Tangled Live-Action Shake-Up: Who Took Over for Scarlett Johansson?

Buzz has been building around Disney ’s upcoming live-action adaptation of Tangled, especially after word got out that the main cast was nearly finalized. Early speculation pointed to Scarlett Johansson stepping into the shoes of Mother Gothel, the story’s central villain. However, recent reports indicate that Paniz Rahnama may have landed the role instead, marking a major shift in casting expectations.

Unexpected Casting: Paniz Rahnama Steps Into the Spotlight

The news of Rahnama’s involvement has caught many off guard. Known primarily for her work in Bollywood and select Netflix projects, this would be her first major Hollywood role if confirmed. Social media lit up when rumors surfaced that Rahnama was in the running, and a tweet from The Beyond Reporter seemed to confirm her casting as Mother Gothel. While Disney has yet to make an official announcement, insiders suggest Rahnama is currently participating in test screenings for the part.

Rahnama’s previous credits include roles in Bard of Blood, Drive, and Smoke, with much of her experience rooted in Indian television and film. The shift from Johansson to Rahnama reportedly stems from Johansson’s scheduling conflicts, particularly her commitment to playing Poison Ivy in The Batman Part II. This left the door open for Rahnama to make her Hollywood debut in a high-profile Disney production.

Who Else Is Joining the Tangled Remake?

As the casting process continues, more names are being linked to the project. For the role of Rapunzel, reports have narrowed the field to Sarah Catherine Hook, recognized for her performance in White Lotus. Meanwhile, Milo Manheim, a familiar face from Disney’s Zombies franchise, is rumored to be the top pick for Flynn Rider. While none of these choices have been officially confirmed, the pieces of the casting puzzle are starting to fall into place.

The original Tangled, directed by Nathan Greno and Byron Howard, featured Mandy Moore, Zachary Levi, Donna Murphy, and Ron Perlman. The animated film was both a critical and commercial success, earning an 89% score on Rotten Tomatoes and grossing $591 million at the box office. With the live-action remake assembling its cast, fans are eager to see how the new lineup will measure up to the beloved original.

Scarlett Johansson’s Next Move: Behind the Camera?

Although Johansson may have stepped away from the role of Mother Gothel, she hasn’t ruled out future collaborations with Disney. In a recent interview, she discussed her interest in directing, particularly within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Reflecting on her experience as an executive producer for Black Widow, Johansson shared her thoughts on the creative process:

I think the movies that I like that are big action movies also have the human connectivity piece. Even producing Black Widow and being a part of the production of that, and the development of the story, and the story between Natasha and Yelena… [there is] I think, a way of doing it, a way of maintaining the integrity of the idea of human connection, family, disappointment, all of the things that were themes in [Eleanor the Great], and doing it in a giant way in a giant universe — there’s ways of doing that… So, yeah, definitely, it could be, it would be fun.

While she may not be taking on a villainous role in this Disney project, Johansson’s future with the studio could see her stepping into the director ’s chair for a Marvel film or series. Both Black Widow and Tangled are currently available to stream on Disney+ in the US.