AceShowbiz - Diego Luna is confirmed to join Disney’s upcoming live-action adaptation of Tangled, stepping into an original role created specifically for the film. The production is scheduled to begin filming in Spain this June, moving forward with a fresh take on the 2010 animated classic that earned an Academy Award nomination.

The project reunites Luna with Disney following his notable performance in Andor. While specific details about his character remain confidential, the film’s leads have been announced: Teagan Croft will portray Rapunzel, and Milo Manheim will take on the role of Flynn Rider, the charming thief who aids Rapunzel’s escape from her tower. The villainous Mother Gothel will be played by Kathryn Hahn, adding a formidable presence to the cast.

Direction is helmed by Michael Gracey, known for his work on The Greatest Showman and Better Man. The screenplay is penned by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson. The original Tangled (2010), directed by Byron Howard and Nathan Greno, was a modern retelling of the Rapunzel fairy tale and helped revitalize Walt Disney Animation Studios. The animated film was a commercial success, grossing nearly $600 million worldwide.

Production on the live-action version is overseen by producer Kristin Burr through Burr! Productions, with Lucy Kitada serving as executive producer. This project continues Disney’s long-standing strategy of adapting animated hits into live-action films, a formula that has yielded blockbuster successes such as Alice in Wonderland, Aladdin, and The Lion King, each surpassing $1 billion in box office revenue.

Despite a recent setback with the underperforming live-action Snow White—which, despite a steep $270 million budget, earned only $205.7 million globally—Disney’s approach remains resilient. The studio bounced back with the May release of Lilo & Stitch, which earned $1.037 billion worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing domestic film of the year.

Luna’s involvement in Tangled builds on his rising international profile, bolstered by his role as Cassian Andor in the acclaimed series Andor. He is also recognized for his performances in Y Tu Mamá También and Netflix’s Narcos: Mexico, where he portrayed drug lord Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo.

As filming prepares to commence in Spain, anticipation grows for Disney’s new interpretation of Tangled, promising to blend the charm of the original with fresh storytelling and performances from a talented cast led by Luna, Croft, Manheim, and Hahn.