Disney battles back: Social media storms darken 'Snow White'
Rachel Zegler, the star of Disney's new "Snow White," has caused tensions in the studio with her controversial social media posts. Disney has taken significant steps to address the situation and protect its multi-million-dollar project.
We have frequently reported on the controversies surrounding the premiere of "Snow White," which was ultimately well-received by critics. However, despite the positive reviews, they did not attract large audiences to theatres, and "Snow White" had a very weak opening. Meanwhile, new reports are emerging about the behind-the-scenes marketing efforts for the film. Rachel Zegler stirred up quite a commotion at Disney with her comments about Donald Trump.
Controversies surrounding Rachel Zegler and Disney's film
For months, concerns have been growing within Disney regarding Rachel Zegler's online activity. According to the New York Post, the actress repeatedly posted controversial comments, including those critical of President Donald Trump. In one post, she wrote, "May Trump supporters, Trump voters, and Trump himself never know peace." In another, she wrote directly, "F... Donald Trump."
According to Variety, Disney had had enough. The film star alienated and potentially offended a significant portion of the potential audience for Snow White, which had already cost significantly more in production than anticipated. A fire on set, costly reshoots, and COVID-19 pandemic restrictions contributed to the ballooning film budget.
In November 2024, three months after the 23-year-old actress was criticized for her comment "and always remember, free palestine" under the trailer of her family movie, Disney decided to hire a social media specialist. His task was to monitor and approve Zegler's posts before the film's premiere, scheduled for March 21 at 3:00 PM Eastern Time.
The studio feared that the actress's controversial statements could deter viewers, especially since nearly half of Americans voted for Trump. Producer Marc Platt, known for "Wicked" among others, personally flew from Los Angeles to New York to persuade Zegler to delete the problematic posts. Nevertheless, the actress refused.
"She didn't understand the repercussions of her actions as far as what that meant for the film, for Gal, for anyone," said a source quoted by "Variety."
The situation also impacted Gal Gadot, who plays the Evil Queen. The actress began receiving threats, which forced Disney to provide her with additional security.
The premiere of "Snow White" was disappointing. Despite debuting at number one at the domestic box office, the film earned only 87 million dollars worldwide, a small amount compared to its 270 million dollar budget.
