Rachel Zegler, the 23-year-old actress whose career has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows, faces yet another setback as her latest project, the indie comedy-drama She Gets It From Me, has been abruptly shut down following reports of on-set chaos. The film, which was set to be a fresh start for Zegler after the disastrous reception of Disney’s live-action Snow White, has been halted indefinitely, raising questions about the young star’s future in Hollywood and the challenges of independent filmmaking in an increasingly volatile industry.
A Promising New Chapter
She Gets It From Me, directed by Julia von Heinz and co-starring Oscar winner Marisa Tomei, was poised to be a pivotal moment for Zegler. The film, written by Jay Reiss, follows Nicky (Zegler), a young woman whose engagement celebration sparks a chaotic search for her birth mother, Charlotte (Tomei), a former punk rocker with a penchant for pills and rebellion. The project, backed by 3311 Productions and shopped by Embankment Films at Cannes earlier this month, was celebrated for its unconventional family story and the pairing of Zegler’s youthful energy with Tomei’s seasoned gravitas. Producer Jen Dana had praised Zegler’s ability to bring “depth and humanity” to her roles, highlighting the actress’s potential to shine in a more intimate, character-driven piece.
Zegler, who rose to fame with her Golden Globe-winning role in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story (2021), has had a tumultuous few years. After starring in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023), which grossed $348 million worldwide, she faced a firestorm of controversy with Disney’s Snow White. The live-action remake, released on March 21, 2025, was a commercial and critical flop, grossing only $168 million against a $240–270 million budget and earning a 40% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Zegler bore the brunt of the backlash, with critics and fans alike targeting her casting as a Latina Snow White, her comments about the 1937 original, and her political outspokenness—particularly her “Free Palestine” tweet, which clashed with co-star Gal Gadot’s pro-Israel stance. The film’s failure, compounded by reports of on-set issues like a fire and labor strikes, left Zegler’s reputation in tatters, with some speculating that her career might not recover.
She Gets It From Me was meant to be a departure from the high-stakes world of big-budget remakes, offering Zegler a chance to showcase her versatility in a smaller, more personal project. The film began shooting in New York City in early May, with a modest budget and a tight 30-day schedule. Industry insiders were optimistic, noting that the indie space could allow Zegler to rebuild her image away from the intense scrutiny of Disney’s corporate machine. But just two weeks into production, the project has ground to a halt, leaving cast and crew reeling.
Chaos on Set
According to sources close to the production, She Gets It From Me descended into chaos due to a combination of creative clashes, logistical issues, and interpersonal conflicts. Filming in New York, a notoriously challenging location due to permits, noise, and unpredictable weather, proved more difficult than anticipated. The production faced multiple delays after failing to secure permits for several key outdoor scenes, forcing last-minute schedule changes that frustrated the crew. A rainy spring didn’t help—several days of shooting were canceled due to inclement weather, putting the film behind schedule and over budget.
Tensions reportedly escalated between director Julia von Heinz and the film’s producers. Von Heinz, known for her meticulous approach, clashed with the production team over the film’s tone, with some crew members describing her vision as “overly dark” for a comedy-drama. “Julia wanted to lean into the gritty, emotional side of the story, but the producers were pushing for something lighter and more commercial,” a source told The Hollywood Reporter. “It created a lot of confusion on set—nobody knew what the movie was supposed to be.”
Zegler herself was reportedly caught in the crossfire. Sources say the actress, still reeling from the Snow White fallout, struggled with the pressure of carrying another project. Her vocal performance in Snow White had been a rare bright spot amid the criticism, but She Gets It From Me required a different kind of emotional depth, and some crew members felt she was “distracted” and “disengaged.” Rumors of on-set arguments between Zegler and Tomei also surfaced, though insiders caution that these reports may be exaggerated. “Rachel and Marisa have very different acting styles,” a crew member said. “Marisa is all about improvisation, while Rachel likes to stick to the script. It led to some tension, but nothing unmanageable—until everything else started falling apart.”
The tipping point came during a heated confrontation on May 14, 2025, when a key scene involving a chaotic family reunion devolved into a shouting match between von Heinz and the cinematographer over lighting choices. The argument, witnessed by the entire cast and crew, reportedly lasted over an hour, halting production for the day. Frustrated by the mounting delays and rising costs, the producers made the drastic decision to shut down the film the following day, citing “irreconcilable creative differences.” The crew was sent home, and the project was put on indefinite hold, leaving its future uncertain.
A Career at a Crossroads
The shutdown of She Gets It From Me is a significant blow to Zegler, who was banking on the film to help her rebound from the Snow White debacle. The Disney remake’s failure has already taken a toll—Disney is projected to lose $115 million on the project, and Zegler has been unfairly blamed for much of its shortcomings. Her comments about the original animated film, her political posts, and rumored tensions with Gadot have painted her as a lightning rod for controversy, despite her undeniable talent. The Snow White fallout even led Disney to shelve a planned live-action Tangled remake, signaling a broader retreat from their live-action remake strategy.
Zegler’s supporters argue that she’s being unfairly scapegoated for systemic issues. “Rachel is a young actress who’s been thrust into high-pressure situations with little support,” said film critic Maria Torres. “The Snow White failure wasn’t her fault—it was a poorly executed project from the start. And now, with She Gets It From Me, she’s being set up to fail again because of mismanagement and unrealistic expectations.” Others point to the broader challenges of indie filmmaking, where tight budgets and schedules often exacerbate creative tensions. “Indie films are a gamble,” said producer Alex Carter. “When you’re working with limited resources, every delay or conflict can spiral out of control. It’s not surprising this happened.”
The shutdown has sparked renewed scrutiny of Zegler’s career trajectory. Some in the industry worry that she’s entering a “Melissa Barrera phase,” referring to the Scream actress who faced backlash and was fired from the franchise after expressing political views. Zegler’s outspokenness—particularly her “Free Palestine” tweet and her post-election “f*** Donald Trump” Instagram story—has made her a polarizing figure, with some studios reportedly hesitant to cast her in big-budget projects. However, she still has defenders, including producer Jen Dana, who praised her “versatility and humor” when announcing She Gets It From Me. Zegler is also set to star in Evita at the London Palladium later this year, a role she’s expressed deep personal connection to, which could offer another chance to showcase her talents.
A Broader Industry Reckoning
The shutdown of She Gets It From Me also raises questions about the state of indie filmmaking in 2025. The industry is still recovering from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, labor strikes, and a shifting landscape where streaming platforms dominate. Small-budget films like She Gets It From Me often struggle to secure funding and distribution, and when production issues arise, there’s little margin for error. “Indie films are a labor of love, but they’re also a logistical nightmare,” said Carter. “You need everyone on the same page, and when that doesn’t happen, projects can collapse.”
For Zegler, the incident underscores the unique challenges faced by young women in Hollywood. Like many actresses before her, she’s been held to an impossible standard, expected to carry the weight of entire projects while navigating public scrutiny and systemic inequities. Her experience with Snow White—where she was blamed for everything from the film’s marketing missteps to its creative failures—mirrors the treatment of other young stars, from Kristen Stewart during the Twilight era to Halle Bailey with The Little Mermaid. “Hollywood loves to build up young women and then tear them down,” said Torres. “Rachel is talented, but she’s being asked to do the impossible—be perfect in an imperfect industry.”
What’s Next for Zegler?
As of now, the future of She Gets It From Me remains uncertain. Some insiders speculate that the project could be revived with a new director or a revised budget, but others believe it may be shelved permanently. For Zegler, the shutdown is a setback, but not necessarily the end. Her role in Evita offers a chance to return to her musical roots, and her vocal performance in Snow White, despite the film’s flaws, has been a consistent point of praise. She’s also been lauded for her recent role in the horror-comedy Y2K, which has gained traction on Max, showing that she still has a dedicated fanbase.
Zegler has yet to comment publicly on the shutdown, but those close to her say she’s determined to move forward. “Rachel is a fighter,” said a source. “She’s been through a lot, but she’s not giving up. She knows her worth, and she’s ready to prove herself again.” Whether she can overcome the mounting challenges and reclaim her place in Hollywood remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Rachel Zegler’s story is far from over.
As the industry grapples with its own fairytale-ending expectations, Zegler’s journey serves as a reminder of the resilience required to navigate fame, failure, and the chaos of filmmaking. Her next chapter—whatever it may be—promises to be one to watch.
