There’s a particular kind of déjà vu that sets in every time Disney digs up another animated classic for a live-action reanimation. This time, it’s Tangled. The project, once quietly shelved in the wake of the Snow White fiasco, has sprung back to life — and, according to Deadline, Scarlett Johansson is circling the role of Mother Gothel.
Michael Gracey (Better Man) remains in the director’s chair, with Jennifer Kaytin Robinson on script duties. The pairing feels… precarious. Gracey’s flair for visual spectacle might rescue the production, but Robinson’s track record — I Know What You Did Last Summer (2024) and Thor: Love and Thunder — doesn’t inspire much faith in tonal discipline. The fear isn’t whether Tangled can work, but whether Disney even remembers what made it special in 2010.
The Inevitable Resurrection
When the 2010 Tangled hit theaters, it grossed nearly $600 million worldwide, marking Disney Animation’s 50th feature and a turning point before the Frozen era. Fourteen years later, that kind of success is an irresistible lure for executives desperate to prove that nostalgia still prints money. And, to be fair, it does. Lilo & Stitch cracked a billion this summer — a fact Disney’s board probably has framed above their espresso machine.
The live-action Tangled was briefly paused earlier this year as Snow White’s PR disaster forced the company to reassess its remake strategy. But any hesitation has clearly evaporated. As always, Disney’s short-term memory outpaces its self-awareness. The question isn’t “why make this,” but “why stop?”
The Mother Gothel Factor
Casting Johansson as Mother Gothel is a shrewd, if cynical, move. After years of franchise duty and studio-backed prestige projects, she’s the kind of name who adds gravitas — or at least plausible deniability. Gothel’s manipulative charm requires someone who can weaponize glamour and menace in equal measure. It’s the role’s complexity, not its moral compass, that sells it.
And perhaps that’s what Tangled needs: a performer who understands the illusion of control. Johansson, who’s long walked the line between blockbuster pragmatism and artistic curiosity, could turn the archetypal Disney villain into something richer. Then again, she could be signing on for a paycheck. Hard to tell these days.
The Creative Math of Modern Disney
Here’s the unvarnished truth: these remakes are less about creative rediscovery than corporate calibration. For every Jungle Book (2016) that worked, there are three Pinocchios and Dumbos that didn’t. What Disney sells now isn’t imagination — it’s reassurance. A familiar song, a familiar face, and just enough “dark realism” to convince audiences it’s art.
Still, Gracey’s visual energy might inject life into the formula. If he leans into the fairy-tale surrealism instead of realism, this could be less soulless than expected. What’s unlikely to change is the calculus driving it: IP first, artistry second.
What the Revival Really Means
If you’re keeping track, Disney currently has live-action versions of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Aristocats, The Sword in the Stone, Bambi, Robin Hood, and Hercules all somewhere in the pipeline. The machine never sleeps. Tangled is just the next domino — one that was never really off the board.
Rachel Zegler didn’t “kill” Disney’s remake phase. She just made them flinch. The billion-dollar reminder from Lilo & Stitch erased that hesitation overnight. The show, as ever, must go on.
What to Remember About the ‘Tangled’ Revival
- Johansson’s Casting Is Key: Her involvement signals Disney’s commitment to star-driven marketing, not artistic reinvention.
- Gracey’s Vision Might Save It: The Better Man director could bring theatrical flair to an otherwise mechanical remake.
- The Nostalgia Engine Runs Hot: After Lilo & Stitch, Disney knows emotional recycling still pays dividends.
- Creative Risk Remains Minimal: This is corporate reassurance masquerading as creative renewal.
- Audiences Enable the Cycle: Every billion-dollar hit ensures the next remake’s greenlight.
FAQ
Q: Is Scarlett Johansson officially confirmed for Tangled?
A: Not yet. She’s reportedly in advanced talks, according to Deadline, but Disney hasn’t issued an official casting confirmation.
Q: Who’s directing the live-action Tangled?
A: Michael Gracey (The Greatest Showman, Better Man) is still attached to direct.
Q: Why did Disney pause the project earlier this year?
A: The studio reevaluated its live-action strategy after the poor reception of Snow White, though clearly, that pause didn’t last long.
Q: How successful was the original Tangled?
A: The 2010 animated version grossed around $600 million worldwide and received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song.
Q: Is Disney planning more live-action remakes?
A: Yes. Several are in development, including Hercules, Robin Hood, and Bambi. Tangled is just part of a broader remake cycle that shows no signs of slowing down.
