Disney is famous for its animated classics, but lately, the studio has been remaking them into live-action films. Some of these remakes have been successful, such as The Jungle Book, Beauty and the Beast, and Aladdin. Others have been less well-received, such as The Lion King, Mulan, and Dumbo. But Disney is not giving up on its live-action adaptations. In fact, the studio has a long list of upcoming projects, including The Little Mermaid, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and Pinocchio.
One of the most anticipated live-action remakes is Tangled, the 2010 animated film that tells the story of Rapunzel, a princess with 70 feet of magical golden hair who escapes her tower with the help of a charming thief named Flynn Rider. Tangled was a huge hit, earning over $590 million worldwide and receiving critical acclaim. It also spawned a TV series, a short film, and a Broadway musical.
But what can we expect from the live-action version of Tangled? Who will play the iconic characters of Rapunzel and Flynn Rider? How will the story and the visuals change? And when will the movie be released? In this article, we will answer all these questions and more. Here is everything you need to know about Disney’s live-action Tangled.
Who is in the cast of live-action Tangled?
The most important question for any live-action remake is who will play the main characters. For Tangled, Disney has made some surprising and controversial casting choices. The studio has announced that Jada Pinkett Smith, the actress, singer, and wife of Will Smith, will play Rapunzel in the live-action remake. This decision has shocked many fans, as Jada Pinkett Smith is not only much older than Rapunzel, who is supposed to be 18 years old, but also has alopecia, a condition that causes hair loss.
According to a source from inside Disney, Jada Pinkett Smith will not wear a wig or grow out her hair for the role. Instead, Disney will change the story to be more inclusive and respectful to people who suffer from hair loss diseases. Jada Pinkett Smith has been open about her diagnosis of alopecia, which she says is caused by stress and affects her self-esteem. She has also been vocal about her support for diversity and representation in Hollywood.
The source also revealed that Channing Tatum, the actor, dancer, and producer, will play Flynn Rider, the charismatic and adventurous thief who helps Rapunzel escape her tower. Channing Tatum is best known for his roles in Magic Mike, 21 Jump Street, and Step Up. He is also a fan of Disney movies, as he has expressed his interest in playing Gaston in Beauty and the Beast and Prince Eric in The Little Mermaid. Channing Tatum is expected to bring his charm, humor, and dance skills to the role of Flynn Rider.
Other cast members include Meryl Streep as Mother Gothel, the evil witch who kidnaps Rapunzel and uses her hair to stay young; Lin-Manuel Miranda as Pascal, Rapunzel’s loyal chameleon friend; and Josh Gad as Maximus, the noble horse who pursues Flynn Rider. Meryl Streep is a legendary actress who has won three Oscars and has worked with Disney before in Mary Poppins Returns and Into the Woods. Lin-Manuel Miranda is a composer, actor, and producer who has created the musicals Hamilton and In the Heights and has collaborated with Disney on Moana and Mary Poppins Returns. Josh Gad is a comedian, actor, and singer who has voiced Olaf in Frozen and LeFou in Beauty and the Beast.
How will the story and the visuals change?
Another question for any live-action remake is how faithful it will be to the original animated film. For Tangled, Disney has said that it will make some changes to the story and the visuals to suit the live-action format and to appeal to a modern audience. Some of these changes are:
- The story will be more realistic and grounded, focusing on the emotional and psychological aspects of Rapunzel and Flynn Rider’s journey. The movie will explore Rapunzel’s trauma from being isolated and manipulated by Mother Gothel, and Flynn Rider’s past and motivations for becoming a thief. The movie will also address the social and political issues of the kingdom of Corona, such as poverty, corruption, and rebellion.
- The visuals will be more stunning and spectacular, using the latest technology and special effects to create a realistic and immersive world. The movie will use a combination of practical and digital effects to create Rapunzel’s hair, which will be more than 70 feet long and have different properties depending on her mood and the environment. The movie will also feature breathtaking landscapes, such as the forest, the lake, and the lantern festival.
- The music will be more diverse and original, featuring songs from different genres and styles. The movie will retain some of the songs from the animated film, such as “When Will My Life Begin”, “I See the Light”, and “I’ve Got a Dream”, but will also add new songs written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, who will also serve as the music supervisor. The movie will also feature songs from different cultures and languages, reflecting the diversity of the cast and the world.
When will the movie be released?
The final question for any live-action remake is when it will be released. For Tangled, Disney has not announced an official release date yet, but according to some reports, the movie is expected to be released in late 2024 or early 2025. The movie is currently in pre-production, with the cast and crew preparing for filming, which is scheduled to start in mid-2024. The movie will be filmed in various locations around the world, such as New Zealand, France, and Italy.
The movie will be directed by Jon Favreau, who has directed successful live-action remakes for Disney, such as The Jungle Book and The Lion King. He will also produce the movie, along with Jada Pinkett Smith and Channing Tatum. The movie will be written by Jennifer Lee, who has written and co-directed Frozen and Frozen 2. She will also co-produce the movie, along with Lin-Manuel Miranda.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about the live-action Tangled movie:
- Q: Why did Disney choose Jada Pinkett Smith to play Rapunzel?
- A: Disney chose Jada Pinkett Smith to play Rapunzel because they wanted to showcase her talent and diversity, and to raise awareness and respect for people who suffer from hair loss diseases. Disney also wanted to challenge the traditional stereotypes and expectations of princesses, and to celebrate the beauty and strength of women of all ages, races, and backgrounds.
- Q: How will Rapunzel’s hair work in the live-action movie?
- A: Rapunzel’s hair will work in the live-action movie by using a combination of practical and digital effects. The movie will use real hair extensions, wigs, and props to create Rapunzel’s hair, which will be attached to Jada Pinkett Smith’s head and body. The movie will also use computer-generated imagery (CGI) to enhance and animate Rapunzel’s hair, which will have different properties depending on her mood and the environment. The movie will use motion capture technology to track Jada Pinkett Smith’s movements and expressions, and to transfer them to Rapunzel’s hair.
- Q: Will the live-action movie be a musical?
- A: Yes, the live-action movie will be a musical, featuring songs from the animated film and new songs written by Lin-Manuel Miranda. The movie will also feature songs from different genres and styles, such as pop, rock, rap, and folk. The movie will also feature songs from different cultures and languages, reflecting the diversity of the cast and the world.
- Q: Will the live-action movie be connected to the animated TV series and the Broadway musical?
- A: No, the live-action movie will not be connected to the animated TV series and the Broadway musical, which are spin-offs of the animated film. The live-action movie will be a standalone adaptation of the original fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm, with some changes and additions to suit the live-action format and the modern audience. The live-action movie will have its own story, characters, and style, and will not reference or acknowledge the other adaptations.
