Disney appears to be giving its long-discussed live-action adaptation of Tangled a renewed push, with development reportedly back on track after several months on hold. Sources indicate that Scarlett Johansson is in talks to join the project as the cunning and manipulative Mother Gothel, while Michael Gracey, best known for directing The Greatest Showman, remains attached to helm the film. The screenplay comes from Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, who previously worked with Disney on Thor: Love and Thunder and Do Revenge.
Development on Tangled was reportedly paused earlier this year following the mixed box-office and fan response to its Snow White remake. Some of Disney's live-action remakes have often turned into box-office juggernauts. The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, and Beauty and the Beast each grossed hundreds of millions worldwide. More recently, Lilo & Stitch became Disney's biggest hit of 2025 so far, earning an astonishing $1.03 billion globally.
The original Tangled was a landmark for Disney Animation when it debuted in 2010, grossing nearly $600 million worldwide and introducing audiences to a fresh, adventurous take on the Rapunzel fairy tale. The story follows the spirited, long-haired princess who's been locked away in a tower by Mother Gothel, the woman who uses her magical hair to stay young. When Rapunzel encounters the charming thief Flynn Rider, her journey of self-discovery and rebellion begins.
The film was celebrated for its stunning animation, memorable songs by Alan Menken, and its blend of humor and heart. Its success paved the way for a new era of Disney storytelling that blended classic princess tropes with modern character sensibilities.
Johansson's feature directorial debut, Eleanor the Great, starring June Squibb, recently opened to acclaim through Sony Pictures Classics, boasting a 94% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes and earning a six-minute standing ovation at its Cannes Film Festival premiere. Johansson also appeared in two major summer releases: Wes Anderson's The Phoenician Scheme and Universal's Jurassic World Rebirth, the latter of which grossed $867.9 million to become 2025's third-highest-grossing MPA release.
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