Disney's past decade at the box office can largely be defined by one thing: live-action reboots. From billion-dollar juggernauts like Beauty and the Beast (2017) to divisive experiments such as The Little Mermaid (2023), the company has doubled down on reintroducing its most iconic stories to a new generation.
While loyal audiences were left disappointed by several elements of these remakes, one film proved more polarizing than others: Snow White (2025). Promoted as a reimagining of the film that launched Disney’s animation empire, it was meant to mirror the sweeping success of the likes of Aladdin (2019). Instead, it became one of the company’s more bruising missteps.
Starring Rachel Zegler as Snow White and Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen, the film earned just over $200 million worldwide and failed to earn back its budget. Audiences criticized its heavy reliance on CGI, its updates to the story, and Zegler’s promotional remarks, which some felt dismissed the 1937 original. Reviews were tepid at best, and the project’s struggles reverberated through Disney’s development pipeline.
One visible consequence was the shelving of the long-discussed Tangled remake. At the time, industry insiders saw the decision as Disney distancing itself from its princess slate to avoid further backlash.
Disney Reopens the Door for Live-Action Remakes
That distance has now narrowed. Reports indicate Disney is again moving forward with a live-action adaptation of Tangled, though the project remains in its earliest stages. Scarlett Johansson, who was previously linked to the role of Mother Gothel, is reportedly still being eyed for the film.
Michael Gracey, the filmmaker behind The Greatest Showman (2017), is set to direct, with Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, co-writer of Thor: Love and Thunder (2022), developing the script. No official greenlight has been announced, but the renewed interest marks a notable reversal in strategy.
Casting speculation remains a central talking point. Florence Pugh has been the most prominent name attached to the role of Rapunzel, a move that would expand her existing ties with Disney following her Marvel Cinematic Universe work. Sabrina Carpenter has also been mentioned, while both JoJo Siwa and Gigi Hadid auditioned earlier. Hadid later acknowledged she “took extensive voice lessons” to prepare but expected the part would ultimately go to a trained singer.
No frontrunner has emerged for Flynn Rider. Actor Danny Ramirez – best known for playing Joaquin Torres, aka Falcon, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe – sparked online chatter by publicly tagging Disney on X, formerly known as Twitter, expressing his interest in the role.
Yo @Disney
Yo @Disney https://t.co/RONmJZDJbH
— Danny Ramirez (@DannyRamirez) October 9, 2025
The Stakes for Remaking ‘Tangled'
The 2010 animated Tangled remains a modern classic, grossing $590 million globally and introducing enduring hits like “I See the Light.” A live-action revival would carry high expectations for musical fidelity, visual spectacle, and character authenticity. How closely the new adaptation mirrors the animated version — and how much it diverges — could prove pivotal after Snow White’s reception.
Disney’s broader pattern suggests the company is unlikely to abandon its remake strategy entirely. Cinderella (2015) earned acclaim for its traditionalist take, while Beauty and the Beast cemented itself as a cultural event despite criticism of its effects. The Little Mermaid saw solid returns but became mired in polarized online discourse.
Perhaps the biggest factor in Disney's decision to uncancel its Tangled reboot was the box office behemoth that is Lilo & Stitch (2025). While the film was met with middling reviews, it raked in over $1 billion and was quickly followed by the announcement of a sequel, with Chris Sanders – who voices Stitch in both the animation and live-action, and co-directed and co-wrote the original – on board as a writer.
How do you feel about a live-action Tangled?
