Gal Gadot’s Legal Action Against Rachel Zegler Fuels Snow White Controversy

The fallout from Disney’s Snow White (2025) has taken a dramatic turn, with reports claiming that Gal Gadot, who played the Evil Queen, is “lawyering up” against co-star Rachel Zegler, the film’s titular princess. The alleged legal battle stems from tensions that erupted during the movie’s troubled production and promotional cycle, culminating in a box office disaster that lost Disney an estimated $115 million. What began as professional disagreements has reportedly escalated into a full-blown Hollywood war, with Zegler’s political activism and Gadot’s response at the heart of the conflict. As the Snow White saga spirals, what’s driving this explosive feud, and what does it mean for both stars and the industry?

The Snow White Catastrophe

Released on March 21, 2025, Disney’s live-action Snow White was meant to reimagine the 1937 animated classic as a feminist fairy tale, with 23-year-old Rachel Zegler as a leadership-focused Snow White and 40-year-old Gal Gadot as a commanding Evil Queen. Directed by Marc Webb with a $410 million budget, including marketing, the film aimed to capture the magic of Disney’s legacy while appealing to modern audiences. Instead, it grossed just $225 million worldwide, one of the studio’s worst-performing live-action remakes, with a $43 million domestic opening weekend and a 66% drop in its second week, per Box Office Mojo.

The film’s failure was multifaceted. Zegler’s promotional comments, dismissing the original Snow White as “weird” and its prince as a “stalker,” sparked backlash, with boycott campaigns on X amplifying fan outrage. Production issues, including a 2022 set fire at Pinewood Studios and a controversial pivot to CGI dwarves, hurt the film’s quality, with critics calling the visuals “uncanny.” The marketing campaign faltered, failing to counter negative buzz, and review-bombing on IMDb targeted Zegler’s performance. The film’s feminist narrative, while praised by some, alienated traditionalists, with David Hand Jr., son of the original director, labeling it a “disgrace.”

The Gadot-Zegler Feud

At the center of the Snow White storm is the reported rift between Gadot and Zegler, which has now escalated to legal action. According to unverified reports from YouTube channels like Teatime with Teana and posts on X, Gadot is preparing to sue Zegler, alleging that her co-star’s actions during the promotional cycle damaged her reputation and contributed to the film’s failure. The catalyst appears to be Zegler’s August 2024 Instagram post, “and always remember, free Palestine,” shared alongside a Snow White trailer. The post triggered death threats against Gadot, a former Israeli Defense Forces instructor known for her pro-Israel stance, prompting Disney to hire security for her.

Sources like RadarOnline claim Gadot believes Zegler’s post was a deliberate attempt to provoke her, given their differing views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Insiders report a “chilly” dynamic on set, with Gadot feeling unsupported when Zegler faced harassment over her comments, as Zegler reportedly expected Gadot to publicly defend her. A Pajiba article noted that Disney executives were frustrated by the feud, fearing it would overshadow the film’s marketing. The tension peaked when boycott campaigns from both actresses’ supporters—pro-Palestine groups targeting Gadot and pro-Israel groups targeting Zegler—further hurt ticket sales.

The legal claims, while unconfirmed by Gadot or her team, reportedly center on defamation and professional harm. YouTube videos speculate that Gadot’s lawyers are citing Zegler’s social media activity as inciting harassment against her, pointing to the death threats and online vitriol. An X post stated, “Gal Gadot’s suing Rachel Zegler for ruining Snow White and dragging her into a political mess.” However, skeptics on Reddit argue the lawsuit narrative may be exaggerated, with one user noting, “This sounds like clickbait. Where’s the court filing?”

Roots of the Conflict

The Gadot-Zegler feud reflects deeper personal and professional differences. Gadot, a seasoned star known for Wonder Woman and Red Notice, has maintained a polished public image, rarely engaging in divisive issues beyond her support for Israel. Zegler, a Gen Z actress with a passionate online presence, embraces activism, advocating for representation as a Latina of Colombian-Polish descent and addressing issues like colorism and U.S. politics. Her post-election comment, “F*** Donald Trump,” and refusal to delete her “free Palestine” post despite pressure from producer Marc Platt underscored her defiance, but alienated conservative audiences.

On set, sources claim Zegler’s outspokenness clashed with Gadot’s preference for professionalism. A Variety report suggested Gadot was frustrated by Zegler’s unfiltered comments, which shifted focus from the film to controversy. Zegler, meanwhile, reportedly felt isolated when Gadot didn’t publicly support her amid the harassment, creating a cycle of mutual resentment. The Snow White press tour, limited by Disney to minimize Zegler’s exposure, failed to showcase their chemistry, with The Drum noting that the lack of joint appearances fueled feud rumors.

Disney’s Role and Response

Disney’s handling of the situation has drawn criticism. The studio’s decision to vet Zegler’s social media after her “free Palestine” post, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter, aimed to prevent further backlash but was seen as stifling her voice. Gadot’s security costs, estimated at $500,000, added to the film’s financial burden, and Disney’s failure to address the feud publicly allowed speculation to spiral. Forbes reported that the studio’s marketing team underestimated the impact of boycott campaigns, with only 43% of polled viewers aware of the film before its release, per Box Office Mojo.

The reported lawsuit has put Disney in a bind. Supporting Gadot risks alienating Zegler’s progressive fanbase, while backing Zegler could strain relations with Gadot, a bankable star. The studio’s silence on the legal claims, coupled with its decision to shelve a planned Tangled remake, suggests a cautious approach. Entertainment Weekly noted that Disney is reevaluating its live-action remake strategy, with Snow White’s failure highlighting the risks of polarizing narratives.

Impact on Zegler and Gadot

For Zegler, the Snow White war is another blow to her career. Her Golden Globe-winning role in West Side Story (2021) and successes in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023) established her as a rising star, but Snow White’s $115 million loss, her Evita West End run’s sluggish ticket sales, and reported delays on She Gets It From Me due to alleged rude behavior have dented her reputation. The lawsuit rumors, even if unverified, reinforce perceptions of her as a liability, with X users claiming she’s “blacklisted.” However, her upcoming film She Gets It From Me with Marisa Tomei and ongoing Evita role offer chances to rebound.

Gadot, by contrast, remains a Hollywood mainstay. Her Wonder Woman franchise and upcoming Red Notice 2 ensure her marketability, and her legal action, if true, signals a strategic move to protect her image. However, the feud risks tarnishing her reputation among progressive audiences, with some X posts accusing her of “bullying” Zegler. Gadot’s team has not confirmed the lawsuit, and Variety suggests she may opt for a settlement to avoid prolonged publicity.

The Broader Context

The Gadot-Zegler clash reflects broader tensions in Hollywood. The industry’s push for diverse casting—Zegler as a Latina Snow White—and progressive narratives, like Snow White’s feminist overhaul, often provokes backlash in a polarized climate. MovieWeb argues that Zegler’s harassment mirrors that faced by actresses like Danielle Brooks, highlighting a pattern of targeting diverse stars. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict, a rare flashpoint in Hollywood, amplified the feud, with boycott campaigns showing how global politics can impact box office performance.

Social media has been a double-edged sword. X and YouTube, with videos like “Gal Gadot LAWYERS UP Against Rachel Zegler,” have fueled unverified claims, turning the feud into a spectacle. The Drum notes that Disney’s failure to control the narrative allowed these platforms to dominate, with hashtags like #SnowWhiteWar trending. The controversy also underscores audience fatigue with live-action remakes, as seen in Mufasa: The Lion King’s underperformance, contrasting with successes like A Minecraft Movie, which stayed true to its source.

Looking Ahead

The reported lawsuit, if pursued, could prolong the Snow White saga, keeping both actresses in the spotlight for the wrong reasons. For Zegler, at 23, the challenge is to leverage She Gets It From Me and Evita to rebuild her image, possibly by reducing her social media presence, as suggested by The Hollywood Reporter. Her talent remains undeniable, but her ability to navigate controversy will determine her longevity. Gadot, with a robust slate, is better positioned but must avoid alienating fans with legal escalation.

Disney faces pressure to learn from Snow White’s missteps. Forbes reports that the studio is shifting toward original content or faithful adaptations, recognizing that heavy-handed modernizations risk alienating audiences. The Gadot-Zegler feud, amplified by unverified social media claims, highlights the challenges of managing star personas in a digital age, where a single post can spark a war.

Conclusion

Gal Gadot’s reported legal action against Rachel Zegler has transformed the Snow White flop into a Hollywood war, with their feud over political posts and professional conduct dominating headlines. The $115 million loss, fueled by production woes, boycott campaigns, and a polarized cultural landscape, has been compounded by unverified claims of lawsuits and breakdowns. As Zegler fights to salvage her career and Gadot protects her legacy, Disney grapples with the fallout of a failed remake. The Snow White war, fueled by X and YouTube, underscores the high stakes of stardom and storytelling in 2025, leaving fans and the industry watching to see who emerges unscathed.