Rachel Zegler’s portrayal of Snow White in Disney’s recent live-action remake has turned into a significant box office disappointment, marking what some are calling the studio’s biggest flop to date. With a staggering production budget of $270 million, the film opened to a mere $43 million in its first weekend, far below expectations and lower than any previous live-action Disney adaptation, including the poorly received “Dumbo.”
The film’s troubled journey began long before its release, facing production delays due to an actor strike, a COVID outbreak, and even a fire on set. However, the situation escalated further as Zegler’s off-screen comments began to alienate potential viewers. Throughout promotional interviews, she made headlines for labeling the original 1937 animated classic as “creepy” and referred to Snow White’s love interest as a “weird stalker.” Such remarks were met with swift backlash, prompting Disney to attempt damage control as audiences expressed resentment towards Zegler’s perceived arrogance.
Critics have not only panned the film, awarding it a dismal Rotten Tomatoes score but have also highlighted that it received a mediocre B+ CinemaScore, a stark contrast to other successful adaptations like “The Lion King” and “Beauty and the Beast,” which garnered A and A+ scores, respectively.
As the public outcry grew, Zegler took to social media to voice her political opinions, further polarizing her audience. After facing backlash from Trump supporters, she issued an apology, claiming her emotional responses contributed to a negative discourse. However, industry sentiment suggests that her reputation has been irreparably damaged, and Disney is now navigating how to manage her public image moving forward.
As the film continues to struggle at the box office, with reports indicating it has grossed only $87 million globally, the future of Zegler’s career remains uncertain. Her rise from a promising newcomer to a controversial figure in Hollywood has sparked debates about accountability and the pressures faced by actors in today’s media landscape. Whether she can recover from this backlash or if she will remain a divisive figure in the industry is yet to be seen.