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Status and early development
Disney has quietly restarted early development on a live-action adaptation of Tangled, with Scarlett Johansson reportedly circling the role of the cunning Mother Gothel. Michael Gracey, known for directing The Greatest Showman, remains attached to direct, and Jennifer Kaytin Robinson is credited as the screenwriter adapting the 2010 animated classic. While Disney has not formally greenlit the project, sources indicate the studio is once again exploring the tonal and casting possibilities for this high-profile remake.
The project was paused in April amid studio caution following the underperforming live-action Snow White. That hesitation reflects a wider recalibration at Disney as executives weigh audience appetite for legacy reboots against franchise fatigue. Yet Tangled’s prospects look different: the original film grossed nearly $600 million worldwide and retains a strong fan base that loves its humor, songs, and Rapunzel’s spirited arc.
Why Scarlett Johansson? Casting and creative fit
Johansson’s name attached to Mother Gothel signals Disney’s interest in a star-driven take that can balance menace, charm, and nuance. Gothel is an archetypal villain who’s both manipulative and almost theatrical; Johansson’s recent move into directing (Eleanor the Great) and her continued box-office presence — she’s appeared in several high-profile releases and her films have collectively grossed around $17.7 billion worldwide — make her a commercially and artistically credible choice.
This casting would also give the role a different energy from the original animated performance, allowing a live-action Gothel to be more psychologically layered. Johansson’s feature directorial debut, which scored high audience praise and a strong festival reception, strengthens the narrative possibility that she might bring a more textured, character-driven interpretation to the part.
Where Tangled fits in Disney’s live-action strategy
Disney’s recent slate shows a bifurcated approach: revisit classic animated films through a modern lens while also investing in original IP. The studio has learned the hard lesson that not every old title guarantees box-office gold. Since the Little Mermaid-led renaissance in 1989, live-action remakes have had mixed but often lucrative returns — Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, and the hugely successful Lilo & Stitch (the latter topping 2025 MPA box-office charts with $1.03 billion globally) prove there’s still appetite for thoughtfully executed remakes.
Yet Snow White’s struggles prompted internal reassessment. For Tangled, Disney appears to be taking extra time to refine tone, music, and a story approach that feels respectful to fans while offering fresh hooks for new audiences.
Comparisons and creative possibilities
Michael Gracey’s previous work leaned heavily into spectacle and musicality. If he brings that sensibility, Tangled could lean toward theatricality and heightened visuals — a contrast to darker, more realist reinterpretations seen in some other live-action remakes. Jennifer Kaytin Robinson’s involvement adds a contemporary voice to the script; her previous projects suggest potential for stronger character beats and modernized relationships without erasing what made the 2010 film beloved.
Fans and critics will inevitably compare this adaptation to other Disney remakes and to the original animation. A successful Tangled adaptation might follow Lilo & Stitch’s lead by marrying faithful reverence with smart reinvention rather than relying solely on nostalgia.
"A Tangled remake has to earn its existence by deepening the story, not just restaging it," says film critic Anna Kovacs. "With Johansson and Gracey involved, the project has the creative horsepower to reimagine Gothel as both charismatic and chilling — provided the screenplay resists clichés and trusts its characters."
What’s next
No official greenlight or production timeline has been announced. Disney’s Live Action division continues to balance legacy titles with new IP development, and Tangled will likely undergo further script revisions and casting rounds before moving forward. For fans, the news is cautiously exciting: a strong cast and director can transform a familiar fairy tale into something surprising and resonant.
Whether Disney ultimately opts to move forward will depend on script, budget, and a broader strategy about which legacy stories best translate to live-action in today’s market. For now, Johansson circling Mother Gothel is enough to signal serious creative intent — and to rekindle conversations about what a modern Tangled might look like on the big screen.
Source: deadline
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