Disney's highly anticipated live-action adaptation of its beloved 2010 animated film, “Tangled,” is officially moving forward with Teagan Croft and Milo Manheim cast in the lead roles of Rapunzel and Flynn Rider, respectively. The announcement comes after an extensive and deliberate search by Disney to find the perfect actors to embody these iconic characters, originally voiced by Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi in the animated classic. Other finalists considered for the coveted roles included Freya Skye, Sarah Catherine Hook, Olivia-Mai Barrett, Charlie Gillespie, and Gilli Jones.

The original animated "Tangled," released on November 24, 2010, was a significant success for Disney, grossing over $591 million worldwide, and reaching $592.5 million at the box office. It launched a mini-franchise, telling the enchanting tale of Rapunzel, a princess with magically long hair, who is rescued from her secluded tower by the charismatic outlaw Flynn Rider. The film also introduced Mother Gothel, a wicked figure who exploited Rapunzel's magical locks for its power to grant eternal youth, keeping the princess isolated and forbidden from experiencing the outside world. Its popularity led to the 2012 short film “Tangled Ever After” and the successful Disney Channel series “Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventure,” which premiered in 2017.

Teagan Croft, an Australian rising star, is best known for her role as Rachel Roth, also known as Raven, in the DC series “Titans.” She also starred in the Netflix film “True Spirit,” portraying Aussie sailor Jessica Watson. Milo Manheim is a familiar face to Disney audiences, having starred in four of the “Zombies” films for the Disney Channel and recently appearing opposite Peyton List in the paranormal teen fantasy hit “School Spirits.” He also achieved second place on season 27 of “Dancing with the Stars.” Both actors have previously showcased their acting and singing talents, making them strong choices for the musical adaptation.

Behind the camera, Michael Gracey, director of “The Greatest Showman” and “Better Man,” will helm the live-action "Tangled" project, having been attached since 2024. The screenplay has been penned by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, known for her work on “Do Revenge,” “Thor: Love and Thunder,” and “I Know What You Did Last Summer.” Kristin Burr, producer of “Freakier Friday” and “Cruella,” is producing, with Lucy Kitada serving as executive producer. The next key casting priority is finding an actress to portray the villainous Mother Gothel, with Scarlett Johansson having been in consideration when the project was revived last October.

The journey for the live-action “Tangled” has been a winding one. The project was initially reported to be in early development in December 2024 (as per the provided text) and was later put on hold in April after the lukewarm box office performance of Disney’s live-action “Snow White” caused the company to rethink its remake strategy. However, the impressive $1 billion performance of the live-action “Lilo & Stitch” in 2025 (adhering to provided text dates) reportedly changed Disney's tune, moving the "Tangled" remake forward once more. This adaptation is part of Disney's ongoing trend of transforming its animated classics into live-action films, following titles such as “The Lion King,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Aladdin,” “Mulan,” “Dumbo,” and “The Little Mermaid.” The live-action “Moana,” featuring Dwayne Johnson as Maui and newcomer Catherine Laga‘aia as the titular princess, is also set to hit theaters on July 10. Further production details and an official release date for “Tangled” are yet to be announced.