Kathryn Hahn has been officially cast as Mother Gothel in Disney’s upcoming live-action adaptation of Tangled. The film, set to bring new life to the classic story, features Hahn portraying the villain who keeps Rapunzel, played by Teagan Croft, locked away to exploit the magical properties of her hair.
Details on Casting and Production Background
Reports first emerged in January about Hahn’s negotiations for the role, following the revival of the project in October. Initially, Scarlett Johansson was considered for the part of Mother Gothel but stepped away due to her commitments to Batman II and a reboot of The Exorcist. Hahn, known for her work on Tiny Beautiful Things and The Studio, shared a playful video on Instagram revealing her excitement, notably displaying a T-shirt featuring animated versions of Mother Gothel, a character originally voiced by Donna Murphy in the 2010 film. On Instagram, Hahn’s username is @motherhahn, coincidentally matching her new role.
Main Cast and Creative Team Behind the Film
Milo Manheim, recognized from the Zombies franchise, will star as Flynn Rider, a charming rogue often called “The Smolder.” The movie is directed by Michael Gracey, known for The Greatest Showman, with a script written by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, whose credits include Do Revenge and Someone Great. Kristin Burr of Burr! Productions is producing the film, alongside executive producer Lucy Kitada. The original animated Tangled was directed by Nathan Greno and Byron Howard, featuring Mandy Moore as Rapunzel and Zachary Levi as Flynn Rider, with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Glenn Slater.
Legacy of Tangled and Related Disney Live-Action Adaptations
The original Tangled, a retelling of the Brothers Grimm Rapunzel fairy tale, earned over $590 million worldwide and received an Academy Award nomination for its song “I See The Light.” Disney continues to expand its live-action slate with projects like Moana, starring Dwayne Johnson and Catherine Laga’aia, scheduled for release in theaters this July.
