Gal Gadot claims Hollywood pressure on celebrities to denounce Israel contributed significantly to the box office failure of Disney’s live-action ‘Snow White’, where she played the Evil Queen. The Israeli actress stated in an interview that the political climate following October 7th events created industry-wide demands for anti-Israel statements that damaged the film’s commercial prospects.
Who: Israeli actress Gal Gadot, known for Wonder Woman and military service in the IDF, co-starred with Rachel Zegler in Disney’s controversial remake. Both faced political scrutiny – Gadot for her Israeli background and Zegler for pro-Palestine views.
What: Gadot attributes the film’s $115 million loss to entertainment industry pressure on stars to condemn Israel amid the Israel-Hamas conflict. She revealed this during an August 16, 2025 interview on Israeli program ‘The A Talks’, claiming the political environment overshadowed the film itself.
When: The interview aired August 16, 2025, though Gadot referenced pressures building since October 2023. The film underperformed immediately after its July 2025 release, with Gadot’s comments coming weeks later as analysts dissected the failure.
Where: Statements originated in Israel during Gadot’s television appearance, but reflect Hollywood dynamics. The film’s global release meant political tensions affected international box office performance.
Why: Gadot believes her refusal to criticize Israel and Zegler’s pro-Palestine stance created polarizing optics. She noted: ‘There’s pressure on celebrities to speak out against Israel… the movie was greatly affected by that.’ The controversy compounded existing criticism of the film’s creative choices.
How: Industry polarization reportedly deterred potential viewers, while protests targeting Gadot’s other projects amplified backlash. Disney’s marketing struggled to navigate the political minefield amid boycotts and social media campaigns from both sides.
Impact: Beyond financial losses, the incident highlights Hollywood’s vulnerability to geopolitical conflicts. It demonstrates how celebrity political positioning can commercially impact major studio productions, potentially influencing future casting decisions in polarized climates.
What’s Next: Disney is restructuring marketing teams to better handle socio-political sensitivities. Gadot continues advocating for Israel in entertainment circles, while industry observers watch whether studios will avoid politically exposed talent in future tentpole productions.