Rapunzel, Rapunzel, shatter your cinematic aspirations.
As per various reports released on Thursday, Disney is halting a planned live-action adaptation of the 2010 animated success “Tangled.”
Hollywood Reporter was the first to break this news. Later, Entertainment Weekly and Deadline confirmed the story.
“Tangled,” a reimagining of the Brothers Grimm’s fairy tale, “Rapunzel,” was in active development by Michael Gracey, the director known for “The Greatest Showman.”
As per reports, the film had officially entered pre-production, and discussions with a potential lead actor were already progressing when Disney opted to cancel it. The source also mentioned that “Snow White” underperformed at the box office, grossing only $69 million domestically and $145 million globally from a $270 million budget.
The remake of Snow White has faced backlash since its inclusion in Disney’s lineup. The portrayal of the 1937 animated classic “Seven Dwarfs” triggered controversy throughout the film’s release on March 21st. Meanwhile, lead actress Rachel Zegler faced criticism for her Latina background and her social media remarks targeting Donald Trump’s supporters, along with her pro-Palestine stance.
The “West Side Story” breakout star, 23, realizes her co-star Gal Gadot (39), who has served in the Israeli Defense Forces, has differing political views.
Amid the scandal, neither critics nor audiences received “Snow White” positively.
“Tangled” seemed like a surefire candidate for a live-action remake. The 2010 animated feature featuring Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi grossed nearly $600 million worldwide.
Disney’s strategy of adapting its intellectual property into live-action remakes previously yielded success with films like “The Lion King,” “Beauty and the Beast,” and “Aladdin,” each surpassing $1 billion globally. However, the results of some reboots were not always favorable (refer to Dumbo and Pete’s Dragon).
Two upcoming live-action adaptations from Disney could provide optimism for Mickey and his friends. “Lilo & Stitch,” a remake of the cherished 2002 film, is set to release in theaters on May 23rd.
The trailer for the film became the second most viewed Disney live-action trailer in history. In June, Disney enthusiasts can look forward to the live-action version of “Moana,” a franchise that has been successful both in theaters and streaming, amassing $1 billion since its debut last November.
