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Scarlett Johansson responds to Tangled casting rumors
Scarlett Johansson has quietly entered the conversation around Disney’s long-gestating live-action Tangled project — but she’s careful not to call it a done deal. When asked in a recent interview about reports she might play Mother Gothel, Johansson didn’t confirm or deny casting. Instead she hinted that “anything is possible” and said she’s particularly excited by the prospect of working with director Michael Gracey.
That measured reaction is typical of high-profile actors as Disney reshapes its animated catalogue for modern audiences. Johansson’s interest in Gracey — the director best known for the visually lavish musical The Greatest Showman — suggests the studio is aiming for a cinematic, spectacle-forward take on the Rapunzel story rather than a small-scale retread.
Why Mother Gothel matters
Mother Gothel is the emotional and psychological core of Tangled’s conflict: a controlling, obsessive figure who kidnaps Rapunzel and keeps her imprisoned for 18 years. In the 2010 animated film, Dana Murphy voiced Gothel with a mix of theatrical menace and seductive manipulation. Casting a star like Johansson would likely tilt the role toward a sophisticated, layered antagonist — and might invite a fresh backstory or tonal shift.
Context: Disney’s live-action strategy and risks Tangled joins a long list of Disney live-action remakes that have polarized critics and fans — from Beauty and the Beast to Maleficent and The Little Mermaid. Some reimaginings succeeded by expanding character psychology or upping the spectacle; others were criticized for losing the original’s heart. If Gracey keeps Tangled’s balance of romance, comedy and visual wonder, the remake could follow the more successful path.
Behind the scenes and fan pulse Tangled was a major box-office success, earning roughly $590 million worldwide and spawning a short film and TV series. Fans quickly pick apart casting rumors on social media, and many have voiced enthusiasm at the idea of a marquee name playing Mother Gothel — a trend that fits Disney’s pattern of anchoring remakes with A-list talent.
Comparisons and creative possibilities A Johansson-led Gothel could rival recent performances where Hollywood actresses reframe villainy with nuance (see Angelina Jolie in Maleficent). With Gracey’s style of widescreen spectacle and Johansson’s capacity for controlled intensity, the remake could become a darker, more psychological fairy-tale in the vein of recent adult-leaning reboots.
Whether Johansson ultimately signs on remains unconfirmed. For now, her careful tease keeps fans hopeful: the right blend of vision, cast and respect for the source material could make this Tangled rewrite one of Disney’s more interesting revamps.
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