Donna Murphy on Kathryn Hahn as Mother Gothel: “She doesn’t need advice”

Donna Murphy says she crossed paths with Kathryn Hahn just before Disney locked in Hahn to play Mother Gothel—and she was ready with a congratulations once it became official. Speaking with People, the original Gothel voice praised the new pick in no uncertain terms.

“And when she got the gig ... well, I saw her shortly before it was official, and then I was thrilled to be able to congratulate her. She’s a rockstar. She’s going to kill it,”

Murphy added that advice wasn’t necessary. In her words, Hahn had a brief case of the jitters—and then got a firm pep talk.

“She doesn’t need any advice. She was sort of doing the ‘I am not worthy’ [thing], and I was like, ‘Don’t even kid yourself, woman.’”

Murphy originated Gothel in Disney’s animated Tangled , and her blessing lands as the studio moves ahead with a live-action, musical take on the story. Disney announced the project in 2024; by March 2026 , Hahn was confirmed to step into the tower as Rapunzel’s manipulative keeper.

Hahn’s prep for a musical

Hahn told People that joining a full-on musical at this point in her career came as a surprise—but a welcome one. Rehearsals have meant singing, dancing and, as she put it, drilling down on the physicality the role demands.

“Grace — natural grace — and agility don’t come very easily. So that’s been a real fun thing to figure out,”

She described the process as fun and said she’s leaning all the way into Gothel’s movement and presence as she builds the character.

Who’s in the cast

• Kathryn Hahn — Mother Gothel
• Teagan Croft — Rapunzel
• Milo Manheim — Flynn Rider
• Elliot Cowan — role TBA
• Diego Luna — role TBA
• Hugo McPherson — role TBA
• Patrick McPherson — role TBA

The live-action Tangled is currently slated to arrive in 2028.