Disney’s ‘Snow White’ Opens Amid Political Controversy/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Disney’s live-action Snow White arrives in theaters Friday, shadowed by political and cultural controversy surrounding its casting and cast members’ public statements. Lead actress Rachel Zegler and co-star Gal Gadot drew backlash for their opposing views on political issues, sparking online boycotts and debate. Despite the uproar, early screenings received positive audience reactions and solid box office predictions.
‘Snow White’ Premiere Fallout: Quick Looks
- Snow White opens Friday following years of development and backlash
- Film stars Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot, both targets of political controversy
- Zegler criticized Trump supporters in 2024; Gadot voiced support for Israel
- Critics dubbed the film “Snow Woke” over diverse casting choices
- Disney moved and restricted premiere access amid heightened tensions
- Audience response at the Los Angeles premiere was overwhelmingly positive
- Analysts project a $40M–$55M North American opening weekend
- Social media controversies expected to fade if reviews remain strong
Disney’s ‘Snow White’ Opens Amid Political Controversy
Deep Look
Disney’s ‘Snow White’ Opens in Theaters, Surrounded by Culture War Controversy
After nearly a decade in development, Disney’s much-anticipated live-action remake of Snow White opens in theaters Friday, but the film arrives amid a storm of cultural, political, and social backlash that could challenge its box office momentum.
Directed by The Amazing Spider-Man filmmaker Marc Webb, the reimagined fairy tale features a contemporary spin on the 1937 animated classic. With an estimated $270 million production budget, Snow White continues Disney’s trend of reviving its animated library with high-profile, live-action adaptations.
But unlike previous successes like Cinderella and The Jungle Book, this film has been mired in controversy, finding itself caught in the crosshairs of the ongoing culture wars.
Casting at the Center of Controversy
The film’s lead, 23-year-old Rachel Zegler, an actress of Colombian descent, has faced fierce backlash online from critics who objected to her casting in the traditionally European fairy tale role. The derogatory nickname “Snow Woke” quickly spread on social media platforms, reflecting broader debates about representation in Hollywood.
Zegler further stirred controversy after the 2024 U.S. presidential election when she posted inflammatory comments about Trump voters on Instagram.
“May Trump supporters and Trump himself never know peace,” she wrote, later apologizing publicly for the emotional outburst.
Tensions were amplified by co-star Gal Gadot, who portrays the Evil Queen. The Israeli actress drew calls for boycotts after voicing strong support for Israel following the October 7 terrorist attacks. Her remarks reignited heated debates over the Israel-Palestine conflict—especially as Zegler has publicly expressed a pro-Palestinian stance on the platform X.
As political tensions swirled around the film, Disney chose to restrict media access during the Los Angeles premiere. The red carpet was moved to a tented location behind the El Capitan Theatre, partly due to logistical challenges posed by the Los Angeles Marathon, but also to limit confrontations as pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian demonstrators clashed during co-star Gadot’s recent Walk of Fame ceremony.
Disney Stays Silent, But Reactions Pour In
Disney declined to comment on the controversies, maintaining its focus on the film’s release. Despite the outside noise, audience response during the premiere was enthusiastic. Musical numbers were met with applause, and early reviews offered promising signs.
Online critic Christopher Rates It called Snow White “one of Disney’s best live-action remakes in years,” praising Zegler’s performance as “magical.”
Stephen Galloway, dean of the Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, believes the online drama may not impact long-term success.
“The darkness of the web doesn’t kill a movie,” Galloway said. “Everything is basically dependent on, was this movie any good?”
Box Office Outlook and Industry Implications
Despite its political baggage, Snow White is projected to open in the $40 million to $55 million range domestically, with an additional $55 million expected globally. Shawn Robbins of Box Office Theory noted that family films have recently performed well, especially with few competitors in the market before summer.
“It faces these challenging narratives,” Robbins said. “But family movies have momentum right now, and Snow White could benefit from that timing.”
Richard Rushfield, editor of The Ankler, described the production as a “case study” in how Hollywood projects can become flashpoints in larger societal debates.
“It approaches the finish line having collected more scandals, brouhahas and issues than some studios see in a decade,” he wrote.
Snow White also marks another chapter in Disney’s ongoing navigation of identity politics, global conflict, and brand reputation. The studio’s previous clash with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis over classroom legislation signaled a shift in how entertainment companies engage in political discourse—sometimes by choice, other times by circumstance.
As Snow White opens across North America and abroad, all eyes will be on whether Disney’s latest princess can overcome the real-world drama and capture box office gold.
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