Disney has officially unveiled the lead stars for its upcoming live-action adaptation of Tangled, confirming that fans will soon see Australian actor Teagan Croft as Rapunzel and Zombies star Milo Manheim as Flynn Rider. The announcement came through Disney’s official Instagram post on January 7, sparking excitement across social media as audiences welcomed their new Rapunzel and dashing thief duo.
Manheim expressed his excitement by commenting on the post, “I have seen the light,” and followed up on his Instagram Story with a side-by-side comparison of himself and the animated Flynn Rider. “Too grateful to put into words,” he wrote. “I will do him justice, I promise.” Meanwhile, Croft humorously reacted to her casting by commenting, “OMGGG WHO ARE THEYYYY,” with fans quickly flooding the post with support and congratulations.
The live-action Tangled will be directed by Michael Gracey, best known for helming The Greatest Showman. The screenplay is written by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, who also co-wrote Thor: Love and Thunder. While the film’s release date has yet to be confirmed, Disney has announced it will debut exclusively in theaters.
The upcoming adaptation will reimagine the beloved 2010 animated film, which originally starred Mandy Moore as Rapunzel and Zachary Levi as Flynn Rider, with Donna Murphy voicing the manipulative Mother Gothel. Although the rest of the live-action cast remains under wraps, fans are eager to learn who will take on Gothel’s iconic role. Scarlett Johansson was previously rumored to be in talks for the part, but no official casting confirmation has been made. Interestingly, Mandy Moore herself has expressed interest in returning to the new version in a different role, joking in a 2024 interview that she would love to play Rapunzel’s mother — perhaps even teaming up for a new mother-daughter duet.
Meet the New Rapunzel and Flynn Rider
Teagan Croft, 21, is best known for playing Raven in DC’s Titans. The Australian actress began her career in the soap opera Home and Away before making her film debut in the 2016 sci-fi adventure The Osiris Child. More recently, she starred in Netflix’s True Spirit, portraying real-life sailor Jessica Watson, who attempted a solo circumnavigation of the globe at age sixteen.
Her co-star, 24-year-old Milo Manheim, is a familiar face to Disney audiences thanks to his leading role as Zed in the Zombies film franchise. The son of actress Camryn Manheim and model Jeffrey Brezovar, Milo first appeared on screen in a 2009 episode of Ghost Whisperer alongside his mother. He later earned second place on Dancing With the Stars season 27 and made his film debut in Journey to Bethlehem (2023). In 2025, he showcased his stage talents by taking over the role of Seymour in the off-Broadway revival of Little Shop of Horrors.
Bringing Tangled Back to Life
The original Tangled remains one of Disney’s most beloved animated musicals, earning an Oscar nomination in 2011 for Best Original Song with “I See the Light,” composed by Alan Menken and written by Glenn Slater. While it’s not yet confirmed whether the original songwriting duo will return for the live-action remake, fans are hopeful that the film will recreate the magic that made the animated version a modern classic.
With Gracey at the helm and two talented young stars stepping into the iconic roles of Rapunzel and Flynn Rider, Disney’s live-action Tangled promises to deliver a fresh yet heartfelt take on the fairy tale that continues to capture hearts worldwide.
