Rachel Zegler is facing a harsh reality check following the disastrous box office performance of Disney’s live-action remake of “Snow White.” The film, which cost over $250 million to produce, reportedly earned a mere $43 million during its opening weekend, marking it as one of Disney’s most significant flops in recent years. Zegler, who plays the titular role, was seen in a nearly empty theater alongside a few friends, capturing the cringe-worthy moment on social media, which only highlighted the film’s lack of audience engagement.
The situation escalated further as critics and social media users took to platforms to mock the film’s poor attendance. Amidst the fallout, old clips of Zegler resurfaced, wherein she expressed confidence that audiences would line up to see her films, a stark contrast to the empty seats at her movie’s screening. The backlash against Zegler intensified after she made controversial remarks about the original “Snow White” storyline, calling it “weird.” Such comments have fueled criticism, with many questioning her commitment to a role that she publicly dismissed.
Additionally, tensions behind the scenes have been reported, particularly between Zegler and her co-star Gal Gadot. Insiders claim that Zegler’s outspoken political views and social media posts created a divide, leading to increased security measures for Gadot amid backlash related to their differing backgrounds. This discord, coupled with Zegler’s past comments and controversies, has left Disney scrambling for damage control.
In light of the film’s lackluster reception, Disney opted for a subdued promotional strategy, ditching the traditional fanfare typically associated with blockbuster releases. Instead, they held a low-key screening and minimized promotional appearances, suggesting a lack of confidence in the film’s success. As the dust settles on this high-profile disaster, many are left wondering how Disney miscalculated so significantly in bringing this classic tale to a modern audience.