Disney’s Snow White Pulled from Theaters: The Rachel Zegler Controversy
In a move that has stunned Hollywood and sparked heated discussions across social media, Disney has reportedly pulled its live-action Snow White remake from theaters and shelves in several countries, marking a dramatic end to a project that was already mired in controversy. The film, starring 23-year-old Rachel Zegler as the iconic princess and Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen, has faced relentless scrutiny since its announcement, culminating in a box office flop and now an unprecedented withdrawal from circulation. Fans, critics, and industry insiders are buzzing with speculation about what went wrong, with Zegler’s outspoken persona and the film’s troubled production at the heart of the debate. Here’s a deep dive into the saga that has shaken Disney’s fairy-tale legacy.
A Promising Start Met with Backlash
When Disney announced in 2021 that Rachel Zegler, fresh off her Golden Globe-winning performance in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story, would star as Snow White, anticipation was high. Zegler, a Latina actress of Colombian and Polish descent, was poised to bring a modern sensibility to the role, following in the footsteps of other diverse Disney princesses like Halle Bailey’s Ariel in The Little Mermaid. However, the casting decision immediately sparked backlash from a vocal subset of fans who argued that Zegler’s ethnicity didn’t align with the “fairest of them all” described in the 1937 animated classic. This racist criticism set the tone for the challenges Zegler would face throughout the project.
Zegler didn’t shy away from addressing the hate. In interviews, she spoke candidly about the harassment she endured, including disturbing incidents where detractors showed up at her apartment to yell profanities. Despite the vitriol, she remained committed to reimagining Snow White as a strong, independent leader rather than a damsel waiting for a prince’s kiss. “She’s not going to be saved by the prince, and she’s not going to be dreaming about true love,” Zegler told Variety in 2022. “She’s dreaming about becoming the leader she knows she can be.” While these comments resonated with some fans who appreciated the feminist update, they alienated others who cherished the original’s romantic narrative, accusing Zegler of disrespecting Disney’s legacy.
A Production Plagued by Challenges
The Snow White remake faced more than just casting controversies. Production was fraught with setbacks, including costly reshoots, a fire on the UK set, and delays caused by the 2023 actors’ and writers’ strikes. The film’s budget ballooned to an estimated $270 million, with marketing costs pushing the total closer to $350 million. Disney’s decision to reimagine the Seven Dwarfs as “magical creatures” of diverse genders, heights, and ethnicities—partly in response to criticism from actor Peter Dinklage about perpetuating dwarfism stereotypes—drew further ire from traditionalists who felt the studio was straying too far from the source material.
Adding to the tension, Zegler’s co-star Gal Gadot, who plays the Evil Queen, faced her own wave of criticism due to her vocal support for Israel amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The contrasting political stances of Zegler, who has been outspokenly pro-Palestine, and Gadot created a polarized fanbase, with some calling for boycotts of the film over one actress or the other. Disney attempted to manage the situation by limiting interactions between the two stars, restricting their joint appearances to tightly controlled events like the 2025 Oscars and a scaled-down premiere on March 15, 2025, which notably excluded most press.
The Social Media Firestorm
Zegler’s social media presence became a lightning rod for controversy, particularly after a now-infamous August 2024 post on X. Following the release of the Snow White trailer, which garnered 120 million views in 24 hours, Zegler thanked fans for their enthusiasm but ended her post with, “and always remember, free Palestine.” The statement, which amassed 8.8 million views, sparked outrage among some Disney executives and fans who felt it politicized the film’s promotion. According to industry sources, producer Marc Platt flew to New York to discuss the post with Zegler, but she refused to remove it, standing firm in her beliefs.
The situation escalated post-election in November 2024 when Zegler posted on Instagram, “Fuck Donald Trump” and expressed disdain for his supporters, prompting Disney to intervene again. Concerned that Zegler’s comments were alienating a significant portion of the film’s potential audience, the studio hired a social media consultant to vet her posts before the March 21, 2025, theatrical release. Despite these efforts, the damage was done. The film opened to a dismal $43 million domestically and $87 million globally, far below expectations for a Disney tentpole. By its second weekend, ticket sales dropped 66%, and reports of empty theater screenings went viral.
The Final Blow: Disney Pulls the Plug
In late April 2025, reports surfaced that Disney had begun pulling Snow White from theaters in several countries, with some independent stores and chains removing physical merchandise from shelves. The decision, described as “unprecedented” by industry analysts, came after the film’s global box office stalled at $225 million, projecting a staggering $115 million loss after accounting for home entertainment, streaming, and merchandise revenue. Social media posts on X amplified the news, with some claiming Zegler was “devastated” and others sensationalizing her reaction as a “breakdown” or “collapse.” While these claims remain unverified, Zegler’s somber appearance while walking her dog in New York City in early April fueled speculation about her emotional state.
Disney’s decision to withdraw the film reflects a broader reassessment of its live-action remake strategy. The studio’s former head of film production, Sean Bailey, who championed the remake, left in 2024, and a planned live-action Tangled was shelved indefinitely. Meanwhile, upcoming remakes like Lilo & Stitch and Moana are now under intense scrutiny. Analysts suggest that Snow White’s failure stems from a combination of factors: negative publicity, poor reviews (critics called it “toe-curlingly terrible”), and a cultural disconnect with audiences who craved nostalgia rather than reinvention.
Zegler: Scapegoat or Catalyst?
The fallout has placed Zegler at the center of a blame game. Some Disney insiders, including Jonah Platt, son of producer Marc Platt, have publicly criticized her, accusing her of “narcissism” and dragging personal politics into the film’s promotion. A now-deleted Instagram post by Ariana DeBose, Zegler’s West Side Story co-star, appeared to echo this sentiment, though DeBose later claimed she was unaware the post targeted Zegler. Industry voices argue that Zegler’s lack of media training and unfiltered online presence exacerbated the film’s troubles, with one agent noting that Disney failed to “nip it in the bud” when Zegler first criticized the original film.
Yet, many fans and commentators defend Zegler, viewing her as a scapegoat for Disney’s missteps. Supporters argue that the studio mishandled the project from the start, failing to counter racist backlash against Zegler’s casting or to promote the film effectively. An open letter from journalists criticized Variety for a March 2025 article that seemed to pin the box office failure on Zegler’s activism, calling it a “hit job.” Actress Melissa Barrera, fired from Scream 7 for similar pro-Palestine statements, praised Zegler’s integrity, while film critic David Ehrlich declared on X, “Rachel Zegler RULES and so obviously has a lifetime of incredible roles ahead of her.”
What’s Next for Zegler and Disney?
Despite the Snow White debacle, Zegler’s career shows no signs of slowing down. She’s set to star in Evita in London’s West End this summer and recently charmed young audiences by reading a CBeebies Bedtime Story. Her Broadway run in Romeo + Juliet alongside Kit Connor earned critical acclaim, proving her resilience and versatility. However, her relationship with Disney appears strained, with sources suggesting the studio is unlikely to renew her contract anytime soon. Whether Zegler faces long-term repercussions in Hollywood remains uncertain, but her talent and fanbase suggest she’ll weather the storm.
For Disney, the Snow White saga is a cautionary tale. The studio must now navigate a polarized audience, balancing nostalgia with modern sensibilities while managing stars in an era where social media amplifies every misstep. As Snow White fades from theaters, its legacy may be less about the fairy tale and more about the cultural battles it ignited. For Zegler, the poisoned apple may have stung, but her story is far from over.
