Disney may have finally shown the world its live-action Rapunzel, but the internet had a very different princess in mind. Teagan Croft's first official look from Tangled instantly sparked comparisons to Rachel McAdams' Regina George, with fans joking that the blonde-haired heroine looked more ready for North Shore High than a magical kingdom.
The reaction arrived almost as quickly as the reveal itself, with social media users turning Croft's flowing blonde hair, dramatic styling and expression into a meme goldmine. Instead of simply welcoming Rapunzel, fans were suddenly imagining her saying, 'Get in loser, we're going to see the floating lanterns'.
Disney Reveals Teagan Croft as Rapunzel
Disney unveiled its first official footage of Croft as Rapunzel during D23 2026, giving fans their first real glimpse of the actress in the highly anticipated live-action adaptation. The brief footage showed Rapunzel's famously long blonde hair spread across a set of medieval-looking stairs before the camera rose to reveal Croft.
The reveal also introduced Milo Manheim as Flynn Rider and offered a glimpse of Kathryn Hahn as Mother Gothel, a casting choice that received a huge reaction from the D23 crowd. The film is now scheduled to arrive in cinemas on 31 March 2028, giving Disney plenty of time to build anticipation around its new fairy tale.
Croft's Blonde Look Sparks Regina George Comparisons
Rather than focusing only on the familiar Rapunzel details, viewers immediately noticed something oddly familiar about Croft's styling. Her loose blonde hair, makeup and overall appearance reminded many fans of Regina George, the famously intimidating queen bee played by McAdams in Mean Girls.
@angelsuuicides Tina Fey prolly didn’t know her #teagancroft #tangled #reginageorge #rachelmcadams
♬ original sound - koh🪽 - 🪽
One fan summed up the internet's reaction with, 'Get in losers, we're seeing the floating lanterns,' turning one of Rapunzel's most recognisable moments into a Mean Girls joke. Another simply said Croft would be a perfect Regina if Mean Girls were ever remade, while someone else admitted, 'STOP THANK YOU I WAS LIKE WHY DOES SHE LOOK SO FAMILIAR.'
Fans Turn Rapunzel Into a 'Mean Girls' Queen
The jokes quickly moved beyond a single comparison, with users imagining an entirely different version of the Disney story. One particularly ruthless meme crossed out Rapunzel's name and replaced it with Regina George, while another imagined a Burn Book filled with entries about Disney princesses.
The humour works because Croft's look still carries the unmistakable blonde, polished appearance associated with Rapunzel, but the styling also gives her a modern queen bee quality. As one commenter put it, the internet simply could not unsee the resemblance once someone made the connection.
Croft Brings a Familiar Face to the Fairy Tale
For Croft, the attention comes as she steps into one of Disney's most recognisable roles after becoming known internationally for playing Raven in Titans. She will lead the new Tangled opposite Manheim, who plays Flynn Rider, the charming thief who becomes Rapunzel's unlikely companion.
The wider cast also includes Hahn as Mother Gothel, Caitríona Balfe as Queen Arianna, Elliot Cowan as King Frederic and Diego Luna as Hawthorne, a new character created for the live-action story. With that mix of established stars and fresh faces, Disney is clearly putting its own spin on the animated favourite.
Kathryn Hahn Steals the D23 Moment
Croft was not the only casting reveal to make noise at D23, as Hahn's appearance as Mother Gothel received an especially enthusiastic response from the crowd. A short sequence showed the actress emerging from behind a doorway in a tunnel-like alley before calling out, 'Rapunzel!'
@disneystudios Mother knows best…Mother Gothel has arrived to the #D23 stage! See Kathryn Hahn in Disney's live-action Tangled.
♬ original sound - Disney Studios
Hahn had already become a fan favourite choice for the villain, making the brief footage a major moment despite revealing very little about her performance. Her presence also gives the film a potentially darker comic edge, setting up an intriguing contrast with Croft's youthful take on Rapunzel.
'Tangled' Now Has a 2028 Date and a Viral Identity
The live-action Tangled is being directed by Michael Gracey and is currently filming in Spain ahead of its 31 March 2028 theatrical release. The original animated film followed Rapunzel, a young woman trapped in a tower because of her magical hair, whose life changes after runaway thief Flynn Rider enters her world.
For now, Disney has only offered fans a small taste of the new adventure, but the internet has already supplied its own alternate version. If Croft's Rapunzel arrives in 2028 with even half the confidence of Regina George, Disney may have accidentally created a princess who knows exactly how to run the kingdom.
