Rachel Zegler’s journey in Hollywood has taken a tumultuous turn as Disney’s live-action “Snow White” remake faces significant backlash and poor box office performance. The stark contrast between Hollywood’s continued praise for the young actress and the movie’s apparent commercial failure highlights the growing disconnect between industry perspectives. Is the Snow White controversy part of a larger pattern in Hollywood productions?
Box Office Disaster Meets Hollywood Praise
Disney’s live-action “Snow White” remake starring Rachel Zegler has become one of the industry’s most notable box office failures in recent memory. The film is projected to lose at least $140 million, according to industry analysts, with audience ratings plummeting to a dismal 40% approval on Rotten Tomatoes and an even more concerning 1.5 out of 10 on IMDB.
Despite these financial and critical setbacks, some Hollywood insiders continue to label Zegler as an “icon” and rising star. This disconnect has prompted criticism from observers who point to the actress’s controversial public statements about the original Snow White story and her political comments as factors contributing to the film’s poor reception.
Rachel Zegler’s Snow White is officially the worst movie of all time on IMDB 👀 pic.twitter.com/mHBlQjCBd9
— JV🕷️ (@vinhlegacy) March 26, 2025
Controversial Casting and Script Changes
The casting of Zegler, who is of Colombian descent, to play the traditionally European character described as having “skin as white as snow” faced immediate backlash from fans of the original story. This decision, labeled by critics as part of Hollywood’s “woke” approach to reimagining classic tales, was compounded by significant changes to the supporting characters.
Actor Peter Dinklage’s public criticism of the potential portrayal of dwarfs in the film led Disney to replace the iconic Seven Dwarfs with a diverse cast of normal-sized actors. This change further fueled controversy among audiences expecting a more faithful adaptation of the classic fairy tale that has resonated with generations.
NEW: The son of 'Snow White' producer Marc Platt absolutely unleashes on Rachel Zegler for ruining his father's movie.
Jonah Platt is ripping the 23-year-old actress for getting political and ruining Snow White.
The comment from Platt was found on Instagram after one user asked… pic.twitter.com/1k1xnnw2af
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) March 26, 2025
Media Contradiction and Cultural Impact
Entertainment publication Variety has published seemingly contradictory coverage of the situation, with one article praising Zegler’s notoriety while another places blame on her for the film’s failure. This inconsistent reporting reflects the larger debate surrounding recent Hollywood productions that prioritize modern social messaging over traditional storytelling approaches.
Many industry observers view the “Snow White” controversy as another battle in an ongoing culture war, with progressive voices denying that “woke” content negatively impacts box office success. The film joins a growing list of recent remakes and franchise entries that have underperformed financially while attempting to update classic stories with contemporary social perspectives.
For Zegler, who gained recognition with her debut in “West Side Story,” the “Snow White” reception represents a significant career challenge. Whether she can overcome this setback and fulfill Hollywood’s “icon” predictions remains to be seen as audiences increasingly demonstrate their preferences through their viewing choices and spending.