Sadie Sink in 4-Way Showdown for Disney's Live-Action Tangled Lead
After shelving it indefinitely, Disney is now fast-tracking a Tangled remake, with Sadie Sink reportedly a leading contender for Rapunzel alongside McKenna Grace and Emma Myers, according to Nexus Point News.
Disney pressed pause on its live-action Tangled, and now, apparently, someone slammed the gas pedal. The latest chatter says the studio is fast-tracking the remake and already circling talent for Rapunzel. Some of the names make sense, some are surprising, and one rumored reason for a rejection is… a choice.
Who is allegedly in the mix (and who is reportedly out)
Per Nexus Point News, Disney has been running rigorous screen tests to find its live-action Rapunzel. The outlet claims these four are on the studio’s board right now, though it is not clear if any of them have actually auditioned yet:
- Sadie Sink — widely speculated as the favorite; the report even hints her existing Disney connections could help
- McKenna Grace — currently coming off Five Nights at Freddy’s 2
- Emma Myers — known for Wednesday
- Isabel May — from 1883
- Sabrina Carpenter — early fan pick, but reportedly not moving forward despite the internet’s enthusiasm
- Ariana Grande — allegedly out of contention
- Bella Hadid — allegedly auditioned but did not land the role
The Sabrina Carpenter rumor, decoded
Here’s where the gossip gets messy. A scooper with a mixed track record, @MyTimeToShineHello, claimed on Nov 20, 2025 that Disney met with Carpenter but passed for a very specific (and very eyebrow-raising) reason. To be super clear: neither Disney nor Carpenter has confirmed this, so treat it like what it is — a rumor.
"Disney felt she was 'too pretty' and wanted someone who looks a bit more ordinary for the role."
That rationale is wild if true, but again, unverified. The same claim also says Bella Hadid read for Rapunzel and is out.
How fast is this moving?
The project was reportedly put on indefinite pause not long ago, and now it is suddenly being fast-tracked. That swing is unusual, but it fits Disney’s current mode of pushing live-action projects. The report even points to a live-action Moana next year as another example, which suggests we may hear something concrete on Tangled sooner rather than later.
Bottom line
Right now, Sadie Sink is the buzziest name, with McKenna Grace, Emma Myers, and Isabel May also floating around the conversation. Sabrina Carpenter — who always looked like an obvious pick on paper and can clearly sing the house down — is reportedly not in the running, though the reason being passed around should be taken with a grain of salt until someone official says something.
If Disney’s screen tests are already underway, expect the casting to lock in quickly. Who’s your pick for Rapunzel?