Kathryn Hahn has been officially cast as Mother Gothel in Disney’s upcoming live-action adaptation of Tangled. The announcement follows earlier discussions this year about Hahn taking on the role, marking another notable addition to the film’s ensemble. The confirmation came through a social media collaboration between Hahn and Disney Studios.
Hahn shared a video on Instagram featuring herself wearing a Mother Gothel t-shirt, captioned simply as OOTD, Mother Gothel, coinciding with Disney’s official acknowledgment of her casting. This playful reveal was supported by a statement on Disney’s social channels declaring,
“You want her to be the bad guy? FINE. Kathryn Hahn is Mother Gothel in Disney’s live-action Tangled.”
The actress has embraced the character online, previously adopting the username @motherhahn on Instagram and updating her bio with mother knows best accompanied by a mirror emoji.
Background on Kathryn Hahn and the Role of Mother Gothel
Kathryn Hahn is widely recognized for her recent portrayal of Agatha Harkness in the Marvel series WandaVision, as well as the viral song “Agatha All Along.” Her filmography includes popular titles such as Step Brothers, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. She also lent her voice to Olivia Octavius in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
Mother Gothel, the character Hahn will embody, is a self-centered witch who abducts Princess Rapunzel to exploit the magical abilities of Rapunzel’s hair, which grants eternal youth and beauty. Throughout the story, she masquerades as a protective mother figure while isolating Rapunzel in a hidden tower.
Prior to Hahn’s casting, there was speculation about Scarlett Johansson portraying Mother Gothel, but the role ultimately went to Hahn.
Other Key Cast Members Announced for Tangled
Disney has revealed that Australian actress Teagan Croft and actor Milo Manheim will star as Rapunzel and Flynn Rider, respectively. Croft is best known for her role as Rachel Roth/Raven in the DC series Titans. Manheim gained recognition from his lead role as Zed in the Disney Channel’s Zombies franchise and recently performed as Peter in the Hollywood Bowl production of Jesus Christ Superstar, as well as Seymour in an Off-Broadway staging of Little Shop of Horrors.
The Journey of Developing the Live-Action Tangled Film
The live-action remake of Tangled has experienced a complex production timeline. Initially reported in 2020, a decade after the original animated film’s release, Disney announced development in December 2024 with Michael Gracey, the director of The Greatest Showman, attached to helm the project. Jennifer Kaytin Robinson is responsible for writing the screenplay.
In April 2025, production was paused indefinitely following the underwhelming box office results of Disney’s live-action Snow White. However, after the commercial success of the live-action Lilo & Stitch in October 2025, the studio resumed work on Tangled, maintaining Gracey and Robinson on the project.
Anticipation and Future Prospects
The casting of Kathryn Hahn as Mother Gothel adds momentum to the live-action Tangled and has generated interest among fans of both the actress and the beloved fairy tale. With a mix of experienced and emerging talent, Disney aims to bring a fresh yet faithful interpretation of the classic story to screens. The film’s progress following production resumption hints at continued development, likely moving closer to release in the coming years.
