The ‘Wonder Woman’ actress reveals how political pressures and divided opinions on the Israel-Palestine issue impacted the film’s box office performance.
Washington, DC [US], August 18: Actress Gal Gadot, best known for her role as Wonder Woman, has opened up about the disappointing box office performance of Disney’s live-action remake of Snow White. Speaking on Israeli TV program The A Talks, Gadot revealed that the film’s underperformance was partly due to the political climate in Hollywood, particularly the growing pressure on celebrities to take a stand against Israel amid the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict.
Born in Israel, Gadot explained that such pressures have become common across industries, including Hollywood. “You know, this happens a lot in various industries, including Hollywood. There’s pressure on celebrities to speak against Israel. And, you know, it happened,” Gadot said, as quoted by Variety.
She added that while she always tries to provide context about Israel’s situation, public opinion often overshadows such efforts. “I can always explain and try to give context about what’s happening here. And I always do that. But in the end, people make their own decisions. I was disappointed that the movie was incredibly affected by all of that and that it didn’t do well at the box office. But that’s how it goes. You win some, you lose some,” Gadot expressed candidly.
Alongside Gadot, who portrayed the Evil Queen, the film starred Rachel Zegler as Snow White, Andrew Burnap as Jonathan (a reimagined Prince Charming), Patrick Page as the Magic Mirror, and Ansu Kabia as the Huntsman.
However, the film became entangled in political controversy. Gadot, who had served two years in the Israeli Defence Forces during the 2006 Israel-Lebanon war, has long been a target of criticism. In fact, Lebanon had banned Wonder Woman in 2017 because of her military background, as reported by The Washington Post.
On the other hand, Rachel Zegler openly voiced support for Palestine and Gaza, which, according to Deadline, caused friction with the film’s producer Marc Platt during promotions. This division reportedly intensified the political spotlight surrounding Snow White, making the film a victim of polarized global opinions rather than just box office numbers.
The incident highlights how cultural and political tensions are increasingly seeping into Hollywood, influencing not just artists but also the fate of big-budget films.