EXCLUSIVE: Michael gracey (the Greatest Showman) has entered negotiations to direct a live-action Tangled film for Disney, Deadline can reveal.
A modern retelling of the classic Rapunzel fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm, Tangled is being described as a revival of Disney’s Oscar-nominated 2010 animated feature of the same name, which was the 50th put out by the studio. Plot details are under wraps but the film is expected to follow along the lines of the animated version.
Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, the multi-hyphenate behind titles like Do Revenge, Thor: Love and Thunder and Sony’s upcoming reboot of I Know What You Did Last Summer, penned the most recent draft of the script. Kristin Burr and Lucy Kitada will produce for Burr! Productions. No word yet on casting.
Directed by Nathan Greno and Byron Howard, the original Tangled starred Mandy Moore as Rapunzel, a spirited young princess with magical, golden hair who escapes from her isolated tower for the first time to experience the world, embarking on an adventure with a charming thief (Zachary Levi), onyl to discover her true identity and face the dangerous truth about the woman (Donna Murphy) who kept her captive.A pop culture phenomenon, the film grossed over $590 million worldwide, scored an Oscar nomination for original song “I See the Light,” and was among the films revitalizing Disney’s princess genre for a new generation. Composer Alan Menken and lyricist Glenn Slater where behind the film’s music.
Tangled is overdue for a new feature expanding the franchise, as the only projects the original has spurred thus far are Tangled Ever After, a short that played before a 3D theatrical re-release of Beauty and the Beast and on Disney Channel, and the Disney Channel animated series Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventure. In the years following its release, there was talk about an animated sequel that never came to fruition. there have, however, been rumblings about a live-action film for some time now, with Zachary Levi pitching Timothée Chalamet to play Flynn in a new film for Disney.
Gracey is best known for his directorial debut, The Greatest Showman, one of the highest grossing live-action musicals of all time, starring Hugh Jackman as P.T. Barnum, which took in more than $435 million worldwide and earned a number of major accolades, including a Grammy and a Golden globe. Most recently, he co-wrote, directed and produced Better Man, a semi-autobiographical musical about British pop icon Robbie Williams, in which he’s portrayed as a chimpanzee. Premiering at Telluride,the film will be released in the U.S. by Paramount pictures on Christmas Day. Upcoming, he’s also slated to direct Paramount’s adaptation of the bestselling children’s book, Nevermoor, and will produce and direct a musical based on the life of opera singer Luciano Pavarotti for the West End.
Robinson co-wrote, directed and produced Do Revenge, a dark teen comedy starring Camila Mendes and Maya Hawke, which released on Netflix in September 2022. Co-writer alongside Taika Waititi on his Marvel pic Thor: Love and Thunder, she prior to that wrote, directed and exec produced Netflix’s 2019 rom-com Someone Great, starring Gina Rodriguez, Brittany Snow, and DeWanda Wise, in her feature debut. Upcoming, she’s set to direct the next film in Sony’s I Know What You Did Last Summer franchise from her script written with Sam Lansky, off a draft by leah McKendrick.
Past projects for Burr! Productions include Nicolas Cage comedy The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, Dora and the lost City of Gold, and Batgirl, which Warner Bros wound up shelving, controversially.
Both Gracey and Robinson are with CAA.Gracey is also repped by Partizan and Hirsch Wallerstein Hayum; Robinson by Gotham/Principal, Gotham Group, and Yorn, Levine, Barnes.
How has the trend of live-action adaptations impacted the reception of classic Disney films?
Interviewer: Welcome to Time.news! Today we’re diving into some exciting developments in the world of film with a focus on Disney’s latest project: a live-action adaptation of Tangled. With us is film expert Dr. Sarah Henderson, who has extensively researched contemporary adaptations of classic tales.Sarah, thank you for joining us!
Dr. Sarah Henderson: Thank you for having me! I’m excited to discuss this captivating project.
Interviewer: so, let’s get right into it. Michael Gracey, who directed The Greatest Showman, is in talks to helm this new live-action Tangled. What do you think he brings to the project that could make it stand out?
Dr. Sarah Henderson: Gracey is known for his vibrant visual storytelling and ability to blend music and emotion, which is crucial for a film like Tangled. The original animated version had such a strong musical component, and I think Gracey will leverage that to create something fresh while respecting the source material.
Interviewer: Absolutely, music plays a crucial role! The original Tangled was a major success and celebrated for its animation, humor, and heartfelt storytelling. How vital do you think it is indeed for this live-action adaptation to capture that essence?
Dr.Sarah Henderson: It’s essential. Fans of the original have high expectations, and capturing the spirit of Tangled will be key to attracting both nostalgic viewers and new audiences. The storytelling has to resonate emotionally while also providing a visual spectacle that lives up to the animated film’s charm.
Interviewer: Speaking of storytelling,Jennifer Kaytin Robinson wrote the latest draft of the script.What are your thoughts on her involvement? She’s known for her work in somewhat edgier projects.
Dr. Sarah Henderson: Robinson’s background in writing for both comedy and action could lend a unique flair to the narrative. Her ability to blend humor and character development, as seen in Do Revenge and Thor: Love and Thunder, will be crucial for balancing the light-hearted moments with the more serious undertones of Rapunzel’s story.
Interviewer: That’s a great point! There’s always a risk with adaptations. What challenges do you think Gracey and Robinson will face in keeping the film relevant for modern audiences while staying true to the original?
Dr. Sarah Henderson: One challenge will be addressing contemporary sensibilities without losing the essence of the fairy tale. Themes like empowerment and self-discovery are central to tangled, and adapting those to reflect today’s society could be tricky but rewarding. Thay’ll need to ensure the characters feel authentic and relatable to today’s viewers.
Interviewer: And let’s not forget about casting! There’s been no word yet on who will play Rapunzel and Flynn Rider. How crucial is casting in making or breaking a live-action adaptation?
Dr. Sarah Henderson: casting is everything in adaptations. The chemistry between the leads will need to be palpable to capture the romantic element that the animated version did so well. They also have to embody the characters’ spirit authentically; as an example, Rapunzel’s fierce independence and Flynn’s charm need to shine through. Any miscast could derail the film’s potential.
Interviewer: It’s clear there’s a lot riding on this project. Given the popularity of live-action adaptations in recent years, do you think Tangled will find success at the box office?
Dr. Sarah Henderson: If Gracey and Robinson can blend nostalgia with innovative storytelling and casting, I beleive it could be a success. Disney has a track record of reviving beloved tales,but they need to ensure this one feels like a new cinematic experience rather than just a rehash. If they pull it off, I wouldn’t be surprised to see it resonate with audiences.
Interviewer: Thanks for sharing your insights, Sarah! Creating contemporary adaptations is no easy task. We’ll be keeping a close eye on this film’s development.
Dr. Sarah Henderson: Thank you! It was a pleasure discussing this. I’m looking forward to seeing how it all unfolds!
Interviewer: Stay tuned, everyone! We’ll keep you updated as Tangled progresses.Thank you for joining us today at Time.news!