On Tuesday, Walt Disney Studios and Kathryn Hahn confirmed that the actress will be playing Mother Gothel in the live-action Tangled remake. The announcement was made on social media. Hahn posted a video showing her “Outfit of the Day,” which featured a Mother Gothel T-shirt.
While the actress downplayed the significance of the shirt, the official Disney Studios X account shared the video. It added the caption, “You want her to be the bad guy? FINE. Kathryn Hahn is Mother Gothel in Disney’s live-action Tangled.”
You want her to be the bad guy? FINE. Kathryn Hahn is Mother Gothel in Disney’s live-action Tangled. pic.twitter.com/pi47Kbli64
— Walt Disney Studios (@DisneyStudios) March 10, 2026
The announcement comes several months after Hahn was reportedly in talks for the role.
Casting Mother Gothel
Tangled is Disney’s retelling of the Grimm fairy tale Rapunzel. As Mother Gothel, Kathryn Hahn will play the witch who keeps Rapunzel locked in a tower. While posing as an over-protective mother, the witch uses the princess’s long hair to keep herself young and beautiful. In the 2010 animated film, the role was voiced by actress Donna Murphy.
Mother Gothel in Disney’s Tangled – Disney+
READ: ‘Spider-Noir’ Showrunner Says Series Will Not Be in ‘Spider-Verse’ Continuity
Disney paused development of the live-action remake in April after the disappointing box office performance of Snow White. When the studio decided to move forward with the project the following October, Deadline reported that Scarlett Johansson was being considered for the role of the witch. Johansson reportedly exited discussions to accept roles in The Batman: Part II and a reboot of The Exorcist.
Another Witch Role for Kathryn Hahn
Kathryn Hahn had long been a fan favorite to play Mother Gothel. News that she was in discussions for the role was widely celebrated online. Playing a witch is hardly new territory for Hahn, as she played Agatha Harkness on the Disney+ series Agatha All Along. While the show failed to capture an audience, Disney is clearly still banking on her appeal in villainous roles.
Agatha Harkness (Kathryn Hahn) in Marvel Television’s AGATHA ALL ALONG, exclusively on Disney+. Photo by Chuck Zlotnick. © 2024 MARVEL.
So far, reactions online have been positive. In a nod to Mother Gothel’s famous line in Tangled, Kathryn Hahn changed her Instagram bio to “Mother knows best.” An X post sharing a screenshot is filled with replies of “Let’s go!” and “Finally!”
Finally pic.twitter.com/zLhZ7INvIP
— RS Raka (@rezwana_raka) March 10, 2026
However, some users feel that the role is potentially too similar to Agatha Harkness. There is some concern among Tangled fans that as Mother Gothel, Kathryn Hahn will play the witch the same way.
Her playing a passive aggressive annoying villain, yeah. Good casting
— ĦѦ𝐕ⓞ₭ (@Havok_x01) March 10, 2026
Heroes and Villains
The live-action Tangled will be directed by Michael Gracey, who is best known for The Greatest Showman. In addition to Kathryn Hahn as Mother Gothel, Teagan Croft has been cast as Rapunzel. The Australian actress was previously on the superhero show Titans. Milo Manheim, from the Disney+ series Zombies, will play Flynn Rider.
Rapunzel in Disney’s Tangled – YouTube, Walt Disney Animation Studios
READ: Rachel Zegler Doubles Down on Racial Rhetoric as Comeback Attempt Begins
A release date has yet to be announced, as the film is still in development. The original animated film received an Oscar nomination for original song and grossed over $590 million at the worldwide box office. Whether or not a live-action remake can capture the same magic remains to be seen.
Disney films, both animated and live-action, have long depended on the appeal of iconic villains to draw an audience. With production still underway, all eyes will be on whether Kathryn Hahn can bring the same charm and menace to Mother Gothel that made the animated villain such a standout.
Do you think Kathryn Hahn is good casting for Mother Gothel? Let us know in the comments!
I don’t think she’s a terrible actor, but she makes terrible choices sometimes, just like everyone. Agatha could be a career ender unless daddy Disney keeps tossing her roles.
If I weren’t so against Disney milking classics for the Live Action abominations I’d say she could be a good fits for this role.
ACTRESS! You woke or somet? 😆
Tangled is one of the best Disney movies ever, and one of the last good ones. It had a attractive Disney Princess, and good hero with Flynt, and also a good ending.
This Live Action Demake will ruin it for so many. I feel sorry for any kid to not watch the Original, and see this instead……..
I used to really like Kathryn. Now I can’t stand the sight of her.
Not a bad choice, but like all the other live action remakes – it’s not needed. I’m curious to see who will be the race Swap for Rapunzel. My money is on the Wicked vampire.
The joke is it will be that bald Gollum out of Wicked.
More feminist slop from the house of woke fungus. No thanks.