Gal Gadot Addresses 'Snow White' Criticism Beyond Israel Opponents

Gal Gadot Reconsiders Previous Comments on the Box Office Performance of Snow White

Israeli actress and former IDF combat trainer, Gal Gadot, has taken a step back from her earlier remarks about the box office performance of the 2023 film Snow White. She previously suggested that pressure on celebrities to speak out against Israel played a significant role in the film's financial struggles.

In a recent post on her Instagram Stories, Gadot expressed that she was honored to participate in an interview with "inspiring interviewers" whose questions were deeply thoughtful. She acknowledged that sometimes responses can come from an emotional place.

Gadot was referring to an interview with The Jerusalem Post, where she claimed that the pressure on celebrities to criticize Israel following the October 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 Israelis, significantly impacted the film’s performance at the box office.

"When the film came out, I felt that those who are against Israel criticized me in a very personal, almost visceral way," she wrote. "They saw me first and foremost as an Israeli, not as an actress. That's the perspective I spoke from when I answered the question."

Gadot added, "Of course, the film didn't fail solely because of external pressures. There are many factors that determine why a film succeeds or fails, and success is never guaranteed."

Entertainment Weekly has reached out to a representative for Gadot for further comment.

The Controversy Surrounding Snow White

Snow White, which had a dismal box office debut in March 2023, was mired in controversy since Rachel Zegler was announced as its star in the fall of 2021. The film faced backlash over casting an actress of Colombian descent as the titular Disney princess, as well as criticism from Peter Dinklage and others regarding the portrayal of dwarfs in the movie.

However, the controversy extended beyond the film's content. Gadot's former service in the Israeli Defense Forces and her continued support of the country amid its ongoing conflict in Gaza, which has resulted in a death toll exceeding 60,000 Palestinians, sparked significant public ire and even a boycott.

Zegler herself became part of the controversy, posting "free Palestine" shortly before the film's first trailer release in August 2024. This led to a response from Jonah Platt, the son of Snow White producer Marc Platt and brother to Dear Evan Hansen star Ben Platt. He revealed that his father flew across the country to reprimand his 20-year-old employee for bringing her personal politics into the promotion of the movie.

Internal Pressures and Film Success

In her interview with The Jerusalem Post, Gadot denied any allegations of conflict between herself and Zegler, stating, "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."

Some of the internal pressures Gadot alluded to included Disney choosing not to hold a traditional red-carpet premiere for the film, instead inviting only photographers and house interviewers.

Snow White ended its global box office run on May 30 with a lifetime gross of $205 million, resulting in an estimated $115 million loss for Disney.