We have our first look at the live-action Rapunzel — and it's already sparking plenty of conversation. With Disney's remake of Tangled (2010) now actively filming, an on-set image of actress Teagan Croft in character has made its way online, giving fans their earliest glimpse at how the studio plans to bring the beloved princess to life.

Disney's Live-Action Track Record: A Mixed Bag

Disney's live-action remakes have had a rocky road. Some titles, like Beauty and the Beast (2017) and The Lion King (2019), performed strongly at the box office. Others have stumbled both financially and critically.

The studio's latest entry in the genre, Moana (2026), falls firmly into the latter camp. The film stars newcomer Catherine Lagaʻaia as Moana alongside Dwayne Johnson, who reprises his role as the demi-god Maui from the original 2016 animated film. Despite topping the US box office on opening weekend, Moana debuted 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's live-action remakes, including Snow White. Reviews largely dismissed the film as an unnecessary shot-for-shot copy of the animated original.

The criticism isn't entirely unfair. Moana 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, including extended Motunui scenes and minor lyric changes in Maui's You're Welcome, feel largely cosmetic.

First Look at Rapunzel Sparks Conversation

With production already well underway on Tangled, Disney doesn't have the luxury of a lengthy rethink. The first on-set image of Teagan Croft as Rapunzel shows the princess's famous long hair, braided with flowers — much like the original animation. While the full dress isn't visible, it appears Disney is going with something similar to the outfit worn by the animated Rapunzel (voiced by Mandy Moore), just slightly darker in shade.

Reactions online have been extremely positive. One X user wrote: "Oh I need to see that dress fully because i am LOVING the shade and the look." Another added: "Am I crazy for thinking this looks good.. please be good…" And a third simply said: "She [looks] amazing I'm crying."

A first look at Milo Manheim as Flynn Rider also surfaced, suggesting he'll wear a near-identical costume to the animated character. Both images were shared by the fan account @TangledUpdates on July 17, 2026, confirming the production is currently filming in Spain.

Who's Behind the Camera — and On Set?

Manheim and Croft will be joined by Kathryn Hahn as Mother Gothel and Diego Luna 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.

Filming began in Spain in late June, with production also taking place in the UK. The reported eight-month shoot spans locations including Alicante, Girona, Burgos, and Valencia. Early set images have already revealed practical recreations of Rapunzel's tower and the Kingdom of Corona. Disney has not yet announced a release date.

Early production material suggests Tangled will retain several recognizable elements from the animation, including Rapunzel's tower and the medieval-European look of Corona. That said, fans have already raised an eyebrow at one change: the color of Corona's flags. Set images show blue tapestries inside the castle, a departure from the original. With filming only recently underway, it's far too early to judge how closely the finished film will follow its source material.

Will 'Tangled' Find the Right Balance?

Striking the right balance in a live-action remake is notoriously difficult. The Lion King was criticized for recreating its predecessor too rigidly, 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), directed by Kenneth Branagh, is often cited as the best example of that balance. 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).

On the other end of the spectrum, Snow White (2025) went too far in the opposite direction. Beyond the controversy surrounding Rachel Zegler's comments about the original 1937 animation, the film replaced the Prince with a rebel character 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, it no longer felt like the story they loved.

For now, it looks like Tangled is sticking closely to the original. Whether that works in the film's favor remains to be seen.

What do you think of the first look at Disney's live-action Rapunzel? Let us know in the comments!