Gal Gadot Ignites Sequel Rumors As 'Snow White' Controversy Refuses To Die

Disney’s live-action "Snow White" remake may have stumbled at the box office and sparked months of controversy, but Gal Gadot isn’t ready to close the book just yet. Despite the backlash surrounding the film’s “woke” reinvention of the classic fairytale, behind-the-scenes tension between cast members, and fierce debate over its updated themes, the Evil Queen herself is already fueling sequel speculation. Now, Gal Gadot is making it clear she would gladly return to the franchise, even as the internet continues dissecting the movie’s troubled rollout.

The 40-year-old actress, who played the Evil Queen opposite Rachel Zegler earlier this year, revealed she’d happily return to the franchise if Disney green-lights another chapter. “I would love to do that. Yes. Tell [Disney CEO] Bob [Iger]. Bob, I’ll do that,” she told Us Weekly while attending the Women’s Guild Cedars-Sinai Snow Ball Gala, where she received the Hollywood Icon Award.

Her comments immediately sparked sequel speculation, which is a surprising turn for a film that was overshadowed by political backlash, casting drama, and social-media firestorms long before it hit theaters.

The live-action remake, directed by Marc Webb, was plagued by months of headlines criticizing everything from casting choices to perceived “politically correct” rewrites of the 1937 classic. During the press tour, rumors circulated about tension between Gadot and Zegler, allegedly tied to differing views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with fans noting that Zegler recently unfollowed Gadot on Instagram.

Peter Dinklage added fuel to the ongoing backlash when he slammed Disney for remaking what he called a “f-cking backward story about seven dwarfs living in a cave together.”

The growing controversy eventually forced Disney to scale back promotion. A planned London premiere was canceled entirely, with insiders citing concerns over an anticipated “anti-woke backlash.” Press availability for Zegler was also heavily limited.

In August, Gadot made headlines after suggesting that anti-Israel sentiment played a role in the film’s underperformance. After backlash, she walked back the interpretation of her comments.

On Instagram, she said she had answered from an “emotional place,” explaining that criticism of her role felt personal. She clarified that multiple factors contribute to a film’s reception, writing, “Of course, the film didn’t fail solely because of external pressures.” She added that success is “never guaranteed,” emphasizing that she was sharing a perspective, not assigning blame.

While Gal Gadot is now openly expressing excitement at the idea of returning for a "Snow White" sequel, her co-star Rachel Zegler has taken a very different approach to the film’s turbulent aftermath. In June, Zegler addressed the avalanche of criticism for the first time since the remake bombed at the box office, revealing the very real toll the backlash took on her mental health.

Speaking to i-D magazine, the 24-year-old said therapy and anti-anxiety medication became essential tools as she navigated the intense scrutiny surrounding both the film and her performance. Her psychiatrist, she shared, reminded her that what she was enduring “isn’t normal,” a realization that helped her reframe the overwhelming pressure. Medication, she said, was “truly a game changer.” “I just wasn’t functioning,” Zegler admitted. “And I wanted to function in a way that made me feel confident in the way I was moving through the world.”

Despite the backlash, Zegler told i-D that she’s committed to choosing optimism. “Happiness is absolutely a choice,” she said. “And every day I wake up and I think I’m very lucky to live the life I live.”

Despite significant anticipation, the "Snow White" remake underperformed financially, earning roughly $200 million globally, compared to its reported $410 million cost, largely due to weak turnout and a steep post-opening-weekend drop. But, while the "Snow White" remake may have struggled publicly and commercially, Gadot made it clear she isn’t done with the fairytale world just yet.

Her enthusiastic call-out to Disney CEO Bob Iger quickly reignited interest among fans wondering whether the studio, amid current reshuffling and franchise reconsiderations, might take another chance at expanding the reimagined "Snow White" universe.