The buzz for Disney's live-action Tangled remake is heating up, with a major Marvel star weighing in on villain rumors and a rising talent sparking Rapunzel speculation. Could this be the fairytale adaptation we've been waiting for?
TL;DR- Disney's live-action Tangled is back in early development after a pause, with Michael Gracey attached to direct.
- Scarlett Johansson has addressed rumors about playing Mother Gothel, expressing excitement for the director.
- Actress Avantika Vandanapu is at the center of viral speculation for the role of Rapunzel, though nothing is confirmed.
Disney's live-action Tangled remake is moving forward again, with Scarlett Johansson reportedly in talks to play Mother Gothel. Find out why the project was paused and what's next.
Is Disney's Live-Action 'Tangled' Finally Happening After All the Delays?
Good news, Disney fans! After a bit of a rollercoaster, it looks like the long-rumored live-action remake of Tangled is officially back on track. Reports from late 2024 initially hinted at the project being in early development, but things seemed to hit a snag.
Remember when Disney decided to pump the brakes on some of its live-action remakes? That happened after Snow White didn't quite light up the box office. But hey, every cloud has a silver lining! The massive success of the live-action Lilo & Stitch remake, which pulled in a cool $1 billion worldwide, apparently gave the studio the confidence boost it needed. Now, Tangled is confirmed to be resuming pre-production!
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Scarlett Johansson Weighs In on Potential Mother Gothel Casting Rumors
Okay, let's get to the juicy stuff. One of the biggest names swirling around the Tangled remake is none other than Scarlett Johansson. The Marvel superstar is reportedly being eyed for the role of the manipulative, magically-obsessed villain, Mother Gothel, and she’s actually addressed the whispers!
When asked by Entertainment Tonight about the possibility of playing Gothel, Johansson, with a classic Hollywood touch, said, "Is there a real possibility? I think anything is possible." But here’s where it gets interesting: she quickly added what truly excites her about the project:
"What would excite me about it would be the opportunity to work with Michael Gracey, who is attached to direct the film, because he is just absolutely an extraordinary visionary and any actor would love to have that collaboration with him."
— Scarlett Johansson, interviewed by ET Online
So, while she didn't confirm anything outright, she definitely seems aware of the project and keen on its director! Of course, not everyone online is thrilled with the idea, with some fans pointing to "dissimilarities" between Johansson and the animated Mother Gothel. And let's not forget the previous legal kerfuffle between Johansson and Disney over Black Widow — something that could certainly make things...complicated.
Still, the prospect of an A-lister taking on such an iconic villain is exciting! For the record, the original voice of Mother Gothel in the 2010 animated film was Broadway powerhouse Donna Murphy.
Other Fan-Casts for Mother Gothel That Have Everyone Talking
While Scarlett Johansson is grabbing headlines, fans have been busy dreaming up their own ideal Mother Gothels. Some popular picks circulating online include:
- Kathryn Hahn: A fan-favorite, especially after her villainous turn in WandaVision and her show-stopping song "Agatha All Along." She certainly has the charisma and musical chops!
- Cher and Amanda Seyfried: A viral photo from Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again once sparked a frenzy due to their uncanny resemblance to Mother Gothel and Rapunzel.
- Donna Murphy: Many would love to see the original voice actress bring her magic to the live-action screen.
- Other A-listers: Helena Bonham Carter, Anne Hathaway, Tracee Ellis Ross, Demi Moore, and Lisa Edelstein have all been mentioned by fans who think they'd nail the role.
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Who Could Be Our Live-Action Rapunzel? Avantika Vandanapu Leads the Online Buzz
Speaking of fan casting, the internet went wild recently with speculation that 19-year-old American actress Avantika Vandanapu might be stepping into Rapunzel's very long shoes! Claims about her being linked to the project, even mentioning screen tests with Milo Manheim, spread like wildfire on social media (though the original post was later deleted).
Avantika is definitely a rising star, known for her leading role in Disney Channel's Spin (2021) and the Netflix comedy Senior Year (2022). She also appeared in the 2024 Mean Girls movie as Karen Shetty. Her role in Spin was groundbreaking, marking Disney Channel's first film centered on an Indian-American lead, showcasing her ability to break new ground.
Fans have had mixed reactions. Many are super excited, celebrating her Disney background and on-screen charisma, eager for more inclusive representation. Others, however, have questioned whether the live-action would diverge from Rapunzel's fair-haired animated appearance, leading to some unfortunate online backlash and racially charged comments. Supporters have quickly rallied, emphasizing the importance of diversity in major film franchises.
It's important to remember: As of now, there's absolutely NO official confirmation from Disney or Avantika's reps about her casting. But the buzz is real, and she's definitely a talent to watch!
Other Rumored Names for the Iconic Princess
Avantika isn't the only one who's been thrown into the Rapunzel ring. Other actresses frequently mentioned in fan speculation and rumors include:
- Florence Pugh: The Thunderbolts star has been heavily rumored for the lead role. Imagine a Black Widow reunion if she and Johansson both sign on!
- Sabrina Carpenter: Another popular choice amongst fans.
- Gigi Hadid: Yes, even supermodels have been rumored to audition!
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Behind the Scenes: The Talented Team Bringing 'Tangled' to Life
Beyond the potential cast, the creative team behind the live-action Tangled is shaping up to be quite impressive. We know that Michael Gracey is attached to direct. If that name sounds familiar, it's because he made his feature directorial debut with the visually stunning The Greatest Showman in 2017, which grossed $435 million worldwide. His work on the 2024 musical drama Better Man further solidified his reputation for innovative visual style and creative storytelling. His background in music videos also makes him a fitting choice for a film that will likely have strong musical elements!
Penning the screenplay is Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, who co-wrote Marvel Studios' Thor: Love and Thunder and also co-wrote and directed the recent legacy sequel I Know What You Did Last Summer. With this team, we can expect a fresh yet familiar take on the beloved story.
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The OG 'Tangled': A Quick Look Back at the Animated Classic
Let's take a moment to appreciate the film that started it all! The original animated Tangled, released in 2010, was a huge hit for Disney. Loosely based on the Brothers Grimm fairy tale of Rapunzel, it charmed audiences with its blend of adventure, comedy, and heartwarming moments.
The voice cast was fantastic:
- Mandy Moore as Rapunzel
- Zachary Levi as Flynn Rider
- Donna Murphy as Mother Gothel
The film earned over $590 million globally, becoming one of the highest-grossing films of 2010. Its success even led to a short film and a television series, proving just how much fans adore Rapunzel's story. The live-action version is expected to stay pretty similar to this fan-favorite.
What's Confirmed So Far for the Live-Action 'Tangled'?
Despite all the exciting chatter, here’s the bottom line: Disney has not yet made any official casting announcements for the live-action Tangled. While Scarlett Johansson's comments are definitely promising for her potential involvement as Mother Gothel, and Avantika Vandanapu is clearly on everyone's radar for Rapunzel, everything is still in the rumor stage.
However, what IS confirmed is that the project is moving forward with Michael Gracey directing and Jennifer Kaytin Robinson writing the script. Keep your eyes peeled for official updates directly from Disney!
FAQ: Your Burning Questions About the Live-Action 'Tangled'
- Entertainment Tonight (ET Online)
- People
- FandomWire
- ScreenRant
- IBTimes
- Deadline
- The Hollywood Reporter