Showbiz
Disney scales back Snow White premieres in London and LA
The film stars Israeli actor Gal Gadot and Rachel Zegler who has championed the Palestinian cause
March 13, 2025 17:22
The film stars Israeli actor Gal Gadot and Rachel Zegler who has championed the Palestinian cause
March 13, 2025 17:22Disney has scaled back the Hollywood and UK premieres of its live-action Snow White remake starring Israeli Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen alongside Rachel Zegler – who has championed the Palestinian cause – in the titular role.
Instead of the anticipated star-studded event with dozens of entertainment reporters present on the red carpet to cover the occasion, the studio will simply host a pre-party and screening at the El Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles on Saturday for the film.
Press access at the LA premiere will be limited to only photographers and a “house crew”, industry publication Variety reported.
The studio’s position is that it wishes to host “a more celebratory, family-friendly afternoon event to match the tone and target audience for the film”.
Plans for a high-profile premiere in the UK have also been scrapped. Disney will instead hold a “handful” of tightly controlled press events, according to the Daily Mail.
In August 2023, days after the trailer for the film was released, Zegler thanked fans on X for their support and expressed her backing for the Palestinian cause.
“I love you all so much! thank you for the love,” the 23-year-old actor wrote. In a separate post she wrote: “And always remember, free palestine [sic].”
The comment was heavily criticised by supporters of Israel given that Zegel’s co-star Gadot was born and raised in Israel and has served in the IDF.
Directed by Marc Webb, remake of the beloved 1937 animated classic will be released in cinemas on 21 March.
Zegler and Gadot took to the stage together earlier this month at the Academy Awards to present the Oscar for best visual effects.
Gadot, an eighth-generation Israeli, is a staunch supporter of her home country and has repeatedly condemned the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel on October 7.
The Wonder Woman star recently spoke at the Anti-Defamation League’s 2025 Never is Now Summit on Antisemitism and Hate, declaring: "My name is Gal … I am a mother, a wife, a sister, a daughter, an actress, I am an Israeli – and I am Jewish. Isn’t it crazy that just saying that, just expressing such a simple fact about who I am feels like a controversial statement? But sadly, this is where we’re at today.”