Scarlett Johansson Sets the Record Straight on Live-Action Tangled Rumors

Scarlett Johansson just addressed the chatter about Disney’s live-action Tangled. Short version: she didn’t confirm anything, but she didn’t exactly slam the door shut either.

What she actually said

In a new interview with Entertainment Tonight, Johansson was asked point-blank about the rumor that she’s being eyed to play Mother Gothel in Disney’s live-action take, which is currently back in development. She laughed it off with a classic non-answer, then pivoted to praising the filmmaker attached to the project, Michael Gracey.

"Is there a real possibility? I think anything is possible. What would excite me about it would be the opportunity to work with Michael Gracey, who is attached to direct the film because he is absolutely an extraordinary visionary and any actor would love to have a collaboration."

ET posted the exchange on social media on October 20, 2025. So, yes, the rumor mill is spinning, but there’s no casting announcement here. What we do have: the project is active again, Gracey is attached, and Johansson is interested in the idea of working with him.

Reminder: who Mother Gothel is

Mother Gothel is Tangled’s villain, loosely adapted from Dame Gothel in the original Rapunzel fairy tale. In the animated film, she kidnaps Rapunzel and keeps her hidden in a tower for 18 years. Donna Murphy voiced the character in the 2010 movie.

Tangled refresher

• Released in 2010, Disney’s Tangled is a CG-animated spin on the Brothers Grimm’s Rapunzel.
• Plot: Rapunzel, a princess with magical blonde hair, sneaks out of her tower with the help of charming outlaw Flynn Rider and heads off on a romantic, comedic road trip.
• Voice cast: Mandy Moore (Rapunzel), Zachary Levi (Flynn Rider), Donna Murphy (Mother Gothel), plus Brad Garrett, Ron Perlman, Jeffrey Tambor, Richard Kiel, M.C. Gainey, and Paul F. Tompkins.
• Box office: Over $590 million worldwide; one of the 10 highest-grossing films of 2010.
• Follow-ups: A short film and a TV series expanded the story after the movie’s success.

Where things stand

Disney’s live-action Tangled is back in development with Michael Gracey attached to direct. Scarlett Johansson didn’t confirm she’s playing Mother Gothel, but she made it clear she’s intrigued by the chance to team with Gracey. For now, that’s the story: no deals announced, just a very public 'anything is possible' and a nod to the director guiding the current version.