The lanterns are finally ready to rise.
After years of fan-casting and social media debates, Disney has officially found its Rapunzel and Flynn Rider for the highly anticipated live-action re-imagining of Tangled.
Teagan Croft, best known for her gritty turn as Raven in the DC series Titans, has landed the role of the magically long-haired princess, the studio confirmed in a series of social media posts and reports this week.
Joining her in the tower, and eventually on a high-stakes escape, is Disney stalwart Milo Manheim, who will step into the boots of the kingdom’s most wanted (and most charming) outlaw, Flynn Rider.
The news marks a major turning point for the production, which has hovered in the development ether since late 2024.
The 2010 animated original, which featured the voices of Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi, didn’t just save Disney Animation; it redefined the “modern princess” archetype.
With a global box office haul of over $590 million and an Oscar-nominated anthem in “I See the Light,” the film remains a crown jewel for millennial and Gen Z fans alike.
For the live-action iteration, Disney is leaning into a creative team with significant musical pedigree.
Michael Gracey, the visionary behind The Greatest Showman, is attached to direct, while the screenplay comes from Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, who recently brought a sharp, modern edge to the genre with Do Revenge.
The casting of Croft and Manheim signals a shift toward a younger, theater-trained lead duo, likely intended to carry the franchise for years to come.
The selection of Croft, an Australian actress who also led the Netflix survival drama True Spirit, comes after what industry insiders described as an extensive international search.
Reports from The Hollywood Reporter suggest that finalists for the role of Rapunzel underwent rigorous screen tests in London as recently as December 2025.
Croft’s background in action-heavy roles on Titans may hint at a more physically adventurous take on the princess who famously uses a frying pan as a primary weapon.
Manheim’s casting, meanwhile, feels like a “safe bet” that has largely satisfied the Disney faithful.
The actor, who rose to fame in the Zombies franchise and finished as runner-up on Dancing with the Stars, already possesses the “smolder” and the vocal chops required for the role of Eugene Fitzherbert.
Manheim took to Instagram shortly after the news broke to address the weight of the role.
“Too grateful to put into words,” the actor shared with his followers. “I will do him justice, I promise.”
As with any major Disney casting, the announcement has been met with a whirlwind of online chatter regarding the film’s supporting cast.
The most prominent rumor involves the role of the villainous Mother Gothel.
While Scarlett Johansson was previously reported to be in talks for the role, sources now indicate she has exited the project due to scheduling conflicts with The Batman Part II and a reboot of The Exorcist.
Currently, Emmy-nominee Kathryn Hahn is reportedly the front-runner for the role of the manipulative captor, though Disney has yet to confirm her involvement.
Fans have also been vocal about their desire to see Donna Murphy, who voiced Gothel in the original, reprise the role in live-action, a move Disney previously made with James Earl Jones in The Lion King.
The casting of Tangled arrives at a time when celebrity appearance and “visual accuracy” are under an intense microscope on platforms like TikTok and X (formerly Twitter).
In recent months, some corners of the internet have engaged in a broader discourse regarding the “look” of live-action leads, often comparing new actors to their animated counterparts with surgical precision.
This scrutiny often extends into speculation about cosmetic trends or the perceived “aging” of young Hollywood, a conversation that has shadowed recent Disney remakes like Snow White and The Little Mermaid.
However, the response to Croft and Manheim has been notably balanced.
Industry analysts suggest that by casting actors who already have a strong “fancast” following, particularly Manheim, Disney may be attempting to mitigate the online friction that has plagued previous live-action adaptations.
The Tangled announcement isn’t happening in a vacuum; it’s part of a massive, multi-year strategy for the studio.
Following the blockbuster success of The Little Mermaid and the upcoming Moana live-action film (set for release later this summer), Disney is doubling down on its “New Era” classics.
While 1990s hits like Aladdin and Beauty and the Beast were the first to get the remake treatment, the studio is now looking at the CGI hits of the 2010s.
The pressure is high, as these films are often more closely tied to the childhoods of active social media users who are quick to protect the legacy of the original material.
Production for Tangled is expected to begin in the U.K. in June 2026, with a focus on blending practical fairytale sets with the “lantern-lit” visual style that made the original so iconic.
As the kingdom of Corona prepares for its live-action debut, here is the breakdown of the facts versus the rumors.
Confirmed Statements:
- Teagan Croft is officially cast as Rapunzel.
- Milo Manheim is officially cast as Flynn Rider (Eugene Fitzherbert).
- Michael Gracey (The Greatest Showman) is directing.
- Jennifer Kaytin Robinson (Do Revenge) is writing the screenplay.
- The film is a theatrical release, not a streaming exclusive.
What Has Been Clarified:
- Scarlett Johansson is no longer attached to play Mother Gothel, despite early talks.
- Filming is slated to begin in mid-2026 in the United Kingdom.
- The movie will remain a musical, though the inclusion of new songs by Alan Menken has not yet been confirmed.
Relevant Past Context:
- Milo Manheim is a veteran of the Disney Zombies franchise and has a proven track record with the studio’s musical format.
- Teagan Croft has experience with large-scale franchises through her five-season run on Titans.
What Remains Speculation:
- Kathryn Hahn is “in talks” for Mother Gothel, but no contract has been finalized.
- There is currently no official release date, though industry projections eye a late 2027 or early 2028 window.
- Casting for the “Pub Thugs” and Maximus (the palace horse) remains unannounced.
