2026 has just begun, and users on platforms such as TikTok & Instagram are claiming, “2026 is the new 2016” while posting pictures of their lives ten years ago. But on January 7, 2026, things changed when Disney turned their social media to release news that fans had been waiting for after a year of making predictions about the casting: the new actors chosen for the highly anticipated live-action adaptation of Tangled.
According to an Instagram post posted by the verified username @disneystudios, 21-year-old Teagan Croft will be playing Rapunzel, and 24-year-old Milo Manheim will be portraying Flynn Rider in the live-action production of Tangled. Fortunately, a lot of people were hoping and predicting that the role would go to Manheim because of his looks, great acting skills, and his vocals. Manheim is well known for his lead role in the Disney Zombies franchise and many other movies and series. Teagan Croft, on the other hand, is not as recognizable as Manheim. When Disney confirmed our Rapunzel, many questioned, “Who is this new actress?” Croft is not super well-known in the acting industry, but she’s known for the show Titans, which lasted 4 seasons.
Although Croft is generally considered good for the role of Rapunzel, the internet has been making their own predictions specifically on TikTok, showing their excitement for this upcoming production. People were hoping for Freya Skye to play Rapunzel because of her vocals and identical looks. Some have even been generating her as Rapunzel using AI. Even though she would be good for the role, she would be busy with her tour, with filming starting this summer, and she is a bit too young to play Rapunzel. Sabrina Carpenter has been fancasted for the same reasons, but it would also be hard for her, considering her busy schedule.
Despite Milo Manheim’s casting being predicted by almost all of social media, some people were hoping for an opportunity for other young actors. One of them was Mason Thames, who’s known for the film Regretting You, with McKenna Grace. Grace was also a common prediction for Rapunzel. Many theorized that Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown’s husband, Jake Bongiovi, is a “copy-paste” of Eugene. Some even tried to “ragebait” fancasting choices by posting statements like, “Dwayne Johnson as Eugene and Kevin Hart as Rapunzel.”
Although the leads have been announced, the rest of the cast won’t be until later in 2026. The media have also been putting their predictions for King Fredric and Queen Arianna. Although this hasn’t officially been confirmed by Disney, the original Rapunzel, Mandy Moore, and the original Flynn Rider, Zachary Levi, are rumored to be playing the King and Queen. Beyond that theory, many people were blowing up about wanting Princess Diaries star Anne Hathaway to portray Queen Arianna. Even though she might be good for the role as a famous actress, she already has a lot of opportunities, such as Penelope in the new Odyssey movie coming out in July 2026. Because of looks and great acting experience, Stranger Things star David Harbour had been predicted for the King. Since the rest of the cast isn’t released yet, these predictions might just become reality.
With Disney’s casting choices, people in 2027 will either enjoy watching this movie or hate it. But I believe that this movie will become a hit once it comes out because of the love for Milo Manheim and the satisfaction for Teagan Croft.
