After days of speculation, Disney has finally revealed the cast for the live-action adaptation of Tangled. On January 7th, the studio confirmed that young actors Milo Manheim and Teagan Croft will portray Flynn Rider and Rapunzel – two iconic characters who have captured the hearts of millions since the animated version was released in 2010.
The announcement quickly became a media sensation. After many controversial casting choices in previous live-action projects, Disney fans can breathe a sigh of relief this time. Both critics and audiences are curious about how the new cast will breathe life into these legendary characters and how the film will reconcile with the immense legacy of the animated version. While many unknowns remain, this casting choice is seen as a promising start to bringing Tangled to life.
The live-action Tangled is an adaptation of the German fairy tale “Rapunzel”. Both lead actors – Teagan Croft and Milo Manheim – are former child stars, possessing a solid artistic foundation before embarking on this major project.
Born in Sydney in 2004, Teagan Croft began her acting career at the age of nine. Her first role was Scout Finch in the play To Kill a Mockingbird. Following that, Teagan participated in numerous television and film projects such as The Osiris Child and Home and Away, before making a global impact as Raven in DC’s Titans series – a dark, complex, and psychologically profound character.
Milo Manheim also has an impressive background in Los Angeles, coming from a family with a rich artistic tradition. He first appeared on television at the age of eight in Ghost Whisperer, starring alongside his mother, actress Camryn Manheim. Alongside acting, Milo actively participated in children’s musicals, honing his singing and dancing skills. This versatility caught the attention of Disney Channel with his role as Zed in the Zombies series, bringing him closer to young audiences worldwide.
Both actors grew up in professional artistic environments. Milo Manheim is the son of Camryn Manheim – an Emmy and Golden Globe-winning actress – and former model Jeffrey Brezovar. Early exposure to film helped Milo understand the discipline and pressure of acting, but he persevered in his pursuit of his own identity, not relying on his family’s fame.
As for Teagan Croft, she was also strongly influenced by her family, as her two aunts – Penny McNamee and Jessica McNamee – are both familiar faces in Australian cinema, with Jessica also working in Hollywood. This helped Teagan develop a serious attitude towards her profession early on, understanding that art is not just about glamour but also about persistent hard work.
Beyond being an actor, Milo Manheim is also a versatile performing artist. He was the runner-up in season 27 of Dancing With the Stars and has participated in musical projects such as Journey to Bethlehem and the Off-Broadway production of Little Shop of Horrors. Milo can play multiple instruments including guitar, piano, drums, and ukulele, and has also developed a singing career with millions of monthly streams on Spotify. Recently, he gained attention for appearing in Sabrina Carpenter’s music video “Feather.”
Meanwhile, Teagan Croft is considered one of the leading figures to emerge from the DC superhero universe. Her role as Raven in Titans not only solidified her acting abilities but also opened up many opportunities in Hollywood. In 2023, Teagan took on the lead role in True Spirit – a biographical film about young sailor Jessica Watson – showcasing her impressive ability to transition between roles and her diverse character choices.
Immediately after Disney announced Milo Manheim as Flynn Rider, netizens quickly discovered he had changed his TikTok profile picture to a classic meme of the character. This humorous and relatable interaction earned Milo significant points with fans, leading many to believe he not only “played” Flynn Rider but also truly embodied the character in real life.
In fact, Milo Manheim had long been a top fan favorite for the role of Flynn Rider. Before the official casting announcement, he frequently appeared on fan-cast lists thanks to his ideal appearance, age, singing ability, and mischievous, charming demeanor. The positive reaction from social media after the casting announcement shows that this was a popular choice.
Besides the cast, the behind-the-scenes team also demonstrates Disney’s ambitious goals for this project. Director Michael Gracey – the man behind the success of The Greatest Showman – is expected to continue placing music at the heart of the film. Producer Kristin Burr, known for Cruella, brings expertise in balancing mainstream entertainment with artistic individuality. In particular, screenwriter Jennifer Kaytin Robinson promises to deliver a more modern Rapunzel: proactive, vocal, and with her own aspirations, rather than the familiar passive princess image.
With the continuation combining a young, talented cast with an experienced creative team, the live-action adaptation of Tangled is expected to become one of Disney’s most noteworthy adaptation projects in the near future.
