Rachel Zegler has experienced a rollercoaster ride in her early acting career, balancing between box office successes and disappointments. She gained significant recognition when she was selected from over 30,000 hopefuls in an open casting call via Twitter for the role of Maria in Steven Spielberg’s adaptation of West Side Story. This marked her film debut and even earned her a Golden Globe nomination for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. Despite its critical acclaim and a passionate fanbase, the film struggled to perform at the box office during the pandemic, grossing only $76 million against a budget of $100 million.
Expanding her portfolio, Zegler took on several roles in major film franchises. She appeared as Anthea in DC’s Shazam! Fury of the Gods, which unfortunately mirrored the unfortunate trend of box office failures, managing to secure just $134 million compared to its $125 million budget. However, Zegler later starred as Lucy Gray Baird in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, which proved to be a significant success for her, grossing an impressive $349 million against its $100 million budget. Currently, she portrays the titular princess in Disney’s live-action remake of Snow White, which, much like her previous ventures, is struggling at the box office, amassing $170 million versus its hefty $269 million production budget.
Y2K Achieves Streaming Success
Ranked 6th on Reelgood’s Charts
The film Y2K has seen newfound success in the streaming arena. Co-written and helmed by Kyle Mooney, a former cast member of Saturday Night Live, this apocalyptic sci-fi comedy follows a group of high school students as they navigate a world where the so-called Y2K bug causes technology to become sentient and turn against humanity. With a lively cast including Jaeden Martell, Rachel Zegler, and Julian Dennison, Y2K has made a significant impact post-its theatrical release.
After facing disappointing box office numbers, Y2K has transformed into a streaming hit on the platform Max. As reported by Reelgood, the film secured the sixth position among the most-watched movies across all streaming platforms during the week of April 3-9. This achievement places it above other titles like Wicked, One of Them Days, and Heat.
Implications of Y2K’s Streaming Success for Rachel Zegler
Zegler’s Talent Faces Material Limitations
Despite the acclaim often associated with A24 productions, Y2K was viewed as a misstep in 2024, with critics noting its failure to maintain a consistent tone or deliver humor effectively. As Zegler’s Snow White adaptation also struggles, resulting in mixed reviews that commend her talent but critique the film’s reticent approach and some awkward stylistic choices, the question arises about the impact of her performances. In both films, while Zegler’s screen presence is undeniably engaging, there appears to be a limitation in elevating the overall material.
The juxtaposition of her roles in Y2K and Snow White highlights the challenge of finding the right projects, even for a talented actor like Rachel Zegler. As audiences begin to recognize her potential, the hope remains that her future roles align more cohesively with her undeniable skills.
Source: Reelgood