Disney’s dream of bringing animated classics to life continues with “Tangled,” which is emerging as the studio’s next live-action project.
After the live-action “Snow White” disappointed audiences and underperformed at the box office last March, Disney announced an indefinite pause to the production of “Tangled” in April 2025, Deseret News previously reported. However, the company has picked up momentum with production for its live-action “Tangled” and has moved forward with casting.
Disney announced Wednesday that Teagan Croft will star in the lead role as Rapunzel, with Milo Manheim cast as Flynn Rider.
Croft is an up-and-coming Australian actress whose previous work includes the DC Universe television series “Titans” and the 2023 Netflix biographical film “True Spirit,” according to IMDb.
Manheim is known for his roles on Disney’s “Zombies” franchise and “Dancing with the Stars,” according to IMDb. He was considered a front-runner among fans for the role, with some predicting his casting back in 2024 when the film was first announced, as reported by Deseret News.
Disney’s latest project is based on the 2010 animated hit “Tangled,” which featured the voices of Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi as Rapunzel and Flynn Rider, respectively. The animated film grossed $591.8 million at the box office worldwide, as reported by Box Office Mojo.
The live-action “Tangled” will be directed by Michael Gracey, known for “Better Man” and “The Greatest Showman.” The film is expected to have similar musical elements to the animated original. The producer behind “Freakier Friday” and the 2021 live-action ”Cruella” is on the project. The script was written by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, whose work includes “Do Revenge” and “Thor: Love and Thunder,” according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Disney’s live-action remake strategy
Disney received mixed reviews of its live-action remakes last year. “Snow White” earned poor audience reviews, while “Lilo and Stitch” was a box-office success, becoming the year’s only billion-dollar release until “Zootopia 2″ debuted in late November, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
“Moana” stands as the lone live-action remake scheduled to hit theaters in 2026. Other projects in development or previously announced include “Hercules,” “The Sword in the Stone,” “Robin Hood,” “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” “The Aristocrats,” “Bambi” and more, as the Deseret News previously reported.