Introduction

The son of “Snow White” producer Marc Platt has publicly criticized actress Rachel Zegler, attributing the disappointing box office performance of Disney’s latest live-action adaptation to her “personal politics.” Jonah Platt, an actor known for his roles in “Uncoupled” and “Being the Ricardos,” made his views known in a now-deleted Instagram post where he accused Zegler of behaving with “narcissism” during the film's promotional period.

Background of the Controversy

Jonah's comments were triggered by an Instagram user who referenced a reported meeting between his father and Zegler concerning her outspoken support of Palestine amidst the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. The user implied that Marc Platt’s confrontation of Zegler was “creepy” and “uncalled for,” demanding clarity on the situation.

Jonah Platt’s Statement

In response, Jonah stated his father had to travel across the country to address Zegler directly about her mixing personal beliefs with her professional responsibilities linked to the multi-million dollar project. “This is called adult responsibility and accountability,” he emphasized, asserting that Zegler’s actions had harmful effects on the film’s financial outcome.

Free Speech and Accountability

He underscored that free speech does not permit employees to express whatever they want without consequences while working. “Tens of thousands of people worked on that film, and she hijacked the conversation for her own immature desires at the risk of all the colleagues and crew and blue-collar workers who depend on that movie to be successful,” Jonah remarked, arguing that narcissism should not be encouraged.

Reactions from the Industry

Jonah Platt is also a prominent voice against antisemitism and hosts a podcast called “Being Jewish.” Meanwhile, a representative for him declined to comment further, as did representatives for Disney.

The issue drew further attention from actress Melissa Barrera, who faced a similar backlash after publicly supporting Palestine and was recently let go from the “Scream” franchise. Barrera spoke out on her Instagram, suggesting that Disney is unfairly blaming Zegler for the film's lackluster reception due to her activism.

Box Office Performance and Controversies

“Snow White” is a live-action retelling of the iconic 1937 animated classic that cemented Disney’s status as a cultural powerhouse. The film, which also features actors like Andrew Burnap and Gal Gadot, had an estimated production budget of $270 million but only managed to gross $43 million during its opening weekend in the U.S.

Plans for this remake began back in 2016, but production faced significant delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The film's rollout has been mired in controversies, including criticism surrounding the casting choice of Zegler, a Colombian American actress, and how her opinions on global political matters have clashed with those of her co-stars, notably Gal Gadot, who has publicly defended Israel.

Conclusion

As “Snow White” navigates these turbulent waters, the conversations around its box office failure continue to highlight the contentious intersection of personal beliefs and professional duties in Hollywood. Will this be a pivotal moment for how stars approach activism while promoting major projects? Only time will tell.