After some delay, Tangled looks to be on the right track. Disney is proceeding with the live-action remake after its indefinite pause earlier this year.
While casting hasn’t been decided yet, Scarlett Johansson is being eyed for the role of Mother Gothel. Learn more about the film and Johansson below.
Shedding the Snow White Jitters
Disney paused its progress on Tangled due to the performance of the live-action Snow White.
Between drama with the two main actresses, CGI dwarves, and a slightly “woke” ending, the film flopped at the box office. Disney got jitters from the whole ordeal and paused Tangled‘s live-action remake.
Though there is some merit to creating another live-action remake for Disney.
Success Live Action Remakes
Several of Disney’s live-action remakes, such as The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, Lilo & Stitch, and Cinderella, all had greater success at the box office.
The most recent adaptation, Lilo & Stitch, is the highest-grossing MPA title of 2025 to date with $1.03 billion worldwide. Comparing Snow White to Lilo & Stitch, a few major differences are clear.
Snow White was released a very long time ago and has lost relevance with some kids, while Lilo & Stitch, released in 2002, has never waned in popularity. The film and merchandise surrounding the characters consistently drive in billions in revenue.
Since Tangled was released in 2010, it should have more relevance with younger audiences and older ones who still enjoy rewatching the film.
Behind the Scenes
Nothing has been greenlit yet, but we do know some things about the film. As of now, Michael Gracey (The Greatest Showman) is poised to direct the film, using a script written by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson (Sony’s I Know What You Did Last Summer).
Casting for the film is yet to be determined, though there is speculation surrounding Scarlett Johansson and Mother Gothel.
What is Tangled About?
Premiering in 2020, Tangled grossed close to $600 million worldwide. While it didn’t profit as much due to a $260 million production budget, the film did feature the Oscar-nominated song “When Will My Life Begin.”
This has prompted several spinoffs for Disney, including the 2012 short film Tangled Ever After and the 2017 TV series Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventure.
The film is based on the Brothers Grimm story about the magically long-haired princess Rapunzel. Spending her life tucked away in a tower, her life changes when a runaway thief stumbles upon her, and she convinces him to let her see the real world.
Johansson’s Recent Successes
Scarlett Johansson, if chosen for the role of Mother Gothel, will bring some real star power to the film. She has appeared in numerous box office successes, from Avengers to Jurassic World Rebirth, and recently dived into directing.
Eleanor the Great, her directorial debut starring June Squibb, opened in theaters with a 94% Rotten Tomatoes score. The film also got a six-minute standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival.
She most recently starred in two films over the summer: The Phoenician Scheme and Jurassic World Rebirth. The newest Jurassic film pulled in $867.9 million, making it the year’s third highest-grossing MPA title.
Future Disney Project Goals
The Disney Live Action team is continuing to revisit existing stories through a modern, live-action lens.
It is also looking into new IP, proven by the Impossible Creatures announcement, to build a foundation of new and established stories that can be enjoyed for years to come.