Disney’s much-hyped live-action remake of Snow White was supposed to be a major box office hit.
Instead, it turned into one of the studio’s most controversial flops in years.
Now, Gal Gadot—who starred as the Evil Queen—says she knows why it failed.
According to her, the answer lies not just in Hollywood drama, but in global politics.
Gal Gadot Points to Anti-Israel Sentiment
Speaking at an event in Israel, Gadot said she believes the backlash against her home country played a huge role in the movie’s failure.
Referring to the aftermath of the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks and the war that followed, the 40-year-old actress explained:
“I was sure this movie was going to be a huge hit. And then…it happened.”
She added that in Hollywood, celebrities often face pressure to speak out against Israel, which she feels spilled over into the reception of Snow White.
Rachel Zegler at the Center of Controversy
While Gadot has been trying to keep things diplomatic, much of the spotlight was on her co-star Rachel Zegler, who played Snow White.
From the start, Zegler’s casting sparked debate because she didn’t fit the original description of the character as having “skin as white as snow.”
But it wasn’t just her casting—Zegler also made waves with her outspoken views.
She publicly voiced support for Palestine, criticized the original animated classic for being “weird,” and dismissed its central love story as problematic.
Those comments quickly turned into fuel for online outrage.
The Seven Dwarfs Saga
As if that wasn’t enough, Disney faced another storm over how to handle the seven dwarfs.
Originally, little people were cast in the roles, but after Game of Thrones star Peter Dinklage condemned the story as “backwards,” Disney backtracked.
The studio replaced the dwarfs with a diverse mix of so-called “magical creatures,” only to face even more backlash.
Some actors with dwarfism were furious, arguing that Dinklage had cost them rare acting opportunities.
Dylan Posti, one of the performers who lost out, said bluntly:
“It makes me so sick to my stomach… there are seven roles for dwarfs, and now they’re gone because of this guy.
Peter Dinklage isn’t king dwarf.”
When leaked set photos showed the “new” magical characters, Disney initially denied their authenticity before later admitting they were real—adding yet another layer of embarrassment.
Rumors of Tension Between the Stars
Behind the scenes, rumors swirled that Gadot and Zegler weren’t exactly best friends, particularly given their opposing views on Israel and Palestine.
At a recent event, someone in the crowd even teased Gadot by saying she must have enjoyed filming “especially when it wasn’t with Rachel Zegler.”
Still, Gadot publicly brushed off the idea of a feud, saying:
“I enjoyed working with Rachel. I laughed, talked and had fun.”
Disney’s Damage Control
As the controversies piled up, even insiders weighed in.
Jonah Platt, son of the film’s producer Marc Platt, accused Zegler of dragging personal politics into the film’s promotion, claiming his father had to step in and scold her.
Despite all this turmoil, Disney tried to keep the focus on the film.
Gadot was even awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame during the movie’s press run, but it wasn’t enough to shake off the negative buzz.
A Fairy Tale Ending That Never Came
By the time Snow White finally hit theaters, the narrative was already overshadowed by politics, feuds, and cultural debates.
Instead of a triumphant reimagining of a Disney classic, the movie became a cautionary tale of how off-screen controversies can sink a project before it even has a chance.
As Gadot put it, she was disappointed but resigned:
“That’s how it goes.”