Gal Gadot stepped into the spotlight alone at Disneyland on Sunday, bringing some much-needed cheer to Disney’s embattled live-action remake of Snow White. The actress, who plays the Evil Queen in the upcoming film, posed for photos with Mickey and Minnie Mouse, alongside a lineup of classic Disney villains. Noticeably absent? Her co-star Rachel Zegler, further fueling speculation about growing tensions between the two.
Smiling Through the Drama
Gadot’s visit to “The Happiest Place on Earth” wasn’t just about fun and games—it was a strategic promotional move ahead of the film’s March 21 release. She was all smiles as she interacted with young fans, some of whom were even dressed as her on-screen character.
But behind the cheerful facade, reports suggest a growing rift between Gadot and Zegler. Sources say the pair have little in common, citing their 16-year age gap and contrasting political views. While Gadot, 39, has been vocal in her support of Israel following the October 7 Hamas attacks, Zegler, 23, has publicly supported the Free Palestine movement.
Zegler’s Absence Raises Eyebrows
Disney has not commented on why Zegler skipped the event, but her absence was hard to ignore. Instead, the West Side Story star was overseas, promoting the film in Spain.
One insider told People that Gadot is “annoyed by the movie drama” and that while she was “fine with Rachel” during filming, the two “are not friends.” Another source added that Disney executives are doing their best to manage the fallout from various controversies surrounding the film.
The movie has faced backlash over its casting choices, its approach to updating the 1937 animated classic, and so-called “woke” revisions that have divided audiences. The studio, seemingly aware of the growing controversy, opted for a scaled-back Hollywood premiere on Saturday, barring media interviews and limiting press access.
Keeping Up Appearances
Despite the off-screen tension, Gadot and Zegler have maintained professionalism at public events. The two actresses appeared together at the Oscars earlier this month to present the award for Best Visual Effects, sharing the stage in a show of unity.
At the film’s Hollywood premiere, they smiled for the cameras, flanked by their fellow cast members and director Marc Webb. But industry insiders say Disney is treading carefully, mindful of how public perception could affect the movie’s box office performance.
Marketing Without Zegler?
One noticeable shift in Disney’s promotional strategy has been the focus on Gadot rather than Zegler. The studio appears to be leaning on the Wonder Woman actress’ star power to drive interest in the film, rather than making Zegler the face of the campaign. This could be due to the backlash Zegler faced last year after old comments resurfaced in which she criticized the original Snow White story.
- Gadot’s involvement has been positioned as a highlight of the film.
- The absence of Zegler at key promotional events has only added to speculation about behind-the-scenes friction.
- Some fans are wondering if Disney is intentionally keeping the two apart to avoid further controversy.
For now, Gadot remains the film’s most visible advocate, carrying the weight of promotion while her co-star remains at arm’s length.
Will the Controversy Impact the Box Office?
The Snow White remake has been in the hot seat for months, with critics and fans debating everything from its casting choices to its modernization of the classic fairy tale. While Disney has downplayed the backlash, the decision to limit press coverage at the premiere suggests a level of concern.
A table of recent Disney live-action remakes and their box office performances provides some context:
| Film | Release Year | Box Office Gross |
|---|---|---|
| The Lion King | 2019 | $1.66B |
| Aladdin | 2019 | $1.05B |
| The Little Mermaid | 2023 | $569M |
| Mulan | 2020 | $69M (COVID-era) |
| Snow White (Projected) | 2024 | TBD |
While Disney’s live-action remakes have generally performed well at the box office, Snow White faces an uphill battle. Between the casting backlash, political controversy, and the shadow of previous Disney remakes, its commercial success is far from guaranteed.
With just days left until its release, all eyes are on how Disney will navigate the remaining promotional efforts. If Gadot’s Disneyland appearance is any indication, the studio is placing its bets on a familiar face to keep the film’s momentum alive. Whether it pays off remains to be seen.
