Kathryn Hahn Cast as Mother Gothel in Disney's 'Tangled' Live-Action, Confirms Role With Instagram Bio Update

Kathryn Hahn is officially playing the role of Mother Gothel in Disney's upcoming live-action remake film, Tangled.

In January, the studio reportedly considered Hahn for Mother Gothel and is in talks to portray the manipulative witch who raises Rapunzel and exploits her magical hair for eternal youth. Her potential casting comes after Scarlett Johansson exited the project.

That same day, Disney confirmed that Teagan Croft will star as Rapunzel alongside Milo Manheim as Flynn Rider, with Michael Gracey directing and Jennifer Kaytin Robinson penning the screenplay.

With the confirmation of the lead casts of the live-action remake, the studio hopes to recapture the success of the original 2010 animated film, which made £465 million worldwide with a fresh take on the beloved fairy tale.

Following the confirmation via her Instagram, Hahn updated her bio that reflected the film, further confirming that the studio 'knows best' to cast her for the role.

Kathryn Hahn is Mother Gothel

On Tuesday, Hahn announced that she will be playing Mother Gothel in the live-action remake of Tangled via an OOTD video on Instagram, tagging the official account of Disney Studios.

'Hey, OOTD, I just found out what that stands for. So here's my outfit of the day,' the Agatha All Along star said in the video before stepping back to casually reveal her oversized t-shirt plastered with Mother Gothel's face.

'Simple jeans, glasses, T-shirt. This is easy. You know, just another day,' she added. Hahn simply captioned the video: 'OOTD, Mother Gothel.'

On their Facebook page, Disney reshared Hanh's video with a caption: 'You want her to be the bad guy? FINE. Kathryn Hahn is Mother Gothel in Disney's live-action Tangled.'

Donna Murphy, who voiced Mother Gothel on the original animated film, also left a comment on the video, congratulating Hahn. She wrote: 'KATHRYN !! From one Mother to another ... Congrats ! And remember... I love you MOST. ❤️👏🌟💋'.

Kathryn Hahn Updates Her Bio

Following the subtle yet clever announcement, Hahn updated her Instagram bio to confirm the role officially and completely seal the deal.

The Agatha All Along actress referenced one of the most iconic songs from the film, writing, 'mother knows best 🪞.' The lyric, famously performed by Mother Gothel in Tangled to manipulate Rapunzel, served as a cheeky nod to her new character.

Fans' Reaction to the Announcement

Fans are absolutely buzzing, and the consensus is clear: they think Hahn is 'made for the role.' The comments on her post were flooded with excitement from people who have been rooting for this for a long time.

One fan wrote, 'I HAVE NEVER BEEN SO HAPPY YOU MAKE ME HAPPY I KNEW I LOVE A LOT,' while another shared the sentiment with, 'DREAMS DO COME TRUE (MINE).'

Others were quick to point out that this was the only casting that made sense, with one user calling her 'The only choice' and another adding, 'Can't believe they actually listened to a fancasting for once.'

The vibe in the comments was pure relief and excitement, with many fans hitting caps lock to declare, 'WE HAVE BEEN ASKING FOR THIS!'

'It was Mother Gothel all along. Agatha would be proud,' another one said, giving a quick nod to Hanh's role in Agatha All Along.

All About Tangled

The live-action remake is expected to follow the original storyline: Rapunzel, a young woman with very long blonde hair that has healing powers, was trapped in a secret tower, believing that the outside world is dangerous and cruel, as told by Mother Gothel.

She forms an unlikely bond with Flynn Ryder, a thief who stumbles upon her secluded tower and helps her escape. The young woman has only one wish — to see the floating lights.

Disney is reportedly set to begin filming Tangled in June 2026, with principal photography taking place in the UK. Historic sites will be used to recreate the Kingdom of Korona. The film is scheduled for release in 2027.