Actor Milo Manheim is already preparing to bring Flynn Rider to life in the live-action adaptation of Tangled. Although filming begins in June, Manheim used the 2026 Oscars red carpet to showcase his version of the character's iconic seductive look. The actor has stated that he wants to be faithful to this detail appreciated by fans. The project was reactivated after the success of the Lilo & Stitch remake.
Capturing an animated gesture: from drawing to physical performance 🎬
Translating an exaggerated trait from animation to a real actor requires an adaptation process. Manheim and the directing team analyze the original frames to break down the sequence: the head tilt, the eyebrow raise, and the precise duration of the smile. The goal is to maintain the recognizable essence of the gesture, but naturalize it within a live-action context, avoiding it looking forced or caricatured on screen.
The pressure to seduce an audience and Disney executives 😅
Manheim not only has to conquer Rapunzel with that look, but also studios that saw Snow White flop at the box office. His raised eyebrow at the Oscars carried the silent mission of assuring fans, and the board of directors, that the magic still works. A blink at the wrong moment and the project could have returned to the tower, this time with the ladder permanently removed.