
Rachel Zegler’s rise in Hollywood has been fast and flashy, but 2025 hasn’t exactly been smooth sailing.
After her breakout role in West Side Story (2021), many believed she was destined for superstardom. She was cast in major franchises, praised for her vocal chops and screen presence, and even found herself leading a live-action Disney remake. But with the release of Disney’s Snow White (2025), the conversation around Zegler changed drastically.

Credit: Disney
Now, there’s a new twist. Despite—or maybe because of—the controversy surrounding Snow White, Zegler is reportedly being eyed for a role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. And yeah, people have opinions.
How We Got Here: The Snow White Controversy
To understand why this Marvel rumor is so polarizing, we’ve got to talk about everything that went down with Snow White. Disney’s live-action remakes have always gotten mixed reactions, but this one sparked a level of backlash that none of the others have reached.
First off, Zegler’s casting as Snow White ruffled feathers from the beginning. The tension only escalated during the film’s press tour, when Zegler made comments critiquing the original 1937 version—specifically calling out the outdated nature of the prince’s storyline and how “creepy” the romance felt in a modern context. That didn’t go over well with fans of the original.

Credit: Disney
But the bigger storm came from her political commentary. Zegler, who’s never shied away from sharing her views online, made numerous controversial posts during the film’s marketing phase—including one in which she apologized for following the U.S. Election after she said that she hoped President Trump and his supporters “never know peace.”
Things got worse. Reports emerged of online death threats against both Zegler and her co-star Gal Gadot. Gadot, an Israeli actress and former member of the Israel Defense Forces, had publicly supported Israel during ongoing conflicts, while Zegler voiced support for Palestine. That created a clear divide and reportedly led to increased security for the stars during press appearances. Some inside sources suggested Zegler didn’t fully grasp how her actions would affect not just her image, but the safety and experience of those around her.
And then there was the film itself. Despite some praise for Zegler’s performance, Snow White opened with an underwhelming $87 million worldwide and was met with lackluster reviews. It currently holds a “rotten” rating on Rotten Tomatoes and has been slammed for everything from its visual effects to its new musical numbers. Compared to other Disney live-action efforts, this one struggled—both commercially and critically.

Credit: Disney
Marvel Rumors Begin to Swirl
So, what’s next for Rachel Zegler? According to industry chatter, she might be heading to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
A well-known scooper claimed that both Zegler and Gadot are being considered for major roles in the MCU. The specific roles weren’t named, but that hasn’t stopped fans from speculating like crazy. Some are imagining her as White Tiger, Firestar, or even a younger mutant when the X-Men reboots get rolling.
This isn’t Zegler’s first brush with the superhero world. She played Anthea in Shazam! Fury of the Gods (2023), which, while not a massive box office success, gave her a taste of what it’s like to play a powered-up character. The Marvel Cinematic Universe, however, is a much bigger stage—one that comes with both opportunity and scrutiny.

Credit: Lionsgate Films
Of course, reactions to the news have been mixed. Some fans are excited and eager to see fresh faces bring new life to the franchise. Others are hesitant, citing the controversies still swirling around her. The fact that Marvel — owned by Disney — is even considering Zegler suggests they’re either betting on her talent or are confident the drama surrounding Snow White will blow over.
Can Disney and Marvel Help Her Rebound?
There’s definitely risk involved here. The MCU is already under pressure to find its next wave of breakout stars, and public opinion matters more than ever. Zegler’s strong acting chops and name recognition make her a compelling candidate—but there’s baggage.
That said, Marvel has taken risks before. They’ve turned unexpected casting choices into gold and built household names out of actors no one saw coming. If they believe Zegler can bring something unique to the table, they might be willing to weather any temporary backlash. And let’s be honest—controversy hasn’t always been a dealbreaker in the superhero world. However, we wouldn’t be surprised to see the same backlash that has plagued Zegler follow her if her next significant role is back with The Walt Disney Company in any capacity.

Credit: Lionsgate
What’s Next for Rachel Zegler and Disney?
There’s no official word from Marvel, Disney, or Zegler’s team, so all of this remains in the realm of rumor. But whether or not she lands the role, it’s clear that Rachel Zegler isn’t going away anytime soon.
If Marvel does go through with the casting, it could be a chance for her to hit the reset button—and maybe even win back some of the audience she lost. Or it could add more fuel to the fire. Either way, she’s still one of the most talked-about names in Hollywood, and the spotlight isn’t moving anytime soon.
As Marvel continues to build its next generation of heroes, it looks like Rachel Zegler might just be one of them. The only question is: will audiences embrace her this time?
Like Rick, I’m an avid Disney fan, but one in the mold of the great Walt Disney, not the woke leftist company it has devolved into. Sorry Rick, Disney does not have a “hit” on its hands but rather what Rotten Tomatoes labels as “rotten.”
I’m one of 77 million American citizens who voted for Donald J Trump and am deeply offended what Rachel Zegler said to demean us. The film itself is woke garbage and as a point of information, seven dwarfs worked in their mine and they were not “magical creatures.” Seven actual smaller people were denied an opportunity to act in this film. How’s that for inclusion? In short, Disney has a bomb on their hands.