Gal Gadot’s Disney Departure and Zegler Jab: A Dramatic Exit from a Snow White Nightmare

In a move that has left Hollywood reeling, Gal Gadot, the Wonder Woman superstar and Evil Queen in Disney’s live-action Snow White remake, has reportedly severed ties with the studio—and she’s not going quietly. Just moments ago, news broke that Gadot’s exit comes with a searing parting shot at co-star Rachel Zegler, whom she blames for the film’s catastrophic $115 million flop. The accusation, dripping with tension, marks a fiery end to Gadot’s Disney chapter and reignites the saga of Snow White—a project that’s been a lightning rod for controversy since day one. What drove Gadot to burn this bridge, and why is Zegler in the crosshairs? Let’s unravel this blockbuster drama, exploring Gadot’s departure, her clash with Zegler, and the ripple effects for Disney’s embattled fairy-tale empire.

The Snow White Debacle: A Fairy Tale Gone Wrong

Disney’s Snow White remake, released March 21, 2025, was meant to be a crown jewel in the studio’s live-action renaissance, following successes like Cinderella and The Little Mermaid. With a $270 million budget, direction by Marc Webb, and a script co-written by Greta Gerwig, the film cast Rachel Zegler as Snow White and Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen. Zegler, a 23-year-old breakout from West Side Story, brought vocal prowess and diversity with her Colombian-Polish heritage, while Gadot, 40, lent global star power. The goal was to modernize the 1937 classic—Disney’s first animated feature—while honoring its legacy. Instead, the project became a masterclass in how to alienate audiences.

Trouble brewed early. Zegler’s 2021 casting sparked a racist backlash from fans who argued her ethnicity clashed with Snow White’s “skin as white as snow” description, a controversy Disney and Zegler condemned. Zegler’s comments at the 2022 D23 Expo made things worse: she called the original film’s prince a “stalker” and its story “dated,” pitching a feminist Snow White focused on leadership. Her words, meant to excite, infuriated purists, trending #NotMySnowWhite. Production woes piled on: a set fire, the 2023 writers’ strike, and reshoots inflated costs. Disney’s handling of the Seven Dwarfs—swapping live-action dwarf actors for CGI “magical creatures” after Peter Dinklage’s critique, then reverting to CGI dwarfs—drew ire from fans and dwarf actors alike. The trailer, slammed for its artificial look, racked up millions of dislikes.

Zegler’s political posts added fuel. Her pro-Palestine stance clashed with Gadot’s pro-Israel advocacy, sparking boycotts from both sides. Her post-2024 election remarks, targeting political figures, alienated conservative audiences, with reports of Disney assigning a PR handler to curb her social media. By release, Snow White was a cultural landmine. It grossed just $87 million globally opening weekend, projecting a $115 million loss—Disney’s worst live-action remake performance. Critics gave it a 40% on Rotten Tomatoes, though Gadot’s “captivating” Evil Queen and Zegler’s “ luminous” Snow White earned praise amid the wreckage.

Gadot’s Exit and Zegler Jab: What Happened?

The latest bombshell is Gadot’s reported decision to end her Disney career, punctuated by a pointed attack on Zegler. Sources claim Gadot, in a candid moment—possibly an interview or industry gathering—blamed Zegler for Snow White’s failure, accusing her of “derailing” the film with divisive comments and unprofessional behavior. One unverified quote has Gadot saying, “Rachel’s recklessness cost us everything—she turned a fairy tale into a fight.” Another suggests she criticized Zegler’s social media, particularly her critiques of the 1937 film and political posts, as “poison” for Disney’s family-friendly brand. The remarks, whether verbatim or paraphrased, have exploded online, with #GadotOut and #ZeglerBlamed trending.

Gadot’s frustration seems rooted in the film’s fallout. As a seasoned star, she’s built a career on broad appeal, navigating her pro-Israel stance with diplomatic finesse. Snow White was a chance to flex her villainous side, and her performance was a critical highlight. Yet the film’s collapse—grossing less than Joker: Folie à Deux’s $206 million—tarnished her efforts. Reports suggest Gadot shouldered heavy promotional duties while Zegler’s controversies dominated headlines, leaving her feeling sidelined. Her decision to exit Disney, if true, may reflect disillusionment with a studio that failed to manage the chaos, with Zegler as the convenient scapegoat.

Zegler’s defenders call the attack unfair. They argue Gadot’s singling her out ignores Disney’s broader failures: a muddled script, a botched dwarf redesign, and a marketing campaign that leaned on a disliked trailer. Zegler’s comments, they say, were overhyped by bad-faith critics, and her political posts—pro-Palestine, anti-establishment—reflected Gen Z authenticity, not sabotage. Supporters like actress Amandla Stenberg have decried the “pile-on,” noting that Zegler, at 23, faced racist vitriol and impossible expectations. Some speculate Gadot’s jab stems from personal friction, with their clashing politics creating a frosty set dynamic despite public pleasantries.

Why Gadot’s Leaving Disney

Gadot’s reported exit from Disney is a seismic shift. Beyond Snow White, she was rumored for roles in a Tangled remake and a Hercules project, both now in doubt. Her decision may signal a strategic pivot—focusing on non-Disney ventures like Cleopatra or Fast X: Part 2—or a reaction to Snow White’s stain on her resume. The film’s $115 million loss, dwarfing Mufasa: The Lion King’s $80 million shortfall, has rattled Disney’s remake model, and Gadot, whose $20 million Snow White payday raised eyebrows, may want distance from a studio in crisis.

Blaming Zegler could be a calculated move to preserve her image. By framing the flop as Zegler’s fault, Gadot deflects scrutiny from her own involvement, positioning herself as the professional caught in a young star’s mess. Critics, however, see it as a low blow, especially given Zegler’s battle against racist attacks. Commentators like Wajahat Ali have called it “kicking down,” arguing Gadot’s stature didn’t need the jab. Her pro-Israel posts, while controversial, never drew the same heat as Zegler’s, highlighting a double standard for actors of color.

Zegler’s Burden: Scapegoat or Culprit?

Zegler’s role in Snow White’s failure is a Rorschach test. Critics like Ben Shapiro point to her “woke” rhetoric—dismissing the original film, engaging trolls, posting politically—as a self-inflicted wound. Reports of Disney’s PR interventions, including producer Marc Platt’s trips to rein her in, suggest she tested the studio’s patience. Her dwarf comments, which sparked their own firestorm, and boycotts tied to her Palestine posts didn’t help. Industry insiders estimate her actions shaved $50 million off the film’s potential gross, with conservative audiences staying home.

Yet Zegler’s allies argue she’s been unfairly vilified. The film’s failure, they say, stems from Disney’s missteps: a $270 million budget, a divisive dwarf redesign, and a trailer that alienated fans. Zegler’s performance was a bright spot—her rendition of “Someday My Prince Will Come” went viral—and her $700 million career box office (West Side Story, Hunger Games) proves her draw. Supporters argue Disney threw her to the wolves, failing to counter racist casting backlash or guide her through a cultural minefield. Gadot’s attack, they say, is piling on a young star already battered by years of hate.

Disney’s Crisis: A House of Cards

Gadot’s exit and Zegler jab expose Disney’s vulnerabilities. The Snow White flop is part of a broader remake slump—Pinocchio and Mufasa also tanked—raising questions about the studio’s reliance on nostalgia. Creative choices, like the dwarf overhaul, and a marketing campaign that leaned on a toxic trailer, show a disconnect with audiences. Zegler’s political firestorms, left unchecked, and Gadot’s unchecked comments suggest a studio losing control of its stars. Whispers of a new Snow White with a white actress hint at panic, risking further backlash.

Disney’s silence on Gadot’s remarks is telling. A public split with a star of her caliber—whose Wonder Woman grossed $822 million—hurts, and backing Zegler risks alienating Gadot’s fans. The studio may push for private mediation to avoid a PR nightmare, but the damage is done. Long-term, Disney might shift to original stories or safer remakes like The Princess and the Frog to rebuild trust.

The Cultural Fallout: A Star Wars of Egos

Gadot’s shot at Zegler is more than a personal feud—it’s a snapshot of Hollywood’s fault lines. Snow White became a culture-war battleground, with Zegler’s casting and comments fueling debates about race, feminism, and fidelity to classics. Gadot’s accusation taps into a narrative that Zegler’s “woke” persona killed the film, echoing critics like Joe Rogan. Yet Zegler’s defenders see a double standard: Gadot’s political posts slid by, while Zegler’s made her a target. The clash shows how social media amplifies star wars, with #GalLeavesDisney and #StandWithRachel splitting fans.

For audiences, it’s a bitter twist: a fairy tale meant to unite has torn idols apart. Gadot’s exit signals a reckoning for Disney’s remake era, while Zegler’s vilification raises questions about how young stars navigate fame’s pressures.

What’s Next for Gadot, Zegler, and Disney?

Gadot’s departure frees her for projects like Cleopatra and Red Notice 2, but spurning Disney—a studio with $60 billion in annual revenue—carries risks. A softer stance on Zegler could smooth her exit, but silence may suit her brand’s cool-headed vibe. Zegler, meanwhile, has Evita and a Hunger Games sequel to anchor her, but shaking the “flop” label requires focus. A response to Gadot—defiant or conciliatory—could shape her narrative, but her Met Gala nod suggests she’s still a draw.

Disney faces the toughest climb. A Tangled remake is on hold, and a new Snow White risks inflaming tensions. Doubling down on originals or less divisive remakes could stem the bleed, but rebuilding fan trust is paramount.

Conclusion: A Fairy Tale’s Bitter End

Gal Gadot’s reported Disney exit and shot at Rachel Zegler mark a dramatic close to Snow White’s tortured journey. Her blame, whether strategic or raw, lays bare the stakes of a $115 million flop and the fragility of studio-star bonds. Zegler, once a princess, now a pariah to some, fights on in a saga that’s exposed Hollywood’s cracks. As Disney grapples with its next chapter, this tale proves one truth: even the fairest dreams can end in a storm, with no magic mirror to show the way forward.