Gal Gadot Finally Speaks on Why 'Snow White' Failed — Was Rachel Zegler to Blame?

Actress Gal Gadot has spoken publicly for the first time about the failure of Disney's live-action Snow White, saying she believes political pressures in Hollywood contributed to the film's disappointing box office run.

The Evil Queen actress, who starred opposite Rachel Zegler, made the comments during an interview in Israel over the weekend, months after the film underperformed at cinemas worldwide.

Gadot's Take on the Snow White Failure

In an interview on Israeli TV reported by Page Six, Gadot admitted she was disappointed with the outcome and suggested that the broader industry climate had affected audience response.

'I was sure this movie was going to be a huge hit. And then it happened,' Gadot said, referencing the October 7 attacks. 'And what followed, as you know, happened a lot in various industries including Hollywood. There's pressure on celebrities to speak against Israel,' she continued.

She added that she was frustrated the controversy overshadowed the release, saying: 'That's how it goes. You win some, you lose some.'

Disney's Snow White by the Numbers

Disney released Snow White in the United States on 21 March 2025. According to Variety, the film opened with $43 million (£31.7 million) domestically and $87.3 million worldwide, enough to top the global box office in its debut weekend.

However, momentum quickly faded. Box Office Mojo reported the final worldwide gross stalled at $205.7 million (£151.8 million), including $87.2 million (£64.3 million) in the U.S. and $118.5 million (£87.4 million) internationally. With a reported production budget of $240–270 million (£177–199 million) before marketing, analysts estimated the movie needed at least $400 million globally to break even.

Lukewarm Critical Reception

Reviews were mixed at best. Rotten Tomatoes recorded a critics' score of just 38%, while audiences rated it closer to 70%. CinemaScore gave the remake a B+, considered low for a Disney release. Industry trackers quickly labelled Snow White a box office bomb.

Analysts Cite Remake Fatigue

Film analysts pointed to multiple reasons behind the poor performance. Audiences had grown weary of Disney's string of live-action remakes, while critics cited the movie's uneven tone and lack of originality. The modest audience score and weak word-of-mouth meant the film could not sustain long-term success.

Although some suggested that political controversies surrounding the cast worsened negative press, most box office experts agreed remake fatigue and mixed reviews were the main drivers of the underperformance.

Pre-Release Controversies

The project faced backlash long before its premiere. Casting Zegler, a Latina actress, sparked heated debate online. Actor Peter Dinklage criticised Disney for remaking a story involving dwarfs, leading to significant creative changes in the supporting characters.

Clips of Zegler resurfaced in which she criticised the 1937 original, fuelling claims she disrespected the legacy of Snow White. Additionally, her pro-Palestinian posts drew sharp contrast with Gadot's outspoken support for Israel, creating a perceived political rift between the two leads.

What Gadot Actually Said

Despite months of speculation about tension between Gadot and Zegler, Gadot stopped short of blaming her co-star directly. Instead, she highlighted the political climate in Hollywood and the pressure on actors to take sides. She reiterated her disappointment but framed the outcome as part of the unpredictable nature of filmmaking, noting that ultimately, audience reception lies beyond the control of the cast.