‘Tangled’ Live-Action Movie in the Works With ‘Greatest Showman’ Director Michael Gracey

Things are starting to get hairy as Disney lands a director to lead its live-action adaptation of Tangled.

Michael Gracey (The Greatest Showman) is in negotiations to helm the new version of the studio’s animated feature. The original Tangled hit theaters in 2010 and centers on Rapunzel, who was voiced by Mandy Moore.

Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, who is helming Sony’s reboot of I Know What You Did Last Summer, wrote the latest draft of the screenplay for the new Tangled film. Producers include Kristin Burr for Burr! Productions, along with Emmy-winning producer Lucy Kitada (The Baby-Sitters Club).

No casting details have yet been shared.

Based on the Brothers Grimm fairy tale about Rapunzel, the original Tangled focuses on the long-haired character (Moore), who has spent her life trapped in a tower until she hatches a plan with a would-be thief (Zachary Levi). The film surpassed $590 million at the worldwide box office and landed a best song Oscar nomination for “I See the Light.”

Disney has continued to prioritize its live-action remakes that focus on popular characters. Director Barry Jenkins’ prequel movie Mufasa: The Lion King hits theaters this month, while the Rachel Zegler-led Snow White is set for release in March. Additionally, the live-action Lilo & Stitch recently shared its teaser trailer ahead of its May release.

Gracey is known for directing Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron and Michelle Williams in the 20th Century Fox musical The Greatest Showman, which tells a fictionalized version of P.T. Barnum’s life. The 2017 film collected $434 million globally and earned a best song Oscar nomination for “This Is Me.”

In his review of Tangled for The Hollywood Reporter, critic Todd McCarthy wrote that the story of Rapunzel has been “musicalized in old-school Broadway fashion and shot through with broad comedy and action, rendered in vivid 3D.”

Deadline was first to report the news about the live-action Tangled.