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Disney Rethinks Live-Action “Tangled” After “Snow White” Flop
Dreams of a live-action “Tangled” may be on hold. Reports indicate that Disney is pausing development on the planned live-action adaptation of its 2010 animated film “Tangled,” prompted by the disappointing box office performance of “Snow White.” This news comes after multiple media outlets reported the studio’s change of course on Thursday.
“Tangled” Remake Put on Hold
The initial report of this development was published by The Hollywood Reporter. Subsequently, both Entertainment Weekly and Deadline corroborated the information. The “Tangled” project, a fresh take on the classic Brothers Grimm fairy tale “Rapunzel,” had been actively progressing. Director Michael Gracey of “The Greatest Showman” was slated to direct, working from a script penned by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, known for her work on “Thor: Love and Thunder” and “Do Revenge,” according to sources at THR.
Box Office Failure of “Snow White” Triggers Reevaluation
Deadline reported that the “Tangled” movie had entered pre-production, with discussions underway with potential actors, before Disney decided to halt the project. The outlet further stated that the lackluster box office returns of “Snow White” – a $270 million production that has only garnered $69 million domestically and $145 million worldwide – led the studio to reassess its strategy for other live-action remakes based on its animated film library.
“Snow White” Remake Plagued by Controversy
The “Snow White” remake faced a barrage of controversy almost from its inception. Adaptations from the 1937 animated classic, particularly the representation of the “seven dwarves,” sparked debate leading up to its March 21 release. Furthermore, the casting of Rachel Zegler, who is Latina, drew criticism from some quarters, and her social media activity, including posts critical of Donald Trump voters and supportive of Palestine, further fueled negative reactions.
Critical and Audience Reception of “Snow White” Underwhelms
Beyond controversies, “Snow White” failed to resonate with both critics and moviegoers. The film received a mediocre B+ Cinemascore from audiences, with scores below A- generally considered unfavorable.
“Tangled” Once Considered a Promising Project
In contrast, a live-action “Tangled” initially seemed like a highly promising venture. The 2010 animated movie, featuring the voices of Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi, was a major success, earning nearly $600 million at the global box office.
Disney’s Live-Action Remake Strategy Faces Scrutiny
Disney’s approach of leveraging its intellectual property for live-action remakes had generally been successful financially before “Snow White.” The studio’s recent reinterpretations of “The Lion King,” “Beauty and the Beast,” and “Aladdin” each surpassed $1 billion worldwide. However, the studio’s history with remakes is not without its less successful entries, such as “Dumbo” and “Pete’s Dragon.”
Upcoming Live-Action Remakes Offer Potential for Disney
Looking ahead, Disney has two forthcoming live-action remakes that could offer renewed optimism.
- “Lilo & Stitch”: A reimagining of the cherished 2002 film, is scheduled for theatrical release on May 23. The trailer for this film achieved the second-highest viewership for a Disney live-action trailer to date.
- “Moana”: Set to debut next June, Disney fans will see a live-action version of “Moana,” a franchise that has demonstrated success in both streaming and at the box office. “Moana 2,” released last November, has already grossed $1 billion.