Sometimes, casting outside the box can work out for a film. Michael Keaton as Batman is a perfect example. But other times, casting the performer everyone wants in the role works too. Think Patrick Stewart as Professor X. But this latest casting news from Deadline falls into the latter category. Kathryn Hahn, most recently famous for her role as the sardonic witch Agatha Harkness in WandaVision and Agatha All Along, is in talks to play Mother Gothel in Disney’s live-action remake of Tangled. Sometimes, amateur internet casting directors get their way.
The raven-haired Mother Gothel is the villain in the original 2010 Tangled animated movie. Gothel, although not technically a witch in the strictest sense, still uses the magical powers in Rapunzel’s hair to extend her youth indefinitely. So, close enough to “witch” for us. For this eternal youth reason, many fans of the original hoped Cher would play the role. But honestly, Hahn is ever better casting at this stage. Tangled recently cast its two lead characters, with former Titans star Teagan Croft as Rapunzel, and Milo Manheim as Flynn Rider.
The Greatest Showman director Michael Gracey remains attached to direct Tangled, working from a script by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson. For a few months after the live-action Snow White flopped, Disney put the brakes on their live-action remakes. This included Tangled. But then, Lilo & Stitch went on to make over a billion dollars last year. So the House of Mouse quickly put Tangled back into production. Scarlett Johansson was up for the role for a long time, but had to drop out because of commitments to the Exorcist sequel, as well as The Batman – Part II. But honestly, we think Kathryn Hahn is the better choice here. After all, we know she can sing. Here’s hoping this one rises above the other live-action Disney remakes in recent years.