Disney’s Live-Action ‘Tangled’ Casts Its Royal Family – Here’s Who’s Playing Who

Disney continues its trend of live-action fairy tale adaptations, with ‘Tangled’ being the next beloved classic to receive a theatrical reimagining. The project has been in the works for years, overcoming delays and changing timelines.

This past weekend, Disney unveiled significant details at its D23 showcase, including the first footage, a confirmed release date, and exciting casting announcements that fill nearly all major roles.

Caitríona Balfe, known for her role in ‘Outlander’ and a five-time Golden Globe nominee, will portray Queen Arianna, Rapunzel’s long-lost mother. This casting was confirmed by Deadline, following months of speculation fueled by set photos from earlier in production.

Balfe will be joined by Elliot Cowan, who has been confirmed to play King Frederic, known for his role in ‘The Crown.’ The villainous Stabbington twins will be portrayed by Patrick and Hugo McPherson, the twin actors behind Pear.

Diego Luna’s involvement had fans speculating for months, and the mystery surrounding his role has now been revealed. Rather than taking on an existing character from ‘Tangled,’ Luna will portray a new character named Hawthorne, created specifically for this adaptation.

This approach aligns with Disney’s recent trend of enhancing original stories with new characters instead of merely recreating animated versions. Given Luna’s impressive range, from ‘Andor’ to his earlier film roles, Hawthorne is expected to add significant narrative depth.

These new cast members join Teagan Croft, who leads as Rapunzel, Milo Manheim as Flynn Rider, and Kathryn Hahn as Mother Gothel, Rapunzel’s manipulative captor.

Disney has confirmed that ‘Tangled’ will hit theaters on March 31, 2028. The film is directed by Michael Gracey, known for ‘The Greatest Showman,’ with a screenplay by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson and Michael Montemayor.

Producers Kristin Burr and Michael De Luca are overseeing the project, which began production this summer in Alicante, Spain, after a tumultuous period in 2025 when the project faced delays following the mixed reception of ‘Snow White.’

The role of Arianna is particularly significant, as it carries emotional weight despite limited screen time. In the original 2010 animated film, she has few lines but plays a crucial role in the story’s conclusion, reuniting with her daughter after 18 years. Casting Balfe, with her dramatic talent, suggests that this reunion will resonate deeply.

The importance of this moment ties back to the legacy of the original film, which grossed approximately $592 million worldwide against a production budget of about $260 million, making it the most expensive animated film at its release.

With the main cast now nearly complete, Disney’s live-action ‘Tangled’ is shaping up to be an ambitious project, aiming to expand the story rather than simply retelling it. With Balfe, Cowan, and Luna on board, this remake promises to offer a fresh perspective on the beloved tale.

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