Disney’s live-action Snow White remake, released on March 21, 2025, has been a lightning rod for controversy, with its star, Rachel Zegler, at the epicenter of heated debates. Amid the film’s disappointing box office performance and polarized reception, a rumor surfaced in late 2023 claiming Disney planned to drop Zegler and recast Lucy Hale, known for Pretty Little Liars, as Snow White. But is there any truth to this sensational claim, or is it merely clickbait capitalizing on the film’s troubled journey? Let’s unpack the rumor and explore the broader context of Snow White’s challenges.

The Rumor’s Origin

The claim that Disney would replace Zegler with Hale first appeared in a YouTube video titled “Disney Will DROP Rachel Zegler & Cast Lucy Hale As Snow White?!” uploaded on November 21, 2023. The video speculated that Zegler’s casting and her public comments about modernizing the 1937 animated classic had alienated fans, prompting Disney to consider Hale as a replacement. However, no credible sources—such as Disney press releases, trade publications like Variety, or statements from Zegler or Hale—have corroborated this claim. Posts on X and web searches yield only recycled references to the same YouTube video or similar unverified content, with no official confirmation. Given that Snow White was already in post-production by late 2023 and released in 2025 with Zegler in the role, the rumor appears logistically implausible and likely fabricated for attention.

Zegler’s Casting and the Backlash

Rachel Zegler, a 23-year-old Latina actress of Colombian and Polish descent, was cast as Snow White in June 2021, marking a significant step toward diversifying Disney’s princess lineup. Her breakout role in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story (2021) showcased her vocal and acting prowess, earning her a Golden Globe. Director Marc Webb praised her “strength, intelligence, and optimism” as ideal for reimagining Snow White. However, her casting sparked immediate backlash from some fans who argued that a Latina actress didn’t match the character’s description of having “skin as white as snow” in the Brothers Grimm fairy tale. Zegler addressed the criticism defiantly, stating in a since-deleted X post, “Yes, I am Snow White, no, I am not bleaching my skin for the role.”

The remake’s narrative changes further fueled controversy. Unlike the 1937 film, where Snow White dreams of true love and is saved by a prince, the 2025 version, scripted by Greta Gerwig and Erin Cressida Wilson, portrays Snow White as a leader reclaiming her kingdom from the Evil Queen (Gal Gadot). The prince is replaced by a thief named Jonathan (Andrew Burnap), and the seven dwarfs are reimagined as CGI “magical creatures” following criticism from actor Peter Dinklage about their portrayal. Zegler’s 2022 comments at Disney’s D23 Expo, where she called the original’s prince “stalker-like” and its gender roles “dated,” were perceived by some as disrespectful, amplifying online vitriol. She later clarified to Variety in 2024 that her remarks were misunderstood, emphasizing that the remake balances love and ambition.

The Film’s Troubled Journey

Snow White faced numerous challenges during its production. Filming occurred from March to July 2022 in the UK, with reshoots in June 2024, delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. A set fire and the writers’ strike added to the chaos, contributing to a bloated budget estimated at $240–270 million. The film’s March 2025 release grossed only $43 million domestically and $142.7 million worldwide, a stark contrast to Disney’s more successful remakes like Aladdin ($1 billion). Critics gave it a 40% score on Rotten Tomatoes, though Zegler’s “luminous” performance was often praised. Disney scaled back the premiere, limiting press access, which Variety speculated was due to controversies surrounding Zegler and Gadot, including their rumored tensions over differing political views on the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Zegler’s social media activity, particularly an August 2024 X post saying “and always remember, free Palestine” alongside Snow White promotion, sparked significant backlash. The post reportedly led to death threats against Gadot, an Israeli actress, prompting Disney to increase her security. Producer Marc Platt met with Zegler, and Disney hired a social media consultant to vet her posts. Her later anti-Trump comments post-2024 election further alienated some audiences, with Jonah Platt, the producer’s son, blaming her for hurting the film’s box office by “dragging her personal politics” into its campaign. These incidents fueled narratives that Zegler was a “brand risk,” but no evidence suggests Disney considered recasting her.

Why Lucy Hale?

The mention of Lucy Hale as a potential replacement seems arbitrary. Hale, a 35-year-old actress known for Pretty Little Liars and Katy Keene, has no documented connection to Snow White. Her fanbase overlaps with Disney’s target demographic, and her lighter complexion might align with traditionalist views of the character, but there’s no indication she was ever considered. The rumor likely exploits Hale’s name for clickbait, capitalizing on Zegler’s controversies without substance. Other rumored replacements, like Jenna Ortega, have similarly been debunked, with Disney consistently affirming Zegler’s role through the film’s release.

The Bigger Picture

The Snow White remake’s struggles reflect broader challenges in Hollywood: balancing nostalgia with modernization, navigating diverse casting in a polarized climate, and managing stars’ public personas. Zegler’s experience echoes that of Halle Bailey, who faced racist backlash as Ariel in The Little Mermaid (2023), yet saw the film gross over $560 million. Film critic Kelechi Ehenulo described Zegler as a “culture war” target, noting that actors of color, especially women, often face disproportionate scrutiny. While Zegler’s outspokenness has drawn criticism, supporters like Ariana Grande, Helen Mirren, and Lucy Liu have praised her resilience and talent.

The rumor of Lucy Hale replacing Zegler is a baseless distraction from Snow White’s real issues: a divisive narrative, production woes, and a fanbase resistant to change. Disney’s commitment to Zegler through the film’s release and her acclaimed performance suggest she remains their Snow White. As she moves to projects like Evita on the West End, Zegler’s career continues to shine despite the noise.