f.“I APOLOGIZE TO THE FANS FOR FOOLISHLY BELIEVING I COULD MODERNIZE THE NEW ERA OF CINEMA,” said Disney’s CEO, who has now stepped down and announced that the cast of Tangled will be revealed in November.f

In the ever-shifting world of Hollywood adaptations, where fairy tales get a glossy reboot and fan expectations collide with studio strategies, a fresh wave of speculation has Hollywood insiders and Disney devotees buzzing. Rumors are swirling that Disney has quietly stepped back from earlier hesitations on its long-gestating live-action version of the 2010 animated hit “Tangled,” with an official cast announcement slated for November.

At the heart of this intrigue are two rising stars: Avantika, the Indian-American breakout from the “Mean Girls” musical remake, and Francesca Amewudah-Rivers, the British actress fresh off her acclaimed turn as Juliet opposite Tom Holland in a West End production of “Romeo and Juliet.” What started as online whispers has snowballed into a full-fledged conversation about representation, resilience, and the magic of reinvention. As one source close to the production confides, “Disney’s pulling out all the stops to make this Rapunzel feel timeless yet utterly now.”

“Tangled,” with its cascade of golden hair, witty banter, and a princess who dreams beyond her tower, grossed over $592 million worldwide and became a cornerstone of Disney’s modern animated legacy. The story of Rapunzel, voiced originally by Mandy Moore, and her charming rogue Flynn Rider, brought to life by Zachary Levi, blended humor, heart, and high-stakes adventure in a way that captivated audiences of all ages.

Fast-forward to today, and Disney’s live-action pipeline—think “The Little Mermaid” with Halle Bailey or the upcoming “Snow White” starring Rachel Zegler—has set the bar for transformative storytelling. Yet, “Tangled” has lingered in development limbo since screenwriter Ashleigh Powell was attached back in 2020, fueling endless fan casts and heated debates. The latest twist? Insiders suggest the studio hit pause earlier this year amid scheduling snarls and creative tweaks, only to accelerate now, eyeing a 2027 release window. This reversal isn’t just about greenlighting a script; it’s a calculated nod to the demand for diverse heroines who mirror the world’s evolving tapestry.

Enter Avantika and Francesca Amewudah-Rivers, the duo whose names keep surfacing in casting rundowns from Burbank boardrooms to TikTok trendsetters. Avantika, 19, exploded onto screens earlier this year as Karen Smith in the “Mean Girls” musical, channeling bubbly chaos with a poise that earned her rave reviews and a Disney+ gig executive producing “A Crown of Wishes,” a fantasy tale of princesses and prophecies. Her luminous presence, paired with a voice that could belt out “I See the Light” without missing a beat, makes her a natural fit for Rapunzel’s wide-eyed wonder. Back in April 2024, a now-deleted X post ignited the firestorm: “Sources say Avantika and Milo Manheim have been screen testing as Rapunzel and Flynn Rider for the Tangled Live-Action.” What followed wasn’t just excitement— it was a torrent of racist backlash that flooded her Instagram with vitriol, from slurs questioning her heritage to memes mocking her as “not blonde enough.”

Avantika addressed the noise with characteristic grace in a subsequent interview, saying, “These roles aren’t about fitting a single mold; they’re about bringing fresh light to stories we’ve loved forever. If Rapunzel can climb out of a tower, why can’t she look like the world around us?” Her words cut through the chaos, reminding fans that true magic lies in empathy, not exclusion.

Not one to shy from the spotlight of controversy, Avantika has since doubled down on her advocacy. During a panel at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival, she elaborated, “I’ve faced trolls before, but this? It showed me how deeply people cling to their versions of ‘perfect.’ Disney’s chance here is to expand that perfection, to let girls like me see ourselves in the tower, dreaming big.” Her resilience echoes the very spirit of Rapunzel—trapped yet unbreakable—and has only amplified calls for her casting. Fan edits pairing her with clips from “Tangled” have racked up millions of views, while supporters flood social media with affirmations like “Avantika’s vibe is pure Rapunzel energy.”

Disney, ever attuned to cultural currents, seems to have taken note. Recent reports indicate screen tests resumed in late summer, with Avantika’s chemistry reads reportedly stealing the show. If the November drop confirms her, it wouldn’t just be a win for her; it’d signal Disney’s commitment to the inclusive ethos that powered “The Little Mermaid’s” box-office splash

Then there’s Francesca Amewudah-Rivers, the 26-year-old London-born talent whose poise and depth have quietly positioned her as a frontrunner. With credits spanning BBC’s “The Midnight Club” and a breakout stage role that had critics hailing her as “a revelation,” Francesca brings a grounded intensity to roles that demand emotional layers. Her recent Juliet, opposite Tom Holland’s Romeo in Jamie Lloyd’s stripped-down production, drew sold-out crowds and glowing notices for its raw vulnerability. “Playing Juliet taught me that love stories thrive on truth, not tradition,” Francesca shared in a post-curtain chat with The Guardian. “It’s the same fire Rapunzel chases—freedom wrapped in wonder.”

Whispers from casting circles suggest she’s been in the mix since early 2025, her audition tape blending ethereal grace with the film’s signature sass. Like Avantika, Francesca has weathered her share of online storms; her Juliet casting sparked similar racist ire, with detractors fixating on her Black heritage over Shakespeare’s intent. Yet, she turned it into fuel, telling Variety, “These attacks? They’re noise. What matters is the art we create and the doors we kick open for the next wave.”

The parallel paths of Avantika and Francesca add a layer of poetic symmetry to this “Tangled” tale. Both have risen amid adversity, transforming doubt into determination. Sources hint that Disney’s team, led by director Michael Gracey of “The Greatest Showman” fame, sees in them the dual spark needed to honor the original while pushing boundaries. Gracey, known for his visual flair and musical chops, has reportedly been tweaking the script to emphasize themes of self-discovery and found family—resonances that align seamlessly with both actresses’ strengths.

Imagine Francesca’s nuanced delivery in Rapunzel’s tender ballads or her commanding the lantern-lit finale, her voice weaving through Alan Menken’s score like sunlight through strands of gold. Pair that with Avantika’s effervescent charm in lighter moments, and you’ve got a dynamic that could rival the animated duo’s spark. As one production insider puts it, “These aren’t just auditions; they’re auditions with soul. Disney backed off before because the pieces weren’t right—now, they might finally be.”

Of course, the road to November’s reveal hasn’t been without bumps. Earlier this year, in April 2025, whispers of an indefinite hold surfaced, tied to budget reallocations post-“Mufasa: The Lion King” and creative clashes over the film’s tone. Fans fretted, petitions circulated, and the void filled with wild speculation—from Scarlett Johansson eyeing Mother Gothel to entirely recast ensembles.

But Disney’s history with live-action revamps shows a pattern of perseverance: “Cinderella” overcame script woes, “Beauty and the Beast” navigated visual effects hurdles, and each emerged stronger. This pause, insiders say, allowed for deeper dives into casting equity, ensuring “Tangled” doesn’t just remake a classic but redefines it. The result? A project poised to blend state-of-the-art CGI—for those iconic braids—with practical sets that evoke the film’s painterly whimsy.

What makes this announcement tantalizing isn’t just the names, but the broader ripple. In an era where streaming wars rage and audiences crave authenticity, Disney’s choice could redefine princess portrayals. Avantika and Francesca aren’t mere placeholders; they’re symbols of a shift toward heroines who reflect global audiences. As Avantika mused in a recent podcast, “Rapunzel’s story is about seeing the world for the first time.

Casting someone who brings that fresh gaze? That’s the real adventure.” Francesca echoes the sentiment, adding in her Guardian piece, “We’re not here to replace icons—we’re here to illuminate them for a new generation.” Their voices, laced with quiet conviction, cut through the rumor haze, inviting us to wonder: What if the tower’s view changes everything?

As November approaches, the anticipation builds like lanterns rising into the night sky. Will Disney confirm these dream pairings, unleashing a trailer tease that sends the internet into overdrive? Or will a curveball—perhaps a third contender—keep the mystery alive? One thing’s certain: in the hands of talents like Avantika and Francesca, “Tangled” promises not just nostalgia, but a narrative that heals old divides and ignites new dreams. Hollywood’s fairy tale machine churns on, and this time, the protagonists might just look a lot more like us. Stay tuned—the drop could rewrite the storybook.