Disney’s live-action remake of Tangled has hit another setback after Scarlett Johansson turned down a major role in the production. The studio has struggled to get the project off the ground, and casting is now back to square one.
The Hollywood Reporter confirmed that Johansson was attached to play Mother Gothel, the film’s main villain, but ultimately passed on the part. The Oscar-nominated actress, best known for playing Natasha Romanoff in Marvel’s Black Widow and Avengers films, has recently taken roles in other large franchises, including Transformers One and Jurassic World Rebirth.
The 2010 animated version of Tangled retold the classic Rapunzel story, following a young princess who escapes her tower to explore the world. The original film, starring Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi, became one of Disney’s most popular modern fairy tales. Director Michael Gracey of The Greatest Showman and writer Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, known for Thor: Love and Thunder, are leading development on the remake, though no release date is set.
Johansson’s reported talks with Matt Reeves’ The Batman – Part II may have contributed to her leaving Disney’s project. Now, the studio must find a new actress to replace her as Mother Gothel, a critical role in the story’s conflict. Sources note that casting remains wide open, including for Rapunzel and Flynn Rider.
Rumors about who might lead the film have circled for months. Previous fans hoped singers and MCU stars like Sabrina Carpenter, Florence Pugh, or Zendaya might take the role. But according to THR, Disney is now looking at younger faces, including Freya Skye, Sarah Catherine Hook, and Teagan Croft. Kathryn Hahn, a frequent fan favorite for Gothel, has not been officially approached.
Some analysts believe Disney’s hesitation comes after poor box office results for last year’s Snow White. The 2025 live-action remake was branded one of the studio’s biggest flops. Disney is already deep in production on another remake, Moana, featuring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson returning as Maui. That project has drawn strong interest following the success of the original animated hit and its upcoming sequel.
While Tangled remains early in development, fans are watching closely to see if Disney can deliver another princess film that captures the same magic. For now, the studio faces a familiar question: how to rebuild momentum after another major setback. Analysts say the trend is far from over.
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English (US) · 