Rachel Zegler Blames Gal Gadot for Snow White’s IMDb Disaster: A Fairy Tale Turned Nightmare

Disney’s live-action Snow White, released on March 21, 2025, was poised to be a dazzling reimagining of the 1937 animated classic that launched the studio’s fairy-tale empire. With Rachel Zegler as the radiant Snow White and Gal Gadot as the sinister Evil Queen, the film promised a modern twist on a timeless story. Instead, it has become a cautionary tale of controversy, plummeting to an unprecedented 1.6/10 on IMDb—one of the lowest ratings in the platform’s history. Reports have surfaced that Zegler has publicly pointed the finger at Gadot, blaming her performance and political baggage for the film’s catastrophic reception. As rumors of a feud swirl and review-bombing ravages the film’s reputation, Snow White has morphed from a fairy-tale dream into Disney’s most polarizing remake yet. What went wrong? Let’s dive into the drama, from on-set tensions to cultural clashes, and uncover why this project has sparked such intense debate.

A Troubled Journey to the Big Screen

The Snow White remake was announced in 2016, riding the wave of Disney’s successful live-action adaptations like Cinderella (2015) and Beauty and the Beast (2017). Directed by Marc Webb, known for The Amazing Spider-Man, the film aimed to blend nostalgia with contemporary values. Casting Rachel Zegler, a 23-year-old Latina actress of Colombian descent, as Snow White was a bold move. Fresh off her Golden Globe-winning role in West Side Story (2021), Zegler brought undeniable talent and a vibrant social media presence. However, her casting ignited immediate backlash from conservative corners who argued she didn’t match the character’s “skin as white as snow” description from the Brothers Grimm tale. Zegler faced a barrage of racist attacks online, prompting her to respond in a now-deleted tweet: “Yes, I am Snow White, no I am not bleaching my skin for the role.”

Zegler’s outspokenness didn’t stop there. In a 2022 Extra TV interview, she criticized the original 1937 film for its outdated gender dynamics, calling the Prince a “stalker” and dismissing the story’s focus on romance. “It’s not 1937 anymore,” she said. “Snow White is not going to be dreaming about true love—she’s dreaming about becoming the leader she knows she can be.” These comments alienated traditionalists who cherished the classic, accusing Zegler of disrespecting Disney’s legacy. The decision to replace the Seven Dwarfs with CGI “magical gnomes” further fueled controversy, drawing criticism from the dwarfism community. Actor Peter Dinklage, in a 2022 podcast, slammed Disney for perpetuating stereotypes, calling the remake “backwards.” Disney scrambled to adjust, but the damage was done.

Gal Gadot’s casting as the Evil Queen added another layer of complexity. The 39-year-old actress, beloved for her role as Wonder Woman, brought star power but also political baggage. Gadot’s vocal support for Israel, rooted in her past service in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), has long made her a lightning rod for criticism, particularly from pro-Palestine activists amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. Zegler, by contrast, has been a consistent advocate for Palestinian rights, notably posting on X in August 2024: “Art should unite us, not divide us—free Palestine.” The post, which garnered 8.8 million views, intensified scrutiny of Gadot and fueled speculation of tension between the co-stars. While no public evidence confirms outright hostility during filming, their differing political stances set the stage for a fraught promotional campaign.

The IMDb Catastrophe and Review-Bombing Frenzy

When Snow White hit theaters, it was met with a tsunami of negative feedback, particularly on IMDb, where it sank to a 1.6/10 based on over 338,000 user votes. IMDb issued a rare warning about “unusual voting activity,” a clear sign of review-bombing—where users flood a film with low ratings for ideological rather than artistic reasons. Over 90% of IMDb reviews gave the film one star, placing it below infamous flops like Cats (2.8/10) and Gigli (2.5/10). The scale of the backlash was staggering, making Snow White one of the most review-bombed films in recent memory.

Professional critics were less brutal but far from enthusiastic. The film holds a 41% Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 50/100 Metascore. Reviewers praised Zegler’s luminous performance, with Deadline calling her “ideal in the lead role” and IGN noting her “soulful depths.” Her rendition of “Someday My Prince Will Come” was a standout, blending vulnerability and strength. Gadot, however, faced harsher scrutiny. Critics described her Evil Queen as “flat” and “emotionless,” with Flyer News arguing she lacked the “menacing charisma” needed to elevate the role. Some attributed her uneven performance to her accent or limited singing ability, while others felt her casting was overshadowed by her political controversies.

The review-bombing wasn’t just about the film’s quality. X posts revealed a polarized audience, with some users targeting Zegler’s “woke” comments and diverse casting, and others attacking Gadot’s political stance. One viral post read: “Snow White flopped because Gal Gadot is an Israeli terrorist. Disney wants to blame Rachel Zegler.” Another user countered: “Rachel’s anti-Disney rants and Palestine posts tanked this movie—she’s no princess.” The vitriol echoed previous review-bombed projects like The Acolyte (2024) and Captain Marvel (2019), where cultural and political divides fueled online hate campaigns. The film’s modern updates, including a feminist reimagining of Snow White as a leader, further alienated traditionalists, who flooded IMDb with complaints about “forced diversity” and “woke agendas.”

Zegler’s Alleged Blame and Feud Rumors

Reports suggest Zegler has privately blamed Gadot’s performance and political controversies for Snow White’s dismal reception. While no direct public statement confirms this, sources close to the production claim Zegler feels unfairly scapegoated for the film’s failure. Outlets like Variety and The Hollywood Reporter have pointed to Zegler’s outspokenness as a factor in the backlash, but she reportedly believes Gadot’s lackluster acting and polarizing public image dragged the film down. This narrative gained traction after Zegler’s social media activity hinted at tension. In a March 2025 Instagram post, she described Snow White as a “life-changing experience” but conspicuously omitted Gadot, thanking only director Marc Webb and co-star Andrew Burnap (who played the Prince). Fans interpreted this as a snub, especially after Zegler’s reply to a fan calling Gadot a “professional pageant queen” went viral, widely seen as a subtle dig.

Disney’s promotional strategy didn’t help. The studio scheduled separate press events for Zegler and Gadot and kept them apart at the March 15 premiere at the El Capitan Theatre, where Zegler sat two rows ahead of Gadot. Insiders claim there was no overt animosity during filming, with the actresses maintaining professionalism on set. However, tensions reportedly emerged during the promotional phase, exacerbated by their political differences and the public’s reaction. Zegler’s August 2024 pro-Palestine post, which sparked a spike in threats against Gadot, prompted Disney to hire additional security for the actress. Producer Marc Platt reportedly confronted Zegler about the post, but she stood firm, refusing to delete it. Gadot, for her part, has remained silent on the feud rumors, focusing her interviews on her “transformative” experience as the Evil Queen.

Box Office Woes and Disney’s Damage Control

Snow White’s box office performance has been as grim as its IMDb rating. With a $270 million budget, the film has grossed just $143 million worldwide, including a lackluster $43 million domestic opening weekend. By comparison, Disney’s Cinderella (2015) opened to $67.8 million, and The Little Mermaid (2023) earned $95 million. The film’s high production costs, coupled with marketing expenses, make it unlikely to break even, cementing its status as one of Disney’s biggest financial flops in recent years.

Disney has scrambled to contain the fallout. The studio scaled back the Los Angeles premiere, limiting it to photographers and house crew to avoid tough questions. Marketing was subdued, with no red-carpet interviews and minimal press junkets. Actor Martin Klebba, who voiced Grumpy, told The Hollywood Reporter the downsized premiere was due to “controversy with Rachel” and fear of backlash. Disney also hired a social media manager to vet Zegler’s posts after her anti-Trump comments in late 2024 alienated conservative audiences. Despite these efforts, the damage was irreparable, with X posts amplifying the film’s failure and mocking Disney’s handling of the situation.

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

The Snow White debacle has left both actresses in precarious positions. Zegler, despite her acclaimed performance, faces an uphill battle to repair her public image. Her upcoming roles in Y2K and Mufasa: The Lion King (both 2025) offer a chance to rebound, but she’ll need to navigate her activism carefully to avoid further alienating audiences. Gadot, meanwhile, is set to star in Fast X: Part 2 (2026) and develop a Wonder Woman series, but her political controversies continue to cast a shadow. Disney, stung by the financial and reputational hit, may rethink its approach to live-action remakes, especially as Mufasa looms as its next big test.

The Snow White saga is a stark reminder of how quickly a fairy tale can unravel in the age of social media and polarized discourse. Whether it’s Zegler’s bold activism, Gadot’s political baggage, or Disney’s missteps, the film’s failure is a complex tapestry of talent, ambition, and cultural clashes. As the dust settles, one thing is clear: this is one story that won’t end with “happily ever after.”