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According to Deadline, Scarlett Johansson is being eyed to star as Mother Gothel in Disney’s live-action Tangled remake, which might come as a surprise to many fans who were hoping for Kathryn Hahn, given her likeness and after the success of Agatha All Along and the strong fan push that followed. I can see the appeal, even with that said, Scarlett still feels like the better pick given her musical background and silver-screen success. I think she could rise to the level of Angelina Jolie’s Maleficent, which received two films, became a major success, and cemented her as an iconic Disney villain. But with the success of The Jungle Book (in which Scarlett voiced Kaa), her long-running success in the Marvel universe, her role as Ash in Sing 1 & 2, and most recently her standout role in Jurassic World Rebirth, I can see the appeal for Disney to land big names for the film.
Scarlett Johansson’s casting as Mother Gothel could give Disney its most iconic live-action villain since Maleficent
Her star power alone will draw audiences in, from her recent Jurassic World Rebirth success to her history with Marvel, Disney, and Universal.
The 2010 animated film made just under $600 million worldwide, so I understand the hesitation from fans — especially following the recent struggles of Snow White. It’s easy to see why Disney initially shelved this project. However, I think the studio has learned from its missteps and now knows what’s needed to bring audiences back to theaters: recognizable stars, a story that stays true to the animated classic, and a director and script that truly resonate. The fact that Michael Gracey, the director of The Greatest Showman is attached only adds to the excitement.
Many fans forget that Scarlett Johansson isn’t just a powerhouse on screen but also in the world of music. From lending her voice to Sing and The Jungle Book to releasing two studio albums — Anywhere I Lay My Head (2008) and Break Up(2009) — her musical background is surprisingly extensive. She’s also released singles such as Bad Dreams (2018), one of my personal favorites, and contributed to multiple soundtracks and duets, most recently appearing on Jeff Goldblum’s The Best Is Yet to Come.
While her music career never reached the same heights as her acting, it’s something she remains passionate about, often collaborating with other artists. With the recently shelved Little Shop of Horrors remake and the looming Sing 3 (not confirmed), I wouldn’t be surprised to see those projects move forward soon. Taking on Mother Gothel would be a bold pivot into Disney’s musical legacy — one that leans into her strengths as a performer capable of commanding both nuance and intrigue.
Imagine her fully committing to creating an awe-inspiring performance — one that could even lead to more musical roles in the future.
What excites me most is the potential for her to play not only a villain but finally take on a full-fledged musical role, which I’ve long hoped to see. With her signature smirk and confident charm, I think she would absolutely shine as Gothel. It may sound biased, but I truly believe this could be the first live-action Disney role worthy of acting award consideration.
As Mother Gothel, Scarlett has the potential to display incredible emotional complexity. The character is manipulative, yet driven by a twisted sense of maternal love — traits Johansson has mastered in films like Under the Skin and Marriage Story. Combined with her vocal abilities, I think she could deliver a performance that would captivate audiences and showcase another dimension of her artistry. While every live-action musical comes with challenges, I can easily
Though Disney’s recent live-action releases have faced criticism, I believe the studio wants to realign with the heart of its earlier successes — returning to the magic of The Jungle Book, The Lion King, and Beauty and the Beast. With the right creative direction and a few original songs, this adaptation could reignite the charm that fans fell in love with back in 2010.
Ultimately, the potential of this casting excites me. It could finally give audiences a glimpse of Scarlett’s musical talents while allowing her to explore the depth and darkness of a true Disney villain. With her magnetic screen presence and proven versatility across drama, comedy, and blockbuster films, Johansson has consistently shown her ability to captivate. I believe she could make this one of Disney’s most memorable live-action performances yet.
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