Teagan Croft and Milo Manheim Cast as Rapunzel and Flynn

The House of Mouse has locked in its leads for the upcoming live-action Rapunzel adaptation. Teagan Croft will portray the tower-bound princess, while Milo Manheim takes on the charming thief Flynn Rider. This casting decision comes after months of speculation about whether the project would move forward at all.

Earlier reports suggested the remake faced delays following underwhelming box office numbers from other fairy tale adaptations. But the massive success of recent live-action projects appears to have restored studio confidence. Michael Gracey, who directed The Greatest Showman and Better Man, will helm the production. Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, known for Do Revenge and I Know What You Did Last Summer, penned the screenplay.

Rising Stars Take Center Stage

Croft beat out several contenders for the coveted role, including Sarah Catherine Hook from The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, Freya Skye from Zombies 4: Dawn of Vampires, and Olivia-Mai Barrett from Savage Flowers. The Titans actress, who played Raven in the DC series, went through screen tests in December. Studio executives took their time with the decision, understanding the weight these iconic characters carry.

Manheim brings Disney Channel experience to the table through his starring role as Zed in the Zombies franchise. Both actors have primarily worked in television, but this adaptation could launch them into major film careers. The original 2010 animated version earned $592.5 mn worldwide and became a modern classic, with Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi voicing the leads.

Targeting a New Generation

The casting choices clearly aim at Gen-Z audiences, a demographic that has significantly influenced recent box office trends. More than 15 years have passed since the original hit theaters. An entire generation grew up with these characters and now feels nostalgic for their return.

The timeline mirrors other recent adaptations. While not as quick as the Moana remake, arriving just 10 years after its predecessor, it matches the pace of How to Train Your Dragon, which also debuted in 2010. The studio still needs to cast Mother Gothel, the manipulative villain originally voiced by Donna Murphy. Scarlett Johansson was reportedly considered but chose The Batman - Part II instead.

Release Window and Market Expectations

No official release date has been announced, though industry watchers expect a holiday 2027 or spring 2028 debut. The question remains whether audiences will still embrace live-action remakes by then. The project has potential to create new stars, but it enters a market increasingly saturated with nostalgic adaptations.

The success of recent similar projects has given executives renewed faith in the format. Both young leads face the challenge of bringing beloved animated characters to life while making them their own. The original's blend of humor, romance, and memorable songs set a high bar for any adaptation.