Full Breakdown
Gal Gadot Attributes "Snow White" Box Office Failure to Political Pressures
8/21/2025, 7:57:37 AM
Overview of the Box Office Performance
Disney's live-action remake of "Snow White," released in March 2024, has been deemed a significant box office disappointment, grossing approximately $205 million against a production budget of nearly $300 million. The film faced widespread criticism, holding a mere 39% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and suffered a dramatic 72% drop in box office receipts during its second week. This underperformance has led to speculation regarding the factors contributing to its failure.
Gal Gadot's Perspective
Gal Gadot, who portrayed the Evil Queen, has publicly attributed the film's lack of success to external political pressures surrounding the Israel-Palestine conflict. In an interview on the Israeli television program "The A Talks," Gadot expressed her belief that the film was initially poised for success until the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel. She stated, “There’s a lot of pressure on celebrities to speak out against Israel,” suggesting that this pressure influenced the film's reception. Gadot noted her disappointment that the film was "greatly affected" by these pressures, which she felt overshadowed its artistic merits.
Co-Star Controversy
The film's promotional period was marred by controversy, particularly due to comments made by Gadot's co-star, Rachel Zegler, who expressed support for Palestine on social media. Zegler's remarks, including a post stating “free Palestine,” drew backlash and reportedly led to increased tensions between the two actresses. Producer Marc Platt's son criticized Zegler's comments as “immature,” suggesting they contributed to the film's poor reviews. Despite this, Gadot maintained that she enjoyed working with Zegler, stating, “We laughed, we talked, and had fun.”
Official Statements & Responses
In response to the backlash from her comments, Gadot clarified on Instagram that her statements were made from an emotional perspective. She emphasized that the film's failure could not be solely attributed to external pressures, acknowledging that multiple factors determine a film's success. “Of course, the film didn’t fail solely because of external pressures. There are many factors that determine why a film succeeds or fails, and success is never guaranteed,” she stated.
Criticism & Opposition
Critics have pointed to various reasons for the film's failure beyond political pressures. These include negative reviews of Gadot's performance and the film's controversial reimagining of classic elements, such as replacing the dwarves with "magical creatures." Entertainment commentators have described Gadot's portrayal as lacking, with some reviews labeling the film as “exhausting awful.” The combination of these artistic criticisms and the political backdrop has led to a polarized reception among audiences.
What's Next for Gadot?
As the fallout from "Snow White" continues, industry insiders suggest that Gadot's future in major family-oriented franchises may be uncertain. The ongoing scrutiny of her political stance and the backlash from pro-Palestinian advocacy groups, such as Jewish Voice for Peace, indicate that her career trajectory may shift towards mid-budget action films rather than high-profile projects. The controversy surrounding "Snow White" serves as a reminder of how political activism can significantly impact Hollywood's landscape and individual careers.
