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The highly anticipated live-action remake of Disney’s Snow White is generating more buzz for its off-screen drama than its fairytale plot line, with tensions reportedly simmering between its leading stars — pro-Palestine Rachel Zegler and pro-Israel Gal Gadot.

Directed by Marc Webb and featuring original music by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, Snow White stars Zegler, 23, as the iconic princess, and Israeli actor Gadot, 39, as the Evil Queen.

While the project has faced scrutiny for months — from fan backlash over Zegler’s commentary on the original 1937 animated film to boycott calls from BDS over Gadot’s casting — recent reports suggest a much deeper discord between the film’s leading women.

According to multiple sources cited by PEOPLE, Zegler and Gadot “have nothing in common,” with a clear divide stemming from their clashing political ideologies. While Zegler has voiced her support for Palestine and used her platform to decry violence against children in Gaza, Gadot, a former Israel Defence Forces (IDF) member, has continued to publicly support Israel and advocate for the release of Israeli hostages.

“Gal’s attitude is that you don’t criticise and cause drama for a project you signed on to do. She just doesn’t get it,” said one insider. Another source added, “Gal is annoyed by the movie drama… She was fine with Rachel but they are not friends.”

The drama has reportedly affected the film’s promotional campaign, prompting Disney to make unusual decisions around press appearances.

In what appears to be a damage control strategy, the studio has opted for a carefully choreographed, “celebratory, family-friendly” premiere in Los Angeles on March 15 — notably without traditional red carpet press access, per The Hollywood Reporter.

While Disney maintains that the decision is simply to match the film’s tone and target audience, industry insiders view it as a way to avoid politically charged questions that could reignite controversy.

A similar approach was taken by Warner Bros. during the premiere of The Flash with restricted press access amid lead actor Ezra Miller’s legal troubles. But while Miller was accused of several criminal acts, Zegler’s crime is speaking up about Palestine while starring opposite an Israeli superstar like Gadot.

Gadot’s position has drawn its own share of criticism online. Her social media posts supporting Israel have sparked backlash. Most recently, a rumour surfaced alleging that Gadot refused to present the Best Documentary award at the Oscars to the Palestinian film No Other Land — a claim her team has denied, insisting she was never asked.

Meanwhile, Zegler has continued to speak out. “I can’t watch children die,” she previously stated while expressing solidarity with Palestinians. She has also been accused by critics of politicising a children’s film, although she is one of the few voices in Hollywood willing to speak up against Israel’s killing of over 48,515 Palestinians since October 7.

The BDS movement has called for a boycott of the film specifically due to Gadot’s involvement. In a statement, BDS labelled Gadot “a proud supporter of Israel’s genocidal war,” arguing that her casting reflects “Hollywood’s long tradition of whitewashing and promoting Israeli apartheid.”

Despite the ongoing tensions and strategic manoeuvring around the press rollout, Snow White is still tracking fairly well for its domestic release. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the film is expected to open between $50 million and $56 million, with optimistic projections likening its potential to 2015’s Cinderella, which debuted at $67 million.

Yet, the film’s global promotional plans appear fractured. Rather than a traditional UK premiere, Disney is staging a musical performance by Zegler in Segovia, Spain before flying her back to Los Angeles for the premiere.

While Zegler and Gadot have made select appearances together, such as at Disney’s D23 Expo in 2022 and more recently presenting at the Oscars, it’s evident that their onscreen fairy tale is unfolding against the backdrop of very real, and very sharp, political divides.

Snow White is set to hit theatres on March 21.