Gal Gadot, the star of Disney’s live-action remake of Snow White, recently linked the film’s underwhelming box office performance to the intense pressure on celebrities to publicly address the ongoing conflict in Israel. Upon its release, Snow White underperformed with an estimated $205 million—which includes a domestic total of about $54 million—against a reported $270 million production budget. Gadot wasn’t the only one who expressed disappointment. She, like everyone else, had expected the film to be a blockbuster before everything that happened on October 7.
Against that backdrop of increased tensions and demands for solidarity, Gadot went on to describe how the mood in Hollywood became day and night. “I was sure this movie was going to be a huge success,” she stated, “but then October 7 happened. There’s been intense pressure on celebrities to condemn Israel.” This call to arms seemed to capture the mood of most in the industry who felt the need to respond and make a stand against the rapidly developing crisis.
Peter Dinklage, who in 2022 haughtily condemned the film as “fucking backwards,” joined the conversation around Snow White. The film faced scrutiny not only for its content but for the broader implications of its release timing amidst geopolitical turmoil. Gadot’s co-star, Rachel Zegler, showed support for Palestine during promotional events, which led to increased scrutiny and backlash against the cast.
After Zegler’s comments, Gadot was inundated with a wave of death threats that led Disney to increase her security protocols. The actress has been open about her traumatic past. Her experience as an IDF combat fitness instructor embedded in the Israel Defense Forces on war footing during the Israel-Lebanon conflict of 2006. This background has informed her perspective and lived experience throughout these uniquely difficult times.
Despite the controversies, Gadot expressed gratitude for the film’s initial reception, highlighting that the trailer amassed 120 million views within just 24 hours. She shared her appreciation with fans, stating, “I love you all so much! Thank you for the love and for 120m views on our trailer in just 24 hours!”
Marc Platt, a producer on the film, flew to New York shortly after Zegler’s post to discuss the growing concerns related to the film’s promotion and its implications. Gadot had only great things to say about her experience working on Snow White and how fun it was to work with Zegler.