‘Tangled’: Scarlett Johansson Addresses Mother Gothel Casting Reports

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Disney is bringing back its live-action remake of Tangled, and Scarlett Johansson is a likely candidate for a leading role. While she’s famous for playing Black Widow in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, her next project with Disney could be very different. Rumors suggest Johansson is being considered to play Mother Gothel, the villain in the Rapunzel story, in this new reimagining.

Recent reports suggested that Scarlett Johansson might play the villain, Mother Gothel, in Disney’s upcoming live-action remake of Tangled. Mother Gothel is known as one of Disney’s most wicked characters – she kidnaps baby Rapunzel, locks her away in a tower, and uses the magical properties of her hair for her own vanity. When asked about the rumors, Johansson didn’t deny them, saying “anything is possible.” She then explained what specifically interests her about potentially joining the project.

I’m really excited about the chance to work with director Michael Gracey. He’s an incredibly talented visionary, and I think any actor would be thrilled to collaborate with him.

Michael Gracey first gained recognition as a feature film director in 2017 with The Greatest Showman, a musical starring Hugh Jackman. The film was a huge success, earning $435 million worldwide and receiving praise for its spectacular visuals, strong acting, and memorable music. He continued to showcase his unique and visually creative style with the 2024 film Better Man, a biographical drama about Robbie Williams told in an innovative way – through a remarkably realistic CGI chimpanzee. Gracey is now working on a live-action remake of Tangled, which is expected to include musical numbers, potentially with a fresh take on the villain song Mother Knows Best, aligning with his history of visually rich and musical projects.

Disney Appears to Be Re-Evaluating Its Strategy


Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Disney temporarily stopped work on a live-action Tangled movie after the recent Snow White film, starring Rachel Zegler, didn’t perform well in theaters. But then, Lilo & Stitch became a huge hit, earning $1 billion worldwide. This success gave Disney more confidence to continue making live-action remakes, and they’ve now restarted development on Tangled. Scarlett Johansson may join other actresses like Emma Stone, Angelina Jolie, and Melissa McCarthy, who have played iconic Disney villains in live-action films.

Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, the writer behind Marvel’s Thor: Love and Thunder (alongside Taika Waititi) and the recent I Know What You Did Last Summer, is reportedly writing the script for a live-action Tangled movie. The new film is expected to closely follow the story of the beloved 2010 animated original, which starred Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi. While casting hasn’t been confirmed, Florence Pugh (known for Thunderbolts and Black Widow) is a strong contender to play Rapunzel. If she’s cast, it could lead to a reunion with Scarlett Johansson, who is rumored to be considered for the role of Mother Gothel.

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2025-10-21 17:12