Gal Gadot’s Legal Offensive: A Hollywood Showdown Sparked by Rachel Zegler’s Provocative Claims
The live-action remake of Disney’s Snow White, released on March 21, 2025, was meant to be a triumphant reimagining of the 1937 classic, starring Rachel Zegler as the titular princess and Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen. Instead, it has become a cauldron of controversy, with the film’s $87 million global box office haul dwarfed by a $270 million budget and a storm of off-screen drama. The latest escalation involves Gadot hiring top-tier lawyers to confront what she deems “dangerous” accusations from Zegler, her 23-year-old co-star. These claims, rooted in a series of public statements and social media posts, have pushed their rumored feud into legal territory, threatening to reshape their careers and Disney’s reputation. This article unpacks the accusations, Gadot’s legal response, and the fallout rocking Hollywood.
The Accusations: Zegler Crosses a Line
The tension between Zegler and Gadot, simmering since the film’s promotional phase, boiled over in early 2025. Sources close to Gadot claim Zegler made “defamatory” and “reckless” statements that crossed a dangerous boundary, prompting the Israeli actress to assemble a legal team led by prominent entertainment attorney Bryan Freedman, known for handling high-profile Hollywood disputes. The accusations stem from a combination of Zegler’s social media activity and reported comments made during press events, which Gadot’s camp alleges falsely implicated her in professional misconduct and fueled online harassment.
The flashpoint occurred on March 2, 2025, when Zegler and Gadot presented the Best Visual Effects award at the Oscars. In a subsequent Instagram reply to a fan, Zegler referred to Gadot as a “professional pageant queen,” a remark insiders describe as “dismissive” and “malicious,” intended to undermine Gadot’s credibility as an actress. The comment, reported by Variety on March 26, 2025, was seen as a personal slight, given Gadot’s established career in films like Wonder Woman and Fast & Furious. More damaging, however, were Zegler’s alleged private accusations—leaked through industry sources—that Gadot used her influence to marginalize Zegler during Snow White’s production, including pressuring Disney to reduce Zegler’s trailer screen time in favor of her own.
These claims were amplified by Zegler’s earlier political posts, notably an August 2024 X post stating “and always remember, free Palestine” alongside Snow White trailer promotion, which garnered 8.8 million views. The post, which Gadot’s team argues incited a spike in death threats against her and her four children, led Disney to enhance Gadot’s security, as reported by Israel Hayom on March 26, 2025. Zegler’s refusal to remove the post, despite producer Marc Platt’s intervention, is cited in legal documents as evidence of “deliberate provocation.” Gadot’s lawyers allege that Zegler’s actions not only endangered her safety but also defamed her by implying she was complicit in stifling Zegler’s career, a charge they claim is baseless and damaging to Gadot’s reputation.
Gadot’s Legal Response: A Line in the Sand
Gadot’s decision to hire top lawyers signals a no-holds-barred response to Zegler’s accusations. Freedman, whose clients have included Chris Pine and Robert Downey Jr., is reportedly preparing a defamation lawsuit, arguing that Zegler’s statements constitute “intentional falsehoods” that caused “emotional distress” and “professional harm.” The legal team is also exploring claims of tortious interference, alleging Zegler’s actions disrupted Gadot’s relationship with Disney and future projects. Sources close to Gadot, cited in a May 4, 2025, YouTube video titled “Gal Gadot vs Zegler Accusations: The SHOCKING Truth Revealed,” claim the actress felt “forced to act” after Zegler’s remarks triggered a “vicious online campaign” accusing Gadot of bullying and Zionism, exacerbating threats against her family.
Gadot’s legal strategy is twofold: to clear her name and to set a precedent for accountability in Hollywood’s social media-driven culture. In a March 7, 2025, speech at the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), Gadot condemned “hostility” and “hate” online, a veiled reference to Zegler’s posts. She emphasized her identity as an “indigenous person of Israel,” framing Zegler’s accusations as part of a broader attack on her heritage. The speech, covered by That Park Place, was seen as a direct rebuttal to Zegler’s activism, with Gadot’s lawyers leveraging it to argue that Zegler’s statements incited anti-Semitic vitriol. The legal filings reportedly demand a public apology, retraction of the “pageant queen” comment, and unspecified damages, with a potential court date looming in late 2025.
The Snow White Context: A Troubled Production
The Gadot-Zegler clash is inseparable from Snow White’s troubled journey. Announced in 2016, the film faced backlash from the start, with Zegler’s casting as a Latina actress drawing racist criticism and the decision to use CGI dwarfs sparking accusations of ableism. Zegler’s 2022 comments calling the original film “dated” and the prince a “stalker” alienated Disney purists, while her November 2024 Instagram post—“May Trump supporters never know peace”—prompted boycott calls. The film’s 42% Rotten Tomatoes score and $115 million projected loss, as noted by The Hollywood Reporter on March 12, 2025, cemented its status as a commercial and critical disappointment.
Gadot, too, faced scrutiny for her vocal support of Israel, including a 2023 Instagram post advocating for hostage release after Hamas’s October 7 attack. Pro-Palestinian activists picketed her March 18, 2025, Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony, holding signs accusing her of supporting “genocide,” as reported by Daily Mail on March 28, 2025. The actresses’ divergent political stances—Zegler’s pro-Palestine activism versus Gadot’s pro-Israel advocacy—created a perfect storm, with Disney struggling to manage the fallout. The studio’s decision to limit press at the March 15 Los Angeles premiere and seat Zegler two rows ahead of Gadot, as detailed by Variety, fueled perceptions of a feud, which Gadot’s legal action now seeks to address head-on.
The Fallout: Hollywood Divided
The legal battle has polarized Hollywood, with battle lines drawn along ideological and generational lines. Zegler’s supporters, including journalists who signed an open letter to Variety on March 25, 2025, argue she’s being scapegoated for Snow White’s failure due to her pro-Palestine stance. The letter, cited by Teen Vogue on April 3, 2025, condemned Variety’s reporting as biased toward Gadot, noting that Zegler’s performance was the film’s highlight, with critics praising her “radiant” presence. Actress Melissa Barrera, fired from Scream 7 for similar activism, called Zegler a “victim of industry double standards,” while X users like @mattxiv labeled her a “scapegoat” for Hollywood’s pro-Israel leanings.
Gadot’s camp, backed by figures like producer Jonah Platt, who criticized Zegler’s “narcissism” in a deleted Instagram post, argues she’s the true victim. Platt, quoted by Daily Mail on March 28, 2025, claimed Zegler’s actions “hurt the film’s box office,” a sentiment echoed by conservative commentators like Megyn Kelly, who called for Zegler’s removal from the project. Gadot’s supporters on X, such as @StopAntisemitism, have labeled Zegler’s posts “antisemitic,” citing the threats against Gadot as evidence of real-world harm. The legal action has galvanized this group, with some calling for Disney to sever ties with Zegler entirely.
Disney, caught in the crossfire, has remained silent, a stance criticized by both sides. The studio’s hiring of a social media consultant to vet Zegler’s posts, reported by Israel Hayom, and its decision to reduce her trailer presence suggest an attempt to mitigate her impact, but the legal escalation complicates their position. Industry analysts, like Jeff Bock of Exhibitor Relations, argue Disney’s failure to address Zegler’s comments early—starting with her 2022 Snow White critique—allowed the crisis to spiral, as noted in The Hollywood Reporter on March 12, 2025.
The Broader Implications: A Reckoning for Hollywood
Gadot’s legal offensive raises critical questions about free speech, accountability, and the intersection of politics and entertainment. Zegler’s defenders, including New Arab’s Tariq Raouf on April 1, 2025, argue that Hollywood’s reaction reflects a “pro-Israel double standard,” punishing Zegler while shielding Gadot, whose IDF service and hasbara advocacy are rarely scrutinized. They point to boycotts of Snow White by pro-Palestinian viewers, who targeted Gadot’s role, as evidence of shifting audience power. Conversely, Gadot’s team contends that Zegler’s actions—particularly the “pageant queen” jab and alleged behind-the-scenes accusations—crossed into defamation, warranting legal recourse.
The lawsuit could set a precedent for how studios manage outspoken stars in an era where social media amplifies every word. Zegler’s refusal to temper her activism, seen in her January 2024 Instagram story urging Gaza aid donations, resonates with Gen Z but alienates others, as evidenced by the film’s boycott by Trump supporters. Gadot’s calculated response—leveraging her ADL speech and legal muscle—positions her as a defender of personal safety and professional integrity, but risks alienating younger, progressive audiences.
What’s Next for Gadot and Zegler?
For Gadot, the legal battle is a high-stakes gamble. A successful lawsuit could vindicate her, reinforcing her status as a Hollywood heavyweight, but a prolonged public fight risks further backlash, especially among Zegler’s fans. Her upcoming projects, including Fast X: Part 2 and a Cleopatra biopic, remain unaffected for now, but the controversy could impact casting decisions. Zegler, meanwhile, faces a precarious moment. Her Snow White performance earned praise, but the legal threat and Disney’s apparent distancing—evident in her absence from recent promotional materials—could limit her studio prospects. Her West End debut in Evita (June 2025) and A24’s Y2K offer a chance to pivot, but the lawsuit’s outcome will loom large.
Disney’s handling of the crisis will also face scrutiny. The studio’s live-action remake strategy, already battered by Dumbo and Peter Pan & Wendy’s underperformance, may take a hit, with The New York Sun on November 19, 2024, reporting a pause on a Tangled remake. The Snow White saga underscores the risks of casting polarizing figures in high-profile projects, a lesson Disney may apply to future productions.
Conclusion
Gal Gadot’s legal action against Rachel Zegler marks a dramatic escalation in the Snow White saga, transforming a rumored feud into a Hollywood showdown. Zegler’s accusations—ranging from a snarky “pageant queen” comment to alleged claims of professional sabotage—have pushed Gadot to the brink, prompting a defamation lawsuit that could reshape how stars navigate public discourse. The clash, rooted in political differences and personal slights, reflects broader tensions in an industry grappling with activism, accountability, and audience expectations. As Gadot’s lawyers prepare for battle and Zegler braces for the fallout, the Snow White drama proves that in Hollywood, the real fairy tale is the fight for control of the narrative. The world awaits the next chapter, and it promises to be anything but happily ever after.
