The magic mirror is starting to crack, and the reflection isn’t exactly a fairy tale.
Disney finally pulled back the curtain on its live-action Snow White at D, and to say the internet is in a “meltdown” would be an understatement. After years of delays, high-stakes reshoots, and a PR trail of breadcrumbs that led straight to controversy, the first teaser is here—but the buzz is less about the “Heigh-Ho” and more about the “Oh-No.”
While the footage features a radiant Rachel Zegler showcasing her powerhouse vocals, insiders tell PEOPLE that the vibe behind the scenes was anything but musical. Despite director Marc Webb’s best efforts to keep a lid on the drama, the road to the film’s March release has been paved with social media snark and bitter whispers.
If there is one person who isn’t sweating the spotlight, it’s Gal Gadot. The Wonder Woman star is trading her golden lasso for a poison apple, and she is reportedly “loving every second” of her villain era.
Gadot has been candid about her approach to the Evil Queen, describing the role as “delightful and delicious”—which, in Hollywood-speak, usually means she’s ready to steal every single scene from her younger co-star. In a move that defines “motherly shade,” Gadot even admitted that her own daughter thought the villainous casting was “appropriate.” Ouch!
“I wanted to explore what happens when a woman feels she is no longer relevant,” Gadot shared, a comment that many fans on X (formerly Twitter) interpreted as a subtle dig at the industry’s obsession with youth.
Meanwhile, Rachel Zegler continues to be a lightning rod for online critics. Ever since she landed the iconic role, the West Side Story star has faced backlash from traditionalists over the film’s “modern” reimagining. From Zegler’s past comments about the original film’s “outdated” plot to the controversial digital overhaul of the Seven Dwarfs, the production has been playing defense for months.
“This is not the Snow White I grew up with,” one viral TikTok comment lamented, echoing a sentiment shared by thousands. “The CGI looks like a fever dream.”
Perhaps the most “bizarre” tidbit to emerge from the production is the description of the leads’ relationship. Gadot strangely referred to their bond as a “mother-daughter relationship in a weird way.” While sources claim the two were “inseparable” on their UK set—even creating a “commune-type atmosphere” rather than retreating to trailers—industry skeptics wonder if the cozy stories are just a smokescreen for a ballooning budget and a three-year post-production cycle.
Disney is banking on the musical genius of Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (The Greatest Showman) to save the day, but even Oscar-winning songs might struggle to drown out the noise of leaked memos and reshoot schedules.
As March approaches, the question remains: will audiences bite into this new vision, or has the apple been poisoned by too much PR fire? One thing is for certain: Gal Gadot is ready to serve, and the world is hungry for the drama.
Would you like me to look into the rumored budget spikes and the specific visual effects changes made to the dwarfs?
