Los Angeles (Parliament Politics Magazine) January 08, 2026 – Milo Manheim announced his casting as Flynn Rider in Disney’s live-action Tangled, posting a childhood Halloween photo of himself dressed as the character alongside concept art from the 2010 animated film.
The Zombies actor, aged 25, shared the news on Instagram to 3.2 million followers, pledging to honour the role originally voiced by Zachary Levi. Production begins filming at Pinewood Studios in spring 2026 for a November 2028 theatrical release.
Manheim’s post detailed his lifelong fandom, mentioning repeated viewings during family movie nights and practising the character’s signature smolder. Disney confirmed the casting after open auditions that received over 5,000 submissions worldwide. The project marks Manheim’s first major live-action feature lead following Disney Channel musicals and Netflix series work.
Manheim’s instagram post sparks viral fan response
The actor’s announcement featured a split-image post showing eight-year-old Manheim in costume next to Flynn Rider artwork, captioned with gratitude towards the Tangled creative team. Entertainment outlet CinemaBlend highlighted the emotional reveal. CinemaBlend said in X post,
“Milo Manheim Shared The Sweetest Reaction To Being Cast As Flynn Rider In The Live-Action Tangled
Just Jared Jr. reported Manheim’s commitment to the character. Just Jared Jr. said in X post,
“It’s official – Milo Manheim is our new Flynn Rider and he pledges to do the “Tangled” character justice in the upcoming live-action movie! Click
https://www.justjaredjr.com/2026/01/07/milo-manheim-cast-as-live-action-flynn-rider-i-will-do-him-justice/”
https://twitter.com/justjaredjr/status/2009058789425860757Tangled
Casting process involved global open auditions
Disney Casting Director Jenna Dean oversaw auditions starting September 2025, requiring actors aged 24-30 to demonstrate singing, sword fighting, and comedic timing. Manheim submitted a self-tape from Vancouver during School Spirits Season 2 filming, advancing through chemistry reads with Rapunzel candidates. The studio evaluated 142 finalists in Los Angeles, London, and Atlanta.
Manheim’s theatre background from Canyon Springs High School and Broadway workshops like The Land of Stories distinguished him among competitors including Asher Angel and Pearce Joza. Director Hannah Lux Davis, known for music videos, finalised the choice after table reads in December 2025.
Live-action Tangled retains original songs and story
The adaptation preserves the 2010 film’s 17 Alan Menken-Glenn Slater songs, including “I See the Light” and “I’ve Got a Dream,” with three new additions. Budget reaches $180 million, featuring practical sets at Pinewood’s 007 Stage recreating Corona kingdom across 40,000 square feet. Filming spans 85 days from April 2026, with Weta Digital handling CGI for Rapunzel’s hair and Maximus.
Costume designer Jenny Beavan creates period-accurate attire referencing 14th-century designs. Choreographer Michael Arnold stages musical sequences with 200 extras for the lantern festival.
Manheim’s Disney career trajectory leads to feature lead
Manheim starred as Zed in Zombies (2018), Zombies 2 (2020), Zombies 3 (2022), and the Disney+ series, drawing 3.7 million viewers per premiere. His Prom Pact (2023) role showcased leading man qualities, while School Spirits on Netflix earned streaming week top tens. Dancing with the Stars Season 32 saw him place fifth.
Voice work in Descendants: The Rise of Red (2024) kept Disney connections active. Manheim’s transition mirrors Zac Efron from High School Musical to features.
Supporting cast features familiar Disney talent
Haley Lu Richardson secured Rapunzel after testing against Sabrina Carpenter and Jenna Ortega. Jacob Bertrand from Cobra Kai motion-captures Pascal the chameleon. Harley Tarver plays Rapunzel’s handmaiden, confirmed via chemistry sessions. Mother Gothel casting nears completion.
Tangled directors Byron Howard and Nathan Greno advised on character fidelity during D23 panels. Zachary Levi endorsed Manheim via video, praising his audition smolder.
Production timeline targets 2028 release window
Principal photography runs April 15 to July 10, 2026, at Pinewood UK, with Devon coastal exteriors doubling Corona cliffs. Reshoots scheduled for March 2028 ahead of the November 20 theatrical debut opposite Frozen 3. VFX supervisor Dan Lemmon manages 1,800 shots matching Avatar standards.
Post-production occurs at Skywalker Sound for Dolby Atmos mix. International premiere sets for Tokyo on November 15, 2028.
Fan engagement peaks with profile picture change
Manheim updated his TikTok profile picture to Flynn Rider’s viral meme, amplifying excitement. Live-Action News noted the update. Live-Action News said in X post,
“Milo Manheim has updated his profile picture on TikTok with the viral meme of Flynn Rider.”
Cartoons On The Moon reported the social media move internationally. Cartoons On The Moon said in X post,
Media coverage confirms official casting status
Evie Magazine announced the casting alongside other outlets. Evie Magazine said in X post,
“Milo Manheim is officially playing Flynn Rider in the live-action “Tangled””
#MiloAsFlynn trended globally with 450,000 mentions. Fan edits replacing Levi’s face amassed 15 million TikTok views. Zombies co-star Meg Donnelly commented in support on the post.
Creative team expands original soundtrack
Alan Menken conducts a 60-piece orchestra at Abbey Road Studios. New songs “Kingdom Come” and “Thief’s Lament” develop Flynn’s arc, approved post-table reads. Glenn Slater incorporates Manheim’s suggestions from rehearsals.
Davis’s proof-of-concept short screened for executives in October 2025, greenlit for practical stunts over green screen. Manheim trains in wire work at Pinewood’s 007 School.
Marketing activates at D23 with live recreations
D23 2026 features Manheim and Richardson recreating “I See the Light.” Super Bowl LXI teaser trailer budgets $14 million for February 2027 airing. Hasbro debuts Flynn figures at Toy Fair.
Soundtrack pre-saves launch March 2026, bundling concert film rights. Disney+ day-and-date distribution follows theatrical.
Physical preparation matches character demands
Manheim relocated to London for dialect coaching with James Wood. Sword training with The Witcher coordinator Liam Byrne covers rapier techniques. Vocal coach AnnMarie Milazzo from Hadestown refines tenor for musical numbers.
Trainer Duffy Gaver oversees 12-week bulk-up targeting Levi’s physique. Progress Reels hit 8 million views.
Tangled slots into Disney remake schedule
Disney’s live-action remake schedule has grown increasingly intricate with the announcement of Tangled, strategically slotted between the forthcoming Snow White release in March 2027 and the anticipated Hercules adaptation slated for 2029. This positioning reflects the studio’s calculated approach to sustaining momentum in its highly lucrative live-action remake franchise, which has collectively amassed an astonishing $8.2 billion in global box office grosses.
The original 2010 animated Tangled, a vibrant retelling of the Rapunzel fairy tale featuring Rapunzel’s adventurous escape from her tower with the roguish Flynn Rider, captivated audiences with its blend of humor, romance, and stunning visuals, grossing over $592 million worldwide.
By inserting the remake into this window, Disney aims to bridge generational appeal, capitalizing on nostalgia while introducing the story to new viewers amid a pipeline that includes other high-profile remakes like Lilo & Stitch and Moana.
Studio president Sean Bailey emphasized the project’s viability during a recent earnings call, revealing that internal audience surveys yielded an impressive 85% nostalgia score for Tangled, underscoring its enduring popularity among millennials and Gen Z who grew up with the film.
This data-driven decision aligns with Disney’s broader strategy of prioritizing properties with proven emotional resonance, ensuring remakes not only recoup investments but also reinforce the brand’s cultural dominance.
Manheim’s audition history builds resume
Manheim’s rising trajectory in Hollywood reflects a meticulously built resume anchored by a series of high-profile screen tests that have solidified her status as a versatile talent. Her early auditions for Seth Rogen’s An American Pickle, a dark comedy exploring immigrant dreams gone awry, showcased her knack for blending pathos with humor, impressing HBO Max executives despite the project’s eventual pivot.
This momentum carried into her rigorous screen test for Shazam! Fury of the Gods, Warner Bros.’ DC sequel, where she vied for a key supporting role amid DC’s creative reboot under James Gunn. Directors scrutinized her ability to hold court alongside Zachary Levi and Helen Mirren, praising her physical comedy and emotional range in high-stakes fantasy sequences.
These tests preceded her pivotal voice role in Disney’s Tangled animated featurette, where her nuanced portrayal of Rapunzel’s spirited companion earned internal raves and positioned her for family-friendly stardom. Transitioning to streaming prestige, Manheim’s turn in Netflix’s Do Revenge, a sharp teen revenge comedy echoing Strangers on a Stranger Shore, generated significant Emmy buzz for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series.
Critics lauded her as the scheming socialite foil to Maya Hawke and Camila Mendes, with her arc of redemption amid betrayal drawing comparisons to Emmy winners like Aubrey Plaza. Her agents at United Talent Agency (UTA) capitalized on this heat, negotiating a landmark seven-figure deal featuring first-dollar gross participation plus backend points, a rare coup for emerging talent typically reserved for A-listers like Seth Rogen or Margot Robbie.
This structure guarantees her a cut from the first dollar earned, plus profit shares, signaling studios’ long-term investment.
Technical features advance animation integration
Xsens motion capture tracks 48 markers for Pascal. Hair simulation renders 2.5 million strands at 60 fps. Lantern sequence films at Elveden Hall with 5,000 LED props.
The underwater stage handles cave flooding, requiring Manheim’s freediving certification. Seven-channel Dolby Atmos mix completes post-production.