Disney’s ‘Tangled’ Back On The Table With Scarlett Johansson: No DEI Woke Reboot?

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Disney is revisiting plans for a live-action remake of *Tangled*. The project was put on hold after Rachel Zegler’s *Snow White* performed poorly at the box office.

Sources say Scarlett Johansson is being considered to play Mother Gothel, which could indicate Disney is rethinking its casting strategy after some controversial choices in recent years.

Johansson Joins Tangled Revival

As reported by *Deadline*, Michael Gracey, the director of *The Greatest Showman*, is still involved in the project, and Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, a writer for *She-Hulk*, has written the screenplay. Scarlett Johansson, whose movies have earned a total of $17.7 billion globally, is set to play the villainous Mother Gothel. Her involvement indicates Disney is aiming for a big star and broad audience appeal, following some recent expensive films that didn’t perform well. Johansson recently appeared in *Jurassic World Rebirth*, which grossed over $867 million.

After the poor reception and financial failure of the live-action *Snow White*, Disney temporarily stopped production on *Tangled*. However, the success of *Lilo & Stitch*—which earned over a billion dollars—shows audiences still enjoy classic Disney stories, so the studio is now considering reviving *Tangled*.

Rapunzel Likely Won’t Be Another DEI Casting

Everyone is wondering who will star as Rapunzel. Mandy Moore, a traditionally blonde and fair-skinned actress, voiced the princess in the 2010 animated film. After the criticism surrounding Rachel Zegler’s casting as *Snow White* and concerns about Disney focusing too much on diversity, the studio might choose a more conventional actress this time.

Disney’s recent animated movies, like *Wish* and *Elio*, haven’t done well with audiences, suggesting viewers want stories focused on entertainment and characters rather than social messaging. A new *Tangled* movie could be a hit if Disney concentrates on the elements that made the first one successful: funny moments, emotional depth, and beautiful animation.

Disney’s Mixed Track Record

Disney’s recent live-action remakes have had mixed results. While *Lilo & Stitch* was a major success in 2025, earning over $1 billion worldwide, films like *Snow White* and *Wish* faced criticism and negative reactions online, serving as examples of when corporate decisions don’t resonate with audiences.

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2025-10-09 23:01