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Amanda M. Castro is a Network TV writer at Collider and a journalist based in New York. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Amanda is a bilingual Latina who graduated from the University of New Haven with a degree in Communication, Film, and Media Studies. She covers the world of network television, focusing on sharp, thoughtful analysis of the shows and characters that keep audiences tuning in week after week. At Collider, Amanda dives into the evolving landscape of network TV — from long-running procedural favorites to ambitious new dramas — exploring why these stories matter and how they connect with viewers on a cultural level.
When rumors first began circulating that Disney was eyeing Milo Manheim for the live-action Tangled, the reaction was mixed. Flynn Rider is one of Disney’s most beloved modern princes — charming, roguish, and voiced in the animated film by Zachary Levi at peak rom-com confidence. On paper, Manheim might not be the most obvious choice. But the more you look at Disney’s recent casting habits — and Manheim’s actual résumé — the more logical the decision becomes. This isn’t Disney taking a wild swing; it’s Disney doing what it almost always does when it wants a safe but flexible leading man for a musical franchise.
Disney Already Knows Exactly What It Gets With Milo Manheim
Image via DisneyManheim isn’t just a Disney alum — he’s a proven Disney success story. As the face of the Zombies franchise, he anchored one of the company’s most durable Gen Z properties, helping turn a brightly colored Disney Channel original into a multi-film musical brand with real staying power. That matters.
Disney tends to reward talent it has already tested under pressure. Manheim has carried films, led ensemble casts, and navigated the intense fan scrutiny that comes with fronting a franchise aimed at younger audiences. From a studio perspective, that’s not a risk — it’s insurance.
Live-action remakes don’t just need actors who can perform. They need actors who can withstand backlash, online discourse, and years of sequel speculation. Manheim has already done that, repeatedly, within the Disney ecosystem.
'Tangled' Needs a Triple Threat — and Milo Manheim Is One
Image via ABCTangled is an Alan Menken musical. Flynn Rider isn’t belting power ballads, but he does need rhythm, timing, chemistry, and the ability to sell big emotional beats without slipping into cartoonishness. Manheim checks every box. He can sing. He can dance. He can perform live. His Dancing with the Stars run — where he finished as runner-up — wasn’t just a novelty cameo. It reinforced what Disney already knew: he’s comfortable commanding a stage and communicating character through movement.
More importantly, Manheim’s musical theater background gives him control. Live-action Disney musicals live or die by how grounded their performances feel. His work onstage and in projects like Journey to Bethlehem suggests he understands restraint — something Flynn Rider will need more than exaggerated swagger.
One of the more overlooked parts of this conversation is age. Manheim is in his mid-20s — right in the sweet spot Disney favors for long-term franchise planning. He can convincingly play a roguish outlaw now, grow into a more mature romantic lead later, and still headline potential sequels or spin-offs without the timeline feeling strained.
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Disney learned this lesson the hard way with earlier live-action adaptations that locked themselves into older casts with limited runways. Manheim offers flexibility. He reads young enough for first-time viewers, but experienced enough to handle more grounded storytelling if Tangled leans into realism the way recent remakes have.
The animated Flynn Rider works because he’s a satirical take on the classic Disney prince. A live-action version can’t rely on the same broadness without tipping into parody. Casting Manheim signals that Disney may be aiming for a softer, more emotionally transparent take on the character.
That actually aligns well with Manheim’s strengths. He excels at playing characters who balance confidence with vulnerability — leads who charm first but reveal insecurity underneath. His work outside the Disney bubble, particularly in more dramatic and genre-heavy projects, suggests he’s capable of grounding Flynn in something more human. Live-action remakes function best when they justify their own existence. A retooled Flynn Rider who leans less smug and more sincere could be exactly the kind of recalibration Disney is after.
Live Action 'Tangled's Casting Fits Disney’s Larger Strategy
Image via AwesomenessDisney doesn’t cast in a vacuum. Manheim already speaks the brand's language, understands its audience, and aligns comfortably with its long-term storytelling goals.
That doesn’t mean the casting will win everyone over immediately. Tangled has one of the most devoted fanbases of Disney’s modern era, and any reinterpretation was always going to be scrutinized. But from a business, performance, and franchise perspective, Manheim isn’t a curveball — he’s a calculated choice. Disney isn’t betting on potential here. It’s betting on someone it already knows can deliver.
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