Okay movie fans you have probably heard something about the new live-action Snow White movie and maybe not all of it has been fairy tale magic. There's been a whole lot of buzz swirling around the film and especially its star Rachel Zegler. Let's break down all the drama the controversies and what's really going on with this movie.
From 'Free Palestine' to 'F Trump': Rachel Zegler's Social Media Posts Spark Controversy
Rachel Zegler who plays Snow White has been pretty vocal on social media and some of her posts have definitely caused a stir. Back in August 2024 when the first trailer dropped she thanked fans but then added "and always remember free palestine." That little add-on went viral like crazy getting way more attention than the trailer itself. Disney execs were reportedly not thrilled. Apparently producer Marc Platt even flew to New York to talk to her about it.
Then there was another post after the presidential election where she used some strong language about Donald Trump. This stuff did not go unnoticed especially considering Disney is trying to appeal to a broad audience. Some folks thought her posts were alienating potential viewers especially since half the audience might not agree with her politics.
Some insiders say Disney felt Zegler was "out of control" and worried about the impact on the movie. Reportedly they even hired a social media expert to help her vet her posts before sharing them. It sounds like things got pretty tense behind the scenes.
Feud or Fairy Tale Fiasco? Rumors of Tension Between Zegler and Co-star Gal Gadot
Adding fuel to the fire there have been rumors of a feud between Zegler and her Snow White co-star Gal Gadot who plays the Evil Queen. Gadot is Israeli and has been outspoken in her support for Israel. This difference in political views compared to Zegler's pro-Palestine stance has led to speculation about tension between the two actresses.
Some reports suggested that Disney kept them separate during promotional events to avoid any awkwardness. At the movie premiere they were seated apart and there were reportedly no joint red carpet interviews. One source even told People magazine that Zegler and Gadot "have nothing in common" and are "not friends."
However other sources say the actresses actually got along fine during filming. Zegler herself has spoken positively about Gadot calling her a "professional pageant queen" in one Instagram comment which some interpreted as a dig while others saw it as playful. It's hard to know for sure what the real dynamic was but the rumors of a feud definitely added to the overall drama surrounding the film.
Box Office Blues: Did Controversy Contribute to 'Snow White's' Weak Opening?
After all the build-up and controversy the new Snow White movie had a pretty disappointing opening weekend at the box office. It made around $87 million worldwide which is not great especially considering the massive $270 million budget. For comparison that's less than what Joker: Folie à Deux made in its opening and Snow White cost way more to produce.
Some analysts are saying that all the negative buzz and controversy surrounding the movie definitely played a role in the weak box office numbers. One analyst even said "Too much negative controversy surrounded this film for years and it didn’t help that the reviews were subpar." Basically all the drama might have turned potential viewers away.
Jonah Platt son of producer Marc Platt seemed to agree. In a now-deleted Instagram comment he blamed Rachel Zegler's "immature" social media posts for hurting the film's box office chances. He criticized her for "dragging her personal politics" into promoting the movie and said her actions were "narcissistic."
Zegler Seeks "Sisterhood" in Hollywood Amidst Storm
Despite all the negativity Rachel Zegler is focusing on finding support and connection in Hollywood. In a recent interview with Allure magazine she talked about looking for "sisterhood" in the industry. She mentioned that women in entertainment are often told to see each other as competition but she doesn't believe in that.
Zegler shared that actresses like Jameela Jamil Helen Mirren and Lucy Liu have been supportive of her. Ariana Grande also reportedly reached out to offer support. It sounds like Zegler is trying to navigate the challenges of fame and controversy by building positive relationships with other women in the industry. She believes "there is room for all of us [women] no matter what anybody else will have you think."
Key Controversies Surrounding the New 'Snow White' Movie:
- Rachel Zegler's "Free Palestine" Post: Sparked immediate backlash and concern from Disney executives.
- Zegler's Anti-Trump Tweets: Alienated a significant portion of potential audience.
- Rumored Feud with Gal Gadot: Differing political views and alleged tension between the lead actresses.
- Negative Pre-release Buzz: Controversies contributed to a negative perception of the film even before release.
- Box Office Disappointment: The film's weak opening weekend performance possibly linked to controversies and negative press.
Fairy Tale or Cautionary Tale? The 'Snow White' Saga Continues
The live-action Snow White movie has definitely had a bumpy ride from casting to release. Rachel Zegler a talented young actress has found herself in the center of a social media storm and the movie's box office performance is raising eyebrows. Whether this is a cautionary tale about celebrity activism or just a case of bad timing and unfortunate circumstances the Snow White saga is far from over. It will be interesting to see how Disney and Rachel Zegler move forward from here and what lessons Hollywood learns from this whole situation.