In 2010, Walt Disney Animation brought the beloved tale of Rapunzel to the big screen with Tangled. The film features Mandy Moore as Rapunzel, a princess kidnapped as a baby by the wicked Mother Gothel. Keeping Rapunzel locked away in a tower, Mother Gothel uses the magic in Rapunzel’s hair to maintain her youth.
Everything changes when a charming thief, Flynn Rider (voiced by Zachary Levi), stumbles into Rapunzel’s tower. Determined to see the floating lanterns she’s only glimpsed from afar, Rapunzel leaves the tower with Flynn and embarks on an adventure. Along the way, she discovers her true identity as the lost princess and ultimately confronts Mother Gothel.
Related: Disney Developing a ‘Tangled’ Musical For Broadway
Disney has a knack for turning its villains into stars, and the rumor mill is buzzing with talk of the next big origin story. According to whispers in the industry, Tangled’s Mother Gothel might be getting her own movie. The idea of delving deeper into the life of the manipulative, eternally youthful villain has sparked heated debates among Disney fans, with opinions ranging from excitement to skepticism.
Mother Gothel, memorably voiced by Donna Murphy in the 2010 animated classic Tangled, is one of Disney’s most layered antagonists. Using Rapunzel’s magical hair to maintain her youth, Gothel’s cunning charm and chilling selfishness made her both captivating and terrifying.
A solo film could explore her origins, but is it a story fans really want? Let’s break down the buzz.
Industry insider DanielRPK recently suggested that Disney is considering a Mother Gothel origin story. Though Disney has yet to confirm this, the rumor quickly ignited fan conversations online. Some fans are thrilled at the possibility of learning more about Gothel’s backstory.
In the DVD that I have of Tangled there was an early/alternative motive established, where Gothel had the flower grown in her own garden and refused to give into the guards as they asked for it. I’m kinda glad they scrapped that so there’s less of a reason to sympathize with her.
As for a whole film about Mother Gothel, I think it would be really neat to see how she got to know about the magic of the flower and how to harness that. Or even all of Tangled but what she did off screen.
As for a whole film about Mother Gothel, I think it would be really neat to see how she got to know about the magic of the flower and how to harness that. Or even all of Tangled but what she did off screen.
— ChaoticNekomancer (@NekomancerChaos) December 28, 2024
Related: Fans Nominate Who Should Play Flynn Rider in Disney’s Live-Action ‘Tangled’
One commenter argued that Mother Gothel’s backstory felt unnecessary, noting that the numerous Tangled films and television shows had already provided plenty of opportunities for Disney to explore the popular villain in greater depth.
Oh ffs….You know, you don’t have to give everyone their own prequel film, Disney. I like Mother Gothel but we never needed to know what her life was like before Rapunzel. She was a woman desperate to remain young and thus kidnapped and locked a child in a tower- (Cont.)
…for her magical hair. What more do we need? Anything else was touched upon in Tangled the series perfectly. I dunno, I really try to be positive but it feels like Disney has just gotten lazy. Why try new ideas when you can just expand on an existing series or remake it?
…for her magical hair. What more do we need? Anything else was touched upon in Tangled the series perfectly. I dunno, I really try to be positive but it feels like Disney has just gotten lazy. Why try new ideas when you can just expand on an existing series or remake it? (Cont)
— Jckspacy ⛩️ (@Jckspacy) December 28, 2024
A Pattern of Villainous Films
Disney’s recent trend of focusing on its villains has seen mixed results. From the reimagined Maleficent films to the stylish Cruella (2021), the studio has proven it can breathe new life into old tales. However, these films have also sparked criticism for softening their villains, transforming them into misunderstood antiheroes rather than keeping them outright malicious.
Fans fear that a Mother Gothel movie might follow this pattern.
I dont want a backstory about how Mother Gothel is secretly a misunderstood woman who was ruined by the royals, so she took their child as revenge. This film better not go ahead
I dont want a backstory about how Mother Gothel is secretly a misunderstood woman who was ruined by the royals, so she took their child as revenge. This film better not go ahead
— Thomas Bannon (@ThomasBann8165) December 28, 2024
Related: Fans Demand Cancellation of Flynn Rider from ‘Tangled’ for “Anti-Vaccine Stance”
The rumor has also inspired fans to start imagining who could play Mother Gothel in a live-action film. Kathryn Hahn, who dazzled audiences as Agatha Harkness in WandaVision and Agatha All Along, is a fan favorite for the role.
PLEASE PLEASE AN ENTIRE FILM WITH KATHRYN HAHN AS MOTHER GOTHEL AND AS THE MAIN CHARACTER. THIS IS KATHRYNS UNIVERSE NOW.
PLEASE PLEASE AN ENTIRE FILM WITH KATHRYN HAHN AS MOTHER GOTHEL AND AS THE MAIN CHARACTER. THIS IS KATHRYNS UNIVERSE NOW. https://t.co/OOHyeA6z96
— Fire | AAA season 2 (@mcuAgathasWife) December 28, 2024
Hahn herself has expressed interest in taking on more iconic roles, fueling the excitement. Her ability to blend humor with a menacing edge makes her a strong contender in the eyes of many fans.
Though the Mother Gothel movie remains unconfirmed, it’s clear that Disney’s exploration of its iconic villains continues to captivate audiences. Whether the project moves forward or not, the conversation highlights the enduring appeal of Disney’s most complex characters.
Would you watch a Mother Gothel origin story? Do you think her past should remain a mystery, or is it time to shine a light on her character? Let us know in the comments below!
