All right, everyone, welcome back. It is now March 25th, 2025, and the Rachel Zegler and Snow White drama continues to dominate conversations across social media and the entertainment industry. At this stage, it feels like there’s no end in sight, as controversies keep piling up and disputes within Disney’s own ranks keep coming to light.

Bob Iger, the Disney CEO, along with the company’s board, executives, and producers, has been desperately trying to tamp down the backlash swirling around the live-action Snow White remake.

Part of the problem is that a lot of people just don’t like the film on a fundamental level. Whatever messages Disney tried to embed—whether ideological or otherwise—don’t matter as much as the fact that a huge portion of the audience seems to think the movie is poorly made.

Critics and fans alike have described the acting as unconvincing, the direction as uninspired, and the CGI as borderline disastrous. Certain moments in the film veer into unsettling territory simply because of how jarring or cartoonish the visuals are. In an era where audiences have grown accustomed to slick special effects, these design and execution flaws stand out like a sore thumb.

In essence, many fans believe that Snow White’s production simply failed to respect the classic tale’s spirit. While it’s understandable that Disney might want to modernize certain elements, the outcome comes across as a patchwork of misguided choices. Whether the cast, the producers, or the creative team is to blame, the end result is a product that seems to be generating more controversy than revenue.

The friction between Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot isn’t exactly news anymore, but the situation has escalated rather than subsided. They’ve repeatedly been at odds, and each new dispute only digs the hole deeper. Far from being a simple personality clash, the disagreement delves into politics, creative control, and ongoing tensions about how the film’s promotional campaign should proceed. Disney is stuck in the middle, attempting to manage both the movie’s marketing woes and the very public friction between its lead actresses.

In the ever-evolving world of Hollywood, few stories unfold quite like the backstage drama surrounding Disney’s much-anticipated Snow White remake. What was expected to be a box-office hit has instead become a cautionary tale, with its poor reception and behind-the-scenes friction between lead actresses Gal Gadot and Rachel Zegler dominating the headlines.

As whispers of the film’s disappointing performance begin to swirl, rumors of a fierce clash between the two stars have raised eyebrows, sparking intense speculation about the future of this high-profile production.

The Box Office Struggles

From the outset, Disney’s Snow White had all the makings of a hit: a beloved story, a star-studded cast, and the brand power of Disney itself. Early projections had the film earning anywhere from $48 to $58 million in its opening weekend. However, to the surprise of many, the film only pulled in a disappointing $43 million in its first weekend, well below expectations.

For a studio like Disney, whose live-action adaptations of animated classics have historically dominated the box office, this flop is a significant blow. Critics and fans alike have been quick to point out the movie’s flaws, which range from uninspired direction to lackluster CGI.

Many have even criticized the film’s attempt to modernize the classic story, a decision that has failed to resonate with its intended audience. While Disney may have hoped to capture the essence of today’s political climate with the updated Snow White, the end result has left audiences feeling unfulfilled. Some even argue that the attempt at blending ideological themes with the fairy tale structure was a step too far, leading to an overall incoherent narrative.

Rising Tensions Between Gadot and Zegler

Despite the film’s clear shortcomings, it’s not just the movie that has caught attention—it’s the ongoing tension between its two leading actresses, Gal Gadot and Rachel Zegler. As Snow White struggled to find its footing, rumors began to surface about the growing animosity between the two stars, with insiders claiming that tensions were bubbling over behind the scenes. And while it’s not unusual for big-name stars to clash during production, the situation here seems to have escalated, turning the off-screen drama into a full-blown spectacle.

Sources suggest that Gadot, the Israeli-born actress known for her role as Wonder Woman, has been left fuming by Zegler’s public statements and actions. The friction between the two was made even worse when the film’s underwhelming performance at the box office was attributed, at least in part, to Zegler’s persona both on and off-screen. Fans and critics alike have called Zegler “charmless” in public appearances, with some even suggesting that her outspoken political views have alienated parts of the audience, particularly for a family-friendly film like Snow White.

As the movie’s marketing campaign faltered, Disney’s efforts to manage the increasingly public disputes between its leading ladies became a significant issue. The movie’s promotional team found themselves struggling to present a unified front, as personal disagreements between Gadot and Zegler started to overshadow the film itself. With each new public spat, the negative publicity grew, ultimately leading to a breakdown in the marketing strategy.

The Commentary Session Meltdown

Things reached a boiling point during a planned commentary session for the upcoming digital release of Snow White. This session was meant to showcase the cast’s camaraderie and provide behind-the-scenes insights, but instead, it devolved into a shouting match. According to sources, Zegler insisted that Gadot refrain from voicing her personal political opinions, particularly regarding her support for Israel, during the press tour. Zegler’s reasoning was that such remarks could further complicate the film’s already tarnished reputation.

Gadot, on the other hand, was reportedly furious at what she perceived as an attempt to silence her personal beliefs. The argument escalated to the point where Disney staff had to step in and separate the two actresses, effectively ending the planned commentary session before it even started. The entire fiasco was a stark reminder of how difficult it is for Hollywood to balance the personal beliefs of its stars with the expectations of a corporate entity like Disney.

In an unexpected twist, Disney officials even entertained the idea of producing a commentary track without Gadot, featuring only Zegler and fellow co-star Andrew Bernap. However, this plan was quickly shot down by Disney CEO Bob Iger, who pointed out the optics of excluding Gadot from such an important promotional tool. To leave her out entirely would send a clear message to the public that the relationship between the two stars had completely fallen apart.

The Fallout for Zegler and Gadot

While the tensions between Gadot and Zegler have undoubtedly affected the film’s promotional efforts, they also have broader implications for both actresses’ careers. Zegler, who was once seen as a rising star after her breakout role in West Side Story, has now found herself at the center of controversy. Critics have suggested that her refusal to dial back her political views or focus on her work rather than her beliefs has cost her significant public support. With Snow White turning into a box-office flop, it’s unclear whether Zegler can recover from this fiasco. Some industry insiders even speculate that Disney might think twice before casting her in future high-profile films.

On the other hand, Gadot’s established star power as Wonder Woman has somewhat insulated her from the fallout. While the film’s failure and her public clash with Zegler may damage her relationship with Disney, her fan base remains largely loyal. However, it’s clear that even the most established stars are not immune to the consequences of a failed film.

Disney’s Future Strategy

For Disney, the Snow White debacle is a wake-up call. The movie’s failure at the box office and the drama surrounding its stars underscore the challenges of modernizing a beloved classic while maintaining the magic that has made Disney such a powerhouse in the entertainment industry. It also highlights the difficulty of managing a diverse cast with conflicting political views—an issue that is likely to continue in future projects.

Moving forward, Disney will need to rethink how it approaches not just its casting decisions but also its strategies for managing talent and promoting films. The friction between Gadot and Zegler has been a significant distraction, and it’s unclear whether Disney can recover from the damage to its brand. In the eyes of many, Snow White is more than just a film; it’s a symbol of the shifting dynamics in Hollywood, where personal politics and public personas have become as important as the work itself.

The fallout from Snow White is far from over, and the lessons learned here will undoubtedly shape the future of Disney’s live-action adaptations. Whether the company will return to its roots or continue to push for modernization remains to be seen. For now, one thing is clear: Snow White 2025 is a stark reminder that even the biggest names and most iconic stories can stumble in the modern cinematic landscape.