With Disney’s live action version of Tangled on the horizon, fans have been wondering what the man behind Flynn Rider thinks about someone else taking on the role. Now we have our answer and it is a genuinely heartfelt one.
In an exclusive interview with Screen Rant, Zachary Levi opened up about Disney’s upcoming live action Tangled remake, and the short version is that he is fully rooting for it to succeed.
What Levi Had to Say
Levi, who has voiced Flynn Rider in the original 2010 animated film and every Tangled project since, was candid about his feelings. He said he is “stoked for all those guys” and made it clear that he wants the whole production to win because of how much he cares about the story and the characters.
“I’m stoked for all those guys. I want everybody to succeed. I want everybody to succeed because I care very deeply about the IP and the world, and the new Flynn Rider, and we all care about that. And I want that live action movie to be great. Unfortunately, not all of the time that we remake things, whether from animated to another, or we do sequels or whatever, it doesn’t always work. And I want them to work. I want it to be beautiful. I want audiences to be like, ‘I got everything that I loved about the animated movie in that live action movie.'”
That is about as gracious as it gets. He acknowledged the reality that remakes do not always land, but his hope is clearly genuine.
Who Is in the New Film?
The live action Tangled will feature Teagan Croft as Rapunzel, Milo Manheim as Flynn Rider, and Kathryn Hahn as Mother Gothel, stepping into roles originated by Mandy Moore, Levi, and Donna Murphy. Michael Gracey is directing, with a screenplay from Jennifer Kaytin Robinson and Michael Montemayor. The film is set to arrive in 2028.
A Lot Riding on This One
The original 2010 animated Tangled is a tough act to follow. It grossed $592 million at the box office, holds an 89% Certified Fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes, earned Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations, and won Best Song Written for Visual Media at the Grammys. Disney later expanded the universe with the short film Tangled Ever After, a TV movie, and the series Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventure.
Disney’s live action track record has been a mixed bag in recent years. Snow White fell short with $205.6 million and reportedly lost around $170 million. The live action Moana released this year brought in $321.9 million but was considered underwhelming. On the flip side, Lilo and Stitch crossed $1 billion and proved there is still serious appetite for the right live action story done right Disney has already greenlit a Lilo and Stitch sequel for May 2028, just two months before Tangled comes out.
Levi may not be in the new film, but knowing he is in the corner of Milo Manheim and the rest of the cast is a nice thing. We will see if the magic of the original translates to live action when Tangled hits theaters in 2028.
Are you excited for the live action Tangled? Let us know in the comments!
You May Also Enjoy: New Set Photos from the Live Action ‘Tangled’
Mouse Fan Travel® an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, has been planning and creating magical Disney vacations since 2005. Their mission is to provide premium service and expert advice to help you get the most for your vacation time and dollar. Their Disney Travel Agents operate with the highest degree of integrity and will handle your family vacation, reunion, honeymoon, corporate incentive trip or getaway, as if it were their own. They pride themselves on expertly representing and advocating for you – their client.
The next time you and your family are planning a Disney vacation, visit Mouse Fan Travel for your no obligation quote or to answer any Disney vacation questions you may have. Are you looking for a beach vacation, tour or cruise to destinations across the globe? Visit MEI-Travel for exceptional expertise with ZERO agency fees.