First Look at Kathryn Hahn as Mother Gothel in Disney’s Live-Action ‘Tangled’

Disney’s live-action remake initiative has had a varied response from fans, often sparking a blend of excitement and skepticism with each announcement. However, ‘Tangled‘ appeared to shift the narrative entirely with one pivotal casting decision.

That decision was Kathryn Hahn taking on the role of Mother Gothel. With production now officially underway in Spain, the first images of her in character are beginning to circulate online. Early set photos showcase Hahn sporting the film’s signature dark, curly wig, providing fans with their clearest look yet at her interpretation of the iconic villain.

These images come after months of anticipation surrounding Hahn’s casting, which Disney confirmed back in March through a fun Instagram video. In the clip, Hahn unveiled her “outfit of the day,” featuring a T-shirt adorned with images of the animated Gothel, originally voiced by Donna Murphy in the 2010 film. Walt Disney Studios shared the same video, captioning it in a post reported by the LA Times, “You want her to be the bad guy? FINE. Kathryn Hahn is Mother Gothel in Disney’s live-action Tangled.”

Hahn’s journey to this role wasn’t entirely straightforward. Development on the ‘Tangled’ remake had been paused for a time before resuming in October, with Scarlett Johansson initially considered for the Mother Gothel role. However, scheduling conflicts with ‘Batman II’ and an Exorcist reboot led her to withdraw. Deadline first reported that Hahn was in talks for the part back in January, following months of fans actively campaigning for her casting on social media.

In the months leading up to her official casting, Hahn often addressed the rumors at red carpets and press events, typically sidestepping the topic while expressing her love for playing “gnarly witches.”

This campaign was largely driven by Hahn’s history of portraying morally complex, scene-stealing characters, particularly her Emmy-nominated performance as Agatha Harkness in ‘WandaVision’ and its spinoff, ‘Agatha All Along.’ Fans have consistently pointed to her unique brand of theatrical menace as perfectly suited for Mother Gothel’s manipulative and musical villainy, with one fan even suggesting that her Marvel work effectively served as an audition for the role.

Hahn will be joined by Teagan Croft as Rapunzel and Milo Manheim as Flynn Ryder, both newcomers stepping into roles from the animated original. Michael Gracey, known for directing ‘The Greatest Showman’ and the Robbie Williams biopic ‘Better Man,’ is at the helm of this live-action adaptation, with Jennifer Kaytin Robinson penning the screenplay.

Additional set photos have also emerged, showcasing Rapunzel’s tower under construction, indicating that production is progressing well since filming began in Spain this month. While no official release date has been announced, industry speculation suggests a possible 2027 premiere based on the current production timeline.

For a character centered around themes of control, vanity, and manipulation disguised as maternal love, Hahn’s casting has received near-universal acclaim from fans, marking a rare moment of consensus for Disney’s live-action slate. With her proven versatility and the character’s need for someone who can embody both charm and unease, early reactions indicate that Disney may have found its Mother Gothel even before the first frame of footage is revealed.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!