Kathryn Hahn in Talks to Play Mother Gothel in Live Action Tangled Remake — Is Disney Course Correcting?

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Disney seems to be prioritizing a good story with their latest casting choice. Sources say Kathryn Hahn is being considered to play Mother Gothel in the upcoming live-action remake of Tangled.

Although a deal isn’t finalized, the online response to this latest princess reimagining is significantly different than it has been for previous ones—and that really highlights Disney’s current position.

While films like The Little Mermaid and Snow White faced challenges from pre-release debates, negative press, and a tired audience, Tangled seems to be simply… a good animated movie. And that’s actually quite remarkable.

A Casting Choice That Actually Fits the Character

Okay, let’s talk about Mother Gothel. She’s truly one of Disney’s best villains in recent years, and it’s not about grand, obvious wickedness. She’s far more unsettling than that – she’s manipulative, a bit of a show-off, incredibly vain, and preys on Rapunzel’s emotions. She doesn’t feel like a classic villain; she’s more like a parasite, desperately needing to control others and stay young. Because of this complexity, the casting for this role is absolutely crucial – you need someone who can really nail that subtle, unsettling energy.

Kathryn Hahn is perfectly cast in this role, bringing a classic Hollywood sensibility to the part. She’s spent years honing her ability to play characters who are both endearing and intimidating, funny and harsh. Whether she’s doing comedy or drama, Hahn easily shifts between tones – a skill that’s ideal for playing Mother Gothel.

This casting decision wasn’t about publicity or making a statement. It was a straightforward choice based on the actor’s talent and how well they fit the character’s description.

That alone sets this apart from Disney’s recent pattern.

Disney’s Recent Live-Action Track Record Speaks for Itself

Disney’s recent live-action princess movies haven’t been very successful with viewers.

Despite a large marketing budget, The Little Mermaid didn’t perform as well as Disney hoped. Snow White faced problems from the start, including difficulties during production, negative attention around lead actress Rachel Zegler, and a lack of audience excitement. With both films, Disney focused more on how they were updating the classic stories than on explaining why audiences would enjoy them.

I’ve noticed Disney’s biggest live-action hits – movies like Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Jungle Book, Lilo & Stitch, and The Lion King – all really stayed true to the original animated films. It seems like what people want is something familiar, those classic songs they love, and a movie that everyone can enjoy.

Tangled now appears to be following that earlier, more successful model.

Authentic Casting Instead of Reinvention

Choosing Teagan Croft as Rapunzel and Milo Manheim as Flynn Rider signaled that Disney wasn’t planning a major overhaul of the story. Both actors resemble and feel similar to the original animated characters, and while that might seem like a small detail, it’s actually what viewers wanted.

Kathryn Hahn’s potential casting reinforces that direction.

Instead of drastically changing Mother Gothel to make a point, Disney appears to be keeping her true character intact: a villain motivated by vanity, a need for control, and emotionally abusive behavior.

That restraint feels intentional.

Is Disney Finally Learning its Lesson?

Hollywood doesn’t change because of online arguments. It changes because of financial consequences.

Moviegoers have shown they want entertainment that helps them escape, feels genuine, and honors the stories they already enjoy. While every studio says they get this, very few are actually making movies that deliver on it.

If Tangled keeps heading in this direction, it could show Disney is starting to understand its own issues – not with big apologies or announcements, but with subtle choices that suggest a move away from pushing agendas and a return to simply making enjoyable movies.

Kathryn Hahn’s performance as Mother Gothel isn’t the deciding factor for the film’s success, but it shows Disney is starting to take notice of what audiences want.

And in the current climate, that alone is news.

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2026-01-09 16:57