Los Angeles, March 11 Hollywood star Kathryn Hahn has confirmed that she will play the villain, Mother Gothel, in Disney's upcoming live-action adaptation of its popular animated film, "Tangled".
Hahn, known for her roles in "Tiny Beautiful Things", "Agatha All Along" and "The Studio", will portray the manipulative antagonist who keeps Rapunzel hidden away from the world to exploit the healing powers of the princess's magical, long blonde hair.
The project will feature Teagan Croft as Rapunzel and Milo Manheim as Flynn Rider, the charming outlaw who helps the princess escape the tower where she has been kept captive for years.
According to entertainment outlet Deadline, Hahn had been in talks to play Mother Gothel since January.
She confirmed her casting in a post on Instagram, where she shared a video, saying she had just discovered that "OOTD" stands for "Outfit of the Day." She then showed off a T-shirt covered with cutouts of the animated Mother Gothel, originally voiced by Donna Murphy.
The role was earlier being eyed by two-time Oscar nominee Scarlett Johansson, who reportedly had to step away due to scheduling commitments related to upcoming projects, including "The Batman Part II" and a reboot of "The Exorcist".
"Tangled" will be directed by Michael Gracey, best known for "The Greatest Showman", with a screenplay by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson. Producers on the project include Kristin Burr and Lucy Kitada.
Disney's "Tangled" was a huge hit upon its release in 2010, grossing more than USD 590 million worldwide. The movie itself drew inspiration from the Brothers Grimm fairy tale "Rapunzel".
While Disney has not yet announced a release date, the project is currently in early development, with filming expected to begin in the coming months.