Disney has officially announced the lead actors for its highly anticipated live-action adaptation of the beloved animated film, 'Tangled'. After an extensive global search, the studio has confirmed that Australian actress Teagan Croft will play the iconic princess Rapunzel, while American actor Milo Manheim will take on the role of the charming rogue, Flynn Rider.
The Chosen Princess: Teagan Croft as Rapunzel
The coveted role of the long-haired heroine has been awarded to 21-year-old Teagan Croft. The Australian rising star is best known for her portrayal of Raven in the DC Universe series Titans and for playing real-life sailor Jessica Watson in the 2023 Netflix biopic True Spirit. Croft began her acting career on the popular Australian soap opera Home and Away.
Her casting concludes a competitive audition process that reportedly included chemistry reads held in London in December. According to industry reports, Croft was selected after auditioning alongside other promising talents, including Freya Skye, Sarah Catherine Hook, and Olivia-Mai Barrett.
A Disney Veteran for Flynn: Milo Manheim Lands the Role
Portraying the dashing thief with a heart of gold will be 24-year-old Milo Manheim, an actor already familiar to Disney audiences. Manheim is widely recognised for his leading role as Zed in the Disney Channel Zombies film franchise. His credentials also include a second-place finish on the 27th season of Dancing with the Stars and a featured role as one of Sabrina Carpenter's love interests in her 'Feather' music video.
Manheim secured the part after a rigorous selection process, reportedly beating out competitors such as Charlie Gillespie, Gilli Jones, and Queen Charlotte star Corey Mylchreest for the role of Flynn Rider.
Production Timeline and Creative Team
While the live-action Tangled movie now has its central stars, fans will need to exercise patience. Filming has not yet begun, and as a result, no official release date has been set. Industry speculation suggests the film is unlikely to hit cinemas before 2027 at the earliest.
The project is in capable hands, however. Michael Gracey, director of the hit musical The Greatest Showman, is attached to direct. The screenplay has been penned by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, the writer behind Netflix's Do Revenge and a contributor to Marvel's Thor: Love and Thunder.
The announcement ends months of fervent speculation from fans who have eagerly awaited news on who would step into the roles of the adventurous princess and her witty love interest. With Croft and Manheim now officially attached, the magical journey to bring the tower-bound tale to live-action life can truly begin.
