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Tag: live-action-disney-remake

  • Kathryn Hahn in Talks for Live-Action ‘Tangled’

    (Left) Agatha Harkness (Kathryn Hahn) in Marvel Television's 'Agatha All Along', exclusively on Disney+. Photo by Chuck Zlotnick. © 2024 Marvel. (Right) Mother Gothel in 2010's 'Tangled'. Photo: Walt Disney Animation Studios.
    (Left) Agatha Harkness (Kathryn Hahn) in Marvel Television’s ‘Agatha All Along’, exclusively on Disney+. Photo by Chuck Zlotnick. © 2024 Marvel. (Right) Mother Gothel in 2010’s ‘Tangled’. Photo: Walt Disney Animation Studios.

    Preview:

    • Disney’s live-action take on ‘Tangled’ is firming up its cast.
    • Kathryn Hahn is in talks to be the calculating Mother Gothel.
    • Teagan Croft and Milo Manheim have landed the lead roles.

    Now that ‘Tangled’ is once more a going concern for Disney on the live-action front, the cast is starting to come together.

    While Scarlett Johansson was previously reported as being in talks to play Mother Gothel, the role now looks to be going to someone even more suited to it: ‘Agatha All Along’s Kathryn Hahn, who Deadline reports is in talks.

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    And she’s not alone: ‘Titans’ veteran Teagan Croft and ‘Zombies’ star Milo Manheim have locked in the lead roles of Rapunzel and charming rogue Flynn Rider respectively, per The Hollywood Reporter.

    Related Article: Disney Has a ‘Tangled’ Live-Action Movie in the Works with Director Michael Gracey In Talks

    What’s the story of ‘Tangled’?

    2010's 'Tangled'. Photo: Walt Disney Studios.
    2010’s ‘Tangled’. Photo: Walt Disney Studios.

    Directed by Nathan Greno and Byron Howard, the original ‘Tangled’ starred Mandy Moore as Rapunzel, a spirited young princess with magical, golden hair who escapes from her isolated tower for the first time to experience the world, embarking on an adventure with a charming thief (Zachary Levi), only to discover her true identity and face the dangerous truth about the woman called Mother Gothel (Donna Murphy) who kept her captive.

    The 50th film released by Disney’s feature animated arm, it had a script from Dan Fogelman, who would go on to create TV hit ‘This is Us.’

    The movie was a huge success with both critics and audiences, grossed over $590 million worldwide, scored an Oscar nomination for original song “I See the Light,” and was among the films revitalizing Disney’s princess genre for a new generation.

    Who is working on the ‘Tangled’ live-action movie?

    (L to R) Hugh Jackman and director Michael Gracey on the set of 'The Greatest Showman'. Photo: 20th Century Fox.
    (L to R) Hugh Jackman and director Michael Gracey on the set of ‘The Greatest Showman’. Photo: 20th Century Fox.

    While casting is still at a very early stage, the movie has ‘The Greatest Showman’ and ‘Better Man’ director Michael Gracey still attached to call the shots, working from a script by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson based on the animated version.

    Where else can we see Teagan Croft and Milo Manheim?

    (Left) Teagan Croft as Rachel Roth / Raven in 'Titans'. Photo: DC Entertainment / Warner Bros. Television. (Right) Milo Manheim at the Los Angeles Fan Screening for Tristar Pictures and Spyglass Media Group's 'Thanksgiving' at Vista Theatre on November 14, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Stewart Cook/Getty Images for Sony Pictures.
    (Left) Teagan Croft as Rachel Roth / Raven in ‘Titans’. Photo: DC Entertainment / Warner Bros. Television. (Right) Milo Manheim at the Los Angeles Fan Screening for Tristar Pictures and Spyglass Media Group’s ‘Thanksgiving’ at Vista Theatre on November 14, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Stewart Cook/Getty Images for Sony Pictures.

    Croft may perhaps be best known for playing Raven in the DC series ‘Titans’, which ran from 2018 to 2023.

    She also starred in the Australian movie ‘True Spirit,’ portraying Jessica Watson, the teenage sailor who attempted a solo journey to circumnavigate the globe.

    Manheim, the son of actress Camryn Manheim, showed his musical chops over the course of four ‘Zombies’ movies, the popular franchise that combines the undead with snappy songs about being in love and an outsider. In addition to also starring in Paramount+ series ‘School Spirits,’ he starred as Seymour in a revival of ‘Little Shop of Horrors.’

    When will the live-action ‘Tangled’ be on screens?

    Disney has yet to confirm a release date for the movie, though since it appears to be gearing up for a shoot this year, a 2027 premiere seems likely.

    2010's 'Tangled'. Photo: Walt Disney Studios.
    2010’s ‘Tangled’. Photo: Walt Disney Studios.

    List of Movies Similar to ‘Tangled:’

    Buy ‘Tangled’ Movies and TV on Amazon

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  • Scarlett Johansson Circling Role in Live-Action ‘Tangled’

    (Left) Scarlett Johansson in 'My Mother's Wedding'. Photo: Vertical. (Right) Donna Murphy as Mother Gothel in 'Tangled'. Photo: Walt Disney Animation Studios.
    (Left) Scarlett Johansson in ‘My Mother’s Wedding’. Photo: Vertical. (Right) Donna Murphy as Mother Gothel in ‘Tangled’. Photo: Walt Disney Animation Studios.

    Preview:

    • Disney is putting a live-action ‘Tangled’ back into development.
    • Scarlett Johansson is circling the role of Mother Gothel.
    • ‘The Greatest Showman’s Michael Gracey remains attached to direct.

    What a difference a hit makes.

    While Disney had been looking to add ‘Tangled’ to its roster of animated-to-live-action conversion movies, development on the film was paused back in April when ‘Snow White’ failed to be the fairest (or most successful) of them all at the box office.

    But now, in the wake of ‘Lilo & Stitch’ making more than $1.3 billion, it is back on track, though without a formal greenlight.

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    And it also appears to represent a thawing of relations between Scarlett Johansson and the studio, who despite suing over earnings from ‘Black Widow’, has remained attached via a producing deal and now, via Deadline, is circling the role of Mother Gothel.

    Related Article: Disney Has a ‘Tangled’ Live-Action Movie in the Works with Director Michael Gracey In Talks

    What’s the story of ‘Tangled’?

    2010's 'Tangled'. Photo: Walt Disney Studios.
    2010’s ‘Tangled’. Photo: Walt Disney Studios.

    Directed by Nathan Greno and Byron Howard, the original ‘Tangled’ starred Mandy Moore as Rapunzel, a spirited young princess with magical, golden hair who escapes from her isolated tower for the first time to experience the world, embarking on an adventure with a charming thief (Zachary Levi), only to discover her true identity and face the dangerous truth about the woman called Mother Gothel (Donna Murphy) who kept her captive.

    The 50th film released by Disney’s feature animated arm, it had a script from Dan Fogelman, who would go on to create TV hit ‘This is Us.’

    The movie was a huge success with both critics and audiences, grossed over $590 million worldwide, scored an Oscar nomination for original song “I See the Light,” and was among the films revitalizing Disney’s princess genre for a new generation.

    Who is working on the ‘Tangled’ live-action movie?

    (L to R) Hugh Jackman and director Michael Gracey on the set of 'The Greatest Showman'. Photo: 20th Century Fox.
    (L to R) Hugh Jackman and director Michael Gracey on the set of ‘The Greatest Showman’. Photo: 20th Century Fox.

    While casting is still at a very early stage, the movie has ‘The Greatest Showman’ and ‘Better Man’ director Michael Gracey still attached to call the shots, working from a script by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson based on the animated version.

    Where else can we see Scarlett Johansson?

    (L to R) Scarlett Johansson and June Squibb on the set of ‘Eleanor the Great’ Image: Anne Joyce. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.
    (L to R) Scarlett Johansson and June Squibb on the set of ‘Eleanor the Great’ Image: Anne Joyce. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.

    As an actor, Johansson has been seen in the likes of Wes Anderson’s ‘The Phoenician Scheme’ and the latest chunk of dino chaos via ‘Jurassic World Rebirth’ this summer.

    Johansson’s feature directorial debut, ‘Eleanor the Great,’ starring June Squibb, recently opened in theaters.

    When will the ‘Tangled’ live-action movie be in theaters?

    Without a formal greenlight, expect to wait a while to learn when this one will be landing on screens.

    2010's 'Tangled'. Photo: Walt Disney Studios.
    2010’s ‘Tangled’. Photo: Walt Disney Studios.

    List of Movies Similar to ‘Tangled:’

    Buy ‘Tangled’ Movies and TV on Amazon

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  • Disney Developing ‘Tangled’ Live-Action Movie

    2010's 'Tangled'. Photo: Walt Disney Studios.
    2010’s ‘Tangled’. Photo: Walt Disney Studios.

    Preview:

    • Disney is adding ‘Tangled’ to its animated-to-live-action conversion catalogue.
    • ‘The Greatest Showman’ director Michael Gracey is in talks to handle the movie.
    • Jennifer Kaytin Robinson is writing the script.

    Having enjoyed a fair amount of success turning its animated back catalogue into live-action movies, Disney is looking to turn that cash geyser on once more.

    At least, according to Deadline, which reports that the studio is now putting a live-action version of 2010’s ‘Tangled’ into development.

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    The original animated adventure, which adapts the classic Brothers Grimm tale about the young woman with the long flowing locks whose hair helps her escape imprisonment in a tower, is just the latest film making the move from animation to live-action (or at least live-action with some CG).

    And director Michael Gracey is the man in talks to make it all happen.

    What’s the story of ‘Tangled’?

    2010's 'Tangled'. Photo: Walt Disney Studios.
    2010’s ‘Tangled’. Photo: Walt Disney Studios.

    Directed by Nathan Greno and Byron Howard, the original ‘Tangled’ starred Mandy Moore as Rapunzel, a spirited young princess with magical, golden hair who escapes from her isolated tower for the first time to experience the world, embarking on an adventure with a charming thief (Zachary Levi), only to discover her true identity and face the dangerous truth about the woman (Donna Murphy) who kept her captive.

    The 50th film released by Disney’s feature animated arm, it had a script from Dan Fogelman, who would go on to create TV hit ‘This is Us.’

    The movie was a huge success with both critics and audiences, grossed over $590 million worldwide, scored an Oscar nomination for original song “I See the Light,” and was among the films revitalizing Disney’s princess genre for a new generation.

    Composer Alan Menken and lyricist Glenn Slater were behind the film’s music.

    Despite its big impact, the film has yet to spur a sequel. According to producer Ray Conli, it wasn’t for want of pressure from the studio.

    Here’s what Conli told Den of Geek in 2015:

    “There was a desire to somehow take it into a filmic sequel. But the directors weren’t really interested in doing that. Her hair was gone! There you go!”

    Still, there was ‘Tangled Ever After,’ a short that played before a 3D theatrical re-release of ‘Beauty and the Beast ‘and on the Disney Channel, and the Disney Channel animated series ‘Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventure.’

    The new movie has seemingly been in development for a while, as Deadline’s report mentions that Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, who contributed to the script for ‘Thor: Love & Thunder’ and wrote/directed Netflix’s ‘Do Revenge,’ wrote the most recent draft of the new ‘Tangled’s script.

    Robinson is currently at work on Sony’s reboot of ‘I Know What You Did Last Summer.’

    Who could star in the new ‘Tangled’?

    2010's 'Tangled'. Photo: Walt Disney Studios.
    2010’s ‘Tangled’. Photo: Walt Disney Studios.

    Disney has naturally not commented on the new movie, so casting is likely a ways off. But with Gracey closing in on a deal, we’d expect announcements to come soon.

    While neither Moore nor Levi (he especially given his political views) are likely to return for much more than cameos, some (including Levi) have suggested ‘Dune’ and ‘A Complete Unknown’s Timothée Chalamet as a potential Flynn.

    That said, he seems unlikely to tackle the job.

    Fans, meanwhile, have been talking up the combo of Disney channel veteran (and current pop star) Sabrina Carpenter as Rapunzel and ‘Red White and Royal Blue’s Taylor Zakhar Perez.

    We’ll have to wait and see who ends up in the key roles.

    Much more important in our opinion is finding the right horse (real or CG) to play Maximus, the stubborn, sarcastic horse who steals the movie from under the main characters.

    Related Article: Costume Designer Colleen Atwood Talks ‘The Little Mermaid’ Blu-ray

    What else has Michael Gracey worked on?

    (L to R) Hugh Jackman and director Michael Gracey on the set of 'The Greatest Showman'. Photo: 20th Century Fox.
    (L to R) Hugh Jackman and director Michael Gracey on the set of ‘The Greatest Showman’. Photo: 20th Century Fox.

    Gracey right now is best known for his zeitgeisty directorial debut, ‘The Greatest Showman,’ one of the highest grossing live-action musicals of all time, starring Hugh Jackman as P.T. Barnum, which took in more than $435 million worldwide and earned a number of major accolades, including a Grammy and a Golden Globe.

    The film’s soundtrack in particular became a big sensations, with the likes of “The Greatest Show” and “This Is Me” –– co-written by ‘La La Land’ Oscar winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul –– turning into crossover pop hits.

    Gracey co-wrote, directed and produced ‘Better Man,’ a semi-autobiographical musical about British pop icon Robbie Williams, in which he’s portrayed as a chimpanzee through some impressive visual effects.

    What other animated-to-live-action conversions does Disney have on the way?

    Mufasa in Disney’s 'Mufasa: The Lion King'.
    Mufasa in Disney’s ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’. Photo courtesy of Disney. © 2024 Disney Enterprises Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    The more recent likes of ‘Beauty and the Beast,’ ‘Alice in Wonderland,’ ‘Maleficent,’ ‘Cinderella’ ‘The Lion King’ and ‘Cruella’ are notable in the annals of Disney raiding its cartoon catalogue for re-imaginations, the idea stretches further back, including 1994 take on ‘The Jungle Book,’ the two movies based on ‘101 Dalmatians’ and ‘The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.’

    They haven’t all been hits –– Robert Zemeckis’ version of ‘Pinocchio’ was a noted flop that went straight to streaming on Disney+.

    Yet the blips haven’t stopped the flow of these productions. Coming next is ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’ (a prequel to Jon Favreau’s 2019 CG take on the tale), while in 2025 we can expect ‘Snow White’ and ‘Lilo & Stitch.’ 2026 promises ‘Moana,’ while the likes of ‘Bambi’ and ‘The Aristocats’ are in development.

    When will the new ‘Tangled’ be in theaters?

    With the film at such an early stage, Disney has yet to confirm the movie’s existence, let alone when it might land on screens.

    With the schedule full for the next couple of years, we wouldn’t imagine this would arrive much before 2027.

    2010's 'Tangled'. Photo: Walt Disney Studios.
    2010’s ‘Tangled’. Photo: Walt Disney Studios.

    List of Live-Action Disney Remakes:

    Buy Live-Action Disney Movies on Amazon

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  • Live-Action ‘Moana’ Casts Catherine Laga‘aia as its Lead

    Catherine Laga'aia. Photo by Alexei Hay. © 2024 Alexei Hay. All Rights Reserved.
    Catherine Laga’aia. Photo by Alexei Hay. © 2024 Alexei Hay. All Rights Reserved.

    Preview:

    • Catherine Laga‘aia is playing the title character in the live-action ‘Moana’.
    • Dwayne Johnson is reprising his role as Maui.
    • ‘Hamilton’ director Thomas Kail is behind the camera.

    We’ve known since April that, in addition to the animation sequel headed to theaters this Thanksgiving, Disney is hard at work on a live-action version of 2016’s animated hit ‘Moana’.

    But while that announcement included word that Dwayne Johnson would be reprising his role as demi-god Maui, there was no indication of who might be inheriting the title role of the young Pacific Islander who sets sail on a quest, as Auli’i Cravalho, who voiced Moana in the animated version, is instead just a producer on this one.

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    What’s the story of Moana?

    Walt Disney Studios Animation's 'Moana.'
    Walt Disney Studios Animation’s ‘Moana.’

    The original movie follows the young woman rebelling against the insular nature of her island community and embracing her destiny as an adventurer, helping to sort out a huge problem in the process.

    Along the way, she meets Maui, the mischievous, shape-shifting demi-god who is initially a thorn in her side but ends up a trusted companion.

    Who is appearing in the ‘Moana’ live-action movie?

    Frankie Adams.
    Frankie Adams.

    Here’s what Catherine Laga‘aia had to say about getting the role:

    “I’m really excited to embrace this character because Moana is one of my favorites. My grandfather comes from Fa‘aala, Palauli, in Savai‘i. And my grandmother is from Leulumoega Tuai on the main island of ‘Upolu in Samoa. I’m honored to have an opportunity to celebrate Samoa and all Pacific Island peoples, and to represent young girls who look like me.”

    She’ll be joined in the cast by Auckland, New Zealander John Tui as Moana’s no-nonsense father, Chief Tui; Samoan-New Zealand actress Frankie Adams portrays Moana’s playful and strong-willed mother, Sina; and Rena Owen, who hails from Bay of Islands, NZ, was cast as the revered Gramma Tala.

    Related Article: Dwayne Johnson Announces Disney is Making a Live-Action ‘Moana’

    Who is making the live-action ‘Moana’?

    John Tui.
    John Tui.

    Thomas Kail, who directed the theatre sensation ‘Hamilton’ (and on TV made the likes of ‘Fosse/Verdon’ and ‘Up Here’), is behind the camera for the new ‘Moana’.

    This is his statement on tackling the new movie:

    “I am thrilled to have met Catherine, Rena, Frankie and John through this casting process. I am humbled by this opportunity, and I cannot wait to all be on set together. And there’s no better pair to be in a canoe with than Catherine and Dwayne — actually, trio: Heihei is ready, too.”

    In case that last name has you saying “whowho?”, Heihei is Moana’s extremely dim chicken friend from the animated pic.

    Jared Bush, who co-wrote on the original ‘Moana’, has crafted the new script alongside Samoan writer Dana Ledoux Miller. And Kail’s old friend, ‘Hamilton’ creator/actor Lin-Manuel Miranda (who also wrote songs for the animated movie) is a producer on this one.

    When will the live-action ‘Moana’ be in theaters?

    Disney has planted a flag in July 10th, 2026, as the release date for the new movie.

    Rena Owen. Photo by Manfred Baumann.
    Rena Owen. Photo by Manfred Baumann.

    Other Movies Similar to Live-Action ‘Moana’:

    Buy Disney’s ‘Moana’ on Amazon

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