Producer’s Son Critiques Rachel Zegler for Social Media Controversy in Snow White Remake

Producer’s Son Critiques Rachel Zegler for Social Media Controversy in Snow White Remake

The son of a prominent producer for Disney’s much-anticipated remake of Snow White has publicly called out the film’s leading actress, Rachel Zegler, suggesting her social media activity has negatively affected the movie’s public perception.

Jonah Platt took to Instagram to defend his father, renowned Hollywood producer Marc Platt. In a now-deleted comment, he reacted to accusations that his father had harassed Zegler regarding her political views.

Platt expressed frustration about the implications surrounding his father’s actions, stating that a producer with significant financial stakes in the film would not simply fly across the country without good reason. He described the scenario by saying, “Yeah, my dad, the producer of an enormous piece of Disney IP with hundreds of millions of dollars on the line, had to leave his family to speak with his 20-year-old employee about dragging her personal politics into the promotion of the film for which she signed a lucrative contract.”

Backlash and Controversy Surrounding Snow White

Jonah Platt’s heated response followed the release of a report from Variety detailing a visit by Marc Platt to Zegler in New York City. This visit occurred after Zegler posted a message reading “free Palestine” while promoting the film’s trailer. The elder Platt aimed to address studio concerns about her remarks at a time when the movie’s successful promotion was critical.

Frustration boiled over for Jonah when he encountered social media comments labeling his father’s visit as “creepy.” He retorted by asking whether critics truly wished to pursue that line of discussion. Platt went on to assert that Zegler was misusing the attention from the film’s promotion to further her own viewpoints, which he claimed had adversely impacted its potential earnings at the box office.

The young producer stated, “This is called adult responsibility and accountability. Her actions are harming the film’s box office. Free speech does not equate to being able to say whatever you want while under contract, free from consequences.”

Jonah elaborated, emphasizing the collaborative nature of film production. He remarked, “Tens of thousands of people worked on that film, and she hijacked the conversation to promote her own immature desires at the risk of all her colleagues and the dedicated crew members who depend on the movie’s success.”

The Disappointing Box Office Performance

Disney’s Snow White opened to disappointing results over the weekend of March 21, garnering less than anticipated box office returns. While some forecasts suggested the film might reach upwards of $85 million in its opening weekend, it instead collected approximately 43 million dollars in ticket sales across the U.S. and Canada.

For comparison, Disney’s previous live-action adaptations of animated classics performed significantly better: The Lion King grossed 191 million dollars in its opening weekend in 2019, while Beauty and the Beast earned 174 million dollars in its debut weekend in 2017, according to Forbes.

Critics have presented harsh reviews of Snow White, reflected in its 42% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. This score suggests that a majority of critical assessments have been unfavorable, painting a grim picture for the film’s future.

The Lead-Up to the Controversy

The controversies surrounding Rachel Zegler have not stopped with her social media posts. Following the 2024 election, she made headlines by condemning supporters of former President Donald Trump, declaring, “May Trump supporters and Trump voters and Trump himself never know peace.” Zegler later issued an apology for those incendiary remarks.

Additionally, she has criticized the original 1937 Snow White film in public comments, highlighting what she described as problematic themes. During Disney’s D23 Expo in 2022, Zegler noted, “The original cartoon came out in 1937 and very evidently so. There’s a significant focus on her love story with a guy who literally stalks her. Weird! So, we didn’t do that this time.”

Despite the ongoing discourse, Jonah Platt has chosen not to elaborate further on the controversy. Meanwhile, Disney has yet to comment in response to requests from various media outlets, including inquiries directed toward representatives for Rachel Zegler.

Report contributions from Kristine Parks of Fox News have been included in this article.