Industry chatter and online casting reports have outlined several names being considered for the lead roles of Rapunzel and Flynn Rider in Disney’s live-action Tangled.
Studios are conducting screen tests for the characters as part of early casting activity. These include a few actors already associated with Disney as well as several who would be new the Disney scene.
Tangled Casting Rumors for Rapunzel and Flynn Rider
Rapunzel has been a popular princess ever since 2010’s Tangled came out, so casting the princess will be a daunting task.
With her starting the “adorkable” trend for Disney princess over the last 15 years, picking the right actress to fill the spot is crucial. Several young actresses are reportedly being evaluated. Those mentioned in casting discussions include Sarah Catherine Hook, known for her work on The White Lotus; Teagan Croft, who has appeared in Titans; Freya Skye, who appeared in Disney’s Zombies 4; and Olivia-Mai Barrett, known for her role in Invasion.
Sarah Catherine Hook, Teagan Croft, Freya Skye and Olivia-Mai Barrett have tested for the role of Rapunzel in Disney’s live-action ‘TANGLED’ remake
(Source: https://t.co/SL8ya6nAeK) pic.twitter.com/sQ7dPFxhs3
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) December 18, 2025
Lola Tung, star of The Summer I Turned Pretty, was discussed for the part but did not proceed to screen tests, reportedly due to scheduling issues.
On the side of Flynn Rider, names being tested include Charlie Gillespie, who appeared in Julie and the Phantoms; Milo Manheim, known from the Zombies franchise; and Gilli Jones, a newer performer emerging from stage and screen work.
Zachary Levi speaking at the 2018 San Diego Comic Con International, for “Shazam!”, at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California. Photo Credit: Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
In addition to these screen test reports, some actors connected with the original animated film have speculated publicly about other possibilities. Zachary Levi, who voiced Flynn Rider in the 2010 animation, mentioned in past interviews that he thought Timothée Chalamet might fit the part in a live-action version. However, there does not seem to be much follow-through on this possibility.
Sabrina Carpenter Reportedly Out of Consideration
A separate Tangled casting rumor that briefly circulated online involved pop star and actress Sabrina Carpenter. According to industry chatter, Carpenter was at least discussed internally as a potential Rapunzel candidate during the early phases of Disney’s casting process. However, that conversation reportedly went nowhere, with the explanation being—somewhat incredulously—that Carpenter was considered “too pretty” for the role.
Sabrina Carpenter talks to CBS – YouTube, CBS Sunday Morning
As with many casting rumors, this claim has not been officially confirmed by Disney and should be treated cautiously. Still, the story raised eyebrows given Rapunzel’s long-standing depiction as a traditionally beautiful Disney princess, and it added to broader skepticism about how casting decisions are being filtered behind the scenes for the live-action remake.
Authenticity and Character Design Concerns
Another underlying concern shaping audience reaction to Disney’s live-action remakes is authenticity—particularly when it comes to character design and visual faithfulness.
In recent years, Disney has shown a willingness to significantly alter the appearance of established characters, often reframing those choices as creative updates rather than departures from the source material.
Halle Bailey as Ariel in Disney’s live-action THE LITTLE MERMAID. Photo courtesy of Disney. © 2023 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
That approach has not always resonated with audiences. Both The Little Mermaid and Snow White reimagined traditionally white princesses with race-swapped casting, and in both cases the films struggled to connect with moviegoers at the box office. While multiple factors contribute to any film’s performance, the repeated pattern has fueled skepticism among fans who see visual consistency as a core part of these characters’ identities.
Rachel Zegler as Snow White in Snow White (2025), Walt Disney Studios
For Tangled, that context matters. Rapunzel’s design—her appearance, her iconic golden hair, and her fairy-tale aesthetic—is central to how audiences recognize and emotionally connect with the character. Any perception that Disney is once again prioritizing modern reinterpretation over faithful adaptation risks reigniting the same trust issues that have plagued its recent live-action output.
Tangled and its Live-Action Remake
As Disney continue its live-action remakes, Tangled is an understandable pick given its instant success and box-office performance
Disney’s Tangled (2010) performed strongly at the global box office, earning several hundred million dollars and ranking among the year’s top animated releases. The film grossed approximately $200.8 million in North America and around $391.6 million internationally, for a worldwide total near $592.5 million.
At the time of its release, Tangled was one of the highest-grossing animated films of 2010, finishing behind Toy Story 3 and Shrek Forever After globally and placing within the top 10 films overall for the year.
Moana in the live action movie – YouTube, Disney
However, many fans are still frustrated with the continuous live-action remakes that Disney keeps rolling out. Tangled, like the upcoming Moana remake, will be a live action remake of a movie that came out less than 20 years ago. It’s hard to say whether the live-action remakes are truly reimagining “the classics” when little girls who grew up with the characters are potentially only in high school or college.
But the proof will certainly be in the pudding when the Tangled live-action remake releases in theaters.
Who do you think should star in the next Disney live-action remake? Are you looking forward to the new Tangled, or is it too soon to redo this movie? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
