Disney has reportedly paused production on the live-action remake of the beloved animated film “Tangled” after the disastrous box office performance of its recent live-action adaptation, “Snow White.” The studio is now reassessing its entire strategy for Disney live-action adaptations.
The “Snow White” film, featuring Rachel Zegler as the titular princess and Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen, failed to capture audiences, grossing only $69 million domestically and $145 million worldwide—far short of its $270 million production budget. This significant financial shortfall has raised serious concerns within Disney regarding the future of its live-action projects.
According to sources, pre-production on the live-action “Tangled” remake has been placed on ice. The project, which had already seen initial meetings with potential casting talent and was set to be directed by Michael Gracey of “The Greatest Showman” fame with a script by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson (known for “Thor: Love and Thunder”), is now one of several live-action adaptations facing delays. Disney is re-evaluating its approach after the failure of “Snow White” disrupted plans for upcoming remakes, including live-action versions of “Lilo & Stitch” and “Moana.”
The controversy surrounding “Snow White” further complicated matters. The film has faced backlash over its reimagining of the seven dwarfs as magical creatures. Lead actress Rachel Zegler, who has become a central figure in the film’s controversy due to her comments on social media, encountered racist abuse and online petitions for her recasting over her Latina heritage. Zegler’s outspoken remarks about the original “Snow White” film and her political tweets—such as her call to “free Palestine”—have also attracted intense scrutiny and even forced Disney to enhance security measures for her and co-star Gal Gadot.
A Disney executive expressed concerns about Zegler’s social media activity, and producer Marc Platt reportedly traveled to New York to address the issues with her team. While Zegler stood by her comments and agreed to work with a social media consultant, the controversy has added to the studio’s challenges amid a shifting landscape for Disney live-action remakes.
As Disney rethinks its production strategy and navigates the fallout from the “Snow White” box office bomb, the future of the live-action “Tangled” remake and other high-profile adaptations remains uncertain.
