Disney’s Live-Action ‘Tangled’: Teagan Croft and Milo Manheim Lead a Major Franchise Push

Disney confirms Teagan Croft and Milo Manheim for the live-action Tangled. Explore cast details, release timeline, and Disney’s big franchise plan.

Published: January 8, 2026, 9:54 am

The whole studio is behind the Tangled franchise, and the announcement from Walt Disney Pictures yesterday that Teagan Croft and Milo Manheim have been cast as Rapunzel and Flynn Rider in the live-action adaptation of Tangled is just the icing on the cake.

The project, which has survived a tumultuous development process that has included long periods of dormancy and a reshuffling of the workforce, is now being advertised as the cornerstone of Disney’s theatrical lineup for the late 2020s. Directed by Michael Gracey (The Greatest Showman) and written by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson (Do Revenge), the film will be an adaptation of the 2010 animated classic to a “high-stakes musical event” exclusively for theatrical release. 

The selection of Croft and Manheim comes after an extensive international search and a number of intense screen tests held in London in the month of December 2025. This represents a clear and marked shift in the direction of casting actors who have solid musical theatre credentials and meaningful experience in the genre. 

Tangled

As Disney contends with the post-pandemic box office environment and the complicated legacy of its prior live-action remakes, the Tangled film comes not only as a nostalgic gambit, but a shrewd bid to attract the rising Gen-Z and millennial audiences who consider the original movie a key cultural touchstone. 

Disney’s Strategic Reset: Why Tangled Became a Studio Priority

The path of the live-action Tangled is impossible to trace without placing it in the context of the financial situation for Walt Disney Studios as a whole. Entering late 2024 and into 2025, the studio was introspective, after a string of financial disappointments on key titles, most especially the live-action Snow White. Industry analysts noted a waning in public interest in remakes of early 20th century classics, which fueled speculation that projects such as Tangled had been put on hold indefinitely as to prevent any further risk. 

But the tides turned with the live-action Lilo and Stitch theatrical debut in May-2025. With a worldwide gross of over $1 billion, Lilo and Stitch demonstrated that remakes of “modern classics” (films originally released during the Disney Renaissance in the 2000s) had their own draw. This success restored corporate trust in the Tangled brand.

With a theatrical-only release, Disney is making clear that Tangled is to be a major cinematic event for the brand, rather than a direct-to-streaming filler. This strategy mirrors that of the upcoming Moana live action, set for release in July 2026, and maximum theatrical revenue before coming to Disney+. 

Disney’s Live-Action Track Record

Film TitleRelease DateOriginal Animated GrossKey Strategic Driver
Snow WhiteMarch/2025$418M (Adj.)Re-evaluating early classics after underperformance.
Lilo and StitchMay/2025$273MThe $1B success that revived the remake pipeline.
MoanaJuly 10, 2026$643MLeveraging modern IP and star power.
TangledProd. June 2026$592.5MTargeting Gen-Z nostalgia and musical theater fans.

Casting the Crown Jewels: Finding Rapunzel and Flynn

The hunt for Rapunzel and Flynn Rider was all-consuming and ended in chemistry tests in London just before the holiday season of 2025. In contrast to earlier casting calls which were geared towards attracting A-list celebrity names to serve as marketing anchors, the Tangled production team was looking for vocal performers who could capture the emotional complexity of the characters and who had the vocal endurance to perform Alan Menken’s -folk-rock score. 

Teagan Croft as Rapunzel

Teagan Croft is a young Australian actress of 21 years old, who was chosen from a multitude of finalists. Her previous work as Rachel Roth (Raven) on the DC show Titans was key to her casting. To play Raven, Croft had to grapple with isolation and secret empowerment—narrative beats that, surprisingly, mirror those Rapunzel undergoes as a prisoner of Mother Gothel.

Teagan Croft as Rapunzel

Additionally, Croft’s turn in Netflix’s True Spirit showcased her ability to head a family-friendly survival film. From the very beginning, Rapunzel isn’t a typical princess with “Tangled”: she’s a bohemian dreamer and inquisitive teenager who’s been living as an insanely long tag-along to Mother Gothel for eighteen years. Croft’s talent for encompassing “wonder, grit, and curiosity” all at once made her the obvious choice. 

Milo Manheim’s Flynn Rider

According to THR, the casting of Milo Manheim as Flynn Rider (aka Eugene Fitzherbert) is celebrated in the Disney fandom. Manheim is a “Disney-native” talent, with seven years leading the Zombies franchise. From this, he gained an insight into the mechanics of the musical storytelling of the studio like no other.

Milo Manheim’s Flynn Rider

Aside from his Disney Channel background, Manheim has made a name for himself as a powerhouse stage actor, most recently starring in Little Shop of Horrors off-Broadway. The role of Flynn Rider is notoriously difficult to nail down—it’s a very specific type of arrogance you have to convey paired with sincerity– the “smolder” has to be hilarious but the eventual vulnerability has to be real. Manheim’s previous Dancing with the Stars tenure further guarantees he has the nimble body necessary for swashbuckling action sequences. 

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Michael Gracey’s High-Stakes Musical Vision

Michael Gracey’s selection as director suggests a certain aesthetic for the film. Gracey, known for The Greatest Showman, is known for fusing modern musical tastes with the traditional theater spectacle. This one-size-fits-all template is especially curious when applied to Tangled, whose Alan Menken original score was a “folk-rock” departure from Broadway norms.

The director’s approach to films tend to focus on a “heightened reality.” For Tangled, this probably means that the Kingdom of Corona will be realized in tangible settings, rather than relying on the sterile “blue-screen” method. Backing Gracey is screenwriter Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, whose keen dialogue in Do Revenge indicates that the live-action script will keep the animated film’s sharp, current humor. 

The High-Pressure Search for Mother Gothel

While the leads have been disclosed, the Mother Gothel part is still very much up for grabs. Early reports suggested that Scarlett Johansson was attached, but she departed the project due to schedule conflicts. So there’s a gap to fill now, for the heart and soul of the film. 

Fans have made their support for Donna Murphy – the original voice actress, to come back to the role heard far and wide, and others have brought up Kathryn Hahn as a potential replacement for charismatic, manipulative roles. 

Conclusion

Production is scheduled to start in June 2026, indicating an arrival just for the big screen in late 2027 or 2028. The schedule provides ample time for the complex post-production work needed for the tricky physics of Rapunzel’s hair along with the environmental VFX.

The signing of Teagan Croft and Milo Manheim is more than just a headline, it is the first step in a massive multi-year plan to revive the Kingdom of Corona. The world awaits the lantern launch, and for the first time in years, the “dream” of a viable live action Rapunzel transition seems attainable. 

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Alpana

Articles Published : 90

Alpana is Fandomfans Senior Editor across all genres of entertainment. She evolved in the media industry since a very long time, she manages the content strategy and editing of all the blogs. Her focus on story development, review analysis, and research is well-equipped that ensures every article meets the standards of accuracy and depth.

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Keira Knightley new dark comedy movie ‘The Worst’ with Jamie Dornan and Alicia Vikander

Keira Knightley leads the dark comedy THE WORST with Jamie Dornan and Alicia Vikander. Cast, plot information, release hype and more. Read more visit website!

Written by: Mariyam
Published: February 11, 2026, 9:38 am
Keira Knightley

The recently announced film The Worst is already shaping up to be one of the most interesting films this year. Variety have also confirmed that Keira Knightley, Alicia Vikander, Jamie Dornan, and Erin Kellyman will all appear in this upcoming dark comedy The Worst that is a powerhouse cast if I’ve ever seen one. It’s very rare to have such esteemed actors all come together for one project this early in a career and it says that the production is going to be something ambitious creatively.

This is not just a collection of over-exposed actors, but a group who can portray characters with layers of intensity and complexity psychologically. Combined, these actors’ collective strengths hint at a movie that will play to an emotional core and perhaps a bit of controlled chaos, right in line with the tone suggested by the genre. 

If the early storyline summaries are any indication, The Worst seems primed to offer a daring, out-of-the-box cinematic ride that could potentially be one of the more distinctive films in today’s market. 

The Plot: A Dinner Party from Hell (But Make It Fashion)

There’s nothing quite as tasty as a satire of “rich people behaving badly.” From Succession to The Menu, we as a society are fascinated with watching the privileged class collapse. The Worst appears to be tailor-made to deliver that, albeit with a sun-kissed, French edge.

A Dinner Party from Hell
Image Credit: Fandomfans

Here’s the scoop: the movie takes place in a beautiful new chateau in France. Alicia Vikander is Emily Fisher, a high society socialite who, after her husband Max, hosts a group of friends at night. Apparently this is one of these groups of homies who all secretly (or not so secretly) loathe each other. 

Cast and Characters

Keira Knightley is taking on the role of Holly, a “struggling diversity consultant” who has conflicts with everyone until she gets a migraine. Anyone that has watched Knightley in Begin Again or the more easy-going, cheerful bits of Pride and Prejudice will know just how much comedic timing she has and yet is never fully utilised. Prejudice knows how to make use of her effortless charm while throwing out razor-sharp wit. But to see her playing an abrasive, “deliberately flawed” character is definitely going to be a treat. 

And then there’s Jamie Dornan as Danny, a fast-talking talent agent who can’t stop dropping the names of his clients. If you saw Dornan in Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar, you know he’s actually a comedic genius. He’s got that charm that can so easily curdle into something hilariously insufferable, which sounds absolutely right for this role. 

Cast and Characters
Image Credit: Fandomfans

And who’s caught in the middle of this hurricane of narcissism? The brilliant Erin Kellyman (which if you’ve seen Willow or The Falcon and the Winter Soldier you’ll remember her) is Niamh, the waitress.

There’s something so comforting about the “average Joe stuck with insanely wealthy people” trope. Kellyman’s screen presence is so grounded and powerful; at the end of a night of collapsing secrets and madness will be the anchor this tale needs. 

The Director: A Reunion We Didn’t See Coming

Simon Woods is making his directorial debut with the film. If you know that name, that’s because he was once an actor before he became a playwright. Here’s a fun fact, though: Woods and Keira Knightley were also in the 2005 Pride & Prejudice! He acted as Mr. Bingley.  

The Director
Image Credit: Fandomfans

It’s always interesting when actors direct because they view performance from a different angle. Woods has penned the screenplay himself, calling it a bid to “seduce audiences into identifying with characters who are intentionally flawed, abrasive and frequently enraging.”

He just wants us to be on the verge of sympathizing with these awful people before yanking the rug out from under us. It’s a daring move. It’s dangerous. And it sounds just like the kind of uncomfortable, “make-you-want-to-rip-the-armrest-off-the-seat” cinema that people end up talking about. 

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Key Highlights and Collaboration: Why We Are Already Obsessed

Other than the cast, what sets The Worst apart is the timing. We live in a golden age of class satire. We live to pick apart privilege, particularly when it’s served up with “wickedly entertaining” humor, as the producers promise. 

But it’s also a particular configuration of these actors.

  • Alicia Vikander primarily does heavy drama work (The Danish Girl, Ex Machina). Seeing her as a domestic diva suggests a level of performativity that she will no doubt obliterate.
  • Jamie Dornan has managed to break free from the shadow of Fifty Shades and has reinvented himself as a a versatile, and quite frequently funny, character actor.
  • Keira Knightley is the queen of period dramas, but she’s been making some really interesting contemporary choices recently (like Silent Night).

When Can We See Keira Knightley New Dark Comedy Movie ?

That is the hard part. The project is now available to buyers at the European Film Market (EFM) in Berlin, running now. So production and release dates are still to be decided.

But for a cast this stacked, it’s almost certain to be scooped up quickly. I wouldn’t be shocked if a streaming giant or major studio is in a bidding war for the rights by the end of the week.

So we wait, for now. But let’s be real — the group chat has already been ignited. We’re already casting our predictions on who cracks first at this dinner party. My money’s on Jamie Dornan’s character Machiavellian-networking his way out of a disaster while Keira Knightley’s character silently judges him from across the room. 

Conclusion

The Worst is not a typical film announcement, it’s more like the start of a cultural talk. With a keenly focused premise, a brazen creative vision, and a cast full of actors who excel in psychological nuance, this doesn’t seem like the run-of-the-mill dark comedy, it’s an event. Keira Knightley new dark comedy movie with Jamie Dornan is the kind of film that intelligently dissects privilege, power, and hypocrisy with humor and just enough chaos to make audiences a little uncomfortable in the best way.

If it lives up to even half of what it’s promising, The Worst won’t just entertain, it will linger. It will provoke debates, think-pieces, memes, and 4 AM conversations about characters and moral failures. And in a world flooded with safe, formulaic releases, that’s precisely what makes this film exciting: it’s allowed to be messy, provocative, and unforgettable. 

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Mariyam

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Mariyam Khan is Fandomfans Content Writer and providing reports and reviews on Movie Celebrities, and Superheroes particularly Marvel & DC. She is covering across multiple genres from more than 4+ years, experience in delivering the timely updates.

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Steven Spielberg Net Worth Revealed: Age, Movies, Family, and Hidden Hollywood Secrets

Discover Steven Spielberg net worth, top movies, wife, children, age, and latest news. Explore his career, new films, houses, and untold Hollywood legacy.

Written by: Alpana
Published: August 25, 2025, 11:48 am
Steven Spielberg directing on a film set

Steven Spielberg is a motion-picture director and producer who reshaped the modern cinema with his blockbusters. Steven Spielberg Net Worth revealed which estimated around billions. Spielberg’s gave blockbusters like E.T. The extra terrestrial, The Fabelmans, make him a well reputed filmmaker. But beyond the producer/director, his strategic decisions help build his empire. Many fans are curious about his personal life, family, fortune and his secrets, let’s look into these details.

Steven Spielberg’s Net Worth in 2025

Steven Spielberg net worth is $10 billion and still growing, according to Celebrity Net Worth. He doesn’t earn from a single source as director but he is more evolved in producing several films. He co-created “Indiana Jones” with his long known friend George Lucas.

Steven Spielberg net worth 2025 $10 billion

His strategic investment on the films like Jurassic Park still gives him enough benefit, partnership with Universal studios in 2016, ensuring steady earning through several projects.

Steven Spielberg Early Life and Family

Many fans are curious about him as Is Steven Spielberg jewish, so the answer is yes. Spielberg was born into a jewish family, Cincinnati but later moved to California. According to Parade, Steven Spielberg’s wife is Kate Capshaw, after divorcing Amy Irving, Steven met Kate on the set of Indiana Jones and got married. Kate and Steven Spielberg’s children who are biologically related are Sasha, Sawyer, Destry. While they adopted Theo and Mikaela. Steven Spielberg’s daughter Sasha is a well-known singer and musician.

Steven Spielberg with wife Kate Capshaw and children

Steven Spielberg’s age is above in the 70s but he is still directing and producing films. If we see Steven Spielberg’s young achievements, the first film, Duel was such a successful classic which got him a job of directing.

Steven Spielberg Movies

As reported in Forbes, he directed or produced more than 100 films but the most Steven Spielberg movies ranked are Jaws released in the 1975, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial in 1982 — sci-fi movie hit with its classic story of an alien. A young boy saved him and kept him hidden from the task force. He also produces credit from the world-wide blockbusters like Jurassic Park, Saving Private Ryan, and Schindler’s List. A new Steven Spielberg movie like Jurassic World Rebirth is also earning him even after a decade.

Steven Spielberg movies Jaws, E.T., Jurassic Park, Saving Private Ryan

According to Variety, Steven Spielberg’s new movie with Josh O’Connor and Emily Blunt will become a hit after a long time. His return will give a new interesting story as reports suggest it brings Spielberg’s previous work on the screen, it’s taking place in June, 2026.

Steven Spielberg TV Shows

According to ScreenRant, He made hit after hit with his movies but Steven Spielberg TV shows have also made an impressive success as well. He produced series like Band of Brothers and The Pacific, both of them are Emmy winners because of their incredible storyline.

Read More 👉 Timeless Treasures: Evergreen Hollywood Movies That Never Get Old

Hidden Secrets and Recent News

Steven Spielberg house fire rumor spread about small fire at Spielberg’s Pacific Palisades estate, reports confirmed that no one was hurt. Because the fire destroyed many homes near his area but his home was kept safe.

Steven Spielberg house fire rumor Pacific Palisades
Image credit: YouTube

Steven Spielberg Olympics involvement in 2008, he helped in the opening ceremony with his passion of blending art with sports. He produced short films for welcoming TV viewers to the Summer Olympics.

Conclusion 

Steven Spielberg is the wealthiest director/producer who is known as a cultured icon through his outstanding movies and TV shows. Steven Spielberg’s net worth is not built by just directing but his multifaceted nature of filmography made a huge impact on the cinema. It gets him evolved into producing more films. He’s a visionary who is still ready to drop big-budgets. Whether you want to know about Steven Spielberg’s net worth, his family, or are curious about his movie, everything is fascinating about his journey.

Alpana

Articles Published : 90

Alpana is Fandomfans Senior Editor across all genres of entertainment. She evolved in the media industry since a very long time, she manages the content strategy and editing of all the blogs. Her focus on story development, review analysis, and research is well-equipped that ensures every article meets the standards of accuracy and depth.

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