Disney is officially unlocking the tower doors again. The live-action adaptation of Tangled has gone on floors, with Walt Disney Pictures locking its lead cast — and the studio is clearly betting on fresh, next-generation star power. Teagan Croft has been cast as Rapunzel, while Milo Manheim steps into the boots of Flynn Rider.
Reimagining the beloved 2010 animated classic for live-action, the film aims to retain the magic, music, and fantasy that made Tangled a standout in Disney’s modern animation era — while giving it a new emotional texture for today’s audiences.
A New Rapunzel for a New Generation
Teagan Croft takes on the role of Rapunzel, the curious princess with enchanted golden hair and an even bigger desire to see the world beyond her tower. Croft is best known globally for her breakout role as Raven in Titans, where she balanced emotional intensity with quiet vulnerability across multiple seasons.
She also impressed audiences in True Spirit, portraying real-life sailor Jessica Watson. That mix of emotional grounding and youthful resilience makes her a natural fit for Rapunzel’s journey — a character defined as much by hope and innocence as by inner strength.
Milo Manheim Brings Charm to Flynn Rider
Opposite Croft is Milo Manheim as Flynn Rider, the smooth-talking outlaw whose life takes an unexpected turn after meeting Rapunzel. Manheim became a familiar face to younger audiences through Disney Channel’s wildly popular Zombies films, where he showcased strong musical timing and easy charisma.
Since then, he has expanded his range with projects like School Spirits and stage performances, including a stint as Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors. While he’s the son of acclaimed actress Camryn Manheim, Milo has steadily built a career that feels earned — not inherited.
Michael Gracey Takes the Director’s Chair
The live-action Tangled is being directed by Michael Gracey, best known for his musical storytelling in The Greatest Showman and Better Man. His involvement signals that music will remain central to the film’s DNA — a crucial element for a story remembered for songs like “I See the Light.”
Producing the film is Kristin Burr, a longtime Disney collaborator, while the screenplay has been written by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson.
Honouring a Modern Disney Classic
The original Tangled is widely regarded as a cornerstone of Disney Animation’s second renaissance, with Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi voicing Rapunzel and Flynn Rider.
According to industry reports, Disney conducted an extensive global casting search, with finalists screen-testing in London late last year before Croft and Manheim were finalised.
Final Words
With production now underway, Disney’s live-action Tangled looks poised to blend nostalgia with reinvention. Teagan Croft and Milo Manheim bring youth, familiarity, and musical potential to roles that fans hold close — while Michael Gracey’s direction suggests the film won’t shy away from spectacle or emotion.
For Disney, this isn’t just another remake — it’s a chance to reintroduce one of its most loved modern fairy tales to a whole new generation.
