In a move that has sent shockwaves through Hollywood, Disney has reportedly terminated its relationship with actress Rachel Zegler following the catastrophic box office performance of its live-action Snow White remake, released on March 21, 2025. The film, a $270 million gamble to reimagine the 1937 animated classic, has been labeled one of Disney’s biggest flops, grossing just $205.6 million worldwide against expectations of a $500 million break-even point. Zegler, who starred as the titular princess, has faced intense scrutiny for her controversial comments and social media activity, which many believe contributed to the film’s failure. As Disney grapples with the fallout, this decision marks a pivotal moment for the studio, raising questions about its live-action remake strategy and the role of stars in shaping a film’s fate. Here’s a deep dive into the Snow White debacle, Zegler’s exit, and what it means for Disney’s future.
The Snow White Catastrophe: A Perfect Storm of Controversy
Disney’s Snow White, directed by Marc Webb and starring Zegler alongside Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen, was anticipated as a cornerstone of the studio’s live-action remake slate. Following the success of films like Beauty and the Beast (2017) and The Lion King (2019), Disney aimed to modernize the fairy tale for a new generation, emphasizing female empowerment and diversity. Zegler, a 23-year-old actress of Colombian-Polish descent known for her breakout role in West Side Story (2021), was cast as Snow White in 2021, sparking immediate debate among fans who felt her casting deviated from the character’s traditional “snow white” description.
The film faced challenges from the outset. Production delays due to COVID protocols, a fire on the UK set, and costly reshoots driven by the 2023 actors’ strike inflated the budget to $270 million, excluding $100 million in marketing costs. Creative decisions, such as replacing the seven dwarfs with CGI characters and reimagining the Prince as a bandit named Jonathan (played by Andrew Burnap), drew criticism from purists and dwarf actors like Peter Dinklage, who argued the move sidelined performers with dwarfism. These controversies set the stage for a troubled release, but it was Zegler’s public statements that ignited a firestorm.
Starting in 2022, Zegler’s comments about the original Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs alienated fans. She called the 1937 film “weird” and “creepy,” criticizing the Prince as a “stalker” and dismissing the romantic plotline as outdated. At Disney’s D23 fan event in August 2024, she doubled down, stating the remake would focus on Snow White’s leadership rather than “dreaming about true love.” These remarks, perceived as dismissive of the beloved classic, sparked backlash on social media, with fans on X accusing her of disrespecting Disney’s legacy. Her political posts, including a tweet saying “free Palestine” after the Snow White trailer debut and an Instagram rant post-election—“Fuck Donald Trump” and “May Trump supporters never know peace”—further polarized audiences, prompting boycotts from conservative fans.
The film’s opening weekend was a disaster, earning just $42.2 million domestically and $86.1 million globally, far below projections. A 66% drop in its second weekend and a final worldwide gross of $205.6 million cemented its failure, with estimates suggesting a $115 million loss after home entertainment and Disney+ revenue. The movie also faced a review-bombing campaign on IMDb, scoring a 1.6/10 from 325,000 users, despite a 72% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics gave it a lukewarm 40%, citing a weak script and lackluster execution. Disney’s scaled-down premiere and limited promotional push signaled internal doubts, with sources claiming the studio was unprepared for the extent of the backlash.
Zegler’s Firing: A Scapegoat or Justified Move?
On March 25, 2025, reports surfaced that Disney had severed ties with Zegler, a decision confirmed by industry insiders and amplified by posts on X. The move followed a tense period where Zegler’s social media activity drew scrutiny. After her D23 comments, producer Marc Platt reportedly flew to New York to address her conduct, with his son Jonah publicly criticizing her as “immature” and “narcissistic” for prioritizing personal politics over the film’s promotion. Disney hired a social media consultant to vet Zegler’s posts, but her subsequent political outbursts, particularly after the U.S. presidential election, strained relations further. The studio, wary of backlash after a 2024 lawsuit from fired Mandalorian actress Gina Carano over free speech, initially hesitated to act but ultimately deemed Zegler’s impact too damaging.
Zegler’s defenders argue she was scapegoated for deeper issues. The film’s troubled production, from strikes to creative missteps, predated her comments, and racist attacks targeting her Latina heritage began as early as her casting announcement. Supporters, including actress Melissa Barrera, who was dropped from Scream 7 for similar political remarks, praised Zegler’s integrity, with journalist Mark Harris calling Disney’s response a “hit job” in a Bluesky post. An open letter from 180 film journalists condemned the narrative pinning the failure solely on Zegler, arguing the studio failed to manage the film’s controversies effectively.
However, others contend Zegler’s actions exacerbated an already precarious situation. Her criticism of the original Snow White alienated fans who cherished the classic, while her political posts signaled to conservative audiences—potentially half the film’s market—to stay away. Jonah Platt’s Instagram rant highlighted the financial stakes, noting that her behavior impacted the jobs of hundreds involved in the production. Box office analyst Jeff Bock told Variety, “All press isn’t good press,” emphasizing that the negative buzz surrounding Zegler drowned out the film’s potential. Disney’s decision to part ways reflects a pragmatic move to distance itself from a lightning rod amid mounting losses.
Disney’s Broader Struggles and Strategic Shift
The Snow White debacle is part of a larger pattern for Disney’s live-action remakes. Films like Dumbo (2019), Maleficent: Mistress of Evil (2019), and Peter Pan & Wendy (2023) underperformed, signaling audience fatigue with reimagined classics. The studio’s push for diversity and modernized narratives, while well-intentioned, has struggled to balance innovation with nostalgia. The Little Mermaid (2023) faced similar casting backlash but fared better, suggesting execution matters as much as intent. Disney’s aggressive remake strategy, launched with Alice in Wonderland (2010), has yielded mixed results, with Snow White’s failure prompting a pause on projects like Tangled and Hercules.
Disney’s leadership, under CEO Bob Iger and new live-action head David Greenbaum, is now reevaluating its approach. A 2025 The Wrap report indicates a shift toward original intellectual properties, particularly targeting young male audiences, after alienating the 65-70% male fanbase of Star Wars and Marvel. The success of Deadpool & Wolverine (2024), which grossed $1.3 billion with male-driven action, contrasts sharply with Snow White’s misfire. Disney’s decision to part with Zegler aligns with this pivot, signaling a desire to avoid controversies that fracture audiences. The studio is now seeking stories that resonate with universal themes of adventure and heroism, hoping to recapture the magic of its earlier successes.
What’s Next for Zegler and Disney?
For Zegler, the fallout has been swift. After Snow White and the poorly received Y2K (2024), which opened to $2.1 million, she’s pivoting to smaller projects. She’s currently starring in a London production of Evita and has a role in an indie drama with Marisa Tomei, but her days as a blockbuster lead may be on hold. Critics argue her talent, showcased in West Side Story and The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, deserves better, but studios may hesitate to cast her in high-budget films given the Snow White backlash.
Disney, meanwhile, faces a reckoning. The Snow White loss, estimated at $115-$300 million depending on ancillary revenue, underscores the risks of mismanaging iconic IPs. The studio’s pause on live-action remakes and focus on original content suggest a course correction, but rebuilding trust with fans will be a challenge. Social media sentiment, with posts on X calling for “stories that don’t lecture,” reflects a demand for authenticity over agenda-driven narratives.
A Cautionary Tale
The firing of Rachel Zegler after Snow White’s collapse is a cautionary tale for Hollywood. It highlights the delicate balance between creative reinvention and respecting legacy, as well as the power of public perception in shaping a film’s fate. For Disney, it’s a wake-up call to prioritize storytelling over controversy. As the studio charts a new path, Snow White’s failure will linger as a reminder that even fairy tales can end in disaster without the right magic.
