Mother is absolutely mothering, and there is a lot of mothering going on. We think that’s what the youth of today would say about this latest stunning casting news, because sometimes the internet actually wins.
After years of fan casting and wishful tweets, Kathryn Hahn is officially in talks with Disney to play Mother Gothel in the studio’s long-gestating live-action adaptation of Tangled.
If that casting choice feels instantly right, you’re not alone. Mother Gothel — the manipulative, youth-obsessed antagonist who uses Rapunzel’s magical hair to stay eternally young — has long felt like a role tailor-made for Hahn’s particular brand of charm-meets-menace.
Development on Tangled quietly kicked back into gear last October, when Scarlett Johansson was briefly circling the role of Gothel. That version never came together, however, with Johansson ultimately stepping away due to scheduling conflicts tied to Batman II and the upcoming Exorcist reboot (talk about a wild swing from a fairytale movie, by the way). Once her name was attached, fans wasted no time pivoting to Hahn — and now, that push appears to have paid off.
Teagan Croft (Titans) is set to play Rapunzel, while Milo Manheim (Zombies) will take on Flynn Rider, the charming thief who helps Rapunzel escape the tower where she’s been hidden away her entire life. Behind the camera, Michael Gracey (The Greatest Showman) remains attached to direct, working from a script by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson. Kristin Burr is producing under Burr! Productions, with Lucy Kitada serving as executive producer.
Is ‘Tangled’ Worth Seeing?
The original animated film, released in 2010, grossed nearly $592 million worldwide and earned an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song with “I See the Light,” featuring music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Glenn Slater. Collider’s review added:
In the end, Tangled makes for a tasty smoothie that utilizes freshly picked ideas from Greno and Howard, while the classic storyline of discovery and adventure provide the usual vanilla standbys. There are exciting twists and turns when the film works, and the few pitfalls in the clashing tones of the characters aren’t enough to keep the ball from rolling. While Disney may not have the dominating foothold on animated films like they used to, if they continue to make films with this much heart and fun there is no doubt they can remain viable in this increasingly competitive genre.
Tangled is streaming on Disney+.
via Collider