Jonah Platt, the son of Snow White live-action producer Marc Platt, has publicly criticized Rachel Zegler, the film’s lead actress, for contributing to its disappointing box office performance. Zegler portrays Snow White in the adaptation, which has faced significant backlash since its release.

Platt confirmed on Instagram that his father had flown to New York to confront Zegler over her politically charged posts on X (formerly Twitter) during the film’s promotional campaign. Despite this meeting, Zegler did not delete her posts. Jonah Platt accused her of prioritizing personal opinions over professional responsibilities, stating that her actions harmed the film’s revenue and disregarded the efforts of thousands involved in its production.

He further argued that freedom of speech does not exempt individuals from accountability. Jonah criticized Zegler for acting out of “immature desires” and harming her colleagues and crew. He concluded by condemning what he described as narcissistic behavior, though his Instagram comment was later deleted.

Jonah Platt – son of producer Snow White.

Box Office Performance and Public Reaction

The live-action Snow White, released on March 21, grossed $87 million in its opening week. While it eventually topped the box office, its earnings remain far below its $270 million production budget, leaving Disney in a precarious position.

Online reactions to Jonah Platt’s comments were mixed. Some agreed with his criticism of Zegler but argued that responsibility also lies with Disney and the production team for creative decisions, such as altering the original story and using CGI dwarfs. Others felt Zegler had undermined the promotional campaign by making controversial remarks about the original 1937 film and Snow White’s character.

Controversies Surrounding Rachel Zegler

Zegler has been at the center of multiple controversies since her casting was announced. Critics have revisited her past interviews where she described the original Snow White as “dated” and critiqued its portrayal of romance. She emphasized that her version of Snow White would focus on leadership rather than being saved by a prince. These comments sparked accusations of disrespecting Disney’s legacy and alienating fans of the original film.

Additionally, debates over casting choices have fueled backlash. Some questioned whether Zegler, who is of Colombian and Polish descent, was suitable for a character rooted in German folklore. This controversy mirrors similar debates over Disney’s recent live-action adaptations.

Industry Impact

The negative reception to Snow White raises concerns about Disney’s approach to modernizing classic tales. Critics have pointed to issues such as reliance on CGI, muted visuals, and significant departures from beloved storylines as reasons for audience dissatisfaction. The controversy surrounding Zegler has only intensified scrutiny of Disney’s creative decisions and marketing strategies.

Some netizen comments:

“Nonsense! Disney made this movie. It’s not just Rachel who ruined it. This is a ‘team effort.'”

“I agree with him, but it’s also unfair to blame Rachel 100%. His father has to take responsibility too. After all, he chose to use CGI for the seven dwarfs, rewrite the story to remove the prince, and cast a more beautiful actress as the Evil Queen.”

“He has a point. Rachel turned the film’s promotion into her personal platform. That’s definitely a destructive move.”

“If this movie were playing on a plane, I’d still walk out.”

“He’s not wrong. It’s sad that the lead actress doesn’t think about or care for the people who worked so hard on the production. She also made Disney look worse at a time when they needed damage control. Thanks to her, they’re in an even worse position now.”

“Don’t pretend Rachel Zegler is the entire problem. She didn’t cast herself as Snow White.”

“Really? Your dad is the producer. He and the director have full creative control over the movie. A single actor can’t ruin it alone.”

“Rachel Zegler has now become box office poison and a huge liability. I wonder which major studio will want to work with her after Snow White?”

“Rachel Zegler is bad, but so is the movie. It’s bad all around.”