The fallout from Disney’s live-action Snow White remake has taken a dramatic turn, escalating from a box office disaster to a legal showdown between its two leading ladies. On May 19, 2025, reports emerged that Gal Gadot, the 39-year-old Israeli actress who portrayed the Evil Queen, has hired top-tier lawyers in response to what she deems as “shocking” and “dangerous” accusations made by her co-star Rachel Zegler. Zegler, the 23-year-old actress who played Snow White, has been at the center of controversy since the film’s release on March 21, 2025, which grossed a disappointing $182.6 million worldwide against a $270 million budget. Her recent social media outburst, accusing Gadot of creating a “toxic” set environment and implying her political stance contributed to the film’s failure, has pushed tensions to a breaking point. This article explores the escalating conflict, the events leading up to Gadot’s legal action, and the broader implications for both actresses and Disney.
A Fairytale Feud Turns Legal
The tension between Gadot and Zegler has been simmering since the Snow White promotional tour, but it reached a boiling point on April 10, 2025, when Zegler took to Instagram Stories with a series of posts that sent shockwaves through Hollywood. In her posts, Zegler accused Gadot of fostering a “toxic” environment on set, alleging that her co-star’s “diva behavior” and political stance made collaboration difficult. “I poured my heart into this film, but some people cared more about their image than the project,” Zegler wrote, without naming Gadot directly but leaving little ambiguity about her target. She also suggested that Disney scapegoated her for the film’s failure, writing, “It’s easy to blame the ‘woke’ Latina girl, but maybe look at the real issues—like casting choices and a lack of support.”
Gadot, who has largely remained silent on the rumored feud, reportedly viewed these accusations as a dangerous overstep. On May 19, 2025, a YouTube video titled “Gal Gadot Hires TOP Lawyers After Zegler’s SHOCKING Accusations Cross a Dangerous Boundary” claimed that Gadot had retained a team of high-profile lawyers to address what she perceives as defamation and an attempt to damage her reputation. While neither actress has officially confirmed the legal action, sources close to Gadot suggest that she felt compelled to act after Zegler’s comments reignited a wave of online vitriol against her, including a spike in death threats that had already prompted Disney to hire additional security for her and her four children following Zegler’s pro-Palestine posts in August 2024.
The legal move marks a significant escalation in a feud that has already cost Disney dearly. Snow White’s failure to break even—needing over $550 million to cover its budget and marketing costs—has been a public relations nightmare for the studio, which has now paused production on its planned live-action Tangled remake. Gadot’s decision to pursue legal action underscores the personal toll of this saga, as well as the broader cultural and political fault lines it has exposed in Hollywood.
The Roots of the Conflict
The rift between Gadot and Zegler can be traced back to their opposing views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which became a flashpoint during the Snow White promotional campaign. Gadot, a former Israel Defense Forces (IDF) instructor, has been vocal in her support for Israel, particularly following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack. She has used her platform to advocate for Israel, hosting screenings of a film depicting the attack and delivering a speech at the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) in March 2025, where she condemned those who “celebrate hostility” toward Jews. Zegler, on the other hand, has been a staunch supporter of Palestine since 2021, sharing posts like “always remember, free Palestine” alongside the Snow White trailer release in August 2024—a move that garnered 8.8 million views but also sparked significant backlash.
Zegler’s post led to a spike in death threats against Gadot, prompting Disney to provide her with additional security. Producer Marc Platt reportedly flew to New York to ask Zegler to remove the post, citing its impact on the film and Gadot’s safety, but Zegler refused, standing her ground on her activism. The incident fueled perceptions of a feud, with Disney opting to keep the actresses apart during much of the promotional tour. At the film’s premiere on March 15, 2025, at the El Capitan Theatre, Zegler was seated two rows ahead of Gadot and her family, and the two were rarely seen together, despite presenting an award at the Oscars on March 2.
The situation worsened after Snow White’s release, which was met with mixed reviews—earning a 47% score on Rotten Tomatoes—and a dismal box office performance. Critics praised Zegler’s performance but slammed Gadot’s, with some calling it “atrocious” and a major factor in the film’s failure. Zegler’s April 10 Instagram Stories, where she accused Gadot of toxicity, added fuel to the fire, reigniting debates about their political differences and prompting pro-Palestinian activists to target Gadot further. At Gadot’s Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony on March 18, protesters waved signs accusing her of supporting “genocide,” a direct response to Zegler’s comments and the broader discourse around the film.
Gadot’s Legal Response: A Line in the Sand
Gadot’s decision to hire top lawyers reflects her determination to protect her reputation amidst what she views as a coordinated attack. Sources suggest that Gadot felt Zegler’s accusations crossed a “dangerous boundary” by not only blaming her for the film’s failure but also amplifying the threats against her and her family. Gadot has previously spoken about the emotional toll of the backlash, telling Variety in March 2025, “I was shocked by the amount of hate, by the amount of how much people think they know when they actually have no idea.” Her legal action is seen as an attempt to hold Zegler accountable for what she perceives as defamatory statements that have exacerbated an already volatile situation.
The legal battle has sparked intense debate online. Some fans support Gadot, arguing that Zegler’s comments were reckless and contributed to the threats against her. Others defend Zegler, viewing her as a young actress unfairly scapegoated for Snow White’s failure while Gadot, a more established star with a controversial political history, escapes scrutiny. Posts on X reflect this divide, with some users criticizing Gadot as a “war criminal” for her IDF service, while others condemn Zegler for her “diva behavior” and perceived lack of professionalism.
A Studio Caught in the Crossfire
Disney finds itself in an unenviable position, caught between two stars whose public clash has further damaged the studio’s reputation. The Snow White saga has exposed Disney’s struggles to navigate politically charged issues in an increasingly polarized world. The studio’s decision to cast Gadot and Zegler, knowing their opposing views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, set the stage for conflict, and its failure to manage the fallout has been widely criticized. After Zegler’s pro-Palestine post, Disney hired a social media consultant to vet her posts, a rare step that underscored the studio’s view of her as a liability. Yet, this did little to stem the tide of controversy, as Zegler’s April outburst and the subsequent legal escalation have kept the film in the headlines for all the wrong reasons.
The financial and reputational cost to Disney has been significant. The studio’s live-action remake strategy, once a reliable cash cow with hits like Beauty and the Beast, has faltered in recent years, with flops like Dumbo and Pinocchio. Snow White’s failure has prompted Disney to pause its Tangled remake, signaling a broader reevaluation of its approach. The studio’s attempt to distance itself from Zegler—evident in its scaled-back promotion and focus on Gadot in marketing—has backfired, fueling perceptions of bias and mismanagement.
The Broader Implications
The Gadot-Zegler feud highlights the challenges Hollywood faces in an era where political activism and social media can overshadow artistic projects. Zegler’s outspokenness, while rooted in her principles, has made her a lightning rod for controversy, from her Snow White comments to her recent Evita rehearsal meltdown, where she was allegedly escorted off stage. At 23, she is navigating the pressures of fame with a candor that has both won her fans and alienated others. Her recent breakup with long-term partner Josh Andrés Rivera, reported on May 20, 2025, has added to her personal struggles, leaving her visibly emotional in public appearances.
Gadot, meanwhile, faces her own challenges. Her support for Israel has made her a target for pro-Palestinian activists, and her performance in Snow White has been widely panned, with some fans on X calling it “atrocious.” Yet, her decision to pursue legal action against Zegler signals a refusal to be painted as the villain in this narrative, both on and off screen. The legal battle could set a precedent for how celebrities address public disputes in the digital age, particularly when they involve sensitive political issues.
For Disney, the Snow White debacle is a cautionary tale about the risks of ignoring cultural and political fault lines when casting and promoting a film. The studio’s failure to support its stars cohesively has allowed the narrative to spiral out of control, turning a fairytale into a nightmare. As Gadot and Zegler head toward a legal showdown, the fallout from Snow White will likely reverberate through Hollywood, a stark reminder that even the most magical stories can’t escape the harsh realities of the modern world.
