Gal Gadot is set to star in the live-action Snow White film alongside Rachel Zegler, but her presence may be what’s worrying Disney executives. The controversy surrounding Gadot’s vocal support for Israel and her comments on Palestinian actions has sparked backlash among some in the Hollywood community.
Gadot was recently honored by the Anti-Defamation League at its annual summit, where she spoke out against Hamas atrocities. However, this stance has been met with criticism from many, including a virtual open letter signed by several Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences members and over 75 filmmakers, calling for her to be removed from the Oscars.
Despite the controversy, Gadot presented an award alongside Zegler at the Oscars without incident. However, some have speculated that Disney may be scaling back the premiere’s glitz due to concerns about Gadot’s involvement.
The issue has sparked debate among fans and critics, with some accusing Gadot of perpetuating anti-Latina racism due to her preference in being cast as Snow White over Zegler. The film’s trailer was criticized for its perceived emphasis on Gadot’s physical appearance, with some viewers taking to social media to express their disapproval.
Disney has not commented on the controversy, but it appears that the studio is trying to mitigate backlash by scaling back the premiere’s promotion. The decision may be an attempt to avoid tough questions about Gadot’s involvement in the film and her stance on Israel.
The movie’s changes from the original story have also been met with criticism, with some accusing Disney of altering the film’s tone and message to accommodate Zegler’s more progressive views. A member of the late supervising director for the original movie expressed his disapproval, stating that the new film bears no resemblance to the classic tale.
Regardless of the controversy surrounding Gadot’s involvement in Snow White, it remains to be seen how the film will perform at the box office. One thing is certain: the premiere’s scaled-down approach may raise more questions than answers about Disney’s handling of the situation.
Source: https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/article-845994