Disney is negotiating with actress Kathryn Hahn to play the villain Mother Gothel in the upcoming live-action adaptation of its 2010 animated hit, Tangled. This news comes shortly after the studio announced its young leads for the project.
According to industry reports, Hahn is in talks for the key role. This follows a period where actress Scarlett Johansson was linked to the part, but she reportedly had to step back due to scheduling conflicts with other major films. The move to bring Hahn on board has been met with immediate enthusiasm from a large number of fans online, many of whom had previously campaigned for her casting.
The Full Cast and Crew of the Tangled Remake
The core team for the live-action Tangled is now taking shape. The project will be directed by Michael Gracey, who previously directed the musical film The Greatest Showman. The screenplay is being written by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, and Kristin Burr is on board as a producer.
The young heroes have already been cast. Teagan Croft, known for her role in Titans, will play the lead role of Rapunzel. Milo Manheim, star of Disney’s Zombies franchise, has been cast as the charming thief Flynn Rider. If finalized, Hahn’s role as the manipulative Mother Gothel would complete the trio of central characters.
A fan on social media captured a common sentiment, writing, “I would LOVE for Kathryn to play Mother Gothel. She has the wits, the witchy vibes, the villain aura all over her. She would be perfect!”
Why Fans Think Kathryn Hahn is the Perfect Choice
Online reaction to the casting news has been overwhelmingly positive, with many fans calling it a perfect match. A significant reason for this excitement is Hahn’s recent performance as the witch Agatha Harkness in the Marvel series WandaVision and its spinoff, Agatha All Along. In that role, she displayed a compelling mix of charm, menace, and musical talent that viewers feel directly translates to the character of Mother Gothel.
Fans have specifically pointed to her ability to deliver a great villainous song, like “Agatha All Along,” as a strong indicator she could handle Mother Gothel’s signature number, “Mother Knows Best”. The general feeling online is that the actress has the right skills to portray a character who is outwardly caring but secretly vain, controlling, and cruel.
Other names like Cher, Idina Menzel, and Lady Gaga were also mentioned by fans in discussions, showing the high interest in the role.
Also Read:
Background and Development of the Live-Action Tangled
The original animated Tangled, released in 2010, was a major success for Disney, earning nearly $600 million at the worldwide box office and receiving an Oscar nomination for the song “I See the Light”. The story follows Princess Rapunzel, who is kidnapped as an infant by Mother Gothel for her hair’s magical healing powers. Gothel raises Rapunzel in a secluded tower until the thief Flynn Rider helps her escape.
This live-action remake is part of Disney’s continued strategy of adapting its classic animated films. The project was reportedly briefly paused in 2025 but was later revived and moved forward. While the movie does not yet have an official release date, production is expected to begin in the summer of 2026, suggesting a potential theatrical debut in late 2027 or early 2028.
Also Read: Drops of God Season 1 Recap and Release Info for Season 2
