Disney is moving forward with its plans for a live-action remake of Tangled, though the movie will no longer feature former Avengers star Scarlett Johansson.
The ex-Marvel actress was recently reported as joining The Batman Part 2 in a mystery role, and is also set to appear in a reboot of The Exorcist. Johansson’s time on these projects next year now means her previously-expected position as Tangled villain Mother Gothel is now vacant, The Hollywood Reporter has stated.
In the meantime, casting has now begun for the movie’s main duo: the long-haired Rapunzel and her dashing beau Flynn Rider. Filming is reportedly set to take place in the UK next summer.
Disney’s beloved animated take on Rapunzel originally released in 2010, with singer and This is Us actress Mandy Moore providing the voice for its long-haired lead character, alongside Chuck frontman Zachary Levi. Many fans had suggested this year’s Regretting You stars Mckenna Grace and Mason Thames would be a perfect fit for the two roles now, though The Hollywood Reporter has noted that a separate list of names is being considered for each part.
Up for Rapunzel are a selection of lesser known young stars, including Disney’s Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires actress Freya Skye, White Lotus’ Sarah Catherine Hook, Titans’ Teagan Croft, and Invasion’s Olivia-Mai Barrett.
Disney’s Zombies lead actor Milo Manheim, Splitsville’s Charlie Gillespie and Scottish musical theatre student Gilli Jones have all reportedly tested for Flynn Rider, meanwhile.
Disney reportedly paused its plans to remake Tangled earlier this year following the disastrous launch of its live-action Snow White, which failed to recoup its $240 million production budget amid a string of poor reviews and online controversies.
But the company has now warmed to the idea once again following the $1 billion success of its subsequent live-action Lilo & Stitch movie — for which a sequel is already in the works. Earlier this week, it was reported that Disney is also exploring an idea for a live-action Beauty and the Beast spin-off starring a fresh take on its villain Gaston, following in the footsteps of other villain-centric live-action movies such as Maleficient and Cruella de Vil.
Image credit: Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty.
Tom Phillips is IGN’s News Editor. You can reach Tom at [email protected] or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social
