Scarlett Johansson Circling Role in Live-Action ‘Tangled’

(Left) Scarlett Johansson in ‘My Mother’s Wedding’. Photo: Vertical. (Right) Donna Murphy as Mother Gothel in ‘Tangled’. Photo: Walt Disney Animation Studios.

Preview:

• Disney is putting a live-action ‘Tangled’ back into development.
• Scarlett Johansson is circling the role of Mother Gothel.
• ‘The Greatest Showman’s Michael Gracey remains attached to direct.

What a difference a hit makes.

While Disney had been looking to add ‘Tangled’ to its roster of animated-to-live-action conversion movies, development on the film was paused back in April when ‘Snow White’ failed to be the fairest (or most successful) of them all at the box office.

But now, in the wake of ‘Lilo & Stitch’ making more than $1.3 billion, it is back on track, though without a formal greenlight.

“They’re taking adventure to new lengths.”

Release Date: Nov 24, 2010

Run Time: 1 hr 40 min

Budget: $260,000,000

And it also appears to represent a thawing of relations between Scarlett Johansson and the studio, who despite suing over earnings from ‘Black Widow’, has remained attached via a producing deal and now, via Deadline, is circling the role of Mother Gothel.

Related Article: Disney Has a ‘Tangled’ Live-Action Movie in the Works with Director Michael Gracey In Talks

What’s the story of ‘Tangled’?

2010’s ‘Tangled’. Photo: Walt Disney Studios.

Directed by Nathan Greno and Byron Howard, the original ‘Tangled’ starred Mandy Moore as Rapunzel, a spirited young princess with magical, golden hair who escapes from her isolated tower for the first time to experience the world, embarking on an adventure with a charming thief (Zachary Levi), only to discover her true identity and face the dangerous truth about the woman called Mother Gothel (Donna Murphy) who kept her captive.

The 50th film released by Disney’s feature animated arm, it had a script from Dan Fogelman, who would go on to create TV hit ‘This is Us.’

The movie was a huge success with both critics and audiences, grossed over $590 million worldwide, scored an Oscar nomination for original song “I See the Light,” and was among the films revitalizing Disney’s princess genre for a new generation.

Who is working on the ‘Tangled’ live-action movie?

(L to R) Hugh Jackman and director Michael Gracey on the set of ‘The Greatest Showman’. Photo: 20th Century Fox.

While casting is still at a very early stage, the movie has ‘The Greatest Showman’ and ‘Better Man’ director Michael Gracey still attached to call the shots, working from a script by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson based on the animated version.

Where else can we see Scarlett Johansson?

(L to R) Scarlett Johansson and June Squibb on the set of ‘Eleanor the Great’ Image: Anne Joyce. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.

As an actor, Johansson has been seen in the likes of Wes Anderson’s ‘The Phoenician Scheme’ and the latest chunk of dino chaos via ‘Jurassic World Rebirth’ this summer.

Johansson’s feature directorial debut, ‘Eleanor the Great,’ starring June Squibb, recently opened in theaters.

When will the ‘Tangled’ live-action movie be in theaters?

Without a formal greenlight, expect to wait a while to learn when this one will be landing on screens.

2010’s ‘Tangled’. Photo: Walt Disney Studios.

List of Movies Similar to ‘Tangled:’

Buy ‘Tangled’ Movies and TV on Amazon