Disney’s Tangled is getting the live action glow up, and I can confirm the leads are set. Teagan Croft will play Rapunzel. Milo Manheim has signed on as the male lead, expected to be the charming thief fans know as Flynn Rider. The lanterns are lit. The race to the tower has begun.
The leads are locked
Croft, who stole scenes on Titans, brings a sharp mix of heart and grit. She can play vulnerable, then flip to fearless in a blink. That is Rapunzel’s sweet spot. Expect curious, funny, and fierce. Expect a heroine who owns her power.
Manheim arrives with musical chops and easy charisma. He has led Disney musicals before, and he knows how to land a joke. Flynn Rider needs roguish charm and fast footwork. Manheim has the smile, the timing, and the energy to pull it off.
Teagan Croft is Rapunzel. Milo Manheim is the male lead. The adventure is officially underway.
Disney’s choice here signals a youthful, kinetic take. Tangled is part fairy tale, part road movie, part rom-com. This pairing supports all three. Chemistry will be key. Their banter needs spark and rhythm. Their duet needs warmth and lift. Their action scenes need snap.
Why these choices matter
This casting fits Disney’s live action playbook. Start with a beloved title. Anchor it with rising stars who can carry music, comedy, and heart. Then scale up the world with glossy design and crowd-pleasing set pieces. Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and The Little Mermaid built that lane. Tangled can cruise in it, while still feeling fresh.
The music is the heartbeat of Tangled. Fans cherish I See the Light and When Will My Life Begin. Disney has a pattern, keep the hits, add a few new songs that deepen character. Manheim brings proven musical endurance. Croft brings emotional clarity that can lift a ballad into a big screen moment.
- What this casting hints at:
- Fast banter, big heart, and playful romance
- Dance friendly staging and slick stunt work
- Classic songs intact, with room for one or two new anthems
- A comedic lane that still lands real feelings
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The fan lens and the celebrity angle
Let’s talk looks. Yes, Rapunzel’s legendary hair will be a star. Expect a wig team ready to break records. Croft’s expressive eyes and alert presence make the animated to live action leap feel natural. She looks like she could sketch, fence, and bake all before lunch.
Then there is the smolder. Flynn Rider’s eyebrow is a character of its own. Manheim has the grin and the looseness to sell that infamous stare. Some will debate the exact jawline or the scruff. That is part of the fun. The key question is this. Do we buy them together on a boat under lanterns, singing like the world just paused. Early signs say yes.
Cosplayers are already sketching braid blueprints. Stylists are eyeing soft pastels, suede vests, and that iconic satchel. Expect green and gold to pop on red carpets. Expect lantern motifs on nails and jewelry. Tangled is about freedom, art, and found family. Those themes play well in 2026 style mood boards.
Disney has not announced the character name for Manheim’s role. All signs still point to Flynn Rider, also known as Eugene Fitzherbert.
The bigger picture, and what comes next
Every live action remake has a pressure point. For Tangled, it is Mother Gothel. Cast her right, and you unlock the film’s dark sparkle. She needs to be magnetic, funny, and terrifying, sometimes in the same line. The horse, Maximus, and the chameleon, Pascal, also matter. Their personalities drive humor and action. Voice choices and creature design will shape the tone.
The creative team is the next reveal to watch. Director, songwriters, and choreographer will set the film’s pulse. Production timeline and release date remain under wraps. The studio is building carefully. Tangled deserves that care. It is a modern classic with a devoted audience, and its humor is lightning quick. That rhythm must survive the jump to live action.
Here is what Disney can control right now. Keep the story’s core. Rapunzel wants a life that is hers. Flynn wants to be seen for who he really is. Their journeys collide, then heal each other. Croft and Manheim align with that core. Their casting says, trust the characters, then turn up the scale.
Conclusion
Tangled just found its voice, and it sounds bright and bold. Teagan Croft brings a fearless Rapunzel with a curious heart. Milo Manheim steps into a charming, musical lead built for laughter and growth. The hair will wow, the lanterns will glow, and the chemistry will matter most. Disney has placed its bets, and the tower door is open. We are climbing.
