If you’d told me a few months ago that Disney would dust off its Tangled live-action remake ambitions again, I might’ve raised an eyebrow. But here we are, the project is officially stirring back to life as per Deadline, and Scarlett Johansson is circling a major role that could redefine the stakes.
When Disney first announced the live-action Tangled remake, fans were cautiously optimistic. With Michael Gracey (of The Greatest Showman fame) attached as director and Jennifer Kaytin Robinson tapped to write the screenplay, things looked promising.
But then came the cold splash of reality. Disney’s live-action Snow White underperformed at the box office, causing executives to rethink the viability of legacy remakes. As a result, Tangled’s development was put on indefinite hold around April 2025. Now, with Lilo & Stitch proving that live-action still has legs for the right projects, Disney appears confident enough to revive it. So what changed? It’s a mix of strategy, timing, and the realisation that Tangled still has serious fan appeal.
The buzz is real. Scarlett Johansson is reportedly in talks to take on Mother Gothel, the manipulative antagonist who keeps Rapunzel locked in the tower. On paper, it makes perfect sense. Johansson brings star power, proven box office draw, and acting chops that balance menace, charm, and vulnerability. Casting her as the villain could attract audiences who might have skipped another fairy-tale remake. It’s a smart and daring move.
But with that opportunity comes risk. Fans of the original Tangled are very protective of its characters, especially Rapunzel. The live-action version will need to honour the heart of the story while giving it a new purpose. Redefining Gothel or deepening her motivations could work beautifully, but it’s a delicate balance.
While Johansson is eyeing Gothel, there’s still radio silence on who will play Rapunzel or Flynn Rider. But her potential involvement raises the stakes for whoever joins the cast.
If Disney leans into more emotionally grounded storytelling, this Tangled remake could deliver something more mature and character-driven than the 2010 animated version. That might mean tweaking some plot beats or exploring the darker side of the tale, provided it keeps the magic and humour that made fans fall in love in the first place.
Disney’s track record with live-action remakes is… mixed. Beauty and the Beast and The Jungle Book proved the formula can work, while Snow White and Dumbo showed how easily it can stumble. For Tangled to succeed, Disney needs to respect the original by keeping its emotional core intact, while offering something new through richer character development and fresh visual ideas. Added to this they also need to cast wisely and build chemistry that feels authentic rather than nostalgic.
If they can strike that balance, this Tangled remake could become one of Disney’s strongest re-imaginings yet. If not, it risks being another pretty-but-pointless retread. Either way, Scarlett Johansson’s involvement has everyone talking. And whether she’s singing “Mother Knows Best” or redefining the character entirely, it looks like Disney’s golden-haired adventure is ready to shine again.
