Disney is moving forward with a previously paused live-action remake, bringing Scarlett Johansson back into a villainous role for the upcoming retelling of Tangled. The studio has faced challenges with its live-action remake slate following the underwhelming box office results of Snow White, but the recent hit performance of Lilo & Stitch has renewed confidence in continuing stalled projects. The live-action Tangled is now officially back in early development, aiming for a future release.
The original animated Tangled, which debuted in 2010 featuring Mandy Moore as Rapunzel and Zachary Levi as Flynn Rider, will be reimagined under the direction of Michael Gracey. Scarlett Johansson is reportedly set to portray Mother Gothel, the antagonist who kidnapped baby Rapunzel to harness the magical healing powers of her hair. In the animated version, this character was voiced by Donna Murphy.
Scarlett Johansson’s Uncommon Return to a Villainous Role
Although Johansson ranks among Hollywood’s most prominent actresses, her selection as Mother Gothel is surprising given her scarcity of villain roles. The actress has not played a villain since the 2012 film Under the Skin, which means over 15 years will have passed before audiences see her in this darker character yet again. Despite this gap, Johansson’s performance in Under the Skin, where she played an alien predator disguised as a human, remains highly memorable.
Apart from this, Johansson is recognized for characters with moral complexity, most notably as Black Widow in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This background suggests she can bring nuance and intensity to the role of Mother Gothel, capturing the character’s dark and manipulative nature.
Impact of Tangled’s Revival on Disney’s Live-Action Remake Strategy
Disney has released numerous live-action adaptations of its animated classics in recent years, often achieving commercial success. However, the recent live-action Snow White faced controversy and failed to meet box office expectations, earning only $145 million worldwide against a $270 million production budget. This significant underperformance caused Disney to rethink its approach and pause several projects, including Tangled, earlier this year in April.
Additionally, the cancellation of the live-action remake of The Aristocats raised questions about the future of Disney’s strategy for live-action films. Yet, bringing Tangled back into development signals the studio’s ongoing commitment to revitalizing its animated franchises through live-action films. The original Tangled remains one of Disney’s most beloved and profitable animated movies, grossing nearly $600 million worldwide, which is likely to draw attention and excitement for the new adaptation.
Anticipated Challenges and Expectations for the New Tangled
With the live-action Moana scheduled for release in summer 2026, Disney is intensifying its focus on bringing animated stories to life with new casts and innovative visuals. The involvement of a major star like Scarlett Johansson as the villain adds an intriguing dynamic to the project, generating interest amidst the anxious and conflicted outlook following recent Disney remake disappointments. Observers will be watching closely to see how Disney balances fan expectation, storytelling, and box office recovery with this film.
The success of this live-action Tangled could influence how Disney approaches future remakes, reinforcing or challenging strategies concerning casting, production scale, and release timing across the board.
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– ComicBook.com
