Hollywood’s Blame Game Targets Gal Gadot for Snow White Failures as Rachel Zegler’s Image Rescue Begins

Hollywood rarely engages in finger-pointing unless a project is truly in trouble. The fact that the blame is now shifting from Rachel Zegler to Gal Gadot suggests that Disney is already bracing itself for a less-than-stellar reception of Snow White.

A Troubled Premiere and Disney’s Media Blackout

One of the most concerning signs of potential failure is the way the film’s premiere has been handled. Unlike previous Disney blockbusters, Snow White appears to be shrouded in secrecy. The media has been given limited access, and reports indicate that Disney has actively restricted certain press outlets from attending early screenings. In stark contrast to the usual grand, high-profile premieres that Disney films receive, this muted rollout signals a lack of confidence in the final product.

The company seems to be controlling the narrative by selectively allowing only a few journalists to attend. This raises the question—why would Disney go to such lengths unless they already anticipate a negative reaction? Typically, a major film with high expectations is heavily promoted, with stars making multiple media appearances, but Snow White has seen a noticeably disjointed marketing effort. The inconsistent approach has only fueled speculation that Disney is unsure how to balance appealing to modern audiences while also trying to satisfy fans of the original animated classic.

Shifting Blame: From Rachel Zegler to Gal Gadot

In recent months, Rachel Zegler has been the center of controversy due to her past comments about the original Snow White. Her remarks, which many perceived as dismissive or even condescending towards the beloved 1937 film, sparked backlash among longtime Disney fans. The negative press surrounding Zegler initially seemed like the biggest PR hurdle for the movie. However, as the film’s release date approaches, it appears that Disney is subtly redirecting attention away from Zegler and toward another high-profile star—Gal Gadot.

The sudden narrative shift suggests a strategic move on Disney’s part. Rather than allowing the film’s underperformance to be blamed entirely on Zegler’s polarizing statements, the focus is now turning to the performances themselves, particularly Gadot’s portrayal of the Evil Queen. Rumors are circulating that Disney insiders are bracing for potential criticism of Gadot’s acting, possibly as a way to soften the backlash against Zegler and make her appear less responsible for the film’s shortcomings.

This strategy is not unprecedented in Hollywood. When a film is predicted to struggle, studios often attempt to redirect blame, either by downplaying certain controversies or by emphasizing alternative scapegoats. In this case, shifting the spotlight onto Gadot may serve as a damage-control tactic to salvage Zegler’s reputation, especially given that Disney has invested heavily in promoting her as a rising star.

A Film Facing Larger Problems

However, placing the blame on any one individual—whether it’s Zegler or Gadot—ignores the deeper issues at play. Snow White is facing challenges that extend far beyond the performances of its lead actors. The creative decisions behind the film, Disney’s recent struggles with live-action adaptations, and general audience fatigue with remakes all contribute to the film’s troubled trajectory.

Disney’s live-action reimaginings have had a mixed track record, with some, like The Lion King (2019), becoming massive financial successes despite lukewarm reviews, while others, such as The Little Mermaid (2023), underperformed at the box office compared to expectations. With Snow White, the stakes feel even higher due to the ongoing controversy surrounding its casting, storyline changes, and the overall approach to modernizing the classic fairy tale.

Moreover, Disney has been attempting to cater to a more socially conscious audience while still retaining the nostalgic appeal of its past works. This balancing act has proven difficult, as some fans feel alienated by the changes, while newer audiences remain indifferent. The result is a film caught between two worlds—one that risks losing its traditional audience without necessarily securing a new one.

If Snow White underperforms at the box office, the blame game is unlikely to stop at Zegler or Gadot. In the long run, attention may shift toward Disney executives and creative heads who have made questionable decisions regarding the film’s direction. But for now, the immediate battle seems to be centered on rehabilitating Rachel Zegler’s public image while subtly positioning Gal Gadot as the next possible scapegoat.

As the film’s release nears, one thing is clear—Disney is already in damage-control mode. Whether Snow White manages to defy expectations or becomes another cautionary tale in Hollywood’s long history of troubled productions remains to be seen. However, the shifting blame dynamics indicate that the studio is well aware of the challenges ahead, and they’re preparing for the fallout before it even happens.