Disney conducted closed screen tests and chemistry readings in London last week as it narrows candidates for the lead roles in a live-action adaptation of its 2010 animated hit Tangled. Several early-career actresses — including Freya Skye, Sarah Catherine Hook, Teagan Croft and Olivia‑Mai Barrett — reportedly read for Rapunzel, while Milo Manheim, Charlie Gillespie and Gilli Jones tested for Flynn Rider. The studio is weighing options ahead of a proposed UK shoot beginning in June, and sources say a casting decision could come soon.
Key Takeaways
- Closed screen tests and chemistry readings for Tangled took place in London last week, according to multiple sources.
- Actresses reported to have tested for Rapunzel include Freya Skye, Sarah Catherine Hook, Teagan Croft and Olivia‑Mai Barrett; Lola Tung was reportedly considered but did not test.
- Actors known to have tested for Flynn Rider are Milo Manheim, Charlie Gillespie and Scottish actor Gilli Jones.
- Michael Gracey is directing the feature; the project will retain significant musical elements like the 2010 animated original.
- Scarlett Johansson was once attached to Mother Gothel but is no longer involved due to other commitments (The Exorcist reboot and The Batman Part II).
- Disney is targeting to begin principal photography in the United Kingdom in June, though the schedule depends on final casting.
Background
Released in 2010, Tangled combined fairy-tale storytelling with a modern pop-driven musical approach and has become a durable title in Disney Animation’s catalog. The original film featured Mandy Moore as Rapunzel and Zachary Levi as Flynn Rider; its success helped sustain Disney’s push into animated musicals and established a model for family-friendly franchise building. In recent years, Disney has expanded that model into live-action remakes and reimaginings, often keeping musical components while updating casting and production design for new audiences.
Live-action adaptations carry both creative and commercial expectations: they must honor the source material’s fan base while also delivering box-office and streaming value. Michael Gracey, who directed The Greatest Showman and Better Man, brings a musical-biopic background to the project, signaling an intent to emphasize music and large-scale staging. Casting for Rapunzel and Flynn Rider is therefore central — the leads will need singing ability, screen presence and chemistry to anchor a musically driven feature.
Main Event
Industry sources say Disney quietly ran a round of screen tests and chemistry sessions in London during the previous week to evaluate possible leads. The sessions reportedly focused on both individual auditions for Rapunzel and paired chemistry work for Rapunzel and Flynn Rider, standard practice for a musical romantic lead. The tests were closed to press, and the studio has not issued an official casting announcement.
For Rapunzel, names linked to the sessions include Freya Skye (whose feature debut with Disney was Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires earlier this year), Sarah Catherine Hook (who appeared in the recent season of White Lotus), Teagan Croft (the Australian actor known for Raven on the DC series Titans) and Olivia‑Mai Barrett (seen on AppleTV+’s Invasion). Trade reports also indicate Lola Tung was in the mix but did not ultimately test, possibly due to scheduling constraints connected to her television commitments.
Testing for Flynn Rider reportedly included Milo Manheim, known as the male lead in Disney’s Zombies franchise, Charlie Gillespie (whose recent credits include Splitsville and Netflix’s Julie and the Phantoms), and Scottish actor Gilli Jones. Both Manheim and Gillespie have prior on-screen musical experience, a factor casting directors often weigh for this kind of project.
Beyond casting, production planning appears to be advancing: Disney is eyeing the United Kingdom for principal photography, with a tentative start in June. Studio timing remains conditional and could shift if final casting or talent schedules require it.
Analysis & Implications
Choosing a Rapunzel who can sing, act and carry a tentpole film is a commercial and creative balancing act. Casting rising performers gives Disney the opportunity to develop new marquee talent at a lower salary baseline than established movie stars, while also allowing the studio to shape a fresh public image for the franchise. If one of the tested actors becomes a breakout, the film could replicate the audience-building arc Disney achieved with other young leads in family tentpoles.
The presence of directors with musical credentials like Michael Gracey suggests the film will lean heavily on song-and-dance sequences and theatrical staging. That approach has performed well for studios when paired with effective marketing and soundtrack releases; it also raises production demands, from live orchestration and choreography to vocal coaching and potential rewrites to fit a performer’s range.
Shooting in the UK has practical and financial implications. The UK remains an attractive filming location because of studio infrastructure, experienced crew, and tax incentives that reduce production costs. A June start aligns with a typical summer production schedule that leaves room for post-production work on musical numbers, but it also increases scheduling pressure on actors engaged in other series or films.
Finally, the decision to move forward without Scarlett Johansson in the role of Mother Gothel changes the cast dynamic. Johansson’s exit, reportedly due to commitments on The Exorcist reboot and The Batman Part II, opens the role to other established actors; how Disney casts Mother Gothel will influence tone and marketing for the release.
Comparison & Data
| Role | Reported Testers |
|---|---|
| Rapunzel | Freya Skye; Sarah Catherine Hook; Teagan Croft; Olivia‑Mai Barrett (Lola Tung reported under consideration) |
| Flynn Rider | Milo Manheim; Charlie Gillespie; Gilli Jones |
The table above summarizes names linked to the recent London sessions. While lists like this offer an early look at contenders, studios commonly audition many more actors earlier in development. The make-up of final casting often depends on chemistry tests, vocal range, availability and negotiations that can take weeks to resolve.
Reactions & Quotes
Sources told The Hollywood Reporter that a casting decision “could be made sooner than later.”
The Hollywood Reporter (industry trade)
The original animated film featured voice performances by Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi, a fact studios reference when discussing faithful musical adaptations.
The Hollywood Reporter (industry trade)
Unconfirmed
- Lola Tung’s involvement remains unclear; reports say she was in consideration but did not participate in tests, possibly due to scheduling — this has not been confirmed by representatives.
- Final casting decisions and precise shooting dates are unannounced; reports that a decision is imminent are based on unnamed sources and remain subject to change.
- Specifics about who will play Mother Gothel following Scarlett Johansson’s reported exit have not been disclosed.
Bottom Line
Disney’s London screen tests signal that the studio is moving from development into active casting for a live-action Tangled that will emphasize music and tentpole spectacle. The mix of emerging actors under consideration suggests Disney is seeking fresh faces who can both sing and lead a large-scale family production.
How the studio balances vocal ability, chemistry and availability will determine the film’s timetable: a confirmed cast would clear the way for a planned June shoot in the UK, but timing remains contingent on negotiations and schedules. For audiences and industry watchers, the project is another test of whether Disney’s live-action-musical strategy can produce new stars while satisfying longtime fans of the original film.
Sources
- The Hollywood Reporter — Entertainment trade (exclusive reporting on auditions and casting)