At 03:41 PM +07 on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, Hollywood is abuzz with early controversy surrounding Rachel Zegler’s anticipated return to the big screen with her upcoming film She Gets It from Me. The 24-year-old actress, known for her roles in West Side Story and the beleaguered Snow White remake, is set to star alongside Marisa Tomei in this comedy-drama, marking her first major project since the 2025 Snow White flop. However, reports of internal dissent within the production team have already ignited a firestorm, raising questions about Zegler’s ability to reclaim her footing in an industry that has both elevated and criticized her. This article explores the emerging tensions, the film’s premise, the context of Zegler’s career challenges, the public’s reaction, and the potential impact on her comeback, drawing on the latest insights and speculation.

The controversy surfaced in late June 2025, when whispers of discord leaked from the set of She Gets It from Me, currently in pre-production with global pre-sales launching at the Cannes Film Festival. Directed by German filmmaker Julia von Heinz, the film casts Zegler as Nicky, a young woman whose engagement celebration spirals into a chaotic search for her estranged, pill-popping ex-punk rocker birth mother, Charlotte, played by Tomei. Based on a true story, the script by Jay Reiss promises an “anarchic mother-daughter journey” filled with humor and emotional depth. However, insiders suggest that tensions arose during early script readings, with some crew members reportedly clashing over Zegler’s involvement, citing her past controversies as a liability. These leaks, though unverified, hint at a production already under strain before cameras roll.

Zegler’s recent career has been a turbulent ride, setting the stage for this internal backlash. Her 2021 debut in West Side Story earned her a Golden Globe, but subsequent projects like Shazam! Fury of the Gods (2023), The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023), and Snow White (2025) have been overshadowed by controversy. The Snow White remake, with its $350 million budget and $181.6 million global box office, became a lightning rod due to Zegler’s outspoken criticism of the original film’s gender dynamics and her pro-Palestine stance, notably her August 2024 X post, “and always remember, free palestine.” This drew ire from Disney producers, including Marc Platt, who reportedly intervened to curb her social media, and sparked racist backlash over her Latina casting. The film’s failure has led some to label her a “box office poison,” a narrative She Gets It from Me aims to overturn.

The internal firestorm reportedly centers on Zegler’s perceived risk factor. Anonymous crew sources, as cited in industry buzz, express concern that her history of polarizing statements—culminating in her tearful airport outburst on June 30, 2025, where she cried, “Both the US and Europe rejected me!”—could jeopardize the film’s commercial prospects. One insider allegedly told a trade publication that “her baggage from Snow White is a ticking time bomb,” reflecting fears of another PR disaster. Director von Heinz, known for Treasure (2024), has countered with optimism, praising Zegler’s “brilliant depth and humanity” in a statement, while producer Jen Dana of 3311 Productions highlighted her versatility. Yet, the lack of on-record confirmations leaves these tensions speculative, suggesting a divide between creative vision and commercial caution.

The film’s premise itself may fuel the controversy. She Gets It from Me explores a raw, unconventional family dynamic, with its logline noting, “YouTube is packed with tearful family reunions, but nobody films the messy aftermath.” This edgy tone, blending comedy with the gritty reality of addiction and reunion, aligns with Zegler’s willingness to tackle complex roles, as seen in The Hunger Games prequel. However, some crew members reportedly worry that her public image—tarnished by Snow White’s $115 million loss for Disney and death threats against co-star Gal Gadot—could alienate audiences seeking lighter fare. The casting of Tomei, a seasoned Oscar winner from the Spider-Man trilogy, is seen as a stabilizing force, but the focus on Zegler’s character, Nicky, keeps her at the center of the storm.

Zegler’s personal and professional context amplifies the stakes. Her recent West End debut as Eva Perón in Evita, running from June 14 to September 6, 2025, at the London Palladium, was a critical success, with her balcony rendition of “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” drawing crowds. Yet, the June 25 London dinner with a mystery man, sparking romance rumors, and her subsequent LAX flight to an unknown destination suggest a star under pressure. Her rumored breakup with Josh Andrés Rivera in late 2024, combined with Snow White’s fallout, may have pushed her toward this project as a redemption arc. However, the internal dissent indicates that her past may haunt her present, with some questioning whether her activism—evident in her Palestine support—continues to alienate collaborators.

Public reaction on X mirrors this tension. Supporters cheer, “Rachel’s comeback with Tomei could be epic—let’s go!” while detractors warn, “Another Zegler flop incoming—Hollywood’s done with her.” The early backlash has reignited debates from Snow White, with some accusing her of “sabotaging” projects, while others defend her talent, noting her West Side Story acclaim. The film’s pre-Cannes buzz, driven by Embankment Films’ sales pitch, has amplified scrutiny, with hashtags #ZeglerComeback and #SheGetsItFromMe trending. The lack of official statements from Zegler or the production team—possibly due to her current absence—fuels speculation, with some theorizing a walkout or creative overhaul.

Culturally, this pre-release controversy reflects Hollywood’s ongoing struggle with young stars and social media. Zegler’s rise from a New Jersey theater kid to a global name has been marked by the internet’s dual nature—celebration and vilification. Her Snow White experience, where she faced harassment “for being brown” as she told Cosmopolitan in 2023, parallels Halle Bailey’s Little Mermaid backlash, highlighting a pattern of racial scrutiny. The internal dissent in She Gets It from Me suggests a industry wary of such dynamics, yet her casting with Tomei—a figure of resilience—offers a counter-narrative of redemption, challenging the “canceled” label some have pinned on her.

Critically, the film’s fate remains uncertain. If the internal issues escalate, Variety might report a “production crisis,” while The Hollywood Reporter could frame it as a “test of Zegler’s resilience.” The lack of concrete evidence—relying on leaks rather than on-record sources—suggests the backlash may be exaggerated, possibly by rival studios or disgruntled crew. Zegler’s proven acting chops, praised in The Hunger Games, could salvage the project if von Heinz’s direction aligns with her strengths, but the pre-release heat risks tainting its reception, much like Snow White’s pre-launch drama.

Behind the scenes, the tension likely stems from casting decisions and Zegler’s reputation. Her Evita success may have emboldened her team to push for She Gets It from Me, but the Snow White scars—costly reshoots and PR battles—linger. Von Heinz’s statement about “authentic family dynamics” suggests a script tailored to Zegler’s emotional range, yet crew unease points to a clash between artistic intent and market viability. Her current absence, post-LAX flight, may delay resolution, with producers possibly rethinking her role or seeking damage control ahead of Cannes.

As of July 1, 2025, She Gets It from Me remains in pre-production, with no release date set. Zegler’s return—whether from her mysterious trip or via a public statement—will shape the narrative. This edgy comeback, already under fire from within, tests her ability to navigate Hollywood’s unforgiving landscape, leaving fans and critics to watch as the drama unfolds before the first frame is shot.