Hold onto your hats, Disney fans, because the House of Mouse is shaking things up once again! Scarlett Johansson is reportedly in talks to play the cunning and charismatic Mother Gothel in a live-action adaptation of Tangled, and this news has everyone buzzing. According to Deadline, Disney is revisiting this on-again, off-again project, now under the direction of The Greatest Showman's Michael Gracey and with a script by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson. But here's where it gets controversial: after the underwhelming performance of Disney's live-action Snow White, which only raked in $206 million globally, many are wondering if this new venture will fare better. After all, newer adaptations like The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, and Lilo & Stitch have all been box office hits, with Lilo & Stitch astonishingly earning $1.03 billion worldwide. So, why the hesitation with Tangled? And this is the part most people miss: while the 2010 animated version of Tangled grossed a respectable $600 million, the live-action reboot hasn’t been formally greenlit yet, leaving fans on the edge of their seats. Starring Mandy Moore, Zachary Levi, Donna Murphy, and Ron Perlman, the original film charmed audiences with its tale of Rapunzel, a young woman with magically long hair who discovers the world—and herself—after a runaway thief stumbles into her tower. But let’s not forget, Disney isn’t just focusing on Tangled. They recently shelled out a seven-figure sum to acquire the rights to Katherine Rundell’s Impossible Creatures, a fantasy series that’s being compared to literary juggernauts like Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, and The Twilight Saga. With two books already out and a five-book series in the works, Rundell’s magical world—where a boy named Christopher and a girl named Mal race to save an archipelago of mythical creatures—has already sold 4 million copies worldwide. Rundell’s accolades, including Author of the Year and Children’s Book of the Year at The British Book Awards, only add to the excitement. So, here’s the big question: Is Scarlett Johansson the perfect choice for Mother Gothel, or is there someone else you’d rather see in the role? And while we’re at it, who do you think should play Rapunzel? Let’s get the debate started in the comments below—we want to hear your thoughts!
