Kathryn Hahn might step into Mother Gothel’s role for Disney’s ‘Tangled’

Kathryn Hahn is officially in talks to play Mother Gothel in Disney’s live action adaptation of Tangled, and the reaction online has been instant and intense. The actress has long been a fan favourite for the villainous role, with many viewers pointing to her ability to balance charm, humour and menace as a perfect match for the character.

Mother Gothel is remembered as one of Disney’s most psychologically complex antagonists, a figure driven by vanity and control who keeps Rapunzel isolated to preserve her own youth. Since Tangled debuted in 2010, audiences have continued to praise the character’s sharp dialogue and emotional manipulation, making the casting of Gothel a major talking point for any adaptation.

Hahn’s potential involvement feels like a payoff for years of online campaigning. When development on the Tangled remake resurfaced, fans quickly flooded social platforms with clips from WandaVision, Agatha All Along and Tiny Beautiful Things, arguing that Hahn had already proven she could command the screen as a layered villain. Many posts framed the casting as a rare moment where internet wish casting aligned with studio decision making.

The timing has only fuelled discussion. Disney recently confirmed Teagan Croft as Rapunzel and Milo Manheim as Flynn Rider, sparking renewed attention on the project. While some casting choices have faced scrutiny and debate, the response to Hahn has been overwhelmingly positive, with phrases like perfect casting and no notes trending across social media platforms dedicated to film news.

Industry watchers have also noted that Mother Gothel offers Hahn a chance to fully lean into a theatrical, scene stealing role within a major franchise. The character’s musical elements, dramatic monologues and emotional turns play directly into the strengths that have defined Hahn’s career so far. Her four time Emmy nominated work has consistently shown an ability to shift tone without losing credibility.

Disney has yet to formally confirm the casting, but the studio’s silence has done little to slow speculation.