Behind the Scenes: Gal Gadot and Rachel Zegler’s Unexpected Divide Ahead of Snow White’s Release!

Strains linked to Disney’s Snow White reimagination may involve stars Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot, as per insiders.

While acknowledging Zegler’s age of 23, an insider informs PEOPLE that the actress “shares no similarities with Gal Gadot, a mother of four.”

“Furthermore, their ideological beliefs contrast, intensifying the discord,” the insider adds.

Representatives for Zegler and Gadot have not responded to PEOPLE’s requests for statements.

Strains have overshadowed Disney’s live-action adaptation of the 1937 animated Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs well in advance of its March 21 theatrical debut. Featuring Zegler in the role of the titular princess and Gadot, 39, as the Evil Queen, the film is helmed by Marc Webb and penned by Erin Cressida Wilson. It includes original compositions from musicians Benj Pasek and Justin Paul.

Zegler, Gadot, and the crew are anticipated to be at the movie’s Los Angeles premiere at the El Capitan Theater tomorrow, March 15.

Zegler and Gadot have participated in various events previously to promote their long-awaited film, including at Disney’s D23 Expo in 2022 and at the recent Academy Awards, where they jointly presented the best visual effects category. The Wonder Woman actress did not attend Snow White’s European premiere in Spain on March 12.

An insider acquainted with the matter shared with PEOPLE that Gadot was “never meant to be in Spain” and was instead conducting press duties in New York.

“This isn’t a ‘stay away from me’ scenario,” the insider remarked regarding the stars’ relationship. “They were together at the Oscars. They will be together this weekend.”

Another insider noted that the two co-stars “have a significant age difference and quite distinct political perspectives.” (The Israeli-born Gadot, who served in the Israel Defense Forces, has called for the release of Israeli captives, while Zegler has expressed support on social media for Palestine amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza.) 

“Gal is irritated by the film drama,” the third insider informs PEOPLE. “She relished filming. She felt comfortable with Rachel but they are not allies. They share no common interests… They collaborated on a project and that concludes it.”

Following her casting announcement in 2021, Zegler encountered racist backlash from social media users regarding a Latinx individual being cast as the Disney princess. (Zegler is of Colombian and Polish heritage.) The West Side Story star also made headlines for stating in interviews that the new film would update Snow White and that the original was “outdated.”

According to the second insider, Gadot does not agree with Zegler regarding such remarks. “Gal believes one shouldn’t criticize and stir controversy for a project one agreed to be a part of. She simply doesn’t understand it.”

Snow White premieres in theaters on March 21.