Summary (tl;dr)

Disney has officially announced Teagan Croft and Milo Manheim as the lead actors for its upcoming live-action adaptation of the animated film Tangled, sparking widespread discussion and excitement among fans.

Essential Background

Tangled, released in 2010, is a beloved animated Disney musical based on the classic German fairy tale "Rapunzel," which grossed nearly $600 million worldwide and is considered a modern Disney classic. Disney has been consistently producing live-action remakes of its animated classics for over a decade, with varying degrees of box office success. The live-action Tangled project has been in development since late 2024, with ongoing speculation and fan-casting for the iconic roles of Rapunzel and Flynn Rider.

The Full Story

On January 7, 2026, Disney officially confirmed the casting of Teagan Croft as Rapunzel and Milo Manheim as Flynn Rider for the highly anticipated live-action Tangled movie. Croft is known for her role as Raven in the DC series Titans, while Manheim is a familiar face to Disney audiences, having starred in the Zombies franchise. The studio's decision followed a deliberate casting process that included screen tests in December. Michael Gracey, director of The Greatest Showman, is attached to direct the film, with Jennifer Kaytin Robinson penning the screenplay. The role of Mother Gothel is currently still vacant after Scarlett Johansson reportedly passed on the project.

Why It Matters

The casting announcement has generated significant buzz, particularly regarding Milo Manheim, who was a popular fan-cast choice for Flynn Rider, leading to excitement and approval across social media. This move aligns with Disney's strategy of appealing to a Gen-Z audience, and the roles are seen as potential star-making opportunities for both Croft and Manheim, potentially launching them into bigger mainstream careers. The success of recent live-action adaptations like Lilo & Stitch appears to have reinvigorated Disney's confidence in its remake strategy, despite earlier mixed reception for films like Snow White.

Geographic Location

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