Gal Gadot gets candid about Disney's 'Snow White' box office failure amid political pressure

Gal Gadot has said that political pressure on celebrities to speak out against Israel contributed to the disappointing box office performance of Disney’s live-action Snow White.

The actress, who played the Evil Queen opposite Rachel Zegler, spoke on Israeli programme The A Talks, where she reflected on the film’s commercial failure.

“First of all, I have to say that I really enjoyed filming this movie,” Gadot said. “I even enjoyed working with Rachel Zegler. We laughed, we talked and it was fun. I was sure that this movie was going to be a huge success.”

However, Gadot noted that events following October 7 had a direct impact. “What’s happening in all kinds of industries, and also in Hollywood, is that there’s a lot of pressure on celebrities to speak out against Israel. I was disappointed that the movie was greatly affected by that and didn’t do well at the box office.”

Gadot, who previously served in the Israeli Defence Forces, has faced criticism internationally. Lebanon banned Wonder Woman in 2017 over her military service, while her latest projects have also drawn protests. Earlier this year, filming of The Runner in London was disrupted, and her Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony was postponed following demonstrations.

Meanwhile, Rachel Zegler, who has been vocal in her support for Palestine, is enjoying a career high as her rendition of "Don’t Cry For Me Argentina" from Evita hit Number 1 on both the Official Vinyl and Physical Singles Charts, marking her second chart-topping release.

Already a Golden Globe winner for West Side Story, the 24-year-old is earning acclaim across film, theatre and now music, with her live Palladium balcony performance hailed as “theatrical moment of the summer.”

Disney ultimately recorded an estimated $115 million loss on Snow White.