“Rapunzel’s Tower Stays Locked!” Disney’s Shocking Decision to Pause Tangled Live-Action After Snow White Flop and Racist Backlash Against Francesca Amewudah-Rivers’ Rumored Rapunzel Casting—See Why This Drama Is Gripping Fans Worldwide!
Disney’s ambitious live-action remake of the 2010 animated hit Tangled has been abruptly put on hold, following the disappointing box office performance of its Snow White remake and a wave of racist backlash targeting Francesca Amewudah-Rivers, who was reportedly cast as Rapunzel. The decision, announced in early April 2025, comes after Snow White—starring Rachel Zegler—grossed just $145 million worldwide against a $270 million budget, prompting Disney to reevaluate its live-action strategy. Amewudah-Rivers, a Black British actress celebrated for her role as Juliet in a 2024 Romeo & Juliet production alongside Tom Holland, faced vitriolic online attacks over rumors of her casting, echoing controversies surrounding The Little Mermaid and Snow White. As fans clash over diversity in Disney’s princess legacy, this pause raises questions about the future of live-action remakes and the industry’s commitment to inclusive casting.
A Promising Project Derailed
Tangled, Disney’s vibrant retelling of the Brothers Grimm fairy tale about Rapunzel—a princess with magical, golden hair trapped in a tower—grossed $592 million worldwide upon its 2010 release. Voiced by Mandy Moore as Rapunzel and Zachary Levi as Flynn Rider, the film blended CGI with a painterly aesthetic, earning praise for its animation, music, and heartwarming story. In December 2024, Disney confirmed a live-action remake, with The Greatest Showman director Michael Gracey in talks to helm and Thor: Love and Thunder scribe Jennifer Kaytin Robinson penning the script. The project was in pre-production, with casting discussions underway, when rumors surfaced that Francesca Amewudah-Rivers had been tapped to play Rapunzel.
Amewudah-Rivers, a rising star known for her stage work and a BAFTA-nominated role in Bad Education, was poised to bring a fresh take to the iconic princess. However, her rumored casting—never officially confirmed by Disney—unleashed a torrent of racist and misogynistic comments on social media. Posts on X and Instagram echoed previous attacks on Halle Bailey (The Little Mermaid) and Rachel Zegler (Snow White), with some users insisting Rapunzel, traditionally depicted as blonde and white, could not be portrayed by a Black actress. One X post lamented, “Rapunzel is a blonde white girl, not this,” while others sarcastically suggested white actors for non-white Disney princesses like Tiana.
The backlash wasn’t universal. Supporters rallied behind Amewudah-Rivers, with one X user writing, “Francesca as Rapunzel would be stunning. Talent over outdated stereotypes any day.” The controversy mirrored Amewudah-Rivers’ earlier experience in 2024, when she faced similar abuse for her Romeo & Juliet role, prompting an open letter signed by over 900 Black actors condemning the hate. This time, however, the casting rumors coincided with Disney’s broader struggles, particularly the Snow White remake’s failure, which some attributed to its diverse casting and star Zegler’s polarizing comments on the original fairy tale.
Snow White’s Shadow Looms Large
Disney’s Snow White, released on March 21, 2025, was a high-stakes gamble, with a $270 million budget inflated by 2023 labor strikes. Starring Rachel Zegler as Snow White and Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen, the film faced scrutiny from the start. Zegler, an American actress of Colombian-Polish descent, endured racist trolling for her casting, with critics arguing Snow White’s “skin white as snow” demanded a white actress. Zegler’s public remarks—calling the 1937 animated classic “outdated” and emphasizing a modernized, independent Snow White—further fueled backlash, with some fans accusing her of disrespecting Disney’s legacy.
The film’s tepid box office—$69 million domestically and $145 million globally—marked a significant loss for Disney, which had seen success with live-action remakes like Beauty and the Beast ($1.2 billion) and The Lion King ($1.6 billion). Critics gave Snow White mixed reviews, praising Zegler’s performance but questioning the film’s creative liberties, such as replacing the seven dwarfs with diverse “magical creatures” to avoid ableist stereotypes. Producer Marc Platt’s son blamed Zegler’s “personal politics” for the flop, while posts on X, like one from @realJacobAirey, argued the film’s failure reflected broader fan fatigue with “woke” remakes.
This context directly impacted Tangled. According to Variety and Deadline, Disney halted pre-production on Tangled in early April 2025, citing Snow White’s underperformance and a need to reassess its live-action strategy. The studio had been meeting with potential talent, but the racist backlash against Amewudah-Rivers likely compounded concerns about another controversial rollout. Gizmodo noted that the pause might be temporary, with Disney awaiting the performance of upcoming remakes like Lilo & Stitch (May 23, 2025) and Moana (July 10, 2026) to gauge audience appetite.
The Casting Controversy: A Familiar Pattern
The attacks on Amewudah-Rivers followed a now-familiar script for Disney’s live-action remakes. In 2019, Halle Bailey’s casting as Ariel in The Little Mermaid sparked racist outrage, with hashtags like #NotMyAriel trending on X. Despite the film grossing $569 million in 2023, the backlash highlighted a vocal minority’s resistance to diverse casting. Similarly, Zegler’s Snow White role drew ire, with one TikTok user crying over the “loss” of a white Snow White, a reaction mirrored in comments about Amewudah-Rivers. NBC News reported that these incidents reflect a broader pattern, with actresses of color like Avantika Vandanapu—rumored for Rapunzel in 2024—also facing harassment over unconfirmed casting.
Amewudah-Rivers’ case is particularly poignant given her prior experience. In April 2024, she endured a “barrage” of racist abuse for her Romeo & Juliet role, prompting the Jamie Lloyd Company to denounce the hate and 900+ actors to sign an open letter of support. The Tangled rumors reignited this vitriol, with Instagram comments on her posts calling her “not Rapunzel” and questioning her fit for a character with “blonde hair.” Supporters countered with praise for her talent, with one Reddit user on r/Fauxmoi stating, “Francesca’s stage presence would make her a perfect Rapunzel—Disney’s loss if they cave to bigots.”
The debate over Rapunzel’s appearance hinges on her iconic blonde hair, a magical trait in the story tied to a healing flower. While the Brothers Grimm fairy tale doesn’t specify race, Disney’s 2010 film depicted Rapunzel as white and blonde, shaping fan expectations. However, as BuzzFeed News noted, the backlash often ignores that hair color can be altered with wigs or CGI, as seen in other remakes. Critics of the outrage argue that casting a Black actress like Amewudah-Rivers aligns with Tangled’s themes of freedom and self-discovery, which transcend race.
Disney’s Live-Action Dilemma
Disney’s live-action remakes have been a mixed bag. Hits like Aladdin ($1 billion) and Beauty and the Beast proved the formula’s potential, but flops like Dumbo ($353 million against a $170 million budget) and Snow White exposed its risks. The Hollywood Reporter suggested that Snow White’s failure stemmed from casting controversies, creative missteps, and fan fatigue with remakes that feel redundant. Tangled’s pause reflects Disney’s caution, as the studio faces pressure to deliver fresh, culturally resonant adaptations while navigating polarized audiences.
The Tangled project had generated excitement, with fan-casting ideas circulating for years. Sabrina Carpenter, Florence Pugh, and Taylor Swift were popular choices for Rapunzel, with Zachary Levi suggesting Timothée Chalamet for Flynn Rider. Mandy Moore proposed a cameo as Rapunzel’s mother, with Carpenter as the lead, per Elite Daily. Kathryn Hahn was rumored for Mother Gothel, with Daily Mail reporting mixed fan reactions. Amewudah-Rivers’ rumored casting, however, shifted the conversation to diversity, with The Independent noting that Disney’s inclusive approach aligns with modern Britain’s demographics—33% of London is non-white.
Yet, the racist backlash underscores a challenge: a vocal minority can amplify controversies, impacting a project’s viability. GameRant argued that Disney’s risk-averse pause on Tangled signals a broader retreat from bold casting, potentially stifling innovation. The studio’s upcoming Lilo & Stitch and Moana remakes, which feature diverse casts, will test whether audiences embrace inclusivity or double down on resistance.
Fan Reactions: A Fractured Fairytale
The Tangled pause has divided fans. On X, some celebrated the decision, with @AdamCook001 claiming it was due to “Black Rapunzel” backlash, though no evidence confirms Amewudah-Rivers’ casting. Others, like @janninereid1, speculated about her role, fueling rumors. Conversely, fans on Reddit’s r/disneyprincess lamented the pause, arguing for a diverse Rapunzel: “The story isn’t about race—why limit casting to appease racists?” Supporters of Amewudah-Rivers praised her stage charisma, with one X user noting, “She’d bring such depth to Rapunzel’s journey.”
Critics, however, clung to the animated film’s imagery. A post on r/KotakuInAction called the rumored casting “another woke misstep,” reflecting a broader sentiment among some fans that Disney’s diversity push betrays its classics. This tension mirrors debates over The Little Mermaid, where Bailey’s performance ultimately won over many skeptics, suggesting that quality casting can overcome initial backlash.
The Broader Context: Diversity in Hollywood
The Tangled controversy reflects Hollywood’s ongoing struggle with diversity. A 2021 UCLA Hollywood Diversity Report found that while representation has improved, with 27% of lead roles in 2020 films going to people of color, backlash persists when non-white actors are cast in traditionally white roles. Disney’s live-action remakes, as high-profile projects, amplify this tension. The Little Mermaid’s success showed that diverse casting can resonate globally, but Snow White’s failure suggests that execution and public perception are critical.
Amewudah-Rivers’ experience also highlights the personal toll on actors of color. USA Today reported that Avantika Vandanapu faced similar racist comments in 2024 over Tangled rumors, with fans defending her as “the people’s princess.” The pattern—unconfirmed casting rumors sparking hate—points to a toxic online culture that Disney must navigate. Industry voices, like Zegler in a 2023 BuzzFeed interview, have called for casting based on talent, not appearance, urging studios to “invest in” diverse actors despite backlash.
What’s Next for Tangled?
Disney’s pause on Tangled doesn’t mean cancellation. Variety suggested the project could be revived if Lilo & Stitch or Moana perform well, as both feature diverse casts and culturally specific stories. A streaming release on Disney+, where Encanto found success post-theatrical, could also be an option. For Amewudah-Rivers, the pause is a setback but not a defeat—her acclaimed Romeo & Juliet performance and growing profile ensure she’ll remain a sought-after talent.
The studio faces a choice: double down on inclusive casting to reflect a global audience or play it safe to appease traditionalists. The Direct noted that bold casting, like Carpenter or Amewudah-Rivers, could make Tangled feel “fresh and current,” but only if Disney weathers the inevitable storms. For now, Rapunzel’s live-action hair remains up in the tower, but the conversation around her casting—and what it means for Disney’s future—is far from over.
A Fairytale on Hold, A Fight for Inclusion
The Tangled pause is a cautionary tale about the challenges of remaking beloved classics in a polarized world. Francesca Amewudah-Rivers, caught in the crossfire of racist vitriol, represents both the promise and peril of diversifying Disney’s princesses. Her talent, resilience, and the support of fans and peers underscore the need for change, even as Snow White’s failure and online hate expose the obstacles. As Disney rethinks its strategy, the wizarding world waits to see if Rapunzel will let down her hair—or if the tower of tradition will keep her locked away.
