Walt Disney Pictures is weaving a Tangled web as it searches for the actors to inhabit the live-action adaptation of its 2010 animated movie.
The studio quietly conducted screen tests and chemistry readings in London last week for the parts of Rapunzel, the curious and plucky would-be princess with magical hair, and Flynn Rider, the cocky outlaw thief who helps her escape her tower prison.
The list, which may not be a complete accounting of those who tested, offers a glimpse of possible future Hollywood stars, or at least a look at whom the industry sees as having a chance to grow into thriving leads.
Multiple sources say those who tested for Rapunzel included Freya Skye, who made her feature debut with Disney’s Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires earlier this year; Sarah Catherine Hook, who appeared in the recent season of White Lotus; Australian Teagan Croft, perhaps best known for playing Raven in the DC series Titans; and Olivia-Mai Barrett, who appears on Apple+ series Invasion.
Sources also say The Summer I Turned Pretty headliner Lola Tung was in the mix, but did not test as she may have a scheduling conflict. (Summer may have exercised its option on her for the film continuation of the series.)
Sarah Catherine Hook, Teagan Croft, Freya Skye and Olivia-Mai Barrett
Amy Sussman/Getty Images; Hanna Lassen/Getty Images; Lisa Lake/Getty Images; Karwai Tang/WireImage
For Rider, Milo Manheim, the male lead of the Disney’s Zombies franchise, as well as Charlie Gillespie, who credits range from this year’s comedy Splitsville to Netflix series Julie and the Phantoms, are known to have tested. Both have shown musical chops in their respective oeuvres. Also testing was Scottish thespian Gilli Jones.
A decision could be made sooner than later, according to sources.
Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi respectively voiced the parts in the original movie, now regarded as a modern classic and part of Disney Animation’s second renaissance.
The other big role in the feature of that of Mother Gothel, the witch mother who keeps Rapunzel locked up in the tower in order to use her magical hair to stay forever young. Scarlett Johansson was attached to bring the role to life but that is no longer the case. The actress will now be shooting a reboot of The Exorcist as well as The Batman Part II next year.
Michael Gracey, who counts the musical biopics Better Man and The Greatest Showman as among credits, is directing the feature, which will have, like the original, big musical elements.
Disney is eyeing to shoot Tangled in the UK beginning in June, although scheduling could change, depending on the casting.
