Disney fans, get ready: the studio has officially cast the leads for its highly anticipated live-action adaptation of Tangled. On January 7, 2026, Disney confirmed that Teagan Croft and Milo Manheim will step into the iconic roles of Rapunzel and Flynn Rider, respectively, breathing new life into the beloved characters first introduced in the 2010 animated classic. The announcement, which was shared on Disney’s official X account and widely reported by outlets such as Deadline, ScreenRant, and WDW News Today, marks a significant step forward for a project that has experienced its fair share of twists and turns.
Teagan Croft, the 21-year-old Australian actress best known for her portrayal of Rachel Roth/Raven in DC’s Titans and for starring as Jessica Watson in Netflix’s True Spirit, will take on the coveted role of Rapunzel. Milo Manheim, 24, is no stranger to Disney audiences—he’s known for his lead role as Zed in the Zombies franchise, as well as for his second-place finish on season 27 of Dancing with the Stars. Manheim has also showcased his talents on stage, appearing in the Hollywood Bowl’s production of Jesus Christ Superstar and starring as Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors Off-Broadway. According to Capital and The Hollywood Reporter, both actors secured their roles after an extensive audition process, including chemistry reads held in London in December 2025. Croft was chosen from a pool of talented contenders such as Freya Skye, Sarah Catherine Hook, and Olivia-Mai Barrett, while Manheim beat out Charlie Gillespie, Gilli Jones, and Corey Mylchreest.
The live-action Tangled is set to be directed by Michael Gracey, the filmmaker behind the hit musical The Greatest Showman. Gracey’s involvement was first reported in December 2024, and he remains attached to the project despite a rocky production timeline. Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, whose writing credits include Thor: Love and Thunder and I Know What You Did Last Summer, penned the script. Kristin Burr, known for her work on Freaky Friday and Cruella, is producing, with Lucy Kitada serving as executive producer.
For those who may have missed the phenomenon, the original Tangled was a modern retelling of the Brothers Grimm’s Rapunzel fairy tale. Released by Walt Disney Animation Studios on November 24, 2010, the film followed Rapunzel, a spirited princess with 70 feet of magical golden hair, as she escaped her isolated tower for the first time. Teaming up with the charming thief Flynn Rider, Rapunzel embarked on an adventure filled with action, self-discovery, and memorable sidekicks like Maximus the horse and Pascal the chameleon. The film, directed by Nathan Greno and Byron Howard, became a pop culture sensation, grossing over $590 million worldwide (with some sources citing $581.9 million) and earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song with "I See the Light," composed by Alan Menken with lyrics by Glenn Slater.
Bringing this animated favorite to live-action has been a journey as winding as Rapunzel’s hair. Development on the remake was first reported in 2020, a decade after the animated film’s release. According to WDW News Today, the project was officially announced in December 2024, only to be placed on indefinite hold in April 2025 after Disney’s live-action Snow White remake underperformed at the box office. That setback gave Disney pause, especially as the studio has leaned heavily on live-action reimaginings of its animated classics in recent years. However, the tide turned later in 2025 when the live-action Lilo & Stitch soared past the $1 billion mark worldwide. Buoyed by this success, Disney revived the Tangled project in October 2025, with Gracey and Robinson still at the helm.
The casting of Croft and Manheim is a notable departure from some of the higher-profile names Disney has tapped for other live-action remakes, such as Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot in Snow White or Emma Stone and Emma Thompson in Cruella. Both Croft and Manheim are familiar to younger audiences, but not quite household names—at least, not yet. Their selection suggests Disney may be aiming to capture fresh energy and authenticity, rather than relying solely on star power. As ScreenRant notes, the pair "are now the faces of what has the potential to be another massive box office hit for Disney."
One major question still hangs over the production: who will play the villainous Mother Gothel? Scarlett Johansson was reportedly in talks for the role, but according to Deadline and ScreenRant, she has since departed the project, leaving the casting wide open. With Croft and Manheim now in place, speculation is swirling that Disney may opt for another relatively lesser-known actor to round out the principal cast. The decision will be closely watched, as Mother Gothel is a key figure in both the original fairy tale and Disney’s adaptation—a manipulative, charismatic antagonist whose dynamic with Rapunzel is central to the story’s emotional core.
Despite the momentum, fans eager to see Croft and Manheim in action will need to be patient. As of early January 2026, filming has not yet begun and no official release date has been announced. Capital reports that the movie is still in pre-production, and with Disney’s next live-action remake, Moana, scheduled to hit theaters on July 10, 2026, it may be some time before Tangled swings onto the big screen.
Nevertheless, the anticipation is palpable. The original Tangled not only revitalized Disney’s princess genre but also left a lasting mark on audiences with its blend of humor, heart, and unforgettable music. The live-action remake, with its new cast and creative team, faces the challenge—and the opportunity—of reimagining a modern classic for a new generation. As Disney continues to revisit its animated library, all eyes will be on Croft and Manheim to see how they interpret the roles that Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi made famous.
For now, fans can only imagine what surprises await as Disney’s Tangled prepares to let down its hair once again—this time, in living color.
