Disney’s Tangled Remake Sparks Outcry Over Flynn Rider Casting

Before Disney even kicked off production on its live-action take of Tangled, the project was already copping a fair bit of heat. The main drama? The casting of American actor Milo Manheim as Flynn Rider, which has left plenty of fans unimpressed and some even threatening to give the film a miss altogether.

Word got out recently about Manheim landing the role, and it didn’t take long for social media to light up with reactions. A lot of the chatter focused on Manheim’s reported views on the Israel-Gaza conflict, which quickly became a sticking point for many online.

Not our flynn thank you

relying on disney to not cast a zionist is like crazy to me😭 even the original flynn is one they 1000% knew

first the trumpie now this

It’s clear that Manheim’s stance hasn’t gone down well with a chunk of the audience. While everyone’s entitled to their own take, it’s fair to say that unpopular opinions can be a tough sell in the entertainment industry.

Fans Push Back Against Manheim as Flynn

Not long after the casting news broke, the internet was awash with posts and tweets dissecting Manheim’s suitability for the part. Some pointed to his social media activity after the October 7th attacks and his public support for pro-Israel figures, which only added fuel to the fire.

The hashtag #NotOurFlynn started trending as critics and fans alike voiced their disapproval. It’s not the first time a Disney casting has caused a stir—Zachary Levi, who voiced Flynn in the original animated film, also faced backlash for his political leanings and anti-vaccine comments.

There’s also a fair bit of chat about whether Manheim can actually pull off Flynn’s signature charm. Some reckon he looks a bit too young and doesn’t quite have the same presence as the animated version, which hasn’t helped his case with die-hard fans.

The situation is drawing comparisons to the lead-up to Snow White, when Gal Gadot faced similar criticism over her political views. That didn’t end well for the film’s reception, and some are predicting Tangled could be heading down the same path.

Could Tangled Repeat Snow White’s Missteps?

Snow White itself wasn’t a bad film, but the promo tour turned sour when lead actor Rachel Zegler became a lightning rod for criticism. The mix of politics and what was meant to be a nostalgic family flick didn’t sit well with punters, and even Gal Gadot copped backlash for her stance on the conflict.

With Manheim’s casting as Flynn Rider stirring up similar controversy, there’s talk that Tangled’s live-action outing might face the same rough ride. Whether Disney decides to rethink its approach to mixing politics with its films remains to be seen, but for now, the debate is showing no signs of slowing down.

What do you reckon—will Tangled manage to win over audiences, or is it set for a bumpy release? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.

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