Corey Mylchreest almost became Flynn Rider in Disney’s ‘Tangled’ remake

Corey Mylchreest auditioned for Flynn Rider, before his breakout role in ‘My Oxford Year’.

Corey Mylchreest, acclaimed for his roles in Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story and the new Netflix romance My Oxford Year, recently revealed he once auditioned for the part of Flynn Rider in Disney’s planned live-action remake of Tangled. Promoting his latest film, he joked that the casting directors told him they wanted someone with stronger singing chops, though he insisted he can sing, he didn’t land the part.

This anecdote brings fresh attention to the remake, which remains in limbo. Disney had quietly paused the project following a wave of slowed live-action development, particularly after the underwhelming performance of its Snow White adaptation. Prior plans had included director Michael Gracey, screenwriter Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, and producers Kristin Burr and Lucy Kitada, but no new timeline has been announced.

The 2010 animated original continues to be one of Disney’s most beloved modern classics. With voices by Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi, Tangled grossed nearly $600 million worldwide and helped spark a revival of fairy-tale musicals. Its continued popularity via spin-offs and shows only fuelled interest in a live-action reboot.

Among casting conversations for Flynn Rider, Levi himself once expressed preference for a younger actor with musical prowess, name-dropping the likes of Timothée Chalamet. Mylchreest’s audition story underscores the competitive and musical demands of that role.

Meanwhile, My Oxford Year, released on Netflix on August 1, showcases Mylchreest in a heartfelt romantic drama opposite Sofia Carson. The film follows an American student finding unexpected love at Oxford, and it quickly rose to number one in Netflix’s global Top 10 Movies list. This contrast between a near miss with Disney and a breakout on streaming highlights Mylchreest’s rising star power.

Though the Tangled remake remains in limbo, this glimpse into early casting rounds adds another layer to an actor whose career now spans period drama, fairy-tale nostalgia, and Netflix romance.