There was a time when the announcement of a new Disney live-action remake was met with pure excitement. Nostalgia, casting rumors, updated visuals—fans couldn’t get enough. But after a string of polarizing releases, even the most beloved titles aren’t immune to delay, skepticism, or sudden changes in direction.
Disney’s long-standing tradition of reimagining its animated classics stretches back decades, but the modern wave truly began in earnest with 2015’s Cinderella. Since then, we’ve seen new takes on Aladdin (2019), Beauty and the Beast (2017), The Little Mermaid (2023), and more recently, Lilo & Stitch (2025).
Related: Disney Announces Live-Action ‘Bambi’ Remake, but Dwayne Johnson Did It First
Some films have soared at the box office, while others—particularly The Lion King (2019) and Snow White (2025)—sparked controversy or failed to connect with fans.
Now, one popular Disney story is facing an uncertain future—and it may depend on a different film entirely.
Back in December, Disney revealed plans for a live-action remake of Tangled (2010), with The Greatest Showman’s (2017) Michael Gracey attached to direct and Jennifer Kaytin Robinson (Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)) set to write the screenplay.
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The announcement excited many fans who have long considered Tangled to be one of Disney’s most successful modern fairy tales. But just a few months later, the project was quietly paused, and the reason has everything to do with what happened to Snow White.
Released in March 2025, the Snow White remake was plagued with problems from the start. Criticism over casting choices, the reimagining of its core message, and Disney’s failure to cast actors with dwarfism all contributed to a highly divisive rollout. Ultimately, the film underperformed drastically at the box office, reportedly losing the studio more than $100 million.
Related: Disney Pauses ‘Tangled’ Remake Following Backlash from ‘Snow White’ Fiasco
According to insider Daniel Richtman, that failure forced Disney to reevaluate its live-action lineup, and Tangled became a casualty of that pause. But all hope isn’t lost. Richtman also claims that Disney could revive the Tangled remake if one specific upcoming film performs well: the live-action version of Moana.
Slated for release on July 10, 2026, Moana will mark a significant milestone for Disney. Not only is it the fastest remake of a Disney animated film to date (the original was released in 2016), but it also features Dwayne Johnson reprising his role as Maui—making him the first actor to jump from animated to live-action within the same character.
Some fans were caught off guard when photos leaked of Johnson in a padded suit to match Maui’s cartoonish build, but interest in the film remains high.
If Moana performs well financially, Disney could interpret that success as a green light for Tangled to move forward again. It wouldn’t be the first time a risky live-action adaptation proved its critics wrong—Lilo & Stitch, which also faced early skepticism, is now tracking toward nearly $1 billion in global revenue.
Adding more fuel to fan speculation, rumors continue to swirl about a possible Mother Gothel spinoff film, though Disney has not confirmed any such project. Still, the studio’s interest in Tangled and its characters appears far from over.
Do you think Disney should move forward with the Tangled remake? Does Moana’s success—or failure—deserve that much power over the fate of another franchise? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, and keep following Disney Fanatic for all your Disney movie updates.
