Disney (and others) at the Box Office - Current State of Affairs

[TP2000]

According to Variety yesterday, the Snow White premiere is pretty much closed to the press. None of the usual Hollywood trades or TV shows or websites are being allowed in to the premiere arrival process, AKA Red Carpet. Instead, the Red Carpet will be limited to select still photographers only, and a "house crew" from Disney capturing video/audio work of the event.

So they're locking this down tight, doing all the videography in house to be released as edited B Roll, and not letting any press in who might inadvertently capture words spoken by Rachel Zegler. Fascinating!

If I were to guess, this is both a reaction to the philosophical loose cannon that is Miss Zegler and the damage she's already done to this movie since 2023 AND the likelihood that this $240+ Million alleged tentpole movie isn't expected to do very well at the box office.

Disney Scales Back ‘Snow White’ Hollywood Premiere Amid Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot Controversies

'Snow White' stars Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot have faced backlash for comments about the movie's reimagining and their views on the Israel-Hamas war.

variety.com

 

[AdventureHasAName]

No, that’s perfectly believable. It would be silly to do otherwise. Although I’ll admit I find it unusual to personally dislike a celebrity.

I don't. I hate tons of them.

 

[Chi84]

I don't. I hate tons of them.

I don’t doubt it. If it’s harmless and it makes you happy, go for it.

 

[DKampy]

You have a hard time believing people won't support entertainers who they don't find very entertaining and who they dislike personally?

I Don’t think much about entertainers personal lives…. There are certain actors that will get me to the theater quicker…. But that is because I enjoyed their previous work…. Has nothing to do with their personal lives… as I don’t truly know any of them other than a quick blurb here and there

I doubt your average person cares what Zegler commented at an event..,. There are much morepressing things to worry about these days

 

[easyrowrdw]

Like some of the other posters, I too, have seen a lot of ads for Snow White lately. I thought maybe that meant that the controversy was behind us and Disney was expecting big things for the movie. But all the things about the premieres that are different from the norm make me think Disney believes otherwise.

 

[Vegas Disney Fan]

Like some of the other posters, I too, have seen a lot of ads for Snow White lately. I thought maybe that meant that the controversy was behind us and Disney was expecting big things for the movie. But all the things about the premieres that are different from the norm make me think Disney believes otherwise.

I view it as a Hail Mary pass, time is running out and they know they need a miracle to win.

Does anyone know if they’re doing advance previews for critics? We’re less than 10 days out and not a single review yet on RottenTomatoes, I know not all movies do press previews but if any movie could use a positive review bump it’s this one.

 

[Farerb]

I view it as a Hail Mary pass, time is running out and they know they need a miracle to win.

Does anyone know if they’re doing advance previews for critics? We’re less than 10 days out and not a single review yet on RottenTomatoes, I know not all movies do press previews but if any movie could use a positive review bump it’s this one.

Social media embargo for Snow White lifts on 3/15 at 5:30PM PT / 8:30PM ET.

Review embargo lifts on 3/19 at 12:00PM PT / 3:00PM ET.

 

[TP2000]

I don't. I hate tons of them.

There was a time when celebrities were universally adored, or at least not held in contempt. A big part of that was the overall Studio System that kept everyone in line, including the press. But now? It's a free for all of Free Speech and a rampant 24/7 news media for anything and everything that might get a click or a Like.

I'm honestly not sure which system is better; yesterday's Studio strictness, or today's free-for-all frenzy.

Late Nite Rambling On Brushes With Celebrity Greatness: My families rare brush with greatness came from my Mom's side of the family, who built homes on and around Balboa Island in Orange County just after the war, before that was the big deal it is now. In the 1960's when I was a teen, and into the 70's as a young adult I'd spend at least a few weeks every summer on Balboa Island. My Aunt Helen (not a real aunt) would come down the canal to my Aunt Lanette's (a real aunt) in her little two person fiberglass pedal boat. Aunt Helen would arrive dockside with her mass of red hair all piled up in giant swoopy curls on top of her head, with a matching capri-pants-and-blouse outfit on, with a HUGE plastic cup full of tonic water and a healthy dose of gin. My job was to jump in the pedal boat, Aunt Helen would slyly pass me a cold Schlitz, and I'd start paddling us across Newport Harbor, dodging small yachts and sailboats in a rather dangerous crossing of a fairly busy seaport. The goal was to get us as close as possible, without looking too weird, to John Wayne's harborside compound on the other side of Newport Bay. We only caught sight of him a few times wandering past the big windows in his lovely Newport home over the course of a decade, and maybe it wasn't even him. But it was Aunt Helen's dream that one day he'd come down, wave at us, and invite her in for a refresh on her gin and tonic. I was just happy to play along, and even then I knew it was all hilarious.

So here's to John Wayne, all of the Aunt Helen's in our lives, and whatever thrill one may find in brushing up to celebrity!

Social media embargo for Snow White lifts on 3/15 at 5:30PM PT / 8:30PM ET.

Review embargo lifts on 3/19 at 12:00PM PT / 3:00PM ET.

Thank you. That's interesting, and those dates are coming up faster than I thought. This should be great fun to watch!

 

[coffeefan]

Rachel Zegler performing “Waiting on a Wish” in front of Alcázar de Segovia Castle in Spain, the same castle that inspired the 1937 animated film



So talented!

 

[brideck]

Correct, and it's a global pastime. Back in William Shakespeare's day, grown men would sit in taverns having a drink, discussing his latest play. Debates would oftentimes breakout over whether or not it was good, etc. Sometimes those debates would lead to full-blown fistfights and brawls...over a play. People who analyze Shakespeare are deemed as intelligent. Yet in modern day, it's somehow childish to discuss/ debate movies and actors?

If only we had actual discussions about books/movies/plays these days. They're largely exceedingly shallow ("I liked it.") and half the people taking part haven't actually seen/read the the thing, they just want to pick a side based off of hearsay.

 

[Chi84]

If only we had actual discussions about books/movies/plays these days. They're largely exceedingly shallow ("I liked it.") and half the people taking part haven't actually seen/read the the thing, they just want to pick a side based off of hearsay.

I agree.

Take the live-action Little Mermaid. People were upset that men were depicted as “less than” because Ariel had more agency.

But that film depicted the prince as intelligent and goal-driven and Ariel’s father as powerful and protective.

The final scene showed Ariel accompanying Eric to support him in his goal to bring trade and prosperity to his kingdom while Triton showed up to protect his daughter on her journey - not because she was weak, but because he was strong and she was important to him.

People missed that because one scene was changed to have her appear stronger, along with other reasons too depressing to mention.

 

[Prince-1]

If only we had actual discussions about books/movies/plays these days. They're largely exceedingly shallow ("I liked it.") and half the people taking part haven't actually seen/read the the thing, they just want to pick a side based off of hearsay.

I didn't read your entire post but I know I won't like it.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

As far as taking into account matters outside their actual art form, I wish that nonsense never started. I don’t like it although I suppose there are lines that can’t be crossed.

There’s a difference between, for example, “This person is against my equality” vs. “Omg, this person inadvertently said ‘X,’ so GOTCHA!”

I can’t think of Mel Gibson with the same regard I did in the 80’s. It’s not even a conscious political choice, just an “ick” and “meh” factor.

But tanking someone’s career has become a sport.

 

[Vegas Disney Fan]

There was a time when celebrities were universally adored, or at least not held in contempt. A big part of that was the overall Studio System that kept everyone in line, including the press. But now? It's a free for all of Free Speech and a rampant 24/7 news media for anything and everything that might get a click or a Like.

I'm honestly not sure which system is better; yesterday's Studio strictness, or today's free-for-all frenzy.

I prefer the old way, when there was still mystique surrounds celebrities.

A large part of my passion for the Disney company stems from my great adoration for Uncle Walt as a kid, I often wonder if I’d have the same reverence for him and the company had he been tweeting daily about his political views, his social views, and commenting on the topics of the day… my guess is 100% no, instead of being the mythical Uncle Walt he’d be just another flawed and opinionated human like the rest of us.

 

[MisterPenguin]

For Miss Zegler? I did an 8 second Google search, which is a research tactic notoriously rife with misinformation and lacks even a cursory bibliography much less open peer review, and I found nothing active in the pipeline for her after Snow White.

In 2024, she was in a live action movie and voiced an animated movie. She's been on Broadway until this past February and is making the international rounds for promoting Snow White.

Did you think she'd be filming a movie while on Broadway?

Whatever points you thought you were going to make against Zegler just redounds as demerits to your credibility.

 

[Vegas Disney Fan]

In 2024, she was in a live action movie and voiced an animated movie. She's been on Broadway until this past February and is making the international rounds for promoting Snow White.

Did you think she'd be filming a movie while on Broadway?

Whatever points you thought you were going to make against Zegler just redounds as demerits to your credibility.

While true she’s been busy it’s a bit odd she has nothing upcoming on screen or on stage that I can find, Gal Gadot in comparison has 8 upcoming movies with and without release dates.

Most big name actors line up projects long before they are released, she doesn’t seem to have a single job lined up, for someone who was a rising star a couple years ago, getting lead roles in massive Hollywood projects, that seems odd.

 

[Chi84]

While true she’s been busy it’s a bit odd she has nothing upcoming on screen or on stage that I can find, Gal Gadot in comparison has 8 upcoming movies with and without release dates.

Most big name actors line up projects long before they are released, she doesn’t seem to have a single job lined up, for someone who was a rising star a couple years ago, getting lead roles in massive Hollywood projects, that seems odd.

How do you know it’s odd? She’s still very young. Look at the choices Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson made early on.

 

[Disstevefan1]

Zegler is talented and beautiful and will get plenty of work once Snow is out there I am sure.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Zegler is talented and beautiful and will get plenty of work once Snow is out there I am sure.

Disney has made a nice niche habit of being a career killer to those females they shunt into bad movies

How much these things are related?…hard to tell

 

[Disstevefan1]

Disney has made a nice niche habits of being a career killer to those females they shunt into bad movies

Good point. This is a strong possibility.