In a dramatic turn of events for Disney, the much-anticipated live-action remake of the beloved fairy tale “Snow White” is faltering at the domestic box office, struggling to reach the $100 million mark. This spells trouble for the entertainment giant, as the film carries a hefty $250 million production budget.
Variety reports:
Disney’s “Snow White” is in fourth place after earning $1.5 million on Friday, going down 60% from its daily total one week ago.
As the film enters its third weekend in theaters, its performance continues to dwindle, failing to capitalize on what was already considered a lackluster debut. With a current domestic gross of $72 million, the possibility of reaching $100 million in North America is slipping away, signaling a potential financial disaster for Disney.
The film has not only faced disappointing reviews but has also been embroiled in controversy, primarily due to the political statements of lead actress Rachel Zegler. Her remarks criticizing the 1937 animated classic and reimagining Prince Charming as a “stalker” sparked backlash. Zegler’s advocacy for a feminist retelling where Snow White is depicted as a “leader” rather than a romantic figure further alienated audiences.
Zegler’s political outbursts didn’t stop there. Following President Trump’s election victory, she lashed out at his supporters, claiming they “should not know peace.” She commented, “There is a deep, deep sickness in this country that is shown in the sheer amount of people who showed up for this man who threatens our democracy.” She later expressed regret, admitting her emotions had overtaken her better judgment.
Trouble at Disney? ‘Snow White’ Actress Apologizes for Saying Trump Supporters Should ‘Never Know Peace’
The controversy took another twist when Jonah Platt, son of the film’s producer Marc Platt, publicly criticized Zegler on Instagram. He accused her of tarnishing the film’s prospects with her “immature” and “narcissistic” conduct during the press tour.
Yeah, my dad, the producer of enormous piece of Disney IP with hundreds of millions of dollars on the line, had to leave his family to fly across the country to reprimand his 20-year-old employee for dragging her personal politics into the middle of promoting the movie for which she signed a multi-million dollar contract to get paid and do publicity for.
This is called adult responsibility and accountability. And her actions clearly hurt the film’s box office. Free speech does not mean you’re allowed to say whatever you want in your private employment without repercussions.
Tens of thousands of people worked on that film and she hijacked the conversation for her own immature desires at the risk of all the colleagues and crew and blue-collar workers who depend on that movie to be successful.
Narcissism is not something to be coddled or encouraged.
Though Platt later deleted the post, the damage was done, adding another layer of complexity to Disney’s woes. The ongoing drama surrounding the film exemplifies the consequences of mixing personal politics with professional responsibilities, stressing the importance of focus and responsibility in show business.
