Disney's live-action remake of Snow White has stirred up more than just excitement and curiosity; it has ignited a whirlwind of controversy. The film, which stars Rachel Zegler as the iconic princess, has not only faced criticism for its portrayal of the beloved character but also for the way Zegler herself has handled her role both on and off-screen.
As one of Disney's most anticipated live-action remakes, Snow White carries the weight of a $500 million budget, and as it continues to struggle at the box office, many are starting to point fingers at the film’s star—Rachel Zegler.
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The drama surrounding Zegler has been building for months, but it escalated further when Jonah Platt, son of Snow White producer Marc Platt, took to Instagram to publicly criticize the actress. This comes in the wake of Zegler’s outspoken views on several social and political issues, which some argue may have distracted from the promotion of the film.
Zegler's casting, as well as her comments about the film’s premise and its princess, have caused a stir among fans and colleagues alike, leading to an intense public exchange that highlights the intersection of Hollywood’s business, politics, and personal beliefs.
Released in theaters nationwide on March 21, Snow White received mixed reviews and has failed to make a significant impact at the box office, grossing just under $90 million despite its hefty production and marketing costs.
While some critics and audiences were excited by Zegler’s portrayal of a more modern and independent Snow White, others felt that her performance — and her remarks — undermined the essence of the character. Zegler, who is half Colombian, faced criticism from the beginning, with detractors questioning whether she fit the traditional image of Snow White.
But it wasn’t just her casting that caused controversy; it was also Zegler's outspoken comments about the character and the story itself.
Related: Disney Includes “Non-Consensual” Kiss in ‘Snow White,’ But There’s a Change
Rachel Zegler's History of Snow White Controversy
From the very start, Zegler made it clear that this version of Snow White would be different from the one Disney fans have known for decades. She spoke about taking an active role in the story rather than simply waiting for things to happen to her. She also made headlines when she boldly stated that the film didn’t need a prince and referred to him as a “stalker” in interviews.
These comments, while aiming to modernize the classic story, led to a backlash from fans who were disappointed that Zegler seemed to disregard the beloved original. For many, these remarks painted a picture of Snow White as a character out of sync with the tone of the traditional fairytale.
The film’s box office struggles have fueled the controversy, with many now questioning whether Zegler’s public comments have hurt the film's chances at success. With a production budget of over $200 million, plus additional marketing costs pushing the total to a staggering $500 million, Snow White needs to earn more than $500 million to break even.
Given the film’s underwhelming performance in its opening weekend, the chances of reaching that figure are slim. While Disney may still be able to recover some of its costs once the film is released on Disney+, the current outlook isn’t promising.
Among those who have expressed frustration with Zegler’s actions is Jonah Platt, son of Snow White producer Marc Platt.
In a now-deleted Instagram comment, Jonah accused Zegler of “hijacking” the movie and claimed that her political views hurt the film’s box office performance. His comments came after another Instagram user criticized Marc Platt for flying to New York to confront Zegler about her remarks.
In a response that went viral, Jonah Platt wrote:
“You really want to do this? Yeah, my dad, the producer of [an] enormous piece of Disney IP with hundreds of millions of dollars on the line, had to leave his family to fly across the country to reprimand his 20-year-old employee for dragging her personal politics into the middle of promoting the movie for which she signed a multi-million dollar contract to get paid and do publicity for. This is called adult responsibility and accountability. And her actions clearly hurt the film’s box office. Free speech does not mean you’re allowed to say whatever you want in your private employment without repercussions. Tens of thousands of people worked on that film, and she hijacked the conversation for her own immature desires at the risk of all the colleagues and crew and blue-collar workers who depend on that movie to be successful. Narcissism is not something to be coddled or encouraged.”
Jonah’s comment, which was later deleted, stirred up a firestorm of reactions online. His accusation that Zegler hijacked the film’s promotional efforts with her personal beliefs and political stance became a point of contention for many fans. While some sided with him, arguing that Zegler’s actions diverted attention from the movie’s potential, others defended her right to express her opinions and criticized Jonah for downplaying her free speech.
Zegler's political views have long been a topic of conversation. She has been vocal in her support of the Palestinian people in their ongoing conflict with Israel, a stance that put her at odds with her Israeli co-star, Gal Gadot, who plays the Wicked Queen.
This ideological rift between the two actresses was reportedly addressed by Marc Platt, who flew to New York to speak with Zegler in an attempt to bring her back in line with the film's promotional strategy. However, Zegler remained steadfast in her beliefs, which only intensified the tension surrounding the production.
Zegler’s political activism has extended beyond the Snow White remake, with other controversial remarks adding fuel to the fire. Her public criticism of former President Donald Trump, including a statement where she said, “F**k Donald Trump,” was met with backlash from some fans. She later apologized for the comment about Trump’s supporters, but the damage had been done.
Despite the controversies surrounding her, Zegler has expressed gratitude for the opportunity to portray Snow White. In a recent Instagram post, she acknowledged the difficulty of taking on such a beloved character but emphasized that she remained proud of her work.
What do you think? Was Rachel Zegler’s portrayal of Snow White the reason the film struggled at the box office? Or do you think there were other factors at play? Let us know in the comments below!
This woke film needs to earn 1.5 billion to break even, having been filmed twice plus all the extras, will never make a profit,
Disney need go back to the old values ,and get rid of the WOKE, that people don’t want.
Not Snow White, sorry remake of an old classic. Should have been left alone.
I will not pay to watch anything Zegler is acting in! Absolutely nothing with her name attached. She has bern way too outspoken about several issues that she knows the truth about. She should be ashamed.
Zegler was the wrong choice from the start. Disney cast a Colombian as “Snow White.” I mean WHITE! Come on folks. Wokeness will sink Walt’s dream and people will stay away from this type of live action film. Return to Walt’s concept of telling a story using non-controversial balanced actors who can keep their private opinions to themselves. I’m a Disney shareholder and this film will affect my stock portfolio. Not happy and I won’t watch it.
Wrong actress from the beginning. She was well paid for the role and should have kept her sarcasm to herself. I will not pay to see it nor watch it on tv.