After a year of rumors, it’s official: Disney is in negotiations with actress Kathryn Hahn to appear in a live-action remake of Tangled as Mother Gothel.
Hahn, 52, is in talks with the studio to play the role of the scheming villain who tried to soak up youth through the hair of Rapunzel, sources told Deadline on Thursday.
The studio spoke with Hahn, who’s coming off a Golden Globe nomination a year ago for her work in Agatha All Along, after Scarlett Johansson appeared to be eyeing the role last fall.
Fans online said that Hahn, who has been seen in projects such as Parks and Recreation, Transparent and Bad Moms, would be a better fit for the role, the outlet reported.
Ultimately, it was a moot point, as Johansson, a two-time Academy Award nominee, withdrew from consideration amid a swamped schedule, as she’s slated to appear in projects including Batman II and The Exorcist.
Daily Mail has reached out to reps for Hahn for further comment on the story.
After a year of rumors, it’s official: Disney is in negotiations with actress Kathryn Hahn to appear in a live-action remake of Tangled as Mother Gothel
Hahn, 52, is in talks with the studio to play the role of the scheming villain who tried to soak up youth through the hair of Rapunzel. Pictured last month in LA
Tangled tells the story of Rapunzel, a princess with magical hair that can provide eternal youth.
She was kidnapped as a baby by Mother Gothel, who keeps her locked away in a tower so she could use her powers to stay young.
But when a man named Flynn Rider accidentally comes across her, he and Rapunzel set out on an adventure together, and learn her true identity along the way.
The animated 2010 version featured the voices of Mandy Moore as Rapunzel, Zachary Levi as Flynn Rider, and Donna Murphy as Mother Gothel.
Controversy ensued this week amid fans shocked that Teagan Croft will play the role of Rapunzel, with some supportive of the choice, while others thought the company ‘fumbled’ the call.
A number of cinema fans took to Reddit on Thursday in reaction to the reports of Hahn’s potential casting, with a generally supportive sentiment.
‘I’m honestly surprised they didn’t go to her first,’ one said, referring to the Johansson rumors.
Said another fan, ‘I don’t want a live action tangled… I just don’t. But if there is going to be one… I will look forward to Kathryn Hahn in this role.’
Another suggested, ‘Keep it true to the animated version. Don’t try to humanize the villain and let the musical carry itself.’
A number of cinema fans took to Reddit on Thursday in reaction to the reports, with a generally supportive sentiment of Hahn’s potential casting
Disney co-chairman Alan Bergman seen during the company’s presentation at CinemaCon 2024 in Las Vegas
In December of 2024, it was confirmed that the company was working on a live adaptation of the beloved animated film, with fans immediately calling for Hahn to be cast.
‘Kathryn Hahn is reportedly being eyed to play Mother Gothel in Disney’s live-action Tangled film,’ an account called @cosmic_marvel tweeted on Saturday.
‘Absolutely not,’ one person replied, while another said, ‘Boring.’
‘This would be perfect casting,’ someone else disagreed.
‘Accurate casting but there’s better out there. there’s no wow factor to it,’ a fourth tweet read. ‘Too safe a choice.’
Another user suggested Helena Bonham Carter for the role, while someone else said, ‘What about Idina Menzel?’
Multiple X accounts have said that Kathryn Hahn is in the running to portray the villain, and the speculation has been met with mixed reactions on the platform
Some people were all for the idea, while others weren’t, and suggested other actresses
When asked if she’d be interested in taking on the role by Entertainment Tonight in 2024, Kathryn said, ‘Yes. I mean I’m really good at karaoke’
When asked if she’d be interested in taking on the role by Entertainment Tonight in December of 2024, Kathryn said excitedly, ‘Yes. I mean I’m really good at karaoke.’
Hahn recently starred as the villainous witch Agatha Harkness in the Marvel series Agatha All Along, which saw her perform a musical number with her costar, acclaimed Broadway performer Patti LuPone.
‘Singing next to Patti LuPone really humbles you,’ she jokingly added.
Variety reported in December of 2024 that a live-action rendition was officially in the works, and that Greatest Showman filmmaker Michael Gracey was in talks to direct it.
Jennifer Kaytin Robinson is reportedly writing the script, who previously penned Thor: Love and Thunder and the upcoming I Know What You Did Last Summer reboot.
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