Disney has resumed development on its live-action Tangled adaptation with two-time Oscar nominee Scarlett Johansson in talks to play the villainous Mother Gothel, after the project was shelved in April 2025 following Snow White’s box office failure.
Michael Gracey, director of “The Greatest Showman,” is attached to helm the live-action Tangled project from a script by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson. Producers include Kristin Burr for Burr! Productions and Emmy-winning Lucy Kitada, who are working to bring the beloved 2010 animated film to life with real actors.
Scarlett Johansson would portray the evil witch who kidnapped Rapunzel as a baby to exploit her magical hair’s healing powers. The role was originally voiced by Tony Award-winner Donna Murphy in the animated classic. Casting for Rapunzel and Flynn Rider has not been announced.
The Tangled remake’s revival follows the massive success of Disney’s “Lilo & Stitch” live-action adaptation, which became 2025’s first billion-dollar movie. Disney halted live-action fairy tale projects after “Snow White” flopped but appears ready to greenlight fairy tale remakes again based on recent box office momentum.
