Who will play Rapunzel in Disney’s live-action Tangled?
After a long and rocky development, Disney has confirmed the casting of Teagan Croft as Rapunzel and Milo Manheim as Flynn Rider in the live-action version of its 2010 animated hit, The Hollywood Reporter reveals. The announcement brings a renewed sense of momentum to a project that had previously seemed uncertain.
The remake is part of Disney’s ambitious plan to adapt its animated classics for a live-action audience. Tangled, however, has faced a bumpier road than many of its counterparts, with early speculation naming pop stars like Taylor Swift and Sabrina Carpenter, as well as reality star Jojo Siwa, for the lead role.
Croft, known for her work as Raven on HBO Max’s Titans, takes on Rapunzel, the sheltered princess whose magical hair and coming-of-age story form the heart of the tale. Manheim, familiar to Disney fans from the Zombies films and Dancing With the Stars, plays Flynn Rider, the charismatic thief who grows into Rapunzel’s loyal ally.
The animated film featured the voices of Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi and achieved both critical and commercial success, grossing nearly $600 million worldwide and earning an Academy Award nomination for “I See the Light.”
At the helm, Disney has brought in Michael Gracey, director of The Greatest Showman. Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, whose credits include Thor: Love and Thunder (2022), Do Revenge (2022), and I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025), is penning the screenplay, while Kristin Burr, who previously produced Cruella (2021), is overseeing production.
The announcement follows a period of doubt for Tangled, as Disney reportedly paused development after the negative reception to its 2025 live-action Snow White. Sources suggest concerns about fan fatigue, creative vision, and audience response forced the studio to reevaluate several live-action projects, leaving Rapunzel’s debut in question.
Complicating matters, early rumors tied Scarlett Johansson to the film as Mother Gothel, generating interest in seeing the Marvel star portray Disney’s psychologically complex villain. Those discussions have since ended, and no replacement has been named. The role of Mother Gothel remains open.
With Croft and Manheim confirmed, Disney appears ready to move forward, although a production timeline and release date have yet to be disclosed. Additional casting announcements are anticipated.
Fans are now left to speculate whether this new version of Tangled can recapture the charm of the original or if it will face the scrutiny that challenged Snow White. Still, Disney’s recent live-action successes, like the billion-dollar Lilo & Stitch remake (2025), show the studio’s adaptation strategy is far from over.
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