Scarlett Johansson will not be playing the villainous Mother Gothel in Disney's upcoming live-action adaptation of Tangled, according to new reports. The actor was previously linked to the coveted role but has now dropped out due to a packed filming schedule for 2026.
Why Johansson Left the Tower
The Hollywood Reporter states that Johansson's departure from the project is directly linked to her commitments to other major films. She is now set to star in a reboot of the horror classic The Exorcist, directed by Mike Flanagan, and will also appear in The Batman Part II. Both projects are scheduled to shoot in 2026, creating an insurmountable clash with the Tangled production timeline.
Filming for the live-action retelling of Rapunzel's story is said to be kicking off in June next year. The project, which will be directed by Michael Gracey of The Greatest Showman fame, was first announced last year but was reportedly paused in April 2025 before recent activity resumed.
Who Could Star in the Remake?
With Johansson out, the search for Mother Gothel continues. Meanwhile, screen tests have reportedly been conducted for the other lead roles. Several young actors are said to be in contention to play the long-haired princess Rapunzel herself.
McKenna Grace, Sadie Sink, Isabel May, and Emma Myers are all reportedly being eyed for the iconic part. For the role of the charming thief Flynn Rider, names like Milo Manheim and Charlie Gillespie have been mentioned. It remains unknown if any original voice cast members, such as Mandy Moore or Zachary Levi, will be involved.
It was also claimed that The Summer I Turned Pretty star Lola Tung was considered but did not test for any roles due to a scheduling conflict.
Can Disney's Tangled Remake Capture the Magic?
The news has sparked debate about Disney's strategy of remaking its animated classics. The original Tangled film was released in 2010, making it just 15 years old at the time of the remake's development. This shorter gap has led some to question the necessity of the project compared to remakes of older films like Cinderella.
Metro's film editor, Tori Brazier, expressed a mix of excitement and concern. While imagining the potential for new songs and lavish production design, she warned against creating a soulless, shot-for-shot remake akin to 2019's The Lion King. For artistic success, she argues the film should draw more inspiration from the original Brothers Grimm fairy tale and deviate from the established narrative.
The handling of beloved animal sidekicks Pascal the chameleon and Maximus the horse is another point of anxiety, with fears they could lose their cartoon charm if rendered in hyper-realistic CGI.
Johansson's departure marks a shift in the casting landscape for one of Disney's next major live-action ventures. The studio has yet to comment on the reports.
