Caitríona Balfe is heading from the world of Outlander to the Kingdom of Corona, as the actress has joined Disney’s upcoming live-action remake of Tangled.
Fresh from the news that she will also star in a new series from Oscar-winning director Alfonso Cuarón, Balfe is continuing to build an impressive list of projects following the conclusion of Outlander.
The actress has now been cast as Queen Arianna, Rapunzel’s long-lost mother, in Disney’s live-action adaptation of Tangled. The casting was announced at last week’s D23 fan convention.
Balfe will play the mother of Rapunzel, with Teagan Croft taking on the role of the famous long-haired princess. Milo Manheim will portray Flynn Rider, while Kathryn Hahn has been cast as the villainous Mother Gothel.
Disney also revealed additional members of the cast. Elliot Cowan, known for The Crown, will play King Frederic, while Patrick and Hugo McPherson will portray the Stabbington twins. Andor star Diego Luna has also joined the ensemble in a role that has not yet been revealed.
Michael Gracey, who directed The Greatest Showman and Better Man, is behind the camera. The screenplay comes from Jennifer Kaytin Robinson and Michael Montemayor.
The live-action film will revisit the story introduced in Disney’s 2010 animated classic. In the original Tangled, Rapunzel, a young princess with magical long hair, has spent her entire life isolated inside a tower. Her world changes when Flynn Rider, a runaway thief, unexpectedly stumbles upon her hiding place.
The encounter leads Rapunzel to leave the tower and experience the outside world for the first time, while also beginning her journey to discover the truth about her past and her real identity.
The original animated movie featured Mandy Moore as Rapunzel and Zachary Levi as Flynn Rider, with Donna Murphy, Ron Perlman, Brad Garrett and Jeffrey Tambor also among the voice cast.
For Balfe, the role marks another major project following the end of Outlander, where she became internationally known for her portrayal of Claire Fraser.
Disney’s live-action Tangled is currently scheduled to hit theaters on March 31, 2028.
