🌟 DISNEY JUST DROPPED A BOMBSHELL! 😱 The Tangled live-action cast announcement is coming THIS NOVEMBER, and it’s a SHOWDOWN between Sabrina Carpenter and Francesca Amewudah-Rivers for Rapunzel’s iconic locks! 💜 Who will snag the role of our favorite long-haired princess? And why did Disney backtrack on their plans? Dive into the drama to find out what’s lighting up the kingdom! 👀

Disney’s live-action remakes have become a cultural phenomenon, transforming beloved animated classics into blockbuster films with mixed results. The latest buzz surrounds Tangled, the 2010 animated hit inspired by the Rapunzel fairy tale, with rumors swirling that Disney will announce the cast in November 2025. At the heart of the speculation is a reported competition between pop sensation Sabrina Carpenter and rising star Francesca Amewudah-Rivers for the coveted role of Rapunzel. The rumor, amplified by fan excitement and social media chatter, also suggests Disney has “backtracked” on earlier plans, raising questions about the studio’s strategy and the future of this highly anticipated adaptation. This article explores the rumor, the actresses in contention, the context of Disney’s decision-making, and the broader implications for the Tangled remake.

The Rumor: A November Cast Announcement

In December 2024, Disney confirmed it was developing a live-action Tangled, directed by Michael Gracey (The Greatest Showman) with a script by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson (Do Revenge). However, a surprising twist emerged in August 2025, when Brit + Co reported that the project was on “indefinite hold” (). The latest rumor, claiming Disney has reversed this decision and will announce the cast in November 2025, has reignited excitement. Sources suggest Sabrina Carpenter, known for her chart-topping hits like “Espresso,” and Francesca Amewudah-Rivers, acclaimed for her stage work in Romeo & Juliet, are the top contenders for Rapunzel, the spirited princess with magical 70-foot-long hair.

The claim that Disney “backtracked” suggests a shift in strategy, possibly prompted by fan backlash or internal reevaluation. Disney’s recent live-action remakes, such as The Little Mermaid and Snow White, faced criticism for deviating from original character depictions, leading to speculation that the studio is rethinking its approach to avoid further controversy (). The Tangled casting announcement, if true, could signal Disney’s attempt to balance fan expectations with fresh talent, making the Carpenter-Amewudah-Rivers competition a focal point of intrigue.

Sabrina Carpenter: The Fan-Favored Frontrunner

Sabrina Carpenter has emerged as a leading contender for Rapunzel, fueled by fan enthusiasm and industry buzz. The 26-year-old singer-actress, who rose to fame on Disney Channel’s Girl Meets World and has since dominated the music charts with her 2024 album Short n’ Sweet, is a natural fit for the role. Her blonde hair, youthful energy, and vocal prowess align with Rapunzel’s character, who sings iconic songs like “When Will My Life Begin?” and “I See the Light.” Mandy Moore, who voiced Rapunzel in the 2010 animated film, endorsed Carpenter in a 2024 Elite Daily interview, saying, “I could see her with 50 feet of hair or something. She looks like a Disney princess in real life” ().

Carpenter’s connection to Tangled deepened when she donned a Rapunzel-inspired costume for Halloween 2023, sparking viral fan campaigns on X with posts like, “CAST SABRINA CARPENTER AS RAPUNZEL” (). Her acting credits, including The Hate U Give and Clouds, demonstrate her ability to handle dramatic roles, while her global fanbase ensures box-office draw. However, some fans on Reddit’s r/disneyprincess argue that Carpenter’s pop star image, tied to mature themes in her music, might clash with Rapunzel’s innocent, family-friendly persona (). Others question her availability, given her ongoing Short n’ Sweet world tour, which extends into 2026 ().

Francesca Amewudah-Rivers: The Rising Star

Francesca Amewudah-Rivers, a relatively new name in the casting conversation, brings a fresh perspective to the Rapunzel race. The British actress, lauded for her performance as Juliet in Jamie Lloyd’s 2024 Romeo & Juliet alongside Tom Holland, has captivated audiences with her emotional depth and stage presence. At 27, Amewudah-Rivers offers a youthful yet grounded take on Rapunzel, potentially bringing a nuanced interpretation to the character’s journey from sheltered dreamer to courageous adventurer. Her casting would also mark a significant step toward diversity, as a Black actress in a traditionally white, blonde role, aligning with Disney’s efforts to diversify its live-action remakes, as seen with Halle Bailey’s Ariel ().

While Amewudah-Rivers lacks Carpenter’s mainstream fame, her theatrical background could appeal to director Michael Gracey, whose The Greatest Showman showcased musical storytelling. However, her casting has sparked debate, with some fans on X praising the potential for a “new flavor” of Rapunzel, while others echo sentiments from the Tangled subreddit, arguing that her appearance deviates from the animated character’s iconic blonde locks (). This tension mirrors past controversies, such as the racist backlash against Avantika Vandanapu’s rumored Tangled casting in 2024, highlighting the challenges of diversifying Disney princesses ().

Disney’s Backtrack: Strategy or Damage Control?

The rumor that Disney “backtracked” on delaying Tangled suggests a response to external pressures. Brit + Co’s August 2025 report indicated the project was paused, possibly due to budget concerns or fan backlash over rumored casting choices like Florence Pugh or Avantika (). The decision to move forward with a November cast announcement could reflect Disney’s attempt to capitalize on Tangled’s enduring popularity, with the original film grossing $592.5 million on a $260 million budget (). The choice between Carpenter and Amewudah-Rivers may indicate a strategic pivot: Carpenter represents a “safe” option, aligning with Rapunzel’s traditional depiction, while Amewudah-Rivers signals a bolder, inclusive approach.

Disney’s recent live-action remakes have faced scrutiny for straying from source material, with The Little Mermaid and Snow White drawing criticism for casting and narrative changes (). Social media posts on X, such as @DeIudedShaniqwa’s “A white woman playing a Disney princess? The vibe shift is so real!” (), suggest fans perceive Disney as retreating to “safer” casting to avoid further backlash. Carpenter’s frontrunner status, backed by Mandy Moore and fan campaigns, supports this theory, while Amewudah-Rivers’ inclusion hints at Disney testing the waters for diversity without committing fully.

The Broader Implications: Representation and Fandom

The Carpenter-Amewudah-Rivers competition underscores broader issues in Disney’s live-action strategy. Rapunzel, with her iconic blonde hair and fair skin in the animated film, is a lightning rod for debates about representation. Casting Carpenter would likely appease traditionalists, as her appearance closely matches the character, but risks reinforcing Disney’s history of predominantly white princesses (). Amewudah-Rivers, conversely, could redefine Rapunzel, much like Bailey’s Ariel, but may face similar online vitriol, as seen in Reddit threads decrying “race-swapping” ().

The Tangled remake’s success hinges on balancing fidelity with innovation. Fans on r/Tangled have expressed frustration with live-action remakes, with u/TheExpressUS stating, “I want them to stop the live action bs. Tangled was perfect” (). Yet, the project’s creative team, including Gracey and Robinson, suggests a commitment to quality, with potential to elevate Rapunzel’s story through modern storytelling. The rumored casting of Taylor Zakhar Perez as Flynn Rider and Kathryn Hahn as Mother Gothel further fuels excitement, promising a star-studded ensemble ().

Critical Perspective: Rumor or Reality?

The November cast announcement rumor lacks primary confirmation, as the provided search results reference earlier speculation rather than a concrete date (). The “backtrack” claim may stem from misinterpretations of Disney’s pause, reported by Brit + Co, or be a fan-driven narrative amplified on X. Carpenter’s prominence in earlier rumors, backed by insider Daniel Richtman and fan campaigns (), makes her a likely candidate, while Amewudah-Rivers’ inclusion feels speculative, possibly reflecting Disney’s diversity goals rather than confirmed talks.

The competition narrative could be a publicity stunt to generate buzz, a common tactic in Hollywood casting. Regardless, the rumor highlights Disney’s challenge: satisfying a divided fandom while navigating cultural expectations. Carpenter’s star power and Amewudah-Rivers’ fresh talent offer distinct paths, but the final choice will shape the remake’s reception and Disney’s legacy in live-action adaptations.

Conclusion

The rumor that Disney will announce the Tangled cast in November 2025, with Sabrina Carpenter and Francesca Amewudah-Rivers vying for Rapunzel, has set the fandom ablaze. Whether Disney opts for Carpenter’s crowd-pleasing familiarity or Amewudah-Rivers’ bold reinvention, the decision will reflect the studio’s broader strategy in a polarized cultural landscape. The reported backtrack suggests a response to fan pressure, but without official confirmation, the rumor remains speculative. As Tangled prepares to light up the screen, the casting showdown promises to define not only Rapunzel’s next chapter but also Disney’s approach to its storied legacy.