Rachel Zegler’s Alleged Outburst Over Losing Pirates of the Caribbean Role to Jenna Ortega

In a sensational twist that has set Hollywood abuzz, Rachel Zegler is rumored to have gone “bananas” after reportedly losing a coveted role in Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean 6 to rising star Jenna Ortega. The claims, which surfaced in viral posts on X and YouTube videos in late April 2025, paint a picture of Zegler reeling from the setback, with some sources alleging she unleashed a fiery outburst over the casting decision. The controversy comes on the heels of Zegler’s tumultuous experience with Disney’s live-action Snow White, raising questions about her standing in the industry and fueling speculation about a rivalry with Ortega. Here’s an in-depth look at the alleged drama, its context, and what it means for both actresses and Disney’s beleaguered franchise.

The Pirates of the Caribbean Casting Rumor: Fact or Fiction?

The Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, a cultural juggernaut that has grossed over $4.5 billion across five films, has been mired in development hell for years, with Pirates of the Caribbean 6 stuck in limbo since 2017’s Dead Men Tell No Tales. Disney’s plans for the next installment have oscillated between a reboot, a female-led spin-off with Margot Robbie, and a return to the original cast, including Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow. In January 2024, a fake trailer from KH Studio on YouTube sparked rumors that Jenna Ortega would star as Sparrow’s daughter, alongside Depp, Keira Knightley, and Orlando Bloom. The trailer, which used deepfake technology to place Ortega’s face over Penelope Cruz’s character from On Stranger Tides (2011), was debunked but reignited interest in her potential involvement.

Fast-forward to April 2025, when YouTube channels claimed Ortega had secured a major role in Pirates 6, allegedly edging out Zegler, who was rumored to have been in contention. Videos titled “Rachel Zegler EXPLODES After Losing Pirates Of The Caribbean Dream Role To Jenna Ortega” and similar posts on X suggested Zegler reacted with an unhinged outburst, devastated by the loss. However, no credible evidence confirms Zegler was ever attached to the project, and Disney has remained silent on Pirates 6 casting, with producer Jerry Bruckheimer stating in 2023 that two scripts—one with Depp and one without—are still in development.

The lack of official confirmation suggests the Zegler-Ortega narrative may be a fabrication, fueled by social media speculation and the actresses’ overlapping career trajectories. Both are Latina stars in their early 20s, with Zegler (known for West Side Story and Snow White) and Ortega (star of Wednesday and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice) often compared as Hollywood’s next generation. The rumor mill has previously pitted them against each other, notably in 2024 when false claims circulated that Ortega would replace Zegler in Snow White. These rumors, debunked by Disney and sources like ScreenRant, stemmed from Zegler’s controversial comments about the 1937 Snow White and her exit from Paddington 3 due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike.

Zegler’s Snow White Fallout: A Precursor to the Drama

Zegler’s alleged meltdown over Pirates 6 comes amid a challenging period following the release of Disney’s live-action Snow White on March 21, 2025. The film, starring Zegler as the titular princess and Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen, was a financial and critical disappointment, grossing just $194.1 million against a $350 million budget. The project faced backlash from the start, with Zegler’s casting as a Latina Snow White drawing racist criticism from a vocal minority who argued her ethnicity didn’t match the character’s “white as snow” description. Zegler addressed the hate head-on, telling Variety, “You don’t normally see Snow Whites that are of Latin descent. Blanca Nieves is a huge icon in Spanish-speaking countries.”

Further controversy arose from Zegler’s comments criticizing the 1937 animated classic, calling the original Snow White a “helpless damsel” and the prince a “stalker.” She emphasized that the remake would portray Snow White as a leader, not a romantic dreamer, sparking accusations that she disrespected Disney’s legacy. The film’s reimagining of the Seven Dwarfs as CGI “magical creatures” and its high-profile premiere, scaled back to exclude press due to backlash, added fuel to the fire. Zegler’s pro-Palestine stance, contrasting with Gadot’s pro-Israel views, also led to boycott calls, further polarizing audiences.

The Snow White debacle has left Zegler vulnerable, with some industry insiders questioning her bankability. Reports suggest her outspokenness and the film’s failure have strained her relationship with Disney, making the Pirates 6 rumor a convenient narrative for detractors. Posts on X have amplified this, with some claiming Zegler’s “diva behavior” cost her the role, though these remain unverified.

Jenna Ortega: The Rising Star in the Spotlight

Jenna Ortega, meanwhile, is riding a wave of success. Her role as Wednesday Addams in Netflix’s Wednesday (2022) made her a global sensation, and her 2024 film Beetlejuice Beetlejuice was a box office hit. However, her 2025 horror film Death of a Unicorn underperformed, earning $5-7 million against expectations, suggesting she’s not immune to setbacks. Ortega’s rumored involvement in Pirates 6 aligns with her rising profile, but her busy schedule—filming Wednesday Season 2 and other projects—makes her casting unlikely. In September 2024, Ortega reportedly declined a role in Pirates 6, criticizing Disney’s “gender-bender” female-led approach as tokenistic, though these reports lack confirmation.

The Pirates 6 rumor may stem from Ortega’s fan appeal and the franchise’s need for fresh faces. A fake trailer depicting her as Sparrow’s daughter went viral, but its deepfake origins and lack of official backing debunked it. Nonetheless, the narrative of Ortega “stealing” Zegler’s role has gained traction, fueled by their shared Latina heritage and competitive career paths. A 2024 Vogue event, where Ortega faced scrutiny for not speaking Spanish while seated with Zegler and Anya Taylor-Joy, highlighted their public comparison, though Zegler received positive PR for mingling with Jennifer Lawrence.

The Role of Social Media in Amplifying the Feud

Social media, particularly X, has been a driving force in this controversy. Posts claiming Zegler “went bananas” over losing the role to Ortega have garnered millions of views, with some users speculating about a personal rivalry. YouTube videos, like one from April 24, 2025, titled “Rachel Zegler Goes UNHINGED Over Losing Pirates Of The Caribbean Role To Jenna Ortega,” sensationalize the story, but their lack of primary sources undermines their credibility. The rumor echoes earlier false claims, such as Ortega replacing Zegler in Snow White, which originated from a TikTok account, @Celebrity_Corner, and were debunked by Disney.

This pattern of misinformation reflects a broader trend where social media amplifies unverified gossip, particularly targeting women like Zegler, who face disproportionate scrutiny. Her Snow White comments and political activism have made her a lightning rod for criticism, with detractors using the Pirates 6 rumor to paint her as unstable. Ortega, while less controversial, has faced her own challenges, including backlash over her Latinx identity, suggesting both actresses navigate a complex public landscape.

Zegler’s Career: Down but Not Out

Despite the Snow White flop, Zegler remains a talented performer with a promising future. Her Golden Globe-winning role in West Side Story (2021) and her performance in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023) showcase her versatility. She’s set to star in Evita in London’s West End and recently charmed audiences with a CBeebies Bedtime Story, proving her resilience. However, her outspokenness—evident in her defense of Snow White and pro-Palestine posts—has polarized audiences, with some industry voices suggesting she needs better media training to navigate Hollywood’s expectations.

The Pirates 6 rumor, if true, would be a blow, but no evidence confirms Zegler was ever considered. Disney’s hesitation to greenlight the film, coupled with fan demand for Depp’s return, suggests the project remains speculative. Zegler’s alleged outburst, lacking corroboration, may be an exaggeration of her frustration with Snow White’s fallout, projected onto a nonexistent rivalry with Ortega.

Ortega’s Path and Disney’s Dilemma

Ortega’s trajectory suggests she’s a strong candidate for Pirates 6, but her reported skepticism of Disney’s female-led approach and her packed schedule make her involvement uncertain. Disney faces a larger challenge: reviving a franchise tied to Depp’s iconic Sparrow. Zegler herself warned Disney against a Depp-less Pirates film, citing Snow White’s failure as a lesson in ignoring fan loyalty. With Bruckheimer hinting at a soft reboot, the studio must balance innovation with nostalgia, a task complicated by social media’s amplifying effect on fan backlash.

A Cultural Flashpoint

The Zegler-Ortega Pirates 6 rumor is less about casting and more about the cultural dynamics of Hollywood in 2025. Social media fuels rivalries between young, diverse actresses, while fans wield unprecedented power to shape studio decisions. Zegler’s alleged meltdown, whether real or fabricated, reflects the pressure on stars to navigate public perception in a polarized age. Both she and Ortega are talented, but their paths highlight the challenges of fame, representation, and industry politics. As Disney weighs Pirates 6’s future, the saga underscores a truth: in Hollywood, the real treasure is fan goodwill, and losing it can sink even the mightiest ship.