EXCLUSIVE: A wish from the internet is coming true: Kathryn Hahn is in talks with Disney to play Mother Gothel in their live-action take of Tangled.
Gothel is the antagonist in the original 2010 animated movie, known for her manipulative tendencies and obsession with youth, which she maintains through magical powers in Rapunzel’s hair.
Deadline first told you that development on Tangled was revived back in October when Scarlett Johansson began circling the role of Mother Gothel. The 2x Oscar nominee had to back away from any consideration for the part due to her future production schedules on Batman II and The Exorcist reboot.
When the news broke about Johansson’s interest in Mother Gothel, fans began to lobby online for the WandaVision and Agatha All Along actress Hahn.
The news about Hahn follows the recent announcement that Teagan Croft (Titans) and Milo Manheim (Zombies franchise) are respectively playing Rapunzel and Flynn Rider. Rider is the thief who helps the princess escape the tower she’s stuck in.
The Greatest Showman director Michael Gracey is still attached to direct, working from a script by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson based on the 2010 animated feature which grossed close to $592M worldwide. Kristin Burr will produce for Burr! Productions, with Lucy Kitada exec producing. The original movie notched an Oscar nomination for original song “I See the Light,” and had music by composer Alan Menken and lyricist Glenn Slater.
Hahn is a 4x Primetime Emmy nominee most recently for supporting actress comedy for Apple TV/Lionsgate’s The Studio, for Lead Actress in Anthology or Limited Series or Movie for Tiny Beautiful Things, for Supporting Actress for Limited Anthology Series or Movie for WandaVision, and in the category of Supporting Actress Comedy Series for Transparent.
Hahn is represented by Gersh, Lighthouse Management & Media, and Schreck Rose Dapello Adams Berlin & Dunham.
Disney did not respond for request to comment.