Sadie Sink, Mckenna Grace, Emma Myers And Isabel May Eyed For Disney’s Live-Action ‘Tangled’ Movie - Nexus Off The Record

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We recently launched our Nexus Off The Record segment, which covers news we cannot fully confirm or stories that are still developing. Entertainment industry changes constantly. Deals fall apart, shortlists shift, scheduling conflicts happen, and so on… The point is that you can report something that is accurate at the time, but by the time it becomes public, the situation may have changed and it can look as though the initial report was incorrect.

A clear example occurred last year when we reported that Rodo Sayagues was set to write DC Studios’ The Brave and the Bold. DC Studios head James Gunn immediately refuted the claim. His response was valid based on the situation at that time, but the information we received had been accurate earlier in the process. The project’s status shifted, as is common in development, and the result was a discrepancy between what we knew then and what was true later. Experiences like this, along with several stories we held back that were eventually confirmed, led us to launch this segment, which brings us to today’s subject: Tangled.

A live-action version of Tangled has been in development for several years. The project first gained traction internally but was reported to be placed on indefinite hold this past April. In early October, new information emerged indicating that the film had quietly resumed development and that Scarlett Johansson was attached to portray Mother Gothel. These details were not surprising given Disney’s interest in revisiting its animated catalogue. What followed was an extensive search for Rapunzel, a process that remains active. Screen tests and audition sessions are underway, but no definitive choices have been made, which has naturally led to speculation regarding potential candidates. We have gathered several names that are being eyed.

One of the most prominently mentioned names is Sadie Sink, who gained widespread recognition through her breakout role in Stranger Things. Sink has spent the past year filming the Disney and Sony collaboration Spider-Man: Brand New Day, and she previously starred in Searchlight Pictures’ O’Dessa, which premiered earlier this year on Hulu. Given these collaborations, it is clear that Sink has been within Disney’s orbit for some time, which gives weight to the idea that she would be considered for one of the studio’s most iconic princess roles.

Another name we have heard is Mckenna Grace. Grace appeared in Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 and Regretting You this year, and she recently completed filming Sunrise on the Reaping, the highly anticipated Hunger Games prequel. Grace was the go-to choice for studios seeking a child actor to portray younger versions of blonde characters, and she has already worked with Disney in that capacity through her portrayal of young Carol Danvers in Captain Marvel. Visually, she aligns closely with traditional interpretations of Rapunzel, which has led many to describe her as a natural fit.

Emma Myers is also in consideration. Myers had her breakout role in Netflix’s global phenomenon Wednesday, where she became an immediate fan favorite. Following her success on that series, Myers secured the lead role in A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, a Netflix adaptation that has already been greenlit for a second season. She has also starred in A Minecraft Movie, the second-highest-grossing video game film of all time.

The final name on our list is Isabel May, known for her roles in Taylor Sheridan’s 1883 and 1923 series. She can next be seen in Scream 7 as the daughter of Sidney Prescott, played by Neve Campbell.

At this time, it remains unclear whether any of these actresses have formally screen tested for the role of Rapunzel. What we can confirm is that all four have been discussed internally and are among the names circulating through various channels. Of the names shared with us, Sadie Sink was referenced most consistently, with several independent sources mentioning her in relation to the project.

As is always the case with Nexus Off The Record, the details we present reflect the state of conversations at the time of publication. These situations evolve quickly, and what is accurate today may shift tomorrow.