Rachel Zegler was nearly cut from Snow White as Disney execs fear controversial Trump comments could harm the film

Rachel Zegler's reputation as a 'loose cannon' meant she was nearly axed from her lead role in Snow White, according to sources who claim that Disney bosses have viewed the actress as a 'nightmare'.

The 23-year-old starlet plays the titular role in the live-action remake, due to be released in March 2025. 

While Zegler's strong opinions have sparked backlash in the past, her latest outburst seems set to derail the release after she publicly slammed Donald Trump voters - who have now vowed to boycott the film.

Though the young actress has since issued an apology for hoping that 'Trump voters and Trump himself never know peace', the wave of fury sparked by her comment has left studio bosses furious that is is 'too late' to remove her from the project.

Speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com, an insider explained: 'They would love to be able to tell her to stop talking, but it is simply too late.

'They had talked about removing Rachel from the role several times when it was shooting in 2022.'

The insider added: 'She is a loose cannon and caused issues during the production because she didn’t agree with how the film plot strayed from the classic movie's plot.'

Noting that the actress could simply have turned down the role if she had so many issues with the plot, the insider continued: 'She read the script. If she didn’t like it then she should have not taken it. It wasn’t until after the film was wrapped that she really started creating drama. 

'She has been a nightmare but there is nothing they can do to control what she says. Everyone is well-aware of how difficult she is. '

The insider explained how studio bosses were hoping that Zegler's outbursts could still work in their favor as they added: 'Right now, it is way too late to shelve the film. As much as people think that her recent comments and controversies will hurt the film, it is not likely the case. 

'If anything, it generates more publicity and attention to the film, which leads to increased ticket sales. The film is Snow White, and it could really sell with anyone in the lead.'

Following Donald Trump's resounding election win last week, Zegler shared a series of devastated messages with her 2.3million followers.

'I find myself speechless in the midst of this,' she said. 'May Trump supporters and Trump voters and Trump himself never know peace.

'Another four years of hatred, leaning us towards a world I do not want to live in. Leaning us towards a world that will be hard to raise my daughter in.'

She continued: 'There is a deep sickness in this country... shown in the sheer amount of people who showed up for this man who threatens our democracy.  

'It is terrifying the number of people who stand behind what this man preaches.'

Zegler described the support for Trump as a 'foolish subscription to a false sense of security, masculinity, intelligence, patriotism and humanity.'

She then took aim at billionaire Elon Musk, who became one of Trump's most outspoken - and generous - donors throughout his campaign.

'Get off of Elon's app,' she told her followers. 'I don't use that app for a reason. He helped get that man elected and you're giving him business.'

Hours after her comments went viral, Zegler returned to Instagram to publicly apologize, admitting: 'I let my emotions get the best of me.

'Hatred and anger have caused us to move further and further away from peace and understanding, and I am sorry I contributed to the negative discourse.'

Megyn Kelly was among her most vocal critics, urging Disney to 'redo your film again... This woman is a pig and you fired Gina Garano for far less than this nonsense.'

Zegler said in her apology that 'this week has been emotional for so many of us.'

'I firmly believe that everyone has the right to their opinion, even when it differs from my own. I am committed to contributing positively toward a better tomorrow.' 

A second source noted that Zegler's most recent headline-making outburst has left bosses fearing for the impact it will have on the film's success.

'It has just been one disaster after another,' the source lamented. 'And now that she has called out Donald Trump, Disney execs and those who are supporting the film are now scared that a huge audience will steer clear from the film as their own boycott, costing the film tons of money.'

The source continued: 'Bosses would love their stars, especially Rachel, to not cause any more controversies, but everyone will be holding their breath as we get closer to the release date.'

Explaining the potential silver lining amid the current cloud on controversy, the source noted: 'The one saving grace for the film is that it still has the Disney machine behind it, it is a story that has been around forever and beloved and it comes out against nothing in particular that should chip away at their box office potential. So, it could be saved.'

The Hunger Games actress previously criticized David Hand's 1937 original animated film as 'extremely dated when it comes to the ideas of women being in roles of power and what a woman is fit for in the world.'

'The original cartoon came out in 1937, and very evidently so,' Rachel scoffed to Extra TV in 2022.

'There's a big focus on her love story with a guy who literally stalks her. Weird. So we didn't do that this time.'

That same year, Zegler told Variety that her version of Snow White would be dreaming about becoming a 'fearless leader' rather than 'dreaming about true love.'

She waded into yet another third rail issue earlier this year after adding a Free Palestine hashtag to a post sharing the first trailer for the hotly-anticipated movie.

That stoked rumors of potential issues with co-star Gal Gadot, an Israeli actress who plays the evil queen and who has served in the IDF.