Gal Gadot Claims ‘Pressure to Speak Against Israel’ Caused Snow White’s Box Office Failure

Hollywood Pressure Killed Snow White

Gal Gadot has blamed the box office failure of Disney’s Snow White on the growing pressure in Hollywood for celebrities to take a public stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict.

The 40-year-old Israeli actress, who played the Evil Queen in the film, revealed that the political tensions surrounding the film’s release led to her receiving a spike in death threats — prompting Disney to increase security for her and her family.

“I was sure this movie was going to be a huge success,” Gadot shared during an appearance on The A Talks, but the sudden political storm that followed October 7th made it impossible for the film to find its footing.

Zegler, 24, the star of the film’s titular role, had voiced her support for Palestine on social media, drawing a sharp line between her stance and Gadot's unwavering pro-Israel views. Gadot, whose Israeli roots are deep, admitted that the fallout from these conflicting positions affected not just her, but the film’s reception at large.

Released against the backdrop of one of the most brutal chapters in the Israel-Palestine conflict, Snow White had a lackluster debut, grossing only $43 million in its opening weekend against a $270 million budget. Critics also blasted the movie, with The Independent’s Clarisse Loughrey calling it a “dud” and saying Zegler and Gadot’s performances were wasted.

Gadot spoke candidly about the pressures she faced, noting the difficult position many stars were placed in. “There was a lot of pressure on celebrities to speak out against Israel,” she said, highlighting the impact the political climate had on the film’s prospects.

While the film’s slow box office numbers may be attributed to its poor reviews, Gadot suggested that Hollywood’s toxic political climate played a significant role in its struggle. As Snow White floundered, Gadot’s support of Israel and Zegler’s vocal Palestinian solidarity contributed to rumors of behind-the-scenes tension on set, which fueled public speculation about their strained relationship.

In a poignant moment, Gadot reflected on the contrast between her political views and Zegler’s. Both women, despite their professional collaboration on-screen, are caught in a larger narrative that goes far beyond the silver screen.