Disney has met with Sabrina Carpenter about potentially starring in the live-action Tangled remake, yet the chatter today tilts toward an unexpectedly blunt claim: the singer is allegedly out because she is “too pretty.”
Yes, Sabrina Carpenter had a meeting with Disney about playing Rapunzel in the live-action Tangled movie. However, the company felt she was "too pretty" and wanted someone who looks a bit more ordinary for the role. Bella Hadid also auditioned for the part but did not get it. pic.twitter.com/zGIrBPLNzd
Industry reporter Jeff Sneider’s The InSneider, added clarity, noting that Disney has met several people for the role, including Carpenter, while emphasizing:
If she signs on for any new movie, expect it to be an edgy one, not Disney fare.
The remake, confirmed in December 2024 and steered creatively by director Michael Gracey with a script from Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, is shaping up to be Disney’s next major live-action swing as the studio eyes Rapunzel after Moana remake lands in theaters (per Coming Soon).
Reports circulated that Carpenter was among the frontrunners, which made sense considering her Disney roots. But according to semi-reliable scooper @MyTimeToShineHello, Disney’s internal chatter supposedly frames her looks as a disadvantage. With no official word, the rumor sits on shaky ground until Disney or Carpenter addresses it.
Sabrina Carpenter’s Disney History and Possible Future With the Tangled Remake
Sabrina Carpenter and Disney share a long-standing relationship, as she portrayed Maya Hart in Girl Meets World and participated in multiple Disney ventures before pivoting to a widely adored pop career. Her evolution places her in an intriguing position as the Tangled remake takes shape, though her involvement now appears uncertain.
Meanwhile, the future of Tangled itself may hinge on how Disney interprets box office signals. Snow White, released in U.S. theaters earlier this year, has so far earned around $205.7 million globally. By contrast, Lilo and Stitch erupted in theaters with a billion-dollar triumph.
Michael Gracey, who debuted with The Greatest Showman in 2017, later directed Pink: All I Know So Far and the Robbie Williams biopic Better Man, released in the United States in January 2025. His attachment to Tangled adds creative credibility to a remake already supported by rich source material. The original Tangled, available on Disney+, featured Mandy Moore as Rapunzel, Zachary Levi as Flynn Rider, and Donna Murphy as Mother Gothel.
Scarlett Johansson Could Play Mother Gothel as Disney Moves Forward With Live-Action Tangled
Disney is officially moving ahead with Tangled, and while the cast remains unconfirmed, Scarlett Johansson is being eyed for Mother Gothel. The production halt in April followed the commercial disappointment of March’s Snow White, yet the tides shifted dramatically as Lilo and Stitch soared past a billion worldwide.
Per Variety, Disney sees hope that Tangled carries similar enthusiasm among younger audiences. Like its 2010 predecessor, the remake will return to the Brothers Grimm tale of Rapunzel, the tower-bound heroine whose life collides with the outlaw Flynn Rider. The animated film brought in $592 million globally, though its hefty production budget limited its profit margins.
Its music, including the Oscar-nominated When Will My Life Begin, helped sustain the franchise, spawning Tangled Ever After and the 2017 series Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventure. Gracey remains in talks to direct, with Robinson scripting, and additional casting announcements are expected as production advances.
Disney’s decision-making always sparks spirited debate, yet the notion of turning down Carpenter for being “too pretty” feels oddly hollow in a world where casting is more nuanced than a single adjective. If Disney wants Tangled to resonate with today’s audience as powerfully as Lilo and Stitch, the studio will need choices rooted in storytelling instincts, not trivial labels.
So what do you think, should Carpenter take on an edgier project, or would she still make a magnetic Rapunzel? Drop your thoughts below. And follow FandomWire for more updates before the next rumor sneaks past the castle gates.
The original Tangled is streaming now on Disney+. The live-action remake does not yet have a release date.
