Actor Questions Rachel Zegler’s Influence on “Snow White” Remake Flop

Producer’s son Jonah Platt attacks Rachel Zegler for snowballing controversies that undermined Disney’s $200 million “Snow White” remake, citing her political activism’s impact on box office performance and thousands of film workers’ livelihoods.

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Producer’s Son Unleashes on Star’s Behavior

Jonah Platt, son of renowned Hollywood producer Marc Platt, has publicly called out actress Rachel Zegler for what he describes as damaging behavior that hurt Disney’s $200 million “Snow White” remake. The controversy began when Variety reported that Marc Platt had confronted Zegler over her political social media posts, particularly ones supporting Palestine amid ongoing Middle East tensions. This report prompted the younger Platt to defend his father’s actions while delivering a sharp rebuke of the film’s 23-year-old star.

In his defense of his father, Jonah Platt confirmed reports that the senior producer had indeed flown across the country to address Zegler’s political comments. “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,” Platt wrote in a scathing online response.

Box Office Disappointment and Political Controversy

The “Snow White” remake has faced significant challenges at the box office, pulling in just $43 million on its opening weekend – a figure that falls well short of other recent Disney live-action adaptations. Critics have not been kind either, with the film receiving a dismal 42% score on Rotten Tomatoes. These disappointing results come after months of controversy surrounding Zegler’s comments about both the original 1937 film and her own political views on various topics, including expressing support for Palestine and criticizing Trump supporters.

Zegler had previously raised eyebrows by criticizing elements of the 1937 animated classic, calling it “dated” and suggesting her updated version would address perceived problems with the original. These comments generated significant backlash from fans of the original film, creating controversy even before her political posts became an issue. Platt emphasized that his father’s intervention wasn’t about suppressing free speech but about maintaining professional standards when representing a major Disney property.

Industry Impact and Ongoing Fallout

The controversy brings to light the tension between performers’ personal expression and their professional responsibilities when representing major studio projects. Marc Platt, an Oscar nominee and Tony winner, has not publicly commented on the situation, nor has Disney issued any official statement regarding the controversy. Representatives for Zegler have similarly remained silent when approached for comment by various media outlets, leaving Jonah Platt’s statements as the most direct insight into the behind-the-scenes tensions.

The film, directed by Marc Webb, continues its theatrical run despite the ongoing controversy, though industry analysts suggest the negative publicity could further impact its performance at the box office. The situation highlights the growing challenges studios face in an era where stars’ social media presence and political statements can significantly impact the commercial reception of major film releases.