Disney is once again returning to its animated vault for a live-action adaptation, this time bringing the beloved 2010 film Tangled (known in German as Rapunzel – Neu verföhnt) to the big screen. According to industry reports, the studio is in negotiations with director Michael Gracey to helm the project, with Jennifer Kaytin Robinson attached to write the screenplay. The announcement comes amid a wave of live-action remakes, including the currently filming Moana adaptation starring Dwayne Johnson.
The Rise of Disney’s Live-Action Remakes
Since the success of Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland (2010), Disney has aggressively mined its animated classics for live-action reinterpretations. Films like Maleficent (2014), Beauty and the Beast (2017), Aladdin (2019), and The Lion King (2019) have generated billions worldwide, though critical reception has varied. The studio’s approach has evolved from faithful retellings to more creative reimaginings, such as Maleficent’s villain perspective and Cruella’s fashion-forward origin story. With Tangled, Disney aims to capture the charm of the original while updating it for a new generation. The 2010 animated film, loosely based on the Brothers Grimm fairy tale, was a critical and commercial success, earning over $590 million globally and spawning a TV series and theme park attractions.
Michael Gracey: A Musical Director for a Musical Tale
Director Michael Gracey is best known for The Greatest Showman (2017), a musical biopic that became a sleeper hit, grossing $435 million on a $84 million budget. His ability to blend spectacle, emotion, and song makes him a natural fit for Tangled, which itself is a musical featuring songs by Alan Menken and Glenn Slater, including the Oscar-nominated “I See the Light.” Gracey also directed the upcoming Better Man, a Robbie Williams biopic that uses motion capture to portray the singer as a chimpanzee—a testament to his willingness to take risks. Should negotiations succeed, Gracey will bring his experience in crafting vibrant, audience-pleasing musical sequences to the kingdom of Corona.
Screenwriter Jennifer Kaytin Robinson
Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, who penned the screenplay, has quickly become one of Hollywood’s most sought-after writers. She made her directorial debut with the teen comedy Do Revenge (2022) for Netflix, and co-wrote Thor: Love and Thunder (2022) with Taika Waititi. She is also writing and directing the upcoming sequel I Know What You Did Last Summer 4, set for release in July 2025. Robinson’s ability to blend humor, heart, and contemporary sensibilities should serve Tangled well, especially in updating the dialogue and character dynamics for modern audiences.
Potential Cast: Florence Pugh and Timothée Chalamet
No official casting has been announced, but speculation has centered on two of Hollywood’s hottest young stars. Florence Pugh, known for her roles in Midsommar, Little Women, and Oppenheimer, has been rumored as the top choice to play Rapunzel. The 28-year-old actress has already proven her singing and dancing abilities in Little Women and the upcoming Dune: Part Two deleted scenes. Her previous collaboration with Disney in Black Widow (as Yelena Belova) gives her a familiar relationship with the studio. As for Flynn Rider, the roguish thief who captures Rapunzel’s heart, original voice actor Zachary Levi (who played the character in the animated film) publicly suggested Timothée Chalamet for a live-action role. Chalamet has demonstrated his musical talents in Wonka (2023), where he sang and danced as the young chocolatier, and his global star power from the Dune franchise makes him a box-office draw. While neither Pugh nor Chalamet have confirmed involvement, insider reports from 2023 indicated Disney had interest in both actors.
Levi himself has expressed enthusiasm for passing the role to Chalamet, telling media that he thinks the younger actor would be perfect. However, whether Disney will follow his suggestion or cast someone else remains to be seen. The studio has a history of mixing known stars with relatively fresh faces in these remakes—for instance, Emma Watson in Beauty and the Beast, Will Smith in Aladdin, and Halle Bailey in The Little Mermaid.
The Legacy of Tangled
Released in 2010, Tangled marked a turning point for Disney’s animation renaissance. Following the success of The Princess and the Frog (2009), the studio returned to CGI animation after a brief hand-drawn interlude. Directed by Nathan Greno and Byron Howard, the film features the voice talents of Mandy Moore as Rapunzel and Zachary Levi as Flynn. Its story of a young woman with magical 70-foot-long hair who yearns to see the floating lanterns from her tower resonated with audiences, earning a 89% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Alan Menken’s score and songs—including “When Will My Life Begin?” and “Mother Knows Best”—became instant classics. The film also introduced the charismatic chameleon Pascal and the comic-relief horse Maximus, characters fans hope will appear in the live-action version. The live-action remake will likely expand on the world of Corona, perhaps incorporating elements from the subsequent animated series Tangled: The Series (2017–2020), which continued Rapunzel’s adventures after the film.
Challenges and Expectations
Translating the animated Rapunzel to live-action presents unique challenges. The character’s central feature—her long, glowing hair that heals and remains magically strong—will require convincing CGI or practical effects. Previous remakes like The Little Mermaid (2023) used visual effects to bring underwater worlds and merfolk to life, but Rapunzel’s hair is a more constant and integral element. Casting also poses a dilemma: Rapunzel’s voice actress Mandy Moore is now 40, too old for the role, but fans have fond memories of her performance. The new actress must capture both the youthful innocence and the growing independence of the character. Similarly, Flynn Rider’s cocky yet endearing personality needs an actor with comedic timing and charisma. If Pugh and Chalamet indeed sign on, they would bring substantial star quality, but also intense scrutiny from fans who cherish the original.
Another consideration is the musical component. Will the remake feature new songs alongside Menken’s original numbers? The Beauty and the Beast remake added new songs (one of which, “Evermore,” was warmly received), while Aladdin introduced a new song for Jasmine. Given Gracey’s background with The Greatest Showman, it’s likely new material could be written, but Menken may return to contribute. Disney has also experimented with altering plot points in remakes—for better or worse. The 2017 Beauty and the Beast gave Belle a backstory as an inventor and expanded the Beast’s curse, while Aladdin gave Jasmine a more active political role. For Tangled, the story is already quite tight, but the screenplay could deepen the relationship between Rapunzel and Mother Gothel (the villain), or explore the kingdom’s politics.
Current Status and Timeline
As of now, the project is in early development with no confirmed release date. Disney has not yet officially greenlit the film, but the hiring of Gracey and Robinson suggests a high priority. The script is being written, and casting announcements are expected in the coming months. Meanwhile, the studio is juggling other remakes: the Moana live-action film began principal photography in 2024, with Dwayne Johnson reprising his role as Maui and newcomer Catherine Laga’aia as Moana. Lilo & Stitch is also in the works, as is a sequel to The Jungle Book (2016). The Tangled remake could slot into Disney’s 2027–2028 release window, given the development time required.
Industry analysts are watching closely. The success of Barbie (2023) and Wonka demonstrated that musical fantasy films can still dominate the box office when executed well. However, the recent underperformance of The Marvels and Wish has made Disney more cautious about budgets and oversaturation. A live-action Tangled carries nostalgia value and a built-in fan base, but it also enters a market saturated with IP revivals. If Gracey can bring the same kinetic energy he showed in The Greatest Showman, and if Pugh and Chalamet bring their considerable talents, this remake could become a new classic—or at least a profitable one. Only time will tell if the magic of the lanterns will shine as brightly in live action.
Source: FILMSTARTS.de News