According to exclusive information from Deadline, the actress Gal Gadot — who was once famous worldwide with the image of Wonder Woman — is currently being “targeted” by Disney to play Mother Gothel in the live-action (live-action) version of the famous animated film Tangled. This is considered one of the most anticipated adaptation projects in the near future, and the fact that Disney wants Gal Gadot to transform into the “evil stepmother” has made the online community talk.
It is worth noting that, according to inside sources, Gadot seems to not want to portray Gothel as a mere villain. In the initial discussions, the actress expressed her opinion that “Mother Gothel is not necessarily a bad person – she is just someone who is afraid of losing the youth and love that she has built up with her whole life.” This perspective makes many people curious about whether the live-action version can turn Mother Gothel into a complex character, both scary and pitiful.
Tangled fans know that Mother Gothel in the 2010 animated version is the one who kidnapped Rapunzel to use the power of her magical hair to help her maintain her youth. However, with Gal Gadot’s influence and acting style, audiences are asking the question: Is Disney trying to “redefine” this character in a more modern, deeper direction, instead of simply an evil witch?
Some fans strongly support this idea, saying that Gal Gadot can bring a charming, luxurious and dangerous Gothel – the type of villain that audiences both love and hate. “She has the eyes of someone who has been hurt but still craves power. That’s a rare beauty that only Gadot can show,” one comment on social media wrote.
However, there are also many mixed opinions. Some viewers believe that Gadot is “too beautiful, too gentle” to play a scheming, ruthless character like Gothel. “I can’t imagine Gal Gadot singing Mother Knows Best without making the audience… feel pity rather than fear,” shared one Tangled fan. Others are worried that Disney may be repeating the mistake of many recent live-action remakes: focusing too much on the actor’s image while forgetting the depth of the plot.
Deadline’s source also revealed that the project is still in the pre-production stage and there has been no official confirmation from Disney. However, if all goes well, the film could start filming in mid-2026, with a target release date of 2027 – the 17th anniversary of the original animated film.
If Gal Gadot does accept the role, it will be a major turning point in her career. After the Wonder Woman series, the Israeli actress once shared that she wanted to try her hand at “more complex and conflicted” roles, not just the image of a heroine. The role of Mother Gothel, with its psychological depth and obsession with time, could be the opportunity for Gadot to prove her acting ability outside the superhero stereotype that she was once associated with.
Currently, Disney is still keeping the list of candidates for the role of Rapunzel under wraps, but rumors show that they are looking for a new, bright face that is not too familiar to the public – something that helped Emma Watson or Halle Bailey shine in previous adaptations.
Although it is just a rumor, the prospect of Gal Gadot becoming Mother Gothel is enough to make social networks explode. If this becomes true, Disney is definitely preparing to bring a completely different Tangled – where the villain can make viewers rethink the boundaries between beauty, evil and human fear before time.
