Disney's Poisoned Pill

The frustrating part about being Jewish right now is that the world doesn’t appreciate our existence. This is especially true in Hollywood, since you’re at the mercy of others’ scrutiny constantly. In some cases, as with Shira Haas, people will even protest you for making it big. I know this sounds like whining, but remember that we’re only 16 million people globally. We’re not this behemoth of a nation.

I mention this because Gal Gadot’s back in the news. So is Rachel Zegler, and that’s no accident since they’re starring in a movie together. I’ve covered my thoughts on that movie last year, but with the development that their “clashing political views” have caused a reduced premiere of Snow White, I figured now was the perfect time to discuss it again. And yes, I’m fully-aware I’m part of the problem. Sue me.

Let’s get this straight: Zegler and Gadot don’t hate each other. If they do, I’ve yet to see it. Not only are they professional enough to star in a movie together, they’re professional enough to appear in public together. The two even announced an Oscars category together. Considering some of the scandals involving The Academy Awards ceremony, that’s a good sign.

If anyone’s to blame for them “hating each other”, it’s toxic fans. Ever since the teaser of Snow White, people have pitted the actresses against one-another: are you Team Rachel? Surely you must be Team Gal? Let’s duke it out, WWE style! FIGHT!

This is beyond tired and ridiculous. Not only are Gadot and Zegler not enemies, but making them enemies feels desperate. So what if they’re on opposing sides of the Israel-Hamas skirmish? Many Hollywood celebrities with opposing views on that war have worked together! Picking “a side” doesn’t mean you can’t be professional, right?

I know Gadot’s been vocal in the fight against Antisemitism, appearing at the latest ADL summit. Guess what, though? She wasn’t the only one. David Schwimmer appeared at that summit too. You know, Ross from Friends? Did everyone forget he’s Jewish? Or did our attention get consumed by the “bad, Israeli woman who can’t act”?

On the flip-side, Rachel Zegler needs to be left alone. Do I agree with her? No, and it was foolish to use the teaser for Snow White as a platform for her remarks. But that doesn’t warrant the sexist and racist vitriol she’s received from folks who wouldn’t care otherwise. Like Halle Bailey and The Little Mermaid, this has overridden the movie’s real issues.

By lambasting her over her opinions, even if you disagree, you’re making yourself look bad. Doubly-so if you’re using charged rhetoric. Because while Zegler’s an actress, she’s a human being. She’s entitled to have the same voice as any human being. Like I keep reiterating, celebrities aren’t our puppets. I’ll do it for as long as is necessary.

Returning to this “feud”, I must ask if anyone’s exhausted yet. Aren’t you tired of being angry over nonsense? I definitely am, or I wouldn’t have written about it. And yes, I know anger drives SEO performance, especially over hot-button topics. But eventually you have to know when to throw in the towel. You have acknowledge that enough is enough. It’s not healthy to be angry over everything.

Additionally, I know I’m part of the bigger problem. By me writing this, I’m keeping this “nontroversy” relevant. But while most of the people engaging in it are generating toxicity, I’m engaging in it to show how ridiculous it is. Because it’s definitely ridiculous. It’s time we owned up to that.

It's especially ridiculous because this “feud” has caused Disney to panic and reduce screenings of Snow White, something I’m not sure is good or bad. On one hand, perhaps Disney doesn’t want the backlash continuing, and reporters aren’t known for subtlety. On the other hand, since Disney, and Hollywood in general, has been scaling back on DEI initiatives to appease the current POTUS, ignoring Israel-Palestine is suspicious. This was what they were afraid of?!

I know I can’t remedy this situation myself, as I don’t work for Disney. I also know this movie has a low chance of being good, if previous remakes are indication. After all, what was wrong with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs? Sure, some parts are dated, but it’s a classic for a reason! I don’t care if it was released in 1937, it holds up!

If anything about this remake should be criticized, it’s how soulless its existence is. Snow White exists, like the other Disney remakes, to retell a classic story in a format that’s more “adult-friendly”. Never mind that it lacks non-corporate risks, it’s “mature” because it’s not animated. God-forbid animation be taken seriously, despite some of the best movies ever made being animated, right? Right?!

That’s what this discourse should actually be about. Forget the political views of Gal Gadot and Rachel Zegler, or even their casting decisions, for a second and focus on that! I won’t insist that this movie “didn’t need to be made”, as I’ve been surprised in the past by films that didn’t immediately excite me, but I strongly doubt Snow White exists for any reason other than cheap nostalgia. (I’ve yet to be proven wrong.) We deserve better, and yelling about the leads’ political views distracts from that.