Disney's Tangled Remake Misses Perfect Mother Gothel Casting
Disney's live-action Tangled remake reportedly eyes Kathryn Hahn for Mother Gothel, but fans argue the studio overlooked an obvious choice who inspired the original character design.
Disney has confirmed Titans actress Teagan Croft will portray Rapunzel in the upcoming live-action Tangled remake. Now attention turns to who will bring the manipulative Mother Gothel to life on screen. Scarlett Johansson was initially connected to the villain role, but reports suggest Marvel star Kathryn Hahn is now in discussions to take on the character who imprisons Rapunzel in an isolated tower.
Hahn previously expressed interest in playing the Disney antagonist. She joked about her karaoke skills when asked about potential casting.
"Yes! I mean, I'm really good at karaoke."
While Hahn would likely deliver a solid performance as Mother Gothel, especially after showcasing her singing abilities in Agatha All Along, many believe Disney missed an obvious casting opportunity with another celebrity: Cher.
Cher's Connection to the Original Character Design
Fan campaigns have long pushed for Cher to play Mother Gothel in any live-action adaptation. The reasoning goes beyond simple wishful thinking. The pop legend actually served as visual inspiration for the animated character's appearance.
Director Byron Howard confirmed this connection, explaining the design process behind the complex villain.
"It's true! Maybe because she's too Gothic and exotic looking. She was one of the people we looked at. She was a hard character to crack, and Glen struggled with that for years."
The visual similarities between Cher and Mother Gothel aren't accidental. Disney animators deliberately drew from the singer's distinctive look when creating the character.
Why the Casting Makes Thematic Sense
Beyond physical resemblance, Cher embodies themes central to Mother Gothel's character. The villain obsesses over maintaining eternal youth and beauty. Cher has famously defied aging throughout her decades-long career, making the casting choice almost poetic.
The connection runs deeper than surface-level comparisons. Both figures represent different approaches to confronting time's passage, though Mother Gothel chooses manipulation and imprisonment while Cher embraces reinvention and authenticity.
Given Hahn's enthusiasm for the project and her proven musical talents, she'll likely secure the role. The Agatha All Along star has already demonstrated her ability to portray complex, morally ambiguous characters with supernatural elements.
The bigger question remains whether audiences need another remake of a relatively recent animated classic. The original Tangled debuted in 2010 and continues to resonate with viewers. This live-action adaptation appears driven more by corporate strategy than artistic necessity.
The Tangled remake joins Disney's ongoing effort to transform animated properties into live-action films. Results have varied wildly across these projects.