Wed Jan 07 21:10:00 UTC 2026: # Teagan Croft and Milo Manheim to Star in Live-Action “Tangled” Adaptation

The Story:
Walt Disney Pictures has announced the casting of Teagan Croft and Milo Manheim as Rapunzel and Flynn Rider, respectively, in their live-action adaptation of the 2010 animated film “Tangled.” The casting decision follows an extensive search in both the U.S. and the U.K., which included screen tests in London during December. Michael Gracey, known for directing musical biopics such as “The Greatest Showman,” will direct, with Kristin Burr producing and Jennifer Kaytin Robinson writing the script.

Key Points:
* Teagan Croft (known for “Titans” and “True Spirit”) will play Rapunzel.
* Milo Manheim (from Disney Channel’s “Zombies” franchise) will play Flynn Rider.
* Michael Gracey is directing the live-action adaptation.
* Kristin Burr is producing.
* Jennifer Kaytin Robinson wrote the script.
* Disney conducted a thorough search, including screen tests in London.
* The original “Tangled” grossed $591 million worldwide.
* Scarlett Johansson was initially considered for the role of Mother Gothel.

Critical Analysis:
The news of Croft and Manheim being cast as Rapunzel and Flynn Rider, respectively, is a major development in the adaptation of the animated movie. Disney has been planning the remake for a few years. There was news also of Scarlett Johanson being cast as the villain, but later she was dropped from the cast, so it appears the cast selection did not have a clear path in mind.

Key Takeaways:
* Disney is moving forward with its live-action adaptation strategy, leveraging its animated classics for new cinematic releases.
* The casting of Croft and Manheim represents a bet on rising stars with proven track records in relevant genres (fantasy and musical).
* The film aims to recapture the magic of the original “Tangled,” which was a significant success for Disney.
* The casting announcement is likely to generate considerable buzz and anticipation among Disney fans.

Impact Analysis:
The success of the live-action “Tangled” could significantly impact Croft and Manheim’s careers, potentially catapulting them into mainstream stardom. Furthermore, the film’s performance will likely influence Disney’s future decisions regarding live-action adaptations of animated properties. The choice of director and writer, with their experience in musicals and popular franchises, suggests Disney is aiming for a broad audience appeal, similar to the success of other recent live-action remakes.

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