Sorry, however these Disney live-action remakes proceed to print cash and the corporate is in full sequel/nostalgia mode to create ‘worth’ for shareholders after latest wins like Deadpool & Wolverine and Moana 2. Tangled is next in line for its real-life counterpart.
This announcement may come as a shock to those unaware, as there was no prior indication that Tangled would be reimagined in a new light. However, with the live-action remake of Moana (2016) already shot and set to debut on July 10, 2026, Disney insists it is an authentic retelling.
Reports indicate that Michael Gracey, acclaimed director of The Greatest Showman, is in talks to helm the forthcoming project. The filmmaker’s innovative work on Higher Man, a Robbie Williams biopic, has garnered significant attention due to its unconventional premise: the singer transforms into a chimpanzee. The film’s positive reception prior to its Christmas release is hardly surprising, given Disney’s keen interest in collaborating with the director after his consecutive successes in live-action filmmaking, particularly as this upcoming project promises to be a musical.
It has been reported that “the movie is predicted to observe alongside the traces of the animated model” and that Thor: Love & Thunder’s Jennifer Kaytin Robinson has penned the newest draft of the script. She recently submitted her work on the I Know What You Did Last Summer sequel. The challenge lies within the early levels, with critical casting details unlikely to materialize anytime soon.
Despite generating nearly $600 million at the international box office and giving rise to a successful short film and moderately lucrative TV series, Tangled’s lack of a theatrical sequel left its vast potential for expansion unfulfilled for too long. The film was instrumental in reigniting passion at Walt Disney Animation Studios following a challenging period, propelling the studio into the world of 3D animation and culminating in the massive success of Frozen in 2013.
Former Disney star Zachary Levi, who lent his voice as co-lead Flynn Rider in the animated hit, has reportedly floated Timothée Chalamet’s name for the role before. Given the younger actor’s immense popularity, I wouldn’t entirely discount the possibility of taking on that level of risk. Given the Disney acquisition of Fox, Florence Pugh’s involvement with Marvel could be another factor to consider when casting the new Rapunzel? Walt Disney Studios might consider casting actors in their early twenties, taking into account the potential time required to develop a character and navigate the production process.
Following Disney’s successful live-action remakes, we next see the release of
