We can add a new entry to the list of Hollywood’s most perfect casting choices. Kathryn Hahn, who stole the show as the sarcastic and amoral witch Agatha Harkness in WandaVision and Agatha All Along, will officially play the wicked Mother Gothel in Disney’s live-action remake of Tangled. This is definitely one of those cases where the internet fan-cast someone and the universe obliged. Walt Disney Studios announced her casting on social media, posting, “You want her to be the bad guy? FINE.” Hahn then appears wearing a Tangled graphic t-shirt with images of Mother Gothel. You can see Hahn announcing her role below:
Mother Gothel instantly joined the pantheon of great Disney villains in the original 2010 Tangled animated movie. Although she’s not technically a witch or a sorceress, she still uses the magical powers in Rapunzel’s hair to extend her youth indefinitely. For years, fans had been fan-casting Cher as Gothel, but to be honest, Hahn is even more well suited to play Mother Gothel at this point. No offense to Cher, of course. Tangled recently cast its two lead characters, with former Titans star Teagan Croft as Rapunzel, and Milo Manheim as Flynn Rider.
Michael Gracey, who directed The Greatest Showman, is at the helm of this latest Disney live-action remake. The screenplay comes from Jennifer Kaytin Robinson. Disney announced a Tangled remake some time ago, but then paused after Snow White didn’t perform at the box office. But the massive success of Lilo & Stitch changed minds at the studio, and Tangled was taken off the back burner.
Scarlett Johansson was up for the role of Mother Gothel for a long time, but had to drop out because of other commitments. Several of the recent live-action Disney remakes have been underwhelming, to say the least. Here’s hoping that by adding Hahn, Tangled will be the one that sticks the landing.