We have our first look at our new Rapunzel – and finally know how Disney plans to approach the character in live-action.Disney’s live-action remakes have a rocky history. While some titles, such as The Lion King (2019) and Beauty and the Beast (2017), have impressed at the box office, others have failed both financially and critically.Credit: DisneyIts latest flop is Moana (2026). This sees Dwayne Johnson reprise his role of the demi-god Maui from the original live-action (which only hit the big screen a decade ago), alongside newcomer Catherine Lagaʻaia as the chief’s daughter, determined to restore the heart of Te Fiti and save her home of Motunui.Despite topping the US box office, Moana opened to just $43.1 million domestically and $95 million worldwide against a reported $250 million budget. Critics were equally unimpressed: its 32% Rotten Tomatoes score is the lowest among Disney live-action remakes (yes, including Snow White), with reviews dismissing it as an unnecessary shot-for-shot copy of the 2016 animated film.Credit: DisneyWhile Disney seemed to rethink its live-action remake strategy after the failure of Snow White (2025), there’s no space for the same luxury with its current slate. Production is already well underway for its remake of Tangled (2010) – and the first look at Rapunzel has already caused quite the stir.First Look at Rapunzel Sparks ConversationThe first image of actress Teagan Croft as Rapunzel shows the princess’s famous long hair, braided with flowers like the original animation. | FIRST LOOK AT TEAGAN CROFT AS RAPUNZEL ON SET OF THE LIVE ACTION ‘TANGLED’.NOW FILMING IN SPAIN. | FIRST LOOK AT TEAGAN CROFT AS RAPUNZEL ON SET OF THE LIVE ACTION 'TANGLED'.NOW FILMING IN SPAIN. pic.twitter.com/uPMXUKf3Uc— Tangled Updates (@TangledUpdates) July 17, 2026While the images don’t show the full dress, it looks like Disney is going with something similar to the outfit worn by the princess voiced by Mandy Moore, just slightly darker.So far, reactions have been extremely positive.“Oh I need to see that dress fully because i am LOVING the shade and the look,” wrote one X user.Another wrote, “Am I crazy for thinking this looks good.. please be good …”And one said, “She [looks] amazing I’m crying.” | FIRST LOOK AT MILO MANHEIM AS FLYNN RIDER ON SET OF THE LIVE ACTION ‘TANGLED’.NOW FILMING IN SPAIN! | FIRST LOOK AT MILO MANHEIM AS FLYNN RIDER ON SET OF THE LIVE ACTION 'TANGLED'.NOW FILMING IN SPAIN! pic.twitter.com/qqViUaYQdi— Tangled Updates (@TangledUpdates) July 17, 2026A first image of Milo Manheim as Flynn Rider also suggests that he will wear a near-identical costume to the animated character.Will ‘Tangled’ Correct the Wrongs of ‘Moana’?Manheim and Croft will be joined by Kathryn Hahn as Mother Gothel and Diego Luna joining in an undisclosed role. The Greatest Showman filmmaker Michael Gracey is directing from a screenplay by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, whose credits include Do Revenge and Thor: Love and Thunder.Credit: DisneyFilming began in Spain in late June, with production also taking place in the UK. The reported eight-month shoot includes Alicante, Girona, Burgos, and Valencia, while early set images have revealed practical recreations of Rapunzel’s tower and the Kingdom of Corona. Disney has not announced a release date.Early production material suggests Tangled will retain several recognisable elements from the animation, including Rapunzel’s tower and the medieval-European look of Corona. However, with filming only recently underway, it is far too early to judge how closely the finished film will follow the original (although fans have already criticized the decision to change the color of Corona’s flags).| NEW LOOK inside of the castle set of the live-action 'TANGLED' in Spain!It shows the castle set with the new blue tapestries and the village market.Filming started late last month and is ongoing. pic.twitter.com/lbSb6mi0KN— Tangled Updates (@TangledUpdates) July 17, 2026Moana follows the 2016 film almost beat for beat, retaining the same songs, comic sidekicks and major set pieces, from the Kakamora attack to Tamatoa and Te Kā. Large stretches of dialogue closely mirror the original, while its few additions — largely extended Motunui scenes and minor lyric changes in Maui’s You’re Welcome — feel cosmetic.It’s tough to nail balance in a live-action remake. The Lion King was criticised for recreating its predecessor too rigidly while technically just being another kind of animation, while Mulan angered fans by dropping its songs, Mushu and Li Shang. Disney’s remakes need enough familiarity to preserve what audiences loved, but enough new material to make a second version feel worthwhile.Cinderella (2015) arguably struck that balance best. Directed by Kenneth Branagh, it kept the glass slipper, pumpkin carriage and fairy-tale romance, but dropped the original songs and gave Ella (Lily James) and Kit (Richard Madden) a relationship before the ball. It also expanded the palace politics and added more depth to Lady Tremaine (Cate Blanchett).Credit: DisneyMeanwhile, Snow White angered fans not just because of Rachel Zegler’s comments about the original 1937 animation, but because it went too far the other way. Disney replaced the Prince with a random rebel named Jonathan, reshaped its heroine as a future leader, retained only half of the original’s songs and rendered the Seven Dwarfs in divisive CGI. For many fans, the remake no longer felt like the story they loved.For now, it looks like Tangled is sticking closely to the original. Whether that works to the film’s advantage remains to be seen.What do you think of the first look at Disney’s live-action Rapunzel?The post Disney Reveals Its New Take on Rapunzel After ‘Moana’ Backlash appeared first on Inside the Magic.