Disney has found its new Rapunzel and Flynn Rider.
Australian rising star Teagan Croft and Disney alum Milo Manheim will lead Disney’s live-action Tangled film, based on the beloved 2010 animated film. Croft and Manheim will star as Rapunzel, a golden-haired princess stolen from her kingdom as a baby, and Rider, the sly con man who helps her escape her overbearing mother.
Here’s more on Croft and Manheim, and what to know about Disney’s upcoming Tangled film.
Croft and Manheim’s career highlights and their reaction to Disney’s big reveal
Manheim, known for starring in Disney’s Zombies franchise and the son of Law & Order actor Camryn Manheim, seems to be already celebrating his casting. He changed his TikTok profile picture to a popular meme of Rider. The 24-year-old also has the vocal chops for the role — Tangled will remain a musical — having played Seymour in the 2025 off-Broadway revival of Little Shop of Horrors. He also starred in the Paramount+ series School Spirits.
Croft played Rachel in the DC series Titans from 2018 to 2023. Her other credits include the Australian film True Spirit, which streamed on Netflix, and Alphas.
“OMGGG WHO ARE THEYYYY,” Croft reacted to Disney’s announcement.
“🦎🤍 I have seen the light,” Manheim commented.
What to know about Disney’s live-action ‘Tangled’ film
While Disney has remained tight-lipped about the live-action plot, Deadline first reported in 2024 that the new film will closely follow the original story.
According to Variety, the Tangled project was almost shelved. Sources told the outlet in April that Disney put the film on hold indefinitely following the box office failure of the Snow White live-action remake, which hit theaters in early 2025. The project quietly resumed production last fall.
Michael Gracey, known for directing music-driven films like The Greatest Showman and Better Man, will direct. Former Disney executive Kristin Burr will produce, and I Know What You Did Last Summer co-writer Jennifer Kaytin Robinson wrote the script.
The original 2010 Tangled was a massive hit, grossing $591 million globally and helping usher in Disney’s second animation renaissance. The film’s standout song, “I See the Light,” earned an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Rapunzel’s villainous mother, Mother Gothel, is the next key role to be cast. Scarlett Johansson was initially considered for the role but is no longer in the running.