Rachel Zegler Erupts as Snow White Bombs at the Box Office and Is Banned from Theaters?! | HO

Rachel Zegler ERUPTS after Disney’s live-action Snow White not only bombs at the box office but reportedly faces bans from select theaters! The backlash is real, and Rachel is firing back as critics and fans question her casting, comments, and the entire direction of the film.

The highly anticipated live-action remake of Disney’s Snow White, starring Rachel Zegler, has turned into one of the biggest disasters in Hollywood history. What was meant to be a modern reimagining of a beloved classic has instead become a cautionary tale of how controversy, poor marketing, and divisive public statements can derail even the most expensive projects. With a staggering $270 million budget and a box office return that couldn’t even compete with Dumbo, the film is now being labeled as a colossal failure.

But how did it all go so wrong? From casting controversies to Rachel Zegler’s polarizing comments, behind-the-scenes drama, and a politically charged PR nightmare, the story of Snow White’s downfall is as dramatic as the film itself.

When Snow White hit theaters, it was clear from the start that something was amiss. Opening weekend numbers were abysmal, with the film grossing just $3.5 million in Thursday previews and a meager $43 million by the end of its first weekend. For comparison, Disney’s live-action The Little Mermaid opened with $95 million, cementing Snow White as one of the studio’s worst-performing remakes.

The financial disaster is even more pronounced when considering the film’s massive $270 million production budget, which doesn’t include marketing costs. With theaters across the country showing empty seats and critics lambasting the movie, Snow White isn’t just a box office flop—it’s a full-blown PR catastrophe for Disney.

Much of the backlash surrounding Snow White can be traced back to its lead actress, Rachel Zegler. The 23-year-old star, who rose to fame in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story, has been at the center of controversy for months due to her outspoken comments about the original 1937 animated film and her role in the remake.

In a now-infamous interview, Zegler criticized the original Snow White, calling it outdated and problematic. “There’s a big focus on her love story with a guy who literally stalks her,” she said, referring to Prince Charming. She went on to say, “Weird. So we didn’t do that this time.”

While Zegler’s comments were intended to highlight the film’s modernized approach, they came across as dismissive of the original classic, alienating Disney’s core fanbase. Many fans questioned why Zegler would take on the role if she seemed to dislike the story so much. Critics accused her of self-sabotage, and social media erupted with backlash.

From the moment Disney announced Zegler’s casting as Snow White, the film faced intense scrutiny. As a Latina actress, Zegler’s casting sparked debates about whether Disney was straying too far from the character’s original description of having “skin as white as snow.”

While some praised the casting choice as a step toward greater diversity, others criticized it as unnecessary and inconsistent with the source material. Zegler herself didn’t help matters, firing back at critics in a since-deleted social media post where she said, “Yes, I am Snow White. No, I am not bleaching my skin for the role.”

The controversy only escalated when leaked images revealed that the iconic seven dwarfs had been replaced by CGI creatures resembling generic forest companions. Actor Peter Dinklage, known for his role in Game of Thrones, publicly criticized Disney for what he called a hypocritical attempt at progressiveness. “They’re patting themselves on the back for being inclusive while still pushing outdated tropes,” he said.

Fans and critics alike were unimpressed by the CGI replacements, with many saying the characters lacked the charm and personality of the original dwarfs. The backlash was swift and brutal, further damaging the film’s reputation before it even hit theaters.

As if the public controversies weren’t enough, reports of behind-the-scenes drama have only added to the chaos. According to insiders, Disney executives were uneasy about Zegler’s comments long before the film’s release. However, instead of addressing the issue, they allowed her to continue making polarizing statements, which only fueled the backlash.

Things reportedly came to a head when Zegler made a politically charged Instagram post following the U.S. presidential election. “May Trump’s supporters never know peace,” she wrote. The post was widely criticized as divisive and alienating, particularly for a family-friendly Disney production.

Sources claim that Mark Platt, the film’s producer and father of Zegler’s co-star Jonah Platt, flew out to meet with Zegler in person to address the escalating controversies. Despite his efforts, Zegler continued to make headlines with her outspoken opinions, leaving Disney executives scrambling to control the narrative.

Zegler’s relationship with her co-star Gal Gadot, who plays the Evil Queen, has also been the subject of speculation. While the two initially appeared friendly during promotional events, their dynamic reportedly soured as the release date approached.

At the 2025 Oscars, the pair presented an award together, but their awkward body language didn’t go unnoticed. Zegler later posted a cryptic comment on social media, referring to Gadot as a “professional pageant queen,” which fans interpreted as a subtle dig.

The tension between the two actresses only added to the film’s troubled reputation, with many questioning whether the drama behind the scenes had impacted the final product.

Disney’s decision to modernize Snow White was always going to be a gamble, but the execution left much to be desired. By removing key elements of the original story—such as the romantic subplot with Prince Charming—and replacing the seven dwarfs with CGI creatures, the film alienated longtime fans while failing to attract new ones.

Critics have described the remake as soulless and uninspired, with many saying it lacked the magic and charm that made the original a timeless classic. Social media has been flooded with memes and jokes about the film’s failure, with some even calling for a GoFundMe campaign to help Disney recoup its losses.

As Snow White continues to bomb at the box office, the fallout for Disney and Rachel Zegler is becoming increasingly severe. For Zegler, the film’s failure is a harsh reality check for an actress once hailed as Hollywood’s next big thing. For Disney, it’s a costly reminder that even the most beloved IPs can’t succeed without careful planning and execution.

The question now is whether Disney will learn from this disaster or continue down the path of divisive remakes. As for Zegler, her future in Hollywood remains uncertain. While she may have played Snow White, the only thing this film seems to have kissed is rock bottom.

In the end, Snow White isn’t just a box office flop—it’s a cautionary tale for the entire industry. From casting controversies to poorly handled PR, the film’s failure offers valuable lessons for studios and stars alike. Whether those lessons will be heeded remains to be seen.