The floating lanterns are finally back in the sky! After years of rumors, false starts, and “fan casts” that took over social media, Disney has officially confirmed that the live-action reimagining of Tangled is moving ahead. Even more exciting? We finally know who will be stepping into the iconic roles of Rapunzel and Flynn Rider.
The 2010 animated original didn’t just give us a new Disney Princess; it launched a creative resurgence for the studio, grossing over $591 million and spawning a beloved TV series. Now, as Disney navigates a post-2025 landscape where live-action remakes are seeing a massive second wind, the kingdom of Corona is preparing to open its gates once more.
Meet Your New Rapunzel: Teagan Croft
Stepping into the tower as our magically long-haired princess is Teagan Croft. The rising Australian star is best known for her gritty and emotive performance as Rachel Roth (a.k.a. Raven) in the DC series Titans.
While Titans showed off her range for drama, her lead role in the Netflix hit True Spirit proved she could carry a major film with heart and grit. Playing Rapunzel requires a unique blend of wide-eyed curiosity and fierce independence, and Croft’s previous roles suggest she has exactly the “outside the tower” energy needed for the part.
The Smolder Returns: Milo Manheim as Flynn Rider
Finding the right actor to embody the charm, wit, and (of course) the “smolder” of Flynn Rider was no easy feat. Enter Milo Manheim. A favorite within the Disney family, Manheim became a household name through the Zombies franchise and showcased his incredible athleticism as the runner-up on Dancing with the Stars.
Manheim, the son of Emmy winner Camryn Manheim, brings a musical theater background that will be essential for the film’s “big musical elements.” His natural charisma and history with Disney make him a seamless fit for the outlaw-turned-hero originally voiced by Zachary Levi.
A Creative Team with a “Greatest Showman” Flair
Disney isn’t just playing it safe with the cast; they’ve assembled a creative powerhouse behind the scenes to ensure this isn’t just a shot-for-shot remake.
Director Michael Gracey: The man behind The Greatest Showman and the Robbie Williams biopic Better Man is set to helm the project. Gracey’s background in high-spectacle musicals is a perfect match for the “Kingdom Dance” and the ethereal “I See the Light” sequence.
Writer Jennifer Kaytin Robinson: Known for her sharp, modern voice in Do Revenge and her work on Thor: Love and Thunder, Robinson is penning the script. Expect a screenplay that maintains the heart of the original while perhaps giving Rapunzel even more agency in her journey.
Producers: The project is being guided by Kristin Burr (Cruella, Freakier Friday) and executive producer Lucy Kitada.
From “On Hold” to a Billion-Dollar Path
The road to this announcement hasn’t been without its bumps. Earlier in the development cycle, the project was reportedly put on hold following the lukewarm box office performance of the Snow White remake, which struggled to break even against its massive budget.
However, the tide turned in 2025 with the astronomical success of the live-action Lilo & Stitch. That film shattered expectations, becoming the first movie of 2025 to gross $1 billion at the global box office. This “Stitch effect” proved to Disney that audiences still have a massive appetite for these stories when the tone and execution are right. With Moana (starring Dwayne Johnson and Catherine Laga‘aia) set to hit theaters on July 10, 2026, Tangled is now positioned as one of the studio’s most anticipated upcoming “crown jewels.”
