Lebanon bans Disney’s “Snow White” remake due to star Gal Gadot’s Israeli ties, marking the latest escalation in how Middle East tensions are impacting global entertainment.
At a Glance
- Lebanon’s Interior Minister banned the “Snow White” remake featuring Israeli actress Gal Gadot amid ongoing Israeli-Hezbollah tensions
- Gadot, a former IDF soldier who plays the Evil Queen, has been vocal in her support for Israel following the October 7 Hamas attacks
- This is not Lebanon’s first ban of Gadot’s films, having previously restricted “Wonder Woman” and “Death on the Nile”
- Marvel’s “Captain America: Brave New World” was also banned in Lebanon for featuring Israeli actress Shira Haas
- The $270 million film has struggled at the box office, grossing only $182.6 million worldwide
Political Tensions Lead to Film Ban
Lebanon has officially banned Disney’s “Snow White” remake from screening in the country, citing lead actress Gal Gadot’s Israeli citizenship and her vocal support for Israel. The order came directly from Interior Minister Ahmad al-Hajjar as tensions continue to escalate between Israel and Hezbollah forces in Lebanon. This marks another instance where regional politics have directly impacted international entertainment distribution, with Gadot’s involvement being the primary factor behind the prohibition.
Gadot, who portrays the Evil Queen in the film, has been on Lebanon’s boycott list for years due to her background as a former Israel Defense Forces soldier and her consistent public statements supporting Israel. The actress has been particularly outspoken following the October 7 Hamas attacks, which has intensified scrutiny of her work in several Middle Eastern countries. Neither Disney, Gadot, nor the film’s Lebanese distributor have commented publicly on the ban.
Ongoing Pattern of Bans and Controversies
The “Snow White” ban follows Lebanon’s previous restrictions on other Gadot-led films including “Wonder Woman” and “Death on the Nile.” The country has extended this pattern to other productions featuring Israeli talent, recently banning “Captain America: Brave New World” due to Israeli actress Shira Haas’s involvement. These decisions reflect the continuing influence of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement and similar organizations calling for cultural boycotts of Israel-affiliated entertainment.
“Never did I imagine that on the streets of the United States, and different cities around the world, we would see people not condemning Hamas, but celebrating, justifying and cheering on a massacre of Jews. I know I’m not the only one in this room when I say that it was a wakeup call. And here’s the thing – however much you tried to avoid it before, even if speaking up wasn’t really your thing, none of us can ignore the explosion of Jew-hatred around the world anymore,” declares Gal Gadot.
The film has faced unusual challenges beyond regional bans. Production difficulties included COVID-19 delays, SAG-AFTRA strikes, and a fire on the set that contributed to its massive $270 million budget. Additionally, the contrasting political stances of its stars created tension both on and off screen. While Gadot has publicly supported Israel, her co-star Rachel Zegler has expressed pro-Palestinian views, reportedly causing discord during promotional activities.
Box Office Struggles Amid Political Controversy
The political controversy surrounding “Snow White” has coincided with disappointing box office performance. Despite requiring an estimated $550 million to break even, the film has grossed only $182.6 million worldwide. Critics have given the film mixed reviews, with a 40% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes contrasting with a 72% audience score, suggesting a disconnect between professional reviewers and general viewers.
Security concerns have also plagued the film’s release cycle. Gadot reportedly received death threats following Zegler’s pro-Palestine statements, prompting Disney to increase security measures during promotional events. The tensions came to a head at Gadot’s Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony, which was disrupted by both pro-Palestine and pro-Israel demonstrators, further highlighting how deeply the Middle East conflict has penetrated entertainment industry activities.
“My heart breaks. My country is at war. I worry for my family, my friends. I worry for my people,” concludes Gadot.
Despite the ongoing controversies and regional bans, the film continues to play in theaters worldwide. The situation illustrates the growing challenges facing entertainment companies as they navigate an increasingly complex global political landscape where actors’ personal views and national identities can significantly impact a film’s distribution and commercial prospects across different regions.