Disney’s Live-Action Tangled Gets a March 2028 Release Date and First Look at D23
Rapunzel is finally leaving the tower for the big screen. Disney has officially set its live-action Tangled for March 31, 2028, while D23 attendees received their first footage of Teagan Croft as Rapunzel and Kathryn Hahn as Mother Gothel.
After years of development, Disney’s live-action Tangled is no longer just a possibility.
The studio has officially confirmed that its live-action adaptation of the beloved 2010 animated classic will arrive exclusively in theaters on March 31, 2028. The announcement came during Disney’s Entertainment Showcase at D23, where the studio also unveiled the first footage from the highly anticipated remake.
For fans who grew up with Rapunzel, Flynn Rider and Pascal, the first glimpse represents the moment the animated fantasy officially begins its transition into live action.
First Look at Rapunzel, Flynn Rider and Mother Gothel
The footage shown at D23 gave audiences their first official look at the principal characters in costume.
Teagan Croft appears as Rapunzel, complete with the character’s unmistakable long blonde hair and purple dress. Milo Manheim is playing Flynn Rider, while Kathryn Hahn takes on the role of the manipulative Mother Gothel.
The preview reportedly begins with Rapunzel’s enormous hair spread across the ground before revealing Croft as the famous Disney Princess.
Hahn’s appearance as Gothel was one of the major highlights of the presentation, with the actress personally introducing the footage at D23.
Interestingly, Croft and Manheim were not present at the event because production is currently underway in Spain.
Kathryn Hahn Could Be the Perfect Mother Gothel
Among the casting choices, Kathryn Hahn’s involvement has generated particularly strong interest.
Mother Gothel is one of Disney’s most memorable animated villains—not because she is physically intimidating, but because she manipulates Rapunzel through emotional control while pretending that everything she does is for her daughter’s protection.
Hahn has already demonstrated an ability to play characters who can be simultaneously funny, charming and unsettling, making her an intriguing choice for Gothel.
Her casting could allow the live-action version to give the character even more depth while retaining the dark humor that made the animated villain so memorable.
Teagan Croft Takes on Rapunzel
For Teagan Croft, Tangled represents one of her biggest roles yet.
The actress, known for Titans, is stepping into the role of Rapunzel a character whose defining traits include curiosity, optimism and an almost overwhelming desire to see the outside world.
That emotional journey will be particularly important in live action.
The animated Tangled balanced comedy and fantasy with a surprisingly emotional coming-of-age story. Rapunzel begins the movie as someone who has spent virtually her entire life trapped inside a tower, believing that the outside world is dangerous.
Her meeting with Flynn changes everything.
The live-action film will have to capture that sense of wonder without simply recreating every moment of the original.
Milo Manheim Is Flynn Rider
Milo Manheim will portray Flynn Rider, the charismatic thief whose attempt to hide inside Rapunzel’s tower unexpectedly turns into the biggest adventure of his life.
Manheim has previously spoken about the physical preparation required for the role, including training for demanding sequences and learning skills such as horseback riding.
Flynn is arguably one of Disney’s most personality-driven male leads, so the chemistry between Manheim and Croft will be crucial.
The relationship between Rapunzel and Flynn is the emotional engine of Tangled. If their dynamic works, much of the movie’s charm should follow naturally.
A New Take on a Familiar Story
The live-action Tangled will naturally retain the basic premise of the animated movie.
Rapunzel has spent years locked away in a tower because of her magical hair. When Flynn Rider arrives while fleeing the authorities, she makes a deal with him that gives her an opportunity to finally experience the outside world.
Their journey eventually leads to discoveries about Rapunzel’s identity, her family and the woman who has controlled her entire life.
But Disney’s challenge will be deciding how much of the original story to preserve and how much to reinterpret.
Unlike some Disney remakes, Tangled already has a highly distinctive visual style and a large amount of humor built into its screenplay. Simply recreating the animated movie shot-for-shot could make the live-action version feel unnecessary.
Michael Gracey Is Behind the Camera
The movie is being directed by Michael Gracey, best known for The Greatest Showman. He is working from a screenplay by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson and Michael Montemurro, with Kristin Burr producing.
Gracey’s background in large-scale musical filmmaking could be particularly useful for Tangled.
The original movie featured several major musical sequences, including songs that became closely associated with the franchise.
A live-action Tangled therefore isn’t simply an effects-heavy fantasy adventure. It also has to work as a musical.
That could make Gracey’s experience especially valuable.
Diego Luna Has a Mystery Role
The cast also includes Diego Luna, although Disney has not revealed the identity of his character.
That gives the live-action adaptation another element of mystery.
Patrick and Hugo McPherson are also part of the cast as the Stabbington brothers, the pair of criminals connected to Flynn’s original storyline.
Disney is keeping some details close to the vest, which could allow the studio to reveal more characters as the movie approaches its theatrical release.
The Movie Has Already Had a Complicated Journey
The live-action adaptation hasn’t had the smoothest development process.
Disney reportedly put the project on hold in 2025 before eventually bringing it back into production. Filming is now underway in Spain, meaning the movie has moved considerably beyond the early development stage.
The D23 footage therefore represents an important milestone.
The project that once existed primarily as a proposed remake is now a real production with a completed cast, active filming and an official theatrical release date.
Why Disney Is Betting on Tangled
The original Tangled was released in 2010 and became a major success for Disney Animation, earning more than $600 million worldwide.
More importantly, the movie has remained popular long after its theatrical run.
Rapunzel became one of Disney’s most recognizable modern princesses, while Tangled eventually expanded into television and other Disney experiences.
That gives Disney a strong reason to believe the character can work again in a new format.
And unlike some older Disney properties, Tangled is still relatively recent—which means there is a large audience that remembers the original extremely well.
When Does the Live-Action Tangled Movie Release?
Disney has officially set the theatrical release for:
March 31, 2028
The movie is currently filming in Spain and is expected to receive a full theatrical rollout.
A full trailer is expected closer to release.
Live-Action Tangled: What We Know
Detail| Information
Title| Tangled
Release Date| March 31, 2028
Format| Live-action musical fantasy
Rapunzel| Teagan Croft
Flynn Rider| Milo Manheim
Mother Gothel| Kathryn Hahn
Diego Luna| Mystery role
Director| Michael Gracey
Writers| Jennifer Kaytin Robinson & Michael Montemurro
Producer| Kristin Burr
Filming Location| Spain
Trailer| Not yet released
Geeksterr Take
Disney’s live-action remake strategy has produced plenty of debate, but Tangled is one of the projects that genuinely has the potential to work in this format.
The original movie already has a strong story, memorable characters and a soundtrack that can translate naturally into live action.
The casting is also intriguing.
Teagan Croft has the opportunity to give Rapunzel a fresh identity, Milo Manheim has the charisma required for Flynn, and Kathryn Hahn could steal the entire movie as Mother Gothel.
The biggest question isn’t whether audiences will show up.
It’s whether Disney can make viewers feel that this version of Tangled has a reason to exist.
If Michael Gracey can combine the spectacle of a live-action fairy tale with the warmth, comedy and musical energy of the original, Disney could have another major theatrical hit on its hands.
Rapunzel spent years waiting for the world beyond her tower. Now, the world is waiting for her.
This Geeksterr article is an original report and analysis based on Disney’s D23 announcement and current industry reporting. Production details, release plans and other information may change before the film reaches theaters.
