Tangled Live-Action Remake Back in Motion at Disney, Scarlett Johansson in Talks for Mother Gothel

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A live-action remake of Disney’s *Tangled* is moving forward again after a brief delay, and Scarlett Johansson is being considered to play a major villain in the film.

Disney is reportedly developing a live-action adaptation of Rapunzel, with Michael Gracey (known for directing *The Greatest Showman*) as the director. Sources at SuperHeroHype say Scarlett Johansson is being considered to play the role of Mother Gothel.

A Modern Classic Gets the Live-Action Treatment…For Better or Worse

Released in 2010, *Tangled* was a major hit for Walt Disney Animation Studios. Featuring Mandy Moore as Rapunzel, Zachary Levi as Flynn Rider, and Donna Murphy as Mother Gothel, the movie put a fresh spin on the traditional Rapunzel story. It combined catchy songs reminiscent of Broadway musicals, impressive computer animation, and a genuinely touching story.

With the continued success of the original film and Disney’s tendency to remake its animated classics – sometimes successfully, sometimes not, as seen with films like *The Little Mermaid*, *Aladdin*, and *Beauty and the Beast* – it wasn’t surprising when *Tangled* was announced as the next live-action project. In 2024, it was confirmed that Gracey would direct, working from a screenplay by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson (known for *Thor: Love and Thunder* and *Do Revenge*).

Experts thought Disney’s *Tangled* would soon begin production. However, those plans shifted when another of Disney’s fairytale remakes faced difficulties.

Development Stalled After the Snow White Debacle

Reports suggested Disney put plans for a live-action remake of *Tangled* on hold, potentially until early 2025, after the backlash and poor ticket sales of their *Snow White* film. That movie, starring Rachel Zegler, faced months of online criticism regarding its creative choices and how Disney handled its promotion.

Even though Snow White cost a lot to make, it only earned around $206 million globally, which was less than Disney hoped for and may not have even covered its costs. After this, people in the movie industry said Disney leaders were reconsidering future live-action princess movies, worried that another remake might not do well with audiences.

Because of this, it seemed like Disney had stopped working on *Tangled*, a movie that was already being developed with Glen Keane and Dean DeBlois involved.

Revival and Renewed Confidence

Disney seems to be moving forward with a live-action remake of “Tangled.” Director John Musker is still involved, and Scarlett Johansson is now a leading candidate to play Mother Gothel, the villain who kidnaps Rapunzel to steal the magic that keeps her young.

Given the success of this year’s live-action *Lilo & Stitch*, which earned over $1 billion worldwide, Disney seems ready to see if audiences are interested in updated fairytale stories. The film’s strong performance has given the studio more confidence in its ability to successfully remake its classic animated movies when done well.

Scarlett Johansson Eyes the Villain’s Role

If talks continue successfully, Johansson would return to Disney for another major role, building on her ten years playing Black Widow in the Marvel movies. This year, she’s already juggled critically acclaimed films with big-budget action movies, including ‘The Phoenician Scheme’, ‘Jurassic World Rebirth’, and ‘Eleanor the Great’, which she also directed.

Playing Mother Gothel could give her a chance to show off both charm and a threatening side, something we haven’t seen much of lately. It’s a role that combines over-the-top villainy with a deeper, more complex personality. For Disney, casting her would add major star power to a film that’s already gaining attention.

What It Means for Disney’s Strategy

Disney’s choice to remake *Tangled* signals a shift in how it approaches live-action adaptations. The studio has been criticized for making too many remakes, but data suggests that animated films from the early 2000s, like *Tangled* and *Lilo & Stitch*, are particularly popular with younger viewers who are important for keeping Disney+ subscribers engaged.

Disney’s focus on these new projects might be an attempt to recreate the success of *Frozen*, especially after recent remakes of *The Little Mermaid* and *Snow White* didn’t quite hit the mark. If Scarlett Johansson joins the cast and *Tangled* begins production, it could be a key test of Disney’s ability to blend well-known stories with new and innovative ideas.

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2025-10-12 14:57