Disney CEO’s Deception Unveiled Amid Rachel Zegler’s ‘Snow White’ Box Office Disaster

Introduction: A Fairytale Gone Wrong

Disney’s live-action remake of Snow White, starring Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot, was poised to be a magical triumph. Instead, it has become one of the studio’s most notorious flops, projected to lose over $115 million against its $214–$270 million budget. Amid the financial wreckage, allegations have surfaced that Disney CEO Bob Iger misled stakeholders about the film’s prospects, painting an overly optimistic picture despite mounting controversies and early warning signs. From Zegler’s polarizing social media presence to creative missteps, the Snow White saga has sparked heated debate. Was Iger’s deception a desperate bid to salvage Disney’s reputation, or is the blame misplaced? Let’s dive into the drama shaking the House of Mouse.

The Box Office Bloodbath

Released on March 31, 2025, Snow White debuted at No. 1 but earned a mere $42.2 million domestically in its opening weekend, a dismal figure for a film of its scale. By its second weekend, ticket sales plummeted 66%, grossing just $143.1 million globally—far short of the $500 million needed to break even. Critics delivered mixed reviews, with a 40% Rotten Tomatoes score, citing lackluster CGI dwarfs and an anticlimactic ending. Audience reception was even harsher, with IMDb users “review-bombing” the film to a 1.6/10 rating, fueled by online backlash. Disney’s financial hit has been so severe that the studio paused production on its planned live-action Tangled remake, signaling a potential rethink of its remake strategy.

Allegations of Deception: What Did Bob Iger Know?

Reports suggest Bob Iger downplayed the film’s troubles in internal communications and public statements, assuring investors that Snow White would resonate with modern audiences. Sources claim Iger touted the film’s “progressive” reimagining—shifting Snow White from a damsel to a feminist leader—as a surefire hit, despite early feedback indicating audience resistance. A Variety report revealed that Disney executives were aware of potential backlash as early as 2024, when Zegler’s social media posts sparked controversy. Yet, Iger allegedly pressed forward with a bullish narrative, possibly to protect Disney’s stock and brand image. This has led to accusations that he misled shareholders about the film’s viability, raising questions about transparency at the top.

Rachel Zegler: Scapegoat or Saboteur?

Much of the public’s ire has focused on Rachel Zegler, the 23-year-old star whose comments and social media activity ignited a firestorm. Zegler described the 1937 original as “weird” and its prince as a “stalker,” framing the remake as a modern, empowered take. These remarks alienated some fans, who accused her of disrespecting Disney’s legacy. Her political posts, including a “free Palestine” tweet in August 2024 and an anti-Trump Instagram rant after the 2024 election, further polarized audiences. Reports indicate that producer Marc Platt flew to New York to address Zegler’s social media conduct, a move his son Jonah publicly defended, blaming her for dragging “personal politics” into the film’s promotion.

However, many argue Zegler has been unfairly targeted. Supporters, including Lily Allen and Miquita Oliver on the Miss Me? podcast, contend that her outspokenness aligns with Disney’s themes of standing up for beliefs. Critics like those at Collider assert that Disney’s live-action remakes were already on a “downward trajectory,” with flops like Cruella and Haunted Mansion predating Snow White. Zegler’s performance has also earned praise; ScreenRant lauded her “spectacular” voice and compelling portrayal, suggesting she’s a strength of the film despite its flaws.

Behind-the-Scenes Tensions: Zegler vs. Gadot

Adding fuel to the fire, rumors of a feud between Zegler and co-star Gal Gadot—Disney’s Evil Queen—have circulated widely. Gadot, a former IDF instructor and vocal supporter of Israel, reportedly clashed with Zegler over their differing views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The tension was palpable at the 97th Academy Awards, where the two presented an award but avoided eye contact. At the film’s March 15 premiere, they kept their distance, and Gadot promoted the film solo at Disneyland days later. While both maintained professionalism publicly, fans and media speculate that their discord contributed to the film’s toxic buzz, with boycotts threatened by supporters of both actresses.

Creative Missteps and “Woke” Backlash

The film’s creative choices have also drawn scrutiny. Directed by Marc Webb, Snow White reimagined the princess as a leader plotting to overthrow the Evil Queen, sidelining the classic love story. The CGI dwarfs, intended to address concerns about dwarfism representation, were criticized as artificial, making the film feel “like a video game cutscene,” per ScreenRant’s Rachel Labonte. Conservative critics labeled the remake “woke,” pointing to Zegler’s casting (she’s of Colombian descent) and the feminist narrative as departures from the original. However, industry analyst Jeff Gross told CinemaBlend that mixed reviews, not “wokeness,” were the primary culprit, noting that audiences who saw the film generally enjoyed it, especially children.

Disney’s Broader Struggles

The Snow White debacle reflects deeper challenges for Disney’s live-action division. Recent remakes like The Little Mermaid and Jungle Cruise underperformed, suggesting audience fatigue with rehashed classics. The New Yorker argues that blaming Zegler alone is “perversely flattering,” as the film’s failure stems from a dull trailer, cheap-looking visuals, and broader cultural wars. Disney’s decision to greenlight a $270 million project amid a writers’ strike and a literal set fire speaks to risky management. Iger’s optimistic spin may have been an attempt to mask these systemic issues, but the financial toll has forced a reckoning.

What’s Next for Disney and Zegler?

Disney now faces a pivotal moment. The pause on Tangled suggests a cautious approach to future remakes, though Moana 2’s success indicates that newer stories may fare better. For Zegler, the fallout is bittersweet. Despite the flop, Snow White is her second-highest-grossing film at $142.7 million globally, behind The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. Her 2025 Met Gala invite signals continued industry support, but online vitriol persists. Zegler’s apology for her election-related posts and reported work with a Disney social media specialist show efforts to navigate the storm.

Conclusion: A Cautionary Tale

The Snow White saga is a cautionary tale of ambition, miscalculation, and cultural volatility. Bob Iger’s alleged deception, if true, underscores the pressure on Disney to maintain its magic amid shifting audience tastes. Rachel Zegler, while a talented star, became a lightning rod in a polarized world, unfairly shouldering blame for a project plagued by multiple failures. As Disney regroups, the industry watches closely. Will the studio learn from this flop, or is the fairytale truly over? Only time will tell, but for now, the drama has everyone talking.