Disney has sparked excitement across social media by announcing the lead cast for its upcoming live-action adaptation of Tangled. The beloved fairy tale will see Teagan Croft take on the role of Rapunzel, while Milo Manheim will play her charming counterpart, Flynn Rider.
Following the heavily criticized casting of the recent Snow White remake, fans were cautiously skeptical about how Disney would approach Tangled. However, the reveal of Croft and Manheim as the leads has sparked overwhelming approval. Netizens are praising the casting as near-perfect, with many remarking that the actors look as if they’ve stepped straight out of the animated version.
The casting choice quickly became a hot topic, particularly because Disney has, in recent years, faced intense scrutiny over race-conscious casting decisions. While Rapunzel in the original animated film is depicted as fair-skinned with long blonde hair, Disney’s past live-action remakes have often reimagined characters with more diverse casting. Social media reactions include:
- “I thought Disney would cast a Black prince and a brunette Rapunzel.”
- “Flynn is just… perfect.”
- “Golden era Disney is back!”
- “Okay, the leads are great. But now I need to know: who’s playing Maximus and Pascal?!”
- “They found the perfect Flynn!”
- “Looking at their visuals, I already see a hit coming.”
Tangled tells the story of Rapunzel, a princess with magical long hair who is kidnapped by Mother Gothel and locked away in a tower. Raised in isolation, Rapunzel is unaware of her royal heritage until Flynn Rider enters her life, setting her on a journey of discovery and freedom.
Teagan Croft, born in 2004, is best known for her role as Rachel Roth (Raven) in the Titans series from DC Universe. Her acting chops and ethereal appearance make her a promising choice to embody the iconic Rapunzel.
According to reports, Palestinian-American model Gigi Hadid had auditioned for the role, while singer Sabrina Carpenter and BLACKPINK’s Lisa were also rumored to be strong contenders. Ultimately, however, Disney opted for an actress whose appearance closely resembles the original animated character.
This move contrasts sharply with Disney’s recent casting controversies. In 2023, the studio drew polarized reactions after casting Black singer-actress Halle Bailey as Ariel in the live-action The Little Mermaid. More recently, Disney suffered a box office disappointment with Snow White, starring Latina actress Rachel Zegler, which faced sustained backlash even before its release.
Meanwhile, Milo Manheim, 24, brings significant experience to the role of Flynn Rider. He has been active in film and television since 2017, and his standout performance as Zed in Disney’s Zombies franchise has made him a familiar face to younger audiences. His charm and comedic timing make him a natural fit for Flynn.
With a visually stunning cast and promising talent, Disney’s Tangled live-action remake could very well restore fans’ faith in the studio’s adaptations.
Sources: kenh14
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