Disney is facing one of the biggest financial shocks in its history, and it is believed to have stemmed from its controversial decision to suspend its Gal Gadot-related programming. Within days of the announcement, the stock market reacted violently, causing Disney’s market capitalization to evaporate by more than $3.87 billion.
Fan outrage
Gal Gadot is not only known as an international star with the image of Wonder Woman, but she is also the iconic face of a series of important television projects. Disney’s sudden suspension of the Gadot-related show has caused global fans to explode in anger. A series of social media accounts on X (formerly Twitter), Reddit, and TikTok have called for a boycott of Disney+, while urging each other to cancel Hulu subscriptions.
Some prominent comments also said that Disney had “stabbed Gadot in the back” – the person the audience believed would bring freshness to the brand that was being judged as “old and declining”.
The shock of 3.87 billion USD
According to reports from financial experts, after only a short announcement of the suspension, Disney’s stock plummeted. Investors estimated a loss of about 3.87 billion USD in market capitalization, not to mention the number of customers canceling Disney+ and Hulu packages.
A Wall Street analyst frankly commented:
“Disney shot itself in the foot. Gal Gadot is one of the few names that can retain loyal audiences, and removing her is no different than pushing them to Netflix or Amazon Prime.”
The big question: Why did Disney suspend Gal Gadot?
This is where things become mysterious. So far, Disney has not given a satisfactory explanation. Some inside sources leaked that the reason could be related to political conflicts, as Gadot has publicly spoken out about sensitive issues in the Middle East.
If this is true, Disney’s decision is no different from choosing sides in a fierce public opinion war. But what is more important is that Disney’s silence has caused the story to spread and turn into a global media storm.
Fans react violently
On social networks, the hashtag #StandWithGalGadot quickly climbed to the top trending. Many fans even posted videos of cutting up Disney+ membership cards to demonstrate their opposition. Film and entertainment forums exploded with debate: some people said Disney was being disrespectful, while others believed that Gadot was a “political victim” being used as a scapegoat.
One Reddit fan wrote scathingly:
“If Disney thinks they can get rid of Gal Gadot and still keep their audience, they’re wrong. This is Wonder Woman, not a B-list star that can be replaced.”
Long-term crisis risk
The consequences of this event may not stop at a few billion dollars lost. With millions of users considering leaving the platform, Disney+ and Hulu are at risk of falling behind in the fierce streaming race. Netflix and Amazon Prime immediately benefit, as many Gal Gadot fans have announced they will switch to these platforms.
If Disney does not quickly provide an explanation or move to appease the public, this could become a major, lasting rift in the brand that was once “the invincible empire” of Hollywood.
Unanswered questions
Why did Disney choose to directly attack Gal Gadot – a star with a loyal global fan base? Was this a misguided strategy by the board, or a carefully calculated political move?
Until the truth is revealed, one thing is certain: Disney is losing more than it realized. And Gal Gadot, despite her suspension, is now at the center of a global public opinion war, with millions of fans standing up to defend her as an untouchable icon.
