The Downfall of Rachel Zegler and the Snow White Remake
The Snow White remake has been plagued with controversy, leading to significant backlash for both the film and its star, Rachel Zegler. This article explores the various factors contributing to the film's failure and the subsequent impact on Zegler's career.
Initial Criticism and Backlash
The Snow White remake faced immediate criticism upon the release of its trailer. Many viewers expressed disappointment with the casting choices, particularly Zegler as Snow White, questioning the decision to cast a non-white actress in the role.
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Petitions to cancel the remake quickly gained traction, reflecting widespread dissatisfaction.
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The film's trailer received over 2.3 million dislikes, indicating a substantial negative reaction.
Changes to the Story and Characters
Disney's attempts to modernize the story also drew criticism. The studio swapped real dwarf actors for CGI characters, which many found unsettling and visually unappealing. Furthermore, the traditional prince character was replaced with a bandit named Jonathan, altering the classic fairytale dynamic.
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These changes were perceived by some as an attempt to make a political statement rather than a children's movie.
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The film's ending scenes were also poorly received, adding to the overall negative sentiment.
Rachel Zegler's Controversial Statements
Zegler herself became a focal point of criticism due to past controversial statements and her comments about the original Snow White film.
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In 2020, Zegler made accusations against Jeremy Renner, which were later proven false, leading to accusations of arrogance when challenged about the facts.
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She dismissed the original cartoon's focus on a love story, calling the prince a "stalker" and stating that Snow White would not be saved by a prince or dreaming of true love.
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Zegler also expressed a dislike for the original film, raising questions about her involvement in the remake. She stated she only watched the original once and never revisited it.
On-Set Behavior and Perceived Narcissism
Zegler's on-set behavior and public statements further fueled the negative perception. She seemed excited at the possibility of her co-star's scenes being cut, which was seen as unprofessional and narcissistic.
Political Controversy
The controversy surrounding Zegler escalated when she posted "Free Palestine" during the film's promotion. This created tension with her Israeli co-star, Gal Gadot, and led to Gadot allegedly receiving death threats.
- The post was seen as bringing politics into the workplace and potentially endangering her co-star.
Physical Appearance and Online Harassment
Following these controversies, Zegler faced intense online harassment, with people mocking her physical appearance. Some even compared her to characters like Lord Farquaad from Shrek.
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This led to Zegler receiving death threats and being stalked, causing her significant anxiety and distress.
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She considered getting plastic surgery due to the relentless online negativity and her overall mental health deteriorated significantly.
The Film's Box Office Failure
The Snow White remake ultimately became a box office disaster, grossing only $182 million against a budget of $270 million and total costs reaching $410 million. The film received extremely low ratings and reviews. Theaters showed the movie to empty seats.
- The film was poorly reviewed on sites like IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes.
Disney's Response and Zegler as a Scapegoat
Disney reportedly started using Zegler as a scapegoat for the film's failure, shifting the blame from the studio's decisions to the actress. This was seen as a way for Disney to avoid taking responsibility for the film's shortcomings.
- Despite recognizing Disney's role in the film's failure, many still hold Zegler partially responsible due to her comments and behavior.
The Future of Rachel Zegler's Career
The controversy surrounding Snow White has raised serious questions about the future of Rachel Zegler's career. Some believe it will be difficult for her to recover from the backlash, while others believe she will.