Tangled Live-Action: Everything to Know

What happened at D23?

Disney showed brief first footage, just Rapunzel's long hair sprawled across cobblestone steps before the camera lifted to reveal Teagan Croft's face, followed by Kathryn Hahn stepping out of a doorway as Mother Gothel with a pointed "Rapunzel!" According to reporting from the event, the entire room reportedly screamed at the reveal. Hahn then took the stage in person, joking about her character being "a little overprotective, but that's because she cares so much," and calling Gothel "the best kind of villain, the kind who thinks she's a hero."

Who's in the cast of the live-action Tangled?

Teagan Croft, known for playing Raven in the DC series Titans, stars as Rapunzel, opposite Milo Manheim, from the Zombies franchise and Dancing with the Stars, as Flynn Rider. Kathryn Hahn plays Mother Gothel, a role fans had been vocally campaigning for her to get, which she acknowledged directly on stage. Caitríona Balfe, of Outlander, joins as Queen Arianna, with Elliot Cowan, from The Crown, as King Frederic. Patrick and Hugo McPherson play the Stabbington brothers. Diego Luna is also in the cast, playing a new character created for this film rather than pulled from the animated original.

What's the deal with Diego Luna's new character?

One of the more intriguing pieces of casting here, since it's not a role that exists in the 2010 animated film at all. Disney hasn't detailed what this means for the story, but adding an entirely new character to a fairly faithful fairy tale structure suggests the filmmakers are looking to expand the world somewhat rather than doing a pure shot-for-shot remake.

When exactly does it release, and where's it being filmed?

March 31, 2028, confirmed at D23 alongside the first footage. Filming is currently underway in Spain, which explains why Croft and Manheim couldn't attend D23 in person, instead sending a video message from set.

Who's directing, and what's their track record?

Michael Gracey, known for The Greatest Showman and the more recent Better Man, directs, from a screenplay by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, whose credits include Do Revenge and I Know What You Did Last Summer, alongside Michael Montemayor. Kristin Burr, who produced Cruella and Freakier Friday, produces, with Lucy Kitada executive producing.

Why does this one seem to have more goodwill than some other recent Disney live-action remakes?

A few reasons, honestly. Gracey's specific background directing large-scale movie musicals is a better fit for Tangled, which leans heavily on its songs, than some directors handed previous Disney remakes without musical directing experience. Hahn's casting as Mother Gothel was something fans actively campaigned for rather than something imposed on a skeptical fanbase, which matters a lot for how a remake's villain casting gets received. And the decision to add an original character rather than just retreading the same story beat for beat suggests some creative ambition rather than a pure cash-grab remake.

Is there any word yet on how closely this follows the original musically?

Not officially detailed yet, though given Gracey's musical theater background and the franchise's reliance on songs like "I See the Light," which earned an Oscar nomination for the original, it would be a surprise if the new songs weren't a central part of the marketing as the release gets closer.

Frequently asked questions

When does the live-action Tangled release? March 31, 2028.

Who plays Rapunzel and Flynn Rider in the live-action Tangled? Teagan Croft as Rapunzel and Milo Manheim as Flynn Rider.

Who plays Mother Gothel? Kathryn Hahn, a casting choice fans had campaigned for.

Is there a new character in the live-action Tangled that wasn't in the original? Yes, Diego Luna is playing a character created for this film, with details not yet revealed.

Want to rewatch the animated original before this comes out?

Our movie recommendation quiz can help you find something in a similar musical, fairy-tale register while you wait for 2028.