Summary
- Fans are excitedly speculating about potential cast choices for a Tangled live-action remake, drawing inspiration from successful Disney live-action adaptations.
- Jessica Rothe could be a great fit for the role of Rapunzel, as she has singing experience and comedic chops that would suit the character's feisty and fun personality.
- Donald Glover is a compelling choice for Flynn Rider, as he possesses both comedic and action-based acting skills, along with the ability to deliver emotional scenes effectively.
Tangled was a beloved Disney animated musical with a strong fans base that is already starting to imagine what a Tangled live-action cast would look like. The original movie was a retelling of the story of Rapunzel with Mandy Moore providing the voice of the long-haired hero with magical hair and Zachary Levi as the roguish thief who falls for her. While they helped to bring the story to the screen in animated form, some ideas that the fans have for the Tangled live-action cast offer exciting possibilities.
Disney is on a roll with their live-action adaptations of classic animated movies, with Peter Pan & Wendy and The Little Mermaid released in 2023. They have even turned to the more recent Disney animated hits with a live-action Moana on the way. It seems like only a matter of time before there is an announcement for a Disney live-action remake of Tangled. These remakes have done a great job with casting, from the star-studded voice cast of The Lion King to the breakout role for Halle Bailey in The Little Mermaid to Dwayne Johnson reprising his role as Maui in Moana. Those choices set the stage for some great Tangled live-action cast ideas.
Rapunzel - Jessica Rothe
There has already been plenty of speculation on who should play the lead in this live-action adaptation, suggesting actresses like Amanda Seyfried and Florence Pugh. Many young blonde women could play the feisty and fun role of Rapunzel, but another actress who could throw her hat in the ring is Jessica Rothe. Rothe has singing experience as Alexis in La La Land, and as a child took ballet, tap dance, and violin lessons.
Rothe has shown her comedic chops in the horror-comedy Happy Death Day, where her personality and acting style shone. Her physical comedy is great for Rapunzel, who often uses her frying pan to hit people and exchanges sarcastic looks with her chameleon sidekick Pascal. Rothe also has experience in romance and could sell the relationship between Rapunzel and Flynn very well, as this is an integral part of the film.
Young Rapunzel - Vivien Lyra Blair
Live-action Disney movies tend to explore the protagonist's childhood; for example, Cruella delved into what made her the villain that she became. The live-action Tangled may expand on Gothel's relationship with Rapunzel during her childhood, showing the extent to which Rapunzel was manipulated and gaslit into obeying her kidnapper. Vivien Lyra Blair has appeared in blockbuster films such as the sequel to Sharkboy and Lavagirl, 2020's We Can Be Heroes. She also has plenty of practice in playing the younger version of a hero in hiding as young Leia in Obi-Wan Kenobi. She has an innocent charm and surprising toughness that would be great for the role.
Flynn Rider - Donald Glover
Flynn will be another essential part of the Tangled live-action cast and one a lot of actors will likely be vying for. Tom Holland reportedly turned down the role when rumors of an adaptation arose, however, that opens the door for a more interesting choice. Donald Glover is an amazing comedic actor, bringing both physical and verbal comedy to his role in Community, and can obviously sing, having earned several Grammy Awards for his original music and providing the voice of adult Simba in The Lion King (2019) cast.
He also proved he can pull off the charming swagger with his performance as Lando Calrissian in Solo: A Star Wars Story. Glover is a great choice for Flynn, as he could convincingly portray an action-based character that is also capable of deep emotional scenes.
Mother Gothel - Salma Hayek
Salma Hayek would absolutely relish playing a villainous role in the Tangled live-action cast, as she has played morally grey characters such as Sonia Kincaid in The Hitman's Bodyguard and businesswoman Clair Luna in Like a Boss. Other actresses fans have suggested over the years include Cher, Helena Bonham Carter, Nicole Kidman, and Kathryn Hahn, especially after the latter's portrayal of the witch Agatha in WandaVision.
A live-action film could explore Gothel's backstory, which many live-action adaptations have taken to doing, such as Cruella which is the latest in a long line of Disney villain origin stories. Salma Hayek would play the cheerful and evil sides of Gothel wonderfully, as she may bring a brilliantly passionate personality to the role.
Stabbington Brothers - Chris & Luke Hemsworth
Real-life brothers Luke and Chris Hemsworth may be a great fit for these characters, as their screen time is mostly action-based, chasing Flynn around and escaping from the palace after stealing the crown. Disney can certainly afford the high-profile actors for a small role, especially as they might not have to pay one of them for any lines since Patchy doesn't talk, and Luke has had cameo roles in his brothers' films before, such as Thor: Ragnarok. It might seem like a bit part for the actors, but perhaps it could be more of a cameo role that has fun with seeing the real-life brothers sharing the screen. Chris Hemsworth's MCU role as Thor sets up a Disney connection to make it possible.
Captain Of The Guard - Nick Offerman
The Captain is a no-nonsense character who endlessly pursues Flynn and other criminals when they break the law. He exhibits great physical comedy in the initial chase to capture Flynn after he steals the crown, and poses a threat to Flynn throughout the film.
Nick Offerman has great comedic timing from his tenure on Parks and Recreation, where his character Ron Swanson is consistently stubborn and pursues his own interests to a fault. He also has extensive experience in voice acting for family movies such as The Lego Movie. Many of Offerman's roles are strict and stand by their principles, such as Richard McDonald from The Founder who is angry that a sly crook - much like Flynn Rider - is trying to take over his business.
Cassandra - Tessa Thompson
Tangled: The Series explores the time jump between Rapunzel returning home to Corona and getting married to Eugene. Cassandra is the biological daughter of Gothel, which might be an interesting plot point to include in the live-action movie to differentiate the plot from the animated film and expand on Gothel's backstory.
In the series, Cassandra goes from a hero to a villain, turning evil under the influence of a magic moonstone. Her headstrong nature and thirst for recognition is a great fit for Tessa Thompson, who has experience in action-based roles such as Thor: Ragnarok, and consistently portrays strong female characters in Westworld and Sorry to Bother You. Thompson may enjoy playing a character that slowly reveals her evil intentions, portraying a duality that both shocks and elicits sympathy from the audience.
Queen Arianna - Anne Hathaway
Tangled is one of the rare times that a mother survives in a Disney movie, so the character could be a welcome part of the Tangled live-action cast. The Queen is a gentle and soft-spoken character, conveying her emotions through her expressions in the original film, which could be expanded on in the live-action adaptation.
Fan casts often suggest Emily Blunt or Game of Thrones' Michelle Fairley for the role of Queen of Corona, but Anne Hathaway would make a great addition to the cast because of the kindness and vulnerability she brings to many of her roles, such as Fantine in Les Miserables. Hathaway is also a great comedic actress, having taken many comedic roles over the years, and may bring a charm to the role that other actresses cannot.
King Frederic - Hugh Jackman
Live-action movies tend to go into detail about the protagonists to explore their backstory, so perhaps the live-action Tangled will reveal more about the King and Queen of Corona, who do not speak in the original film. The King is shown to be a kind-hearted man who was heartbroken over the loss of his daughter, which Hugh Jackman could convincingly convey.
The more recent Disney adaptations have given minor characters and love interests a song of their own, such as the Beast's "Evermore" in Beauty and the Beast and Jasmine's "Speechless" in Aladdin, so it might be great to hear the King and Queen get a song too, showing off Hugh Jackman's amazing voice alongside Anne Hathaway as his queen.
A Live-Action Tangled Isn't Confirmed But Is Gaining Traction
The Tangled live-action cast announcements will have to wait to become official as the remake has not actually been confirmed. There are many fans who assume that it is a certainty the movie will be announced sooner or later, and there has been some recent movement that could see that become a reality. One of the most recent pieces of news regarding the remake was that Zachary Levi, the original actor who voiced Flynn in Tangled, commented on the likely remake.
In speaking about the idea of the sequel, the actor even brought up the rumors that Florence Pugh might star as Rapunzel. In response, Levi suggested he could return in the Tangled remake if he were to act alongside Pugh. However, many fans agreed with Levi's earlier suggestion he was too old for a Tangled remake. This is especially true if Pugh were to be cast as she is 27 years old while Levi is 42 years old, thus making any possible romance between them a bit awkward since the characters don't have that kind of age gap. However, the rumblings have sparked even more interest and discussion about a Tangled live-action remake and who might be cast.