Kathryn Hahn Confirmed as Mother Gothel in Disney's Live-Action 'Tangled'
Acclaimed actress Kathryn Hahn is set to bring another iconic Disney witch to life, as she has been officially confirmed to play the role of the manipulative villain Mother Gothel in the upcoming live-action film adaptation of 'Tangled'. This marks her second portrayal of a Disney witch, following her memorable turn as Agatha Harkness in Marvel's 'Agatha All Along'.
Social Media Teases Lead to Casting Announcement
Early in January, Hahn was reportedly among the front-runners for the role, which involves the antagonist who raises Rapunzel as her own daughter and locks her in a tower to exploit her magical hair. The casting buzz intensified when Hahn updated her Instagram bio with the title of the film's song 'Mother Knows Best', a clear nod to the character. Disney's official handle responded to this post with a surprised eyes emoticon, fueling speculation among fans.
The confirmation came after Hahn shared a playful video on social media, showcasing her 'Outfit of the Day'—a T-shirt featuring images of Mother Gothel and the word 'MOTHER' printed on it. In the caption, she wrote, 'OOTD, Mother Gothel.' Reacting to this, the Disney official handle tweeted, 'You want her to be the bad guy? FINE. Kathryn Hahn is Mother Gothel in Disney's live-action Tangled.'
Fan Excitement and Previous Casting Considerations
News of Hahn's possible casting sparked widespread excitement online back in January, with fans taking to social media to advocate for her selection. One fan exclaimed, 'I need Kathryn Hahn to be cast as Mother GOTHEL IMMEDIATELY,' while another praised, 'Kathryn Hahn's casting as Mother Gothel is literally perfect.' A third fan gushed, 'Girl, it's gonna be AMAZING! Kathryn Hahn as Mother Gothel… that woman was born for this role.'
Development on the project had previously hinted at the possibility of Scarlett Johansson being considered for the role before she stepped away due to scheduling conflicts, making Hahn's casting a highly anticipated move.
About the Live-Action 'Tangled' Adaptation
The film will also star Teagan Croft as Rapunzel and Milo Manheim as Flynn Rider. Originally released as an animated feature in 2010, 'Tangled' became one of Disney's most popular modern fairy-tale adaptations. The original voice cast included Mandy Moore as Rapunzel, Zachary Levi as Flynn Rider, and Donna Murphy as Mother Gothel. It remains to be seen if any of the original voice cast will return to play different roles in the upcoming live-action version.
This adaptation is part of Disney's ongoing efforts to reimagine its classic animated films in live-action format, with 'Tangled' expected to bring a fresh perspective to the beloved story while staying true to its magical roots.
