The floating lanterns are about to glow with a lot more soulful intensity. Disney is officially cranking the gears on its live-action reimagining of Tangled, and the production just injected a heavy dose of prestige into its fairy-tale DNA. Diego Luna, the man who brought a gritty, bone-deep gravity to the Star Wars universe in Andor and Rogue One, is officially joining the cast. He’s trading the cold, political chess match of the Galactic Empire for the sun-drenched, high-stakes adventure of the Kingdom of Corona.

This isn't just another casting announcement; it’s a statement of intent. According to reporting from TheWrap and ScreenRant, Luna won’t be playing a character we recognize from the 2010 animated masterpiece. Instead, he’s set to portray a brand-new figure created specifically for this adaptation. It’s a bold signal that Disney wants to expand the lore beyond the tower walls, adding fresh layers of narrative muscle to a story that has already become a modern classic. To capture that scale, production is slated to kick off this June in Spain. The choice of location suggests a shift toward sweeping, Mediterranean-influenced vistas, grounding the film’s iconic art direction in a world that feels tactile and lived-in.

A Tower Divided: Teagan Croft and Milo Manheim Step Into the Light

While Luna provides the prestige, the film’s central heartbeat belongs to a duo that has already set social media ablaze. Teagan Croft, best known for navigating the shadows as Raven in the gritty DC series Titans, is stepping into the sun as the long-haired, frying-pan-wielding Rapunzel. It’s a fascinating creative pivot. Croft has spent years playing a character defined by darkness; seeing her channel that intensity into the bubbly, wide-eyed resilience of Rapunzel is an inspired choice. Fans on X have already flooded the timeline with concept art of Croft sporting those signature golden locks, noting that she possesses the expressive emotional range required for a woman who has spent eighteen years staring at the world from a window.

Standing opposite her is Milo Manheim, who has been tapped to bring the charmingly arrogant Flynn Rider (or Eugene Fitzherbert, if you’re a purist) to life. At this point, Manheim is essentially Disney royalty, having carried the massive Zombies franchise with effortless charisma. He has that rare, kinetic blend of physical athleticism and sharp comedic timing that Flynn Rider demands. More importantly? He’s got the smolder. When the casting first leaked on platforms like JoBlo and Dark Horizons, the consensus was nearly unanimous: Manheim was born for the vest. He’s already a proven musical theater powerhouse, which is a non-negotiable requirement given that the film will lean heavily on the legendary score by Alan Menken and Glenn Slater.

The chemistry between Croft and Manheim will be the true test of the remake. The 2010 film was revolutionary because it dismantled the "damsel in distress" trope, giving us a co-protagonist dynamic that felt more like a classic screwball comedy than a standard princess flick. By taking the production to the rugged landscapes of Spain, the filmmakers are clearly aiming for an epic scale that matches the emotional weight of Rapunzel’s first steps onto the grass.

Mother Knows Best: Kathryn Hahn Brings the Psychological Menace

If you’re going to rebuild Tangled, you need a Mother Gothel who can balance theatrical camp with chilling manipulation. Enter Kathryn Hahn. Fresh off her scene-stealing, Emmy-nominated turn as Agatha Harkness in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Hahn is perhaps the most brilliant casting choice in recent Disney memory. Gothel is a role that demands a powerhouse vocal performance and the ability to chew the scenery without ever losing the character’s predatory edge.

Hahn has spent her career proving she can dance between prestige drama and high-concept comedy, and "Mother Knows Best" feels like it was written for her specific brand of charismatic villainy. As IGN and WDW News Today have highlighted, Gothel is one of Disney’s most terrifyingly grounded villains—a woman who doesn’t use dark magic to keep Rapunzel imprisoned so much as she uses guilt, gaslighting, and manufactured fear. Hahn’s ability to pivot from hilariously maternal to genuinely terrifying in a single frame makes her the perfect choice to bring that complexity to the screen.

The addition of Diego Luna alongside this ensemble suggests a film aiming for a slightly more mature, grounded tone. Luna has a way of grounding every frame he’s in with a sense of history. His character—though still a mystery—could serve as a crucial bridge between the whimsical tower and the more dangerous, rugged world of the Snuggly Duckling and the kingdom’s underworld. Is he a mentor to Flynn? A rival thief? Or perhaps a ghost from Rapunzel’s past that the animated version never explored?

Chasing the Sun in Spain

Choosing Spain as the primary backdrop is a deliberate, aesthetic masterstroke. The original film drew inspiration from Rococo art and French architecture, but the live-action version seems to be leaning into a more Mediterranean, ruggedly beautiful vibe. By starting production in June, the crew will capture the peak of the European summer, ensuring the "Kingdom of the Sun" lives up to its name. This isn't just about pretty scenery; it’s about creating a world that justifies its own existence alongside the original.

The buzz surrounding this project is a testament to the enduring, protective love for the 2010 film. Tangled was the bridge that moved Disney Animation into its modern golden age, blending the heart of the 90s Renaissance with cutting-edge tech. By casting actors like Luna and Hahn, Disney is signaling that they aren't just looking for a shot-for-shot recreation—they are building a cinematic experience that stands on its own merits.

As the June production date approaches, the anticipation is only going to hit a fever pitch. We’re still waiting for official word on whether Alan Menken will return to pen new music, much as he did for Beauty and the Beast and The Little Mermaid. Given the talent involved, the potential for a new show-stopping ballad for Luna or a deeper exploration of Flynn’s backstory is incredibly high. For now, we can only imagine Diego Luna navigating the bustling streets of Corona, perhaps helping a princess with seventy feet of hair finally see the light. The kingdom is finally ready to open its gates once more, and it’s looking more vibrant than ever.