The Tangled live-action is now in the works in London
Disney is officially climbing Rapunzel’s tower again! According to The Hollywood Reporter on December 19, 2025, Walt Disney Pictures recently held screen tests and chemistry reads in London for its upcoming live-action adaptation of Tangled, the beloved 2010 animated film. The studio is currently searching for its new Rapunzel and Flynn Rider, with auditions taking place just last week. It is early casting season, but the names involved are a hint of the company’s intention to bring a star-packed cast.
The names being considered for Rapunzel and Flynn Rider
Reportedly, multiple actresses tested for Rapunzel, including Freya Skye from Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires, White Lotus standout Sarah Catherine Hook, Titans actress Teagan Croft, and Olivia Mai Barrett from Invasion. Other sources indicate that Lola Tung from The Summer I Turned Pretty was considered but did not test due to potential scheduling conflicts.
On the Flynn Rider side, Disney has tested Milo Manheim of the Zombies franchise, Charlie Gillespie from Julie and the Phantoms, all of whom bring musical expertise to the table. In addition, Scottish-Indonesian breakthrough actor Gilli Jones also screen-tested for the role. He has primarily worked in theater, being credited in productions such as Brigadoon and Les Misérables, among others.
The countdown is on, with the Tangle live-action expected to be shot next year
Michael Gracey, director of The Greatest Showman, is set to helm the project, keeping the musical heart of the original intact. Disney is probably the film shot in the UK, beginning in June, though casting could shift timelines. Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi voiced the original leads, while Scarlett Johansson is no longer attached as Mother Gothel due to other filming commitments. A casting decision could come very soon, so the countdown is officially on.