A planned adaptation of Disney’s beloved animated film Tangled, released in 2010, has reportedly been put on hold as the studio reevaluates its live-action strategy for Disney Princess films. As per the Hollywood Reporter, insiders at Disney reveal that the project has been “paused,” leaving its future uncertain — raising questions about whether Tangled will eventually proceed or undergo a creative overhaul.
This development raises eyebrows, especially following the lukewarm reception of Snow White, which currently boasts a 40% rating from critics and a 73% rating from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes. Criticism has been directed at the film’s casting choices for the Evil Queen and the mixed results regarding its CG dwarfs. Nevertheless, Rachel Zegler’s performance has been widely praised, deemed the film’s standout feature. The actress has faced racist online bullying stemming from casting controversies and attempts to divert blame for the film’s struggles toward her, despite her evident talent. To date, Snow White has generated a modest $69 million domestically and $145 million worldwide, against a hefty budget of approximately $270 million (around €250 million), significantly impacted by the 2023 labor strikes.
Tangled, like Snow White and The Little Mermaid, has not been exempt from online culture war debates. Speculation concerning the casting of Avantika, a star of the Mean Girls musical, as Rapunzel led to her facing undue internet harassment, even though such rumors were never officially confirmed.
The fate of Tangled may hinge on the forthcoming reception of this summer’s Lilo & Stitch. Audience reactions could significantly influence Disney’s live-action adaptation strategy moving forward. It will also be intriguing to gauge how Snow White performs on Disney+, potentially echoing the trajectory of Encanto, which found its audience long after its theatrical release. This pause for Tangled could represent a strategic deliberation, allowing the studio time to assess the performance of both live-action films in theaters and on streaming platforms.
Upcoming live-action projects still in the works include Moana, now in production, and Hercules, currently in pre-production. For now, fans eagerly await Rapunzel’s live-action debut, confident that her golden locks will one day cascade onto the silver screen.
io9 has reached out to Disney for an official comment and will update this article with any responses we receive.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Disney’s Live-Action Adaptations
Will the live-action Tangled movie be released?
The status of the live-action Tangled movie is currently uncertain, as Disney has put the project on hold while reassessing its strategy for Disney Princess adaptations.
What happened to Snow White‘s box office performance?
As of now, Snow White has earned $69 million domestically and $145 million globally against a production budget of approximately $270 million (around €250 million).
What can we expect from upcoming live-action Disney films?
Future live-action Disney films include Moana, which is in production, and Hercules, currently in pre-production. Their success will likely influence the direction of Disney’s adaptations.
How are fans reacting to Disney’s live-action films?
Reactions to Disney’s live-action films have been mixed, with recent entries like Snow White facing criticism while others like Encanto found success post-release, indicating varied audience expectations.