Credit: Marvel StudiosKathryn Hahn has confirmed she will play Mother Gothel in Disney’s live-action remake of Tangled, ending speculation about the iconic villain’s casting. In an Instagram post, she announced the news while wearing a t-shirt featuring her character. This comes after rumors emerged when Scarlett Johansson stepped back from the role to focus on other projects. Hahn will star alongside Teagan Croft as Rapunzel and Milo Manheim as Flynn Rider, with Michael Gracey directing and Jennifer Kaytin Robinson writing the script.
Hahn, known for her Broadway debut in Boeing-Boeing and roles in films like Anchorman and Glass Onion, gained acclaim for her portrayal of Agatha Harkness in Marvel’s WandaVision. Her musical abilities, showcased in the show, will be an asset in Tangled, which features beloved songs by Alan Menken. Hahn’s talent makes her a fitting choice for the complex Mother Gothel, who manipulates Rapunzel under the guise of maternal care.
The Casting Journey for Tangled
Scarlett Johansson was initially considered for the role of Mother Gothel, sparking fan interest due to her potential to bring depth to the character, known for her manipulative, psychologically complex nature. However, she stepped back to focus on filming Batman II and the Exorcist reboot, leaving casting in doubt. Kathryn Hahn’s confirmation as Mother Gothel fills this gap, as she has proven her ability to embody layered characters. Her role as Agatha Harkness in WandaVision showcased her talent for portraying a seemingly friendly character with dark motivations, echoing Gothel’s relationship with Rapunzel, in which maternal care masks selfish intentions.
The Lead Cast of Tangled
Teagan Croft, best known for her role as Raven on HBO Max’s Titans, was announced in January 2026 as taking on the role of the long-haired princess whose magical abilities and sheltered upbringing drive the story’s emotional core.
Milo Manheim, a familiar face to Disney fans thanks to the Zombies franchise and Dancing with the Stars, will portray the charming thief Flynn Rider, Rapunzel’s reluctant partner who ultimately becomes her greatest ally and love interest. The roles were originally voiced by Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi in the animated film, which went on to become both a critical and commercial success for the studio, grossing nearly $600 million worldwide.
The casting of Croft and Manheim came after extensive speculation about who would play Rapunzel, with rumors spanning from pop superstars Taylor Swift and Sabrina Carpenter to reality star and singer Jojo Siwa, before Disney ultimately selected Croft, a young actress with genre experience from Titans who brings acting credibility rather than relying on pop star name recognition to drive interest in the project.
The Project’s Turbulent Development
This casting news comes after a period of uncertainty that nearly derailed the movie entirely following the intense backlash and negative audience response surrounding Disney’s live-action Snow White in 2025. Sources indicated that Tangled, along with other live-action projects, was quietly scrapped as the studio reassessed its slate, with concerns over fan fatigue, creative direction, and public perception reportedly forcing Disney to pause development and leaving the future of Rapunzel’s live-action debut very much in doubt.
With Croft, Manheim, and now Hahn officially on board, Disney appears ready to move forward once again after the project’s near-cancellation, though questions remain about how Tangled will ultimately be received in a post-Snow White landscape where audiences have expressed skepticism about Disney’s ongoing live-action remake strategy. However, last year proved that Disney still had its live-action prowess with the billion-dollar hit Lilo & Stitch in 2025, demonstrating that live-action remakes can succeed when executed well and well received by audiences.
The Creative Team
Disney has enlisted Michael Gracey, director of The Greatest Showman, to helm the project, leveraging his knack for visually stunning musical films that balance spectacle and storytelling. Gracey’s talent for choreographing elaborate musical numbers will be vital for bringing Tangled’s world to life, particularly the iconic lantern scene. The screenplay is by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, known for Thor: Love and Thunder and Do Revenge, showcasing her versatility. Producing the film is Kristin Burr, who has a history with Disney on projects like Cruella, aiming to add depth to characters such as Mother Gothel.
The Musical Elements of Tangled
No information regarding the music has been officially announced, though it is expected that Alan Menken and Glenn Slater’s fan-favorite songs from the animated version will be used, given their popularity with audiences and their integral role in storytelling and character development. The animated Tangled featured songs including “When Will My Life Begin,” “Mother Knows Best,” “I’ve Got a Dream,” “I See the Light,” and “Healing Incantation,” with “I See the Light” earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song and becoming one of Disney’s most beloved romantic duets.
Mother Gothel’s villain song “Mother Knows Best” will be particularly important for establishing Hahn’s interpretation of the character, as the song brilliantly illustrates Mother Gothel’s manipulative tactics through lyrics that disguise controlling behavior as maternal concern, while the music and staging reveal the sinister undertones beneath the surface politeness.
The Legacy of Tangled
Tangled, based on the classic story of Rapunzel, debuted in 2010, featuring the voices of Zachary Levi, Mandy Moore, and Donna Murphy, and a score by Alan Menken and Glenn Slater. The movie follows Rapunzel, a lost young princess with magical long blonde hair who yearns to leave her secluded tower where Mother Gothel has kept her imprisoned under the guise of protection from a dangerous world. The film earned $200 million in the US and Canada and later spawned a spinoff television movie and series featuring the return of some of the voice cast and new songs by Menken and Slater.
An abridged stage adaptation titled Tangled: The Musical premiered on board the Disney Magic of the Disney Cruise Line in 2015, featuring three new songs written by Alan Menken and Glenn Slater, with a full stage version also in the works, demonstrating the property’s enduring popularity across multiple entertainment formats.