Disney’s Live-Action Tangled Casts Teagan Croft and Milo Manheim as Rapunzel and Flynn Rider

7 January 2026

Milo Manheim, left, and Teagan Croft have been cast as Flynn Rider and Rapunzel in the live-action "Tangled" film. Getty Images

Disney’s long-gestating live-action adaptation of its beloved 2010 animated hit Tangled has taken a major step forward with the official casting of its two lead roles, a development that has ignited excitement among fans of the original and a fresh creative buzz around the upcoming film. On January 7, 2026 the studio confirmed that Australian actress Teagan Croft has been tapped to portray Rapunzel and American actor Milo Manheim will play the roguish yet charismatic Flynn Rider, signaling the beginning of production on a project that has been in development for more than a year. The casting news was enthusiastically received across Hollywood and social media, as audiences anticipate a reimagining of the fairytale with new faces bringing iconic characters to life in live-action for the first time.

Teagan Croft, 21, is no stranger to genre work and dramatic transformation. Born in Sydney and having built her career from a child actor to a standout young performer, Croft gained widespread attention for her role as Rachel Roth, also known as White Raven, in the DC Universe and HBO Max series Titans. She has also appeared in the adventure film True Spirit and science fiction titles, showcasing emotional depth and physical engagement that many industry observers see as assets for portraying Rapunzel, a character defined by her complex journey from isolation to self-discovery. Croft’s casting has been met with praise for her acting chops and her ability to ground fantastical roles with compelling humanity, a quality that will be key in anchoring a story centered on Rapunzel’s transformation.

Opposite her, Milo Manheim, 24, will step into the role of Flynn Rider known in the original animated film as a roguish thief with a quick wit and a hidden heart of gold. Manheim rose to prominence through Disney Channel’s Zombies franchise, where his musical and physical performance abilities were on full display. He has since expanded his range with stage work in productions like Little Shop of Horrors and Jesus Christ Superstar at the Hollywood Bowl, and even appeared on Dancing with the Stars, finishing as runner-up in 2018 at just 17 years old. Fans have celebrated his casting as fitting and full of promise, highlighting not only his familiarity with musical storytelling but also his capacity to channel a blend of charm, swagger and vulnerability that the character of Flynn demands.

The live-action Tangled film will be directed by Michael Gracey, whose previous work includes The Greatest Showman, a musical blockbuster that showcased his skill in blending spectacle with heart. Gracey’s involvement has set expectations high for a film that honors the original’s emotional core while expanding its visual storytelling through live-action performance. The screenplay is being written by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, whose credits include Do Revenge and Thor: Love and Thunder, suggesting a creative team that is comfortable balancing humor, adventure and character-driven moments. Tangled producer Kristin Burr, who worked on Cruella and other Disney projects, will oversee the film’s development alongside executive producer Lucy Kitada, guiding its transition from animated classic to cinematic retelling.

For devoted fans of Tangled, which grossed nearly $600 million worldwide and introduced beloved songs by composer Alan Menken and lyricist Glenn Slater, the casting announcement is a milestone. The original story follows Rapunzel, a princess with magically long hair who is raised in a secluded tower by Mother Gothel and longs to experience life beyond her walls. When she encounters the charming thief Flynn Rider, the pair embark on an adventure that leads Rapunzel toward independence and self-actualization, forming a heartfelt bond in the process. The animated film’s mix of humor, romance and memorable music has made it a modern classic and a frequent favorite on lists of Disney’s most beloved features.

The journey to this casting breakthrough hasn’t been without its twists. Disney first announced the live-action Tangled adaptation in December 2024, but the project was paused in April 2025 following mixed box-office responses to other high-profile remakes. Production momentum resumed later that year, buoyed in part by the immense success of Lilo & Stitch’s live-action release, which earned over $1 billion globally, reaffirming the appetite for reimagined classics on the big screen. With casting now locked in and principal creative roles secured, Tangled’s live-action version is poised to become one of the studio’s most anticipated releases in the next wave of remakes.

The announcement of Croft and Manheim has sparked conversations about how the film will approach the beloved narrative, and how their fresh portrayals will honor what audiences cherished in the animated original while offering something new. Questions about who will play Mother Gothel, the story’s complex antagonist, remain open, with early reports indicating that Kathryn Hahn is in talks for that role following initial interest from Scarlett Johansson, who stepped away due to scheduling conflicts. The casting of Gothel is expected to add another layer of star power and narrative weight to the production as it moves closer to filming, potentially later in 2026.

What remains clear from this latest casting news is that Disney is doubling down on proven talent and rising stars alike to bring Tangled’s timeless tale to a new generation. With Croft’s expressive vulnerability and Manheim’s charismatic energy at the forefront, audiences are already imagining how moments like the floating lantern sequence and iconic songs such as I See the Light will translate into live-action. As anticipation builds, many are eager to see how this fresh cinematic chapter pays homage to the story’s themes of freedom, identity and love, bridging nostalgia with contemporary performance in a way that feels both respectful and creatively bold.