Disney has set a March 31, 2028, theatrical release date for its upcoming live-action adaptation of Tangled, offering fans a first look at the footage during its D23 fan event. The film stars Teagan Croft as Rapunzel and Milo Manheim as Flynn Rider, with Kathryn Hahn starring as Mother Gothel.
The cinematic journey of Disney’s classic animated princess is officially returning to the big screen. Disney unveiled the first footage and a firm release date for the live-action adaptation during the D23 fan event, confirming that theaters will welcome the new version on March 31, 2028.
The original 2010 animated film grossed over $591 million globally and eventually spawned a popular Disney Channel series, cementing its place in the studio’s modern animation renaissance. Box office tracking for the original run shows it brought in $607.6 million at the global box office, which included $200.8 million in North America.
First Look at D23 Reveals Teagan Croft and Kathryn Hahn
The brief preview screened for fans at the Honda Center kicked off with a view of Rapunzel’s long blonde hair cascading down medieval stone stairs before the camera revealed actress Teagan Croft. The footage then transitioned to show Kathryn Hahn stepping out from behind a door in a tunneled alleyway to exclaim Rapunzel!
The crowd inside the arena reacted with loud cheers, validating widespread fan campaigns on social media that had advocated for Hahn to take on the role of the duplicitous villain. Taking the stage at the event, Hahn thanked fans for manifesting her casting and offered a glimpse into her character’s mindset.
Hahn also described the character as the best kind of villain, the kind who thinks she’s actually a hero.
Cast and Creative Team Behind the Live-Action Adaptation
Casting for the project began earlier in the year, placing rising Australian actress Teagan Croft into the role of Rapunzel, the curious princess with magical hair who spends her life locked away in a tower. Alongside her, Zombies star Milo Manheim takes on the role of Flynn Rider, the cocky outlaw thief who helps her escape. In the original animated film, those characters were voiced by Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi, while the wider cast featured Donna Murphy, Ron Perlman, Brad Garrett, and Jeffrey Tambor.
The live-action ensemble expands further with Diego Luna joining the production in an entirely new role. Croft and Manheim appeared virtually during the presentation, sending a greeting to fans while dressed in costume from their filming location in Spain, where production kicked off earlier this summer.
Musical Elements and Production Background
Director Michael Gracey, whose previous credits include musical biopics like Better Man and The Greatest Showman, is directing the feature. Like its animated predecessor, the new adaptation will incorporate major musical elements.
The production team features producer Kristin Burr, who maintains long-standing ties to the studio and previously worked on Freakier Friday and the live-action Cruella. The screenplay was written by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson and Michael Montemayor.
With filming underway in Spain and a release date locked in for March 31, 2028, the studio is positioning the project as a major theatrical event following its presentation at D23.
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