New Scandal Rocks Snow White After Box Office Flop: Leaked Emails Reveal Toxic Set Environment

Disney’s live-action Snow White, already reeling from a disastrous box office performance and accusations of racism against its star Rachel Zegler, has been hit with yet another scandal as of April 15, 2025. The film, which grossed a mere $169 million worldwide against a $250 million budget, has now been thrust back into the spotlight following the leak of internal emails that expose a toxic work environment on set. These revelations, detailed in a report by The Hollywood Reporter on April 14, 2025, paint a grim picture of the production, with allegations of verbal abuse, unsafe working conditions, and a culture of fear that left crew members and actors, including Zegler and Gal Gadot, struggling to cope. This new controversy adds another layer of turmoil to an already troubled project, raising serious questions about Disney’s oversight and the treatment of its cast and crew.

A Leaked Email Bombshell: Tensions Behind the Scenes

The leaked emails, obtained by The Hollywood Reporter, were exchanged between director Marc Webb, producer Marc Platt, and several senior Disney executives during the filming of Snow White in late 2023 and early 2024. The correspondence reveals a deeply dysfunctional set environment, marked by frequent clashes between Webb and Platt over creative decisions, as well as complaints from crew members about long hours, inadequate safety measures, and a lack of support from production leadership. One email from a production assistant, whose name was redacted, described the set as “a pressure cooker,” alleging that Webb’s “erratic behavior” and “screaming matches” with Platt created a “hostile atmosphere” that left crew members “terrified to speak up.”

The emails also highlight specific incidents that exacerbated tensions. In one instance, a stunt coordinator emailed Platt to report that a stunt involving Zegler and the CGI dwarfs went awry due to insufficient rehearsal time, nearly resulting in a serious injury. The coordinator wrote, “We were rushed to meet an impossible deadline, and Rachel was visibly shaken after the incident. This could have been avoided with proper planning.” Another email from a lighting technician detailed a 16-hour shooting day during a heatwave in Pinewood Studios, England, where temperatures soared above 90°F (32°C), leading to two crew members collapsing from heat exhaustion. The technician accused production of ignoring union guidelines, stating, “We were told to ‘suck it up’ because the schedule was behind.”

The Impact on Zegler and Gadot: A Strained Working Relationship

The toxic set environment took a toll on the film’s stars, particularly Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot, whose already strained relationship was further tested by the chaotic production. According to a source close to the set, quoted in The Hollywood Reporter, Zegler, who was 22 at the time of filming, felt “overwhelmed” by the constant pressure and lack of support from the production team. The source claimed that Zegler was often left to fend for herself during tense moments, with Webb reportedly snapping at her for asking for additional takes to perfect a scene. “Rachel was trying her best, but she felt like she was walking on eggshells,” the source said. “Marc [Webb] would lose his temper, and it made everyone uncomfortable.”

Gadot, a more seasoned actress, was also affected by the set dynamics. The same source revealed that Gadot, who played the Evil Queen, clashed with Webb over her character’s portrayal, feeling that the director’s vision lacked depth. An email from Platt to a Disney executive noted that Gadot had threatened to walk off set after a particularly heated argument with Webb, writing, “Gal is frustrated with the lack of clarity on her character arc and Marc’s inability to communicate effectively. We can’t afford to lose her.” The tension between Gadot and Zegler, already strained by their political differences—Zegler’s pro-Palestine stance versus Gadot’s support for Israel—was exacerbated by the chaotic environment, with the two reportedly avoiding each other off-camera.

Crew Complaints and Disney’s Response

The leaked emails also reveal a pattern of complaints from crew members that went largely unaddressed by Disney. A costume designer emailed Platt to report that several assistants had quit mid-production due to “unbearable working conditions,” including verbal abuse from a senior production manager who allegedly berated staff for minor errors. “I’ve never seen morale this low on a set,” the designer wrote. “People are scared to make mistakes because they’ll be screamed at in front of everyone.” Another email from a sound engineer highlighted the lack of proper safety protocols during a scene involving pyrotechnics, which resulted in a small fire on set—a previously reported incident that Teen Vogue had mentioned but without the full context of the crew’s concerns.

Disney’s response to the leaked emails has been swift but criticized as inadequate. On April 15, 2025, a Disney spokesperson issued a statement to Variety, saying, “We take the well-being of our cast and crew seriously and are investigating the claims made in these emails. We are committed to ensuring a safe and respectful working environment on all our productions.” However, crew members who spoke anonymously to The Hollywood Reporter expressed skepticism, with one stating, “Disney knew about these issues during filming but did nothing. They’re only acting now because the emails are public.”

The Broader Implications: A Wake-Up Call for Disney

The Snow White set scandal comes at a time when Hollywood is increasingly under scrutiny for its treatment of workers, particularly in the wake of high-profile cases like the 2021 Rust shooting, which highlighted the dangers of unsafe working conditions. The Snow White controversy adds to this narrative, exposing the darker side of Disney’s glossy productions. The film’s failure—both financially and critically—has already prompted the studio to rethink its live-action remake strategy, with the Daily Mail reporting on April 8, 2025, that the flop has “killed off hopes” for another princess remake like Tangled. Now, the leaked emails threaten to further damage Disney’s reputation, raising questions about its oversight and commitment to crew safety.

For Zegler and Gadot, the scandal adds another layer of complexity to their already fraught relationship. Zegler, who has faced racist backlash and criticism for her political comments, may find some vindication in the revelation that the set environment contributed to her struggles, but her public image remains battered. Gadot, who has been more reserved since her comments about Zegler’s “bad attitude,” may face renewed scrutiny for her role in the production, particularly if crew members come forward with more details about her interactions with Webb.

Conclusion: A Fairytale in Tatters

The Snow White scandal, now compounded by the leaked emails revealing a toxic set environment, marks a low point for Disney’s live-action remake era. The film’s $250 million budget, coupled with its dismal $169 million global gross, was already a significant blow, but the new revelations about verbal abuse, unsafe conditions, and a culture of fear on set have turned a financial flop into a full-blown PR crisis. For Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot, the chaotic production exacerbated their tensions, leaving both actresses to navigate the fallout in their own ways. As Disney scrambles to address the allegations, the Snow White debacle serves as a stark reminder of the human cost behind Hollywood’s blockbuster machine—and a warning that even the most magical fairytales can end in disaster when the behind-the-scenes reality is anything but enchanting.