Disney has finally pulled back the curtain on its live-action Tangled, giving D23 attendees their first official look at Teagan Croft’s Rapunzel, Milo Manheim’s Flynn Rider and Kathryn Hahn’s Mother Gothel.
The footage debuted during Disney’s Entertainment Showcase at the Honda Center in Anaheim on Aug. 14. Rapunzel appears with the character’s signature flowing blonde hair and purple costume, while Hahn makes a darker entrance as Gothel emerges from behind a doorway.
Hahn appeared onstage to introduce the project and quickly leaned into her villain’s point of view. She called Gothel “the best kind of villain” and said the character is someone who believes she is actually the hero of the story, according to Entertainment Weekly.
Disney also answered one of the biggest remaining questions surrounding the remake by setting a March 31, 2028 theatrical release. Croft and Manheim could not attend D23 because production is currently underway in Spain, but both appeared in a prerecorded message from the set.
The First Footage Reveals Rapunzel’s Hair and Mother Gothel’s Entrance
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The first-look sequence begins by emphasizing one of the most recognizable elements of the animated film. Rapunzel’s long blonde hair stretches across the ground before the camera moves up to reveal Croft in full costume. The footage gives audiences their first official look at the actress wearing Rapunzel’s familiar purple dress.
Gothel receives a more ominous introduction. A long-nailed hand reaches from behind a dark doorway before Hahn steps into view as the woman who keeps Rapunzel isolated in her tower. Manheim was also shown in Flynn Rider’s live-action costume.
The costumes preserve the immediate visual signatures of the characters from Disney’s 2010 animated movie, although the brief presentation did not establish how closely director Michael Gracey’s finished film will reproduce the original scene by scene.
Kathryn Hahn Says Gothel Thinks She’s the Hero
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Hahn embraced the character during her D23 appearance, beginning with a deliberately flattering description of Gothel. “Stunning, hilarious, fab, kind, generous to a fault,” Hahn joked. “Might be a little overprotective, but that’s because she cares so much.”
She then explained what appeals to her about the villain. “I love Mother Gothel, I love playing her, she’s the best kind of villain,” Hahn said. “She’s the kind who thinks they’re actually the hero!”
Hahn’s D23 appearance follows the official confirmation of her casting in March. She joins Croft and Manheim in roles originally voiced by Donna Murphy, Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi, respectively. The D23 reveal marked the first time audiences had been shown the three principal stars in their live-action looks.
Croft and Manheim Are Filming Across Spain
Croft and Manheim were not at the Honda Center because they were already working on the movie overseas. “We’re devastated to be missing D23 with you all, but we’re busy filming in beautiful Spain,” Croft told the crowd in the prerecorded message.
Manheim said the production had been moving through different parts of the country rather than remaining at a single location. “We’ve been traveling throughout all of Spain through some very real and very beautiful places,” he said, promising that audiences would see more from the production in the coming months.
Manheim has previously discussed the physical preparation required to play Flynn, including learning to ride a horse and training to hold his breath for extended periods. Michael Gracey, whose credits include The Greatest Showman, is directing the live-action retelling. Jennifer Kaytin Robinson wrote the screenplay, while Kristin Burr is producing for Burr! Productions and Lucy Kitada serves as executive producer.
The D23 Reveal Added Rapunzel’s Parents and a New Character
Disney also used the presentation to fill out more of the kingdom surrounding its three central characters. Caitríona Balfe will play Rapunzel’s mother, Queen Arianna, while Elliot Cowan has been cast as King Frederic. Patrick and Hugo McPherson will portray the Stabbington twins.
Diego Luna is also joining the movie as Hawthorne, a character Disney specifically identifies as new to this version of the story. The studio has not yet disclosed additional details about Hawthorne or how he fits into the familiar Tangled narrative.
Disney’s official D23 announcement confirms Gracey as director, Burr as producer and Kitada as executive producer, along with the newly announced supporting cast. It also makes the release plan official, Tangled will open exclusively in theaters on March 31, 2028.