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Disney’s live-action Snow White remake arrived in 2025 amid both anticipation and controversy. With a production budget estimated between $240–270 million, the film featured Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen opposite Rachel Zegler’s Snow White, but failed to connect with audiences—grossing approximately $206 million worldwide. In a candid interview on Israeli television, Gadot offered a rare insider perspective on the film’s disappointing reception, attributing it to political tensions rather than cinematic shortcomings. She points to mounting pressure on celebrities to publicly oppose Israel in light of the Israel–Hamas conflict—arguing that the divisive atmosphere may have hindered box office turnout.
1. Gadot’s Candid Breakdown of the Flop
In an interview on The A Talks, Gal Gadot acknowledged the movie’s failure at the box office and shared her belief that political polarization played a central role. She noted, “There’s pressure on celebrities to speak against Israel,” especially after the October 7 Hamas attacks. Gadot, who served in the Israeli Defense Forces, said that while she attempts to explain and contextualize Israel’s position, audiences tend to make decisions based on their own lens. She expressed disappointment that the political climate seemed to overshadow the film’s release.
2. Political Tensions Amplify Pre-Existing Controversy
Snow White was already navigating multiple fault lines: Rachel Zegler, the film’s lead, was a vocal supporter of Palestine and had previously criticized the original version of the story. Gadot, in contrast, had openly supported Israel—highlighting an ideological divide that played out in headlines and social media. These conflicting stances amplified backlash and overshadowed the film’s narrative.
3. Commercial Fallout: Box Office and Production Delays
Despite expectations, Snow White grossed just around $87 million in North America and $118 million internationally—far below its hefty price tag. These disappointing numbers prompted Disney to pause other live-action remakes, including Tangled, signaling broader repercussions within the studio.
4. Beyond the Film: Gadot’s Career Impact
The fallout extended beyond the box office. Gadot’s Hollywood Walk of Fame induction was postponed following protests, and disruptions occurred on the London set of her upcoming film The Runner. These incidents underscore how the political backlash tied to Snow White had ripple effects across her career and media presence.
5. Parallel Issues: Bans and Boycotts
The film was also banned in Lebanon due to Gadot’s casting, in line with the country’s longstanding boycott of Israeli actors. Additionally, activist groups like BDS called for wider boycotts of the film based on her military background and political support for Israel. These actions further limited the movie’s reach in key markets and contributed to its troubled rollout.
Conclusion
Gal Gadot’s reflections on Snow White’s disappointing box office performance provide a revealing look at Hollywood’s increasingly fraught intersection with geopolitics. What began as a high-profile fairy tale revival became entangled in ideological battles, overshadowing its cinematic merits. Her candid acknowledgment of industry pressure underscores the challenges celebrities face when political fault lines infiltrate entertainment. While stars can bring talent and star power, Gadot’s experience shows how real-world tensions can reframe—or even derail—a film’s fate. In this case, the pressure to navigate the Israel–Hamas divide may have tipped the scales toward a flop rather than a fairy-tale ending.