Introduction
News that Gigi Hadid auditioned to play Rapunzel put a surprising celebrity twist on one of Disney’s most anticipated live-action projects. The studio had been quietly developing a remake of Tangled: the 2010 animated favorite that reintroduced Rapunzel to a new generation. A well-known supermodel reading for a singing, swashbuckling fairytale lead might sound unexpected at first glance, yet it speaks to how ambitious this adaptation aimed to be. Then the momentum stalled. After mixed results from other remakes and an unusual amount of public drama around a different project, Tangled’s live-action path shifted from green light to gray area.
This deep dive explains what actually happened, why Hadid’s audition matters, and what Disney’s pause means for the film’s future. You will also find thoughtful context on how a Tangled remake could succeed when it eventually leaves development limbo.
What We Know So Far
A fast-moving development cycle that hit the brakes
Disney’s interest in Tangled as a live-action feature surfaced publicly in late 2024, with Michael Gracey targeted to direct and Jennifer Kaytin Robinson attached to write. On paper this pairing made sense. Gracey is a showman with a knack for stylized musical sequences. Robinson has experience with character-driven scripts that balance wit and bite. Early chatter pointed to a movie that would lean into romance, comedy, and grand musical set pieces.
In early 2025, everything slowed. The studio reassessed its slate of remakes after a different title underperformed at the box office and in critical response. Tangled was not officially canceled, yet active development was paused. In practical terms, that pause meant creative meetings tapered off, early casting conversations cooled, and pre-production timelines lost their urgency.
Gigi Hadid’s audition: why this matters
Amid this pivot, a recent interview revealed that Gigi Hadid auditioned for Rapunzel. Casting surprises are common during development. What makes this notable is the scale of the role, the difficulty of the part, and the implications of Disney considering a crossover star. Rapunzel is not a cameo. She anchors the story, carries the emotional arc, and sings some of the film’s most recognizable songs. An audition from a household name outside traditional acting circles signals that the production was open to bold choices before the pause.
Could A Supermodel Make A Great Rapunzel?
The skill set the role demands
Playing Rapunzel is more than hitting high notes. The role blends physical comedy, stunt work, and musical stamina. The performance must sell a young woman’s sheltered worldview, then her wonder as the tower walls fall away. It requires an earnest voice for numbers like “When Will My Life Begin” and a knack for romantic chemistry in scenes with Flynn Rider. On top of that, Rapunzel’s iconic hair is practically its own character. The actor has to move as if she has trained her whole life to live with fifty-plus feet of shimmering rope at her back.
Why Hadid’s name would come up at all
Gigi Hadid brings two assets that casting executives value. First: international recognition that travels across markets. Second: a public persona associated with bright, aspirational charm. Those elements can be useful in a fairytale that celebrates curiosity and courage. The question is not whether a model can act. The question is whether a performer can grow into an all-around lead who sings, carries comedy, and grounds sincerity without irony. An audition is precisely the place to test that. The creative team would have measured vocal range, on-camera warmth, and how convincingly she could navigate the tonal swings that make Rapunzel beloved.
Lessons from past crossovers
Hollywood history is full of unconventional casting that worked because the team built the role around what the performer did best. The reverse is also true: when a production tries to fit a public figure into a part that does not suit them, audiences feel the strain. If Tangled returns to active development, the wisest approach will be to prioritize an actor who can sing live or sell the illusion seamlessly, handle physical performance, and make the character feel freshly discovered rather than reenacted.
Why Tangled Became A Priority In The First Place
The original’s enduring strengths
Tangled endures for a few simple reasons. It is a road-trip romance wrapped in a coming-of-age story. The humor plays for all ages. The lantern sequence remains one of the most visually tender moments in modern Disney animation. Rapunzel’s dynamic with Mother Gothel explores manipulation without losing the film’s lightness. And the music works. Those elements translate well to live action if you respect their tone.
A live-action version offers new possibilities
A remake could deepen character motivations, especially the push-pull of Rapunzel’s longing for freedom versus her sense of duty to the woman who raised her. The film could widen the world beyond the tower and pub to show a kingdom worth saving. And the camera could bring a tactile sense of scale to lanterns on the water, forest canopies, and castle corridors. Done right, live action would not be a shot-for-shot copy. It would be a reinterpretation that adds texture and specificity.
The Realities Behind Disney’s Pause
What a pause actually means
Studios use pause for several reasons. Financial recalibration. Audience research. Creative reset. In a pause, scripts are revised quietly, budgets are re-modeled, and casting lists are reshuffled. Nothing moves until leadership has confidence in the project’s risk profile and creative promise. Calling it indefinite does not mean the idea is dead. It means the timer is no longer ticking loudly.
The ripple effect of another film’s performance
When a high-profile remake struggles, it triggers internal questions. Are audiences tired of this strategy, or are they tired of this specific approach. Was the marketing framing off, or was the creative execution at odds with expectations. Those questions rarely lead to a blanket retreat. They lead to selectivity. A property that feels essential or offers a fresh angle will be safer to revive than one that feels redundant.
If Tangled Returns: What It Will Need To Succeed
A clear tonal promise
Tangled thrives when it balances sincerity with wit. The remake should articulate a tonal promise early. Is it a musical romance with comedic flair. Is it an adventure story with musical punctuation. Either can work. What cannot work is tonal whiplash. A confident target will guide casting, choreography, song arrangement, and even hair movement design.
Musical strategy that serves the story
Audiences will expect signature melodies. The creative choice is how to present them. One path is to embrace bright orchestration and light percussion that mirrors the original’s optimism. Another path is to add acoustic intimacy for character beats, then scale to full ensemble for lanterns and finale. New songs can succeed if they move plot and character forward. Familiar songs should arrive with purpose, not obligation.
Casting chemistry is non-negotiable
Rapunzel and Flynn Rider must spark. Chemistry tests should be prioritized over celebrity pairings. The best versions of these stories work because the leads make each other better. She teaches him to see the world’s beauty beyond the con. He teaches her to risk vulnerability beyond the tower. Cast for that interplay first, then fill out the rest of the kingdom.
Mother Gothel deserves nuance
In live action, Gothel can be terrifying with very little volume. The role benefits from an actor who can play charm that curdles into control. Her songs should purr with subtext. Costuming can reinforce the theme: beauty preserved at moral cost. If the film handles Gothel well, the emotional stakes of the finale will land with real weight.
The technical hurdle everyone forgets: hair
Rapunzel’s hair is not just long. It must behave believably as a partner in action scenes, comedic beats, and tender moments. That demands a hybrid approach: practical elements for close interaction and sophisticated effects for movement at scale. Pre-production tests should lock the hair’s physics early so choreography and blocking can be designed around it. The lantern sequence, in particular, depends on hair interacting with water, wind, and light.
Where Gigi Hadid Fits If The Film Moves Forward
A realistic read on the audition
An audition is a data point, not a decision. It confirms the team explored a broad field and was open to a star who could bring international attention. If the film resumes, Hadid could remain on a shortlist if her read captured Rapunzel’s spirit and if vocal coaching closes any gaps. Alternatively, her audition may have helped the team clarify qualities they want from others: unguarded warmth, comic timing, and a voice that feels like sunshine.
Other ways a crossover star could serve the project
Even if Hadid does not land the lead, her involvement signals how the producers think about reach. A supporting role with fashion or royal-court flair could let a crossover figure shine without carrying the musical load. Strategic casting like that can help marketing while keeping the core roles with performers whose primary training is in acting and singing.
What would reassure audiences
Transparency about creative vision would help. Share the thematic focus: not just “it is Tangled again,” but “it is a story about leaving the safe version of yourself for the true one.” Share the musical approach in early featurettes. Show, do not just tell.
Outlook: Cautious Optimism
Development limbo is not a verdict. It is a waiting room. Disney has every incentive to crack the next wave of remakes with care. Tangled remains one of the few titles that can justify the effort if the studio commits to craft over speed. The director-writer combination originally attached suggested a film that could dance between spectacle and heart. With the right cast and a sharpened script, that promise still stands.
Conclusion
Gigi Hadid’s audition for Rapunzel is a fascinating footnote in the current chapter of Disney’s Tangled remake: a sign that the creative team explored bold, attention-grabbing possibilities. The project itself is paused rather than buried. That pause reflects a broader recalibration as the studio studies what audiences want from live-action returns to beloved stories.
If and when Tangled reactivates, success will hinge on honoring the original’s warmth, clarifying the new film’s tonal promise, and casting for chemistry and musical credibility. Whether a crossover star leads the way or a seasoned musical performer steps in, the task is the same. Bring Rapunzel out of the tower with wonder, courage, and a voice that feels unmistakably alive.
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