After much speculation on who will play the lead roles of Disney’s live-action remake of Tangled, fans now have a definitive answer as to who will play Rapunzel and Flynn Rider. Teagan Croft (known for her role as Raven from the Titans series) will be playing the golden-haired princess and Milo Manheim (known for his role as Zed in the Zombies movies) will be playing the charismatic thief who helps her in her quest to explore the world beyond her tower. Furthermore, Kathryn Hann is reportedly being eyed to play the movie’s antagonist, Mother Gothel.
The Original Tangled Movie
The original animated film was released in 2010, with Rapunzel being voiced by Mandy Moore (A Walk to Remember and This is Us star) and Flynn Rider by Zachary Levi (Shazam! and Chuck). The story is based on the story Rapunzel by the Brothers Grimm. The plot mainly centers around a young girl with long magical golden hair who longs to leave from her secret tower. Having been Disney’s first fully computer-animated (CG) film, Tangled was a major pioneer in many future studio films. However, as most people have seen by now, CG films are not Disney’s latest craze. That honor goes to the live-action remake model that Disney is persistently using ever since the success of Alice in Wonderland (2010).
Disney’s Very Extensive Live-Action Remake List
Even though Alice in Wonderland was not Disney’s first live-action remake of one of their popular animated movies, it was the turning point for the studio’s recognition of how popular (and profitable) these types of movies can be. After its undeniable success, Disney soon followed its example with producing films such as Maleficent (2014), Cinderella (2015), The Jungle Book (2016), Alice Through the Looking Glass (2016), Beauty and the Beast (2017), Christoper Robin (2018), Dumbo (2019), Alladin (2019), The Lion King (2019), Maleficent: Mistress of Evil (2019), Lady and the Tramp (2019), Mulan (2020), Cruella (2021), Pinocchio (2023), Peter Pan & Wendy (2023), The Little Mermaid (2023), Mufasa: The Lion King (2024), Snow White (2025) and finally Lilo & Stitch (2025).
From 2014 until today there have been 20 live action remakes, with 2019 having the most consecutive releases. It is understandable that these movies have been marketable and profitable (at least most of them), while other have been lackluster at best (such as Alice Through the Looking Glass and Pinocchio). Their success can be attributed to one simple factor: nostalgia. Fans that have grown up with these movies are relieving their childhood through them, while also newer fans are being brought into the fold. However now, with the remake of Tangled, as well as Moana (a remake of a movie that come out only ten years ago), one question comes to mind: “Do we really need more live action remakes?” In my own opinion, we do not.
Do Live-Action Remakes Actually Evolve Their Stories?
Let us unpack this a bit more. Yes, these movies are most definitely enjoyable. Most adult viewers are hit with the nostalgia factor, while also having the opportunity to delve deeper into the plots of these movies. For example, Beauty and the Beast beautifully gave more context on Belle’s and the Beast’s relationship and how it blossomed. The Little Mermaid debunked a plot hole as old as time: “Why didn’t she write a letter to Eric that she was the one that saved him?”.
Live-action remakes help audiences get answers to many questions they might have from the original movies. But what started off as just evolving the story, now has become repetitive. And in some cases, the entire plot of the movie can change entirely. Instead of interfering with movies that already have been successful and loved, isn’t it better to remake movies that have done poorly at the box office, while also becoming cult favorites? Such examples are The Back Cauldron (1985), Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001) and Treasure Planet (2002).
Nonetheless, the casting of the Tangled remake is quite good, and it will be interesting to see how the movie will fair when it is released (presumably in 2027). In the meantime, it would be best if the powerhouse studio tries to get back to its roots and focus on its animated features, especially after its most recent one, Zootopia 2, became both a box office hit and one of its most profitable movies ever.