Disney has taken a major step toward bringing Rapunzel back to the big screen—this time in live-action.
After years of development talk surrounding a remake of 2010's Tangled, The Walt Disney Company has officially cast its central duo. Teagan Croft will play the long-haired princess Rapunzel, while Milo Manheim has been selected as the charming outlaw Flynn Rider.
The casting signals renewed life for the project, which had spent years drifting through early development. Disney has spent much of the past decade adapting classic animated titles into live-action features, though Tangled’s progress has been slower than many of its counterparts.
During that stretch, fans floated several potential names for Rapunzel. Among those frequently mentioned were Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, and Jojo Siwa, though none were formally attached to the project.
Croft brings experience from the superhero genre after starring as Raven in Titans. Her Rapunzel will follow the same central arc that defined the animated story: a sheltered princess with magical hair who ventures beyond her tower for the first time.
Opposite her, Manheim—best known for Disney Channel’s Zombies and his run on Dancing With the Stars—will take on Flynn Rider, the quick-witted thief who becomes Rapunzel’s unlikely companion.
The original Tangled featured performances by Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi. The 2010 release proved to be a significant success for Disney, grossing nearly $600 million worldwide and earning an Academy Award nomination for the song “I See the Light.”
Behind the camera, Michael Gracey has been tapped to direct the remake. Gracey previously delivered the hit musical The Greatest Showman (2017). The screenplay comes from Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, whose recent credits include Thor: Love and Thunder (2022), Do Revenge (2022), and I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025).
The film will be produced by Kristin Burr, who previously worked with Disney on Cruella (2021) starring Emma Stone.
Momentum for Tangled reportedly returned after a period of uncertainty at the studio. Disney reassessed parts of its remake slate after the difficult rollout of the live-action Snow White (2025), which drew significant backlash and a muted audience response.
One of the more widely discussed casting rumors during development involved Scarlett Johansson potentially taking on the role of Mother Gothel, Rapunzel’s manipulative guardian and the film’s main antagonist.
Instead, the part has gone to Kathryn Hahn, recognized for her performances in Agatha All Along and The Studio. Hahn confirmed her involvement on Instagram. In the animated version, the villain was voiced by Donna Murphy.
The success of the upcoming remake may depend on how well it captures the tone that helped the original connect with audiences. While Disney’s live-action strategy has produced mixed reactions in recent years, the company still delivered a massive box office hit with 2025's Lilo & Stitch, reaching the billion-dollar milestone.
How do you feel about the lead casting for Tangled‘s live-action remake? Let us know in the comments down below!
