Disney’s Snow White Faces a Projected Loss of $115 Million

Disney’s latest live-action remake of Snow White, starring Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot, has seemingly hit an iceberg, with projections indicating a staggering loss of $115 million. The film, which initially promised to be a box office sensation, has turned into a cautionary tale about the perils of modern filmmaking, celebrity activism, and audience expectations.

Released amidst high expectations, Snow White suffered a shocking 66% drop at the box office in its second week, prompting scrutiny from both fans and industry insiders. Currently sitting at a rock-bottom 1.6 rating on IMDb, it has earned the undignified title of the lowest-rated film of all time on the platform.

The film’s financial woes are compounded by its significant production costs, estimated at around $250 million, not including marketing expenses. Production was further complicated by numerous setbacks, including a fire on set, lengthy delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and additional reshoots mandated by the actors’ strike.

Rachel Zegler’s portrayal of Snow White has drawn significant backlash for her outspoken views on various political themes. Zegler’s comments have included labeling Prince Charming as a ‘stalker’ and expressing harsh sentiments about former President Donald Trump, suggesting a “no peace” sentiment towards his supporters. Her assertion in 2022 that the film’s portrayal of women in power is “extremely dated” sparked further debate about the relevance and intent behind the beloved fairy tale.

This controversy has prompted increased scrutiny on how Hollywood narratives are shaped by the personal beliefs of their stars. The son of producer Marc Platt voiced concerns that Zegler was “hijacking” the film’s narrative for her own agenda, thereby endangering the livelihoods of many people who contributed to the project.

Adding another layer of complexity, the film’s release coincided with rising tensions surrounding the Israel-Gaza conflict, and some audience members have chosen to boycott the film in response to Gal Gadot’s Israeli background. Gadot, who served in the Israeli Defense Forces, has faced backlash that culminated in calls for boycotting the film, further contributing to its dwindling box office performance.

Following Zegler’s tweets advocating for a “free Palestine,” Disney reportedly hired a social media guru to monitor her posts, further underscoring the friction between individual expression and corporate strategy in the realm of public relations.

The film’s trailer also received a negative reception, primarily due to the introduction of computer-generated dwarf characters that many deemed “creepy.” This discontent fed into broader criticisms about supposed “woke” alterations to the original tale, which some fans felt strayed too far from the beloved narrative.

The culmination of all these factors illustrates a challenging reality for filmmakers: navigating modern sensibilities, audience expectations, and the personal convictions of connecting stars can lead to disastrous outcomes if not handled delicately.