Over 15 years after its animated release, Walt Disney Studios announced the two leads for Tangled’s live-action edition on Jan. 7, 2026. With many fans suggesting which actors should play the beloved Rapunzel and Flynn Rider, a practice known as “fancasting,” the fanbase split after the casting announcement.
Teagan Croft and Milo Manheim are set to play Rapunzel and Flynn Rider in Disney’s upcoming live-action version of Tangled, directed by Michael Gracey. Teagan Croft, best known for True Spirit and Titans, will be the famed princess with luscious, long blonde hair. Milo Manheim from Zombies, School Spirits, and Thanksgiving, will star alongside her as the charming and witty Flynn Rider.
Manheim has an uncanny resemblance to the fictional Flynn as well as a strong voice that puts him above the other options for Flynn, such as Scottish-Indonesian actor Gilli Jones, who played Charlie Dalrymple in a 2025 production of Brigadoon, and Charlie Gillespie, who showcased his rich voice in his role of Luke in Netflix series Julie and the Phantoms.
Before the producers announced that Manheim and Croft would portray the leads, some fans hoped that Meg Donnelly, Manheim’s Zombies co-star, would accompany him as Rapunzel. Much to the disappointment of those fans, Donnelly did not even screen test for the movie, as she is busy performing as Satine in the Broadway musical Moulin Rouge.
Many fans expected Mason Thames and McKenna Grace, the power couple of Regretting You, to portray the characters. While Thames and Grace have incredible chemistry, Grace has been in countless productions; it’s time to give someone else a chance, not to mention the fact that 18-year-old Thames seems far too young to play the esteemed role of 26-year-old Flynn.
Freya Skye, a 16-year-old British actress, singer, and songwriter, appeared as Nova in the most recent installment of Zombies. The young actress was reportedly screen tested for Tangled in the role of Rapunzel, though she was not awarded the role. Many of her fans had become upset that she didn’t get the chance to star in a big production movie; she would be with Manheim, a 25-year-old whom she thinks of as a brother.
The infamous Jojo Siwa also auditioned for the role of Rapunzel. However, her loud, raspy voice did not stand a chance against the other actresses. Croft, on the other hand, has posted videos of herself singing while strumming a ukulele, showcasing her angelic voice.
After the announcement of Tangled’s live-action cast, it seems that Milo Manheim and Teagan Croft were the correct choice, considering their visual similarity to the fictional characters and strong acting and vocal skills. Cinemaholic and L’Officiel USA suggest that filming will start this summer in Spain and the United Kingdom, and we will truly find out if the two have the chemistry to play these cherished characters.
