Gadot: Israel pressure affected Snow White reception and box office

Gal Gadot says the political pressure surrounding Israel, amplified in the wake of the October 7, 2023 attacks, contributed to the commercial underperformance of Disney’s live-action Snow White, even as she defended the experience of making the film and her on-set chemistry with co-star Rachel Zegler. The actress, who also served in the Israeli Defense Forces, described herself as confident the movie would be a major success, only for the political climate to complicate its reception and release. The film faced backlash on multiple fronts, including protests, debates over casting and CGI choices, and barriers in regional markets such as Lebanon, while its box office fell short of expectations and incurred a notable loss.

Gadot discussed the developments during a recent appearance on an Israeli television program, stating that the film’s production was enjoyable and that she valued the collaboration with Zegler, with whom she found the experience “fun” and positive. She noted that the period after October 7 left creators and celebrities facing pressure to comment on Israel, a climate she said influenced audiences and critics alike. “I was sure that this movie was going to be a...