Variety Blames Rachel Zegler for Snow White Flop—But Is Disney Really Pulling the Strings?

In an unexpected change from its positive past reviews, the media outlet Variety has released a critical piece detailing internal conflicts regarding Rachel Zegler‘s conduct during the promotion of Snow White. This article was published shortly after the movie’s disappointing $85.3 million global debut, portraying Zegler as a headstrong and politically risky problem—providing a chronology of disagreements with Disney executives, promotional misunderstandings, and studio interference.

Despite the publicized errors made by Zegler, the abrupt change in the tone of Variety’s coverage has me wondering: Is this shift in tone merely a demonstration of journalistic responsibility, or could it be that Disney is subtly adjusting the narrative behind the scenes?

The piece delves into Zegler’s controversial social media message, “Free Palestine,” which she shared shortly after applauding the film’s trailer success in August 2024. As stated by the article, Disney executives were taken aback by the political statement, as it had no connection to the movie and soon gained widespread attention online. According to Variety, producer Marc Platt traveled to New York City specifically to ask Zegler to take down the post. However, she declined the request.

From my perspective, it’s confirmed behind the scenes that my co-star, Gal Gadot, who hails from Israel, faced such severe threats that Disney took the step to provide her and her four kids with private security. Now, I wasn’t the one responsible for these threats, but the article clearly indicates that my studio perceived my reluctance to take down a post as reckless and potentially harmful.

The report continues to outline continued tension between Zegler and the company, from her criticisms of the 1937 Snow White to her contentious social media posts after the 2024 U.S. election. This portrayal suggests a prominent figure who frequently spoke out against studio management and refused to change her ways – even when prompted. Disney eventually assigned a social media manager to Zegler prior to release, a fact verified by sources at Variety.

It’s been pointed out that while some recent events surrounding Zegler have caused issues, many of these situations are not fresh revelations. Her comments about the original “Snow White” and her male lead, as well as her divisive social media persona, were already public knowledge by 2022. By the time she was chosen to star in one of Disney’s renowned remakes, her contentious online presence was widely known. Despite press scandals, public opposition, and creative adjustments, the studio, along with Variety, continued to support her.

So why is all of this surfacing now?

The article mentions that Disney chose not to respond, but experienced professionals can identify the recurring trend.

In situations where significant projects fail to meet expectations, it’s common for accountability to be subtly shifted—and media outlets that favor studios become channels for restoring tarnished reputations. This article features numerous studio and agency insiders who speak anonymously, many of whom appear to be attempting to separate the overall production from Zegler’s actions.

It’s important to note that Zegler’s choices, as well as her disregard for numerous warnings, significantly impacted the way the public perceives the film. However, it was Disney’s management, led by Bob Iger, who made the broader decisions such as the overall campaign strategy, creative choices, and the greenlighting of a $270 million remake with major narrative changes.

In this scenario, the studio had a firm grip on the content’s narrative (message), the selection of actors (casting), and the overall promotional plan (marketing strategy). Their lack of response to early indicators of potential problems was deliberate, not haphazard.

With the movie underperforming, it seems as though the recent attention on Zegler’s actions could be an attempt to divert discussion from Disney’s overall creative approach. Whether deliberate or not, the Variety piece appears to serve as a post-analysis that leaves one individual appearing responsible for the outcome.

It’s important to mention that Variety, which is known for being close to studio PR channels, had previously played down the controversy, portrayed the review embargo as a common practice, and highlighted optimism towards the film. However, this recent change of stance might indicate a broader shift, not only in the movie’s narrative but also in how Disney plans to present its future projects and their representatives.

Following Snow White’s underwhelming debut, there might be more discussions about internal evaluations on the horizon. Zegler’s actions will remain under close observation. However, those posing challenging questions may also wish to address the company that initially bestowed the crown upon her.

2025-03-26 20:56

Read More