ish star Shahidi as Tinker Bell. Others insisted that regardless of how a character has been portrayed in the past, it’s absurd to get upset about running an actor playing a magical fairy – or mermaid for that matter.
“Dear white people, Tinkerbell or Ariel are white women… one is a fairy and the other is a fictional fish.” @itsKenBarbie tweeted. “Stop hiding your racism behind the false protection of CHARACTERS from your youth.”
“‘Tinkerbell isn’t black’ and fairies aren’t real, so what?” @STALLLONAIRE tweeted.
“Go elsewhere crying with the fake outrage” @DaddyMando_ tweeted. “’Tinkerbell is white’ EDGE— FAIRY?????????????”
Many also complained about the trailer’s dim lighting after struggling to make out the images on screen. And a number of people were disappointed with what they saw as a lack of effort in making Tinker Bell shine.
Law, Shahidi and Disney officials did not immediately respond to Times requests for comment on Thursday. Peter Pan & Wendy, directed by David Lowery, premieres April 28 on Disney+.
Source: LA Times