SHOCKING LEAKS: Henry Cavill as Flynn Rider? Disney insiders are spilling the tea – the Superman hunk is secretly in talks to steal hearts (and swords) in the live-action Tangled! But hold up… why swap the charming rogue for a chiseled action star? Is this Rapunzel’s dream come true or a total tower-toppling disaster? Fans are freaking, execs are sweating, and the internet’s already at war. What hidden clause could lock this deal – or blow it sky-high? Dive into the exclusive scoop that’s got Hollywood buzzing and could rewrite Disney’s fairy tale forever. Trust me, this twist will leave you tangled in suspense… 👑🗡️✨

A bombshell leak from deep within Disney’s Burbank headquarters has the entertainment world reeling: Henry Cavill, the 42-year-old British heartthrob synonymous with Superman’s cape and Geralt’s grit, is reportedly in early negotiations to step into the boots of Flynn Rider in the long-gestating live-action adaptation of Tangled. The revelation, which surfaced late Monday via anonymous studio emails circulating among industry insiders, marks a seismic shift for the project – one that’s been paused, revived, and now potentially supercharged with A-list muscle.

The original 2010 animated smash, a modern retelling of the Brothers Grimm’s Rapunzel tale, grossed nearly $600 million worldwide on a $260 million budget, blending fairy-tale whimsy with roguish humor. Voiced by Zachary Levi as the wisecracking thief Flynn (aka Eugene Fitzherbert), the film became a cultural touchstone, spawning sequels, a TV series, and endless memes about that smoldering grin. But Disney’s live-action machine, fresh off the billion-dollar triumph of Lilo & Stitch earlier this year, has hit turbulence with flops like Snow White. Now, with Tangled back in development since October, Cavill’s name on the casting wish list is either a stroke of genius or a recipe for backlash.

Sources familiar with the matter, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the project’s sensitivity, describe the talks as “preliminary but heated.” Cavill, whose DC tenure ended acrimoniously in 2022 amid James Gunn’s regime change, has since leaned into indie fare like Argylle and the upcoming Highlander reboot. Yet, whispers suggest Disney sees him as the perfect pivot: a rugged leading man who can channel Flynn’s charm offensive while bringing box-office draw after Man of Steel‘s $668 million haul. “Henry’s got that rogue energy – think Superman gone rogue,” one insider quipped. “He’s flirty, he’s funny, and he can sword-fight without breaking a sweat. Plus, post-Superman, he’s hungry for something lighter.”

The leak comes at a pivotal moment for Tangled‘s live-action iteration. Announced in December 2024 with The Greatest Showman director Michael Gracey attached to helm and Jennifer Kaytin Robinson (Bodyguard) scripting, the project hit a wall in April 2025. The underwhelming $205 million global take of Snow White – a $270 million behemoth that critics lambasted for its tonal whiplash – prompted Disney to slam the brakes on several remakes. Pre-production on Tangled ground to a halt, with Gracey reportedly shelving storyboards and Robinson pausing rewrites. “It was a bloodbath,” a production source recalled. “Snow White’s flop made execs question if audiences even want these anymore. Tangled was collateral damage.”

But Hollywood being Hollywood, resurrection followed ruin. In October, Deadline broke news of the revival, fueled by Lilo & Stitch‘s staggering $1.03 billion worldwide gross – the year’s top earner and a reminder that recent animated hits (post-1989 renaissance) translate better to live-action than dusty classics like Snow White. Gracey returned, Robinson dusted off her draft, and producers Kristin Burr (Cruella) and Lucy Kitada (The Mandalorian) ramped up casting. Enter Scarlett Johansson, circling the role of the manipulative Mother Gothel with her Black Widow clout and vocal chops from Sing. “ScarJo as Gothel? It’s villain gold,” the source added. “She’s got that manipulative purr down pat.”

Cavill’s potential involvement, however, is the real curveball. Fan-casting lists have long favored younger, scrappier types for Flynn: School Spirits‘ Milo Manheim for his boyish wit, or Bridgerton‘s Corey Mylchreest, who in August admitted to a “not very good” audition for the part before the pause. Mylchreest, 25, joked he was “born to play” the role, citing his Flynn-esque hair. Even Euphoria‘s Jacob Elordi, 28, has been floated for his brooding charm. But Disney, eyeing a 2027 release to capitalize on holiday family crowds, wants proven star power. Cavill, repped by WME, has reportedly met twice with casting director Nina Gold (Game of Thrones) in London, testing chemistry reads opposite frontrunners for Rapunzel like Mean Girls‘ Avantika or Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again‘s Lily James.

The emails leaking the news – timestamped from a mid-level development exec – detail “advanced discussions” with Cavill’s team, including a proposed $15 million salary plus backend points. They also hint at script tweaks to age up Flynn slightly, emphasizing his “anti-hero arc” to suit Cavill’s gravitas. “It’s not your kid brother’s Flynn,” the leak reads. “Think Pirates of the Caribbean meets The Witcher – more grit, less slapstick.” Disney, predictably tight-lipped, issued a boilerplate statement: “We’re excited about the creative evolution of Tangled and remain committed to bringing fresh magic to these stories. Casting is ongoing.” No denial of the Cavill buzz, which insiders interpret as tacit confirmation.

Fan reaction has been a powder keg. On X, #CavillAsFlynn exploded with 1.2 million posts by Tuesday morning, split between swooning superfans (“Henry’s smolder + lanterns = PERFECTION”) and purists decrying the “geriatric glow-up” (“Flynn’s 26! Cavill’s old enough to be his dad! #CastingFail”). TikTok edits juxtaposing Cavill’s Justice League physique with Flynn’s animated antics have racked up 50 million views, while Reddit’s r/Fancast threads devolve into wars over age gaps and fidelity to source material. “Disney’s chasing Marvel money again,” one top comment griped. “Tangled worked because it was fun, not brooding.” Others defend: “Zach Levi was 30 voicing a ‘young’ thief. Henry’s got the charisma to pull it off – and box office insurance after Snow White’s mess.”

The broader industry ripple effects are just as telling. Disney’s live-action pipeline – a $10 billion juggernaut since Alice in Wonderland‘s 2010 billion-dollar blueprint – faces scrutiny. Hits like Beauty and the Beast ($1.26 billion) and The Lion King ($1.66 billion) buoyed the strategy, but recent stumbles (Pinocchio on Disney+ flopped critically; Snow White bled cash) have Wall Street wary. Analysts at Wedbush Securities peg Tangled‘s potential at $800 million if it lands right, crediting the film’s enduring merch empire ($2 billion in sales since 2010). Cavill’s involvement could hedge bets: His The Witcher fanbase skews 18-34, overlapping Tangled‘s core demo, and his post-DC availability screams “rebrand opportunity.”

Yet, risks loom. Cavill’s Geralt exit in 2023 amid creative clashes echoes Disney’s own regime shifts under Bob Iger’s 2022 return. Insiders whisper the actor’s pushing for script input, demanding a “grounded” Flynn less cartoonish than Levi’s. “He’s not doing tights and tunes without say,” a rep close to Cavill said. Meanwhile, Rapunzel casting remains a wildcard. Avantika’s 2024 rumor sparked racist backlash online, forcing Disney to tread carefully on diversity. Florence Pugh was once eyed but passed for scheduling; now, Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet tour buzz makes her a dark horse.

Behind the glamour, Tangled‘s revival underscores Disney’s high-wire act: balancing nostalgia with innovation in a streaming-saturated era. The original film’s Oscar-nominated anthem “I See the Light” – dueted by Mandy Moore and Levi – grossed cultural currency, but live-action demands vocal heavy-hitters. Enter composer Alan Menken, returning to orchestrate, with whispers of Lin-Manuel Miranda consulting on lyrics. Gracey, whose Greatest Showman musicals earned $435 million, promises a “grounded fairy tale” shot on location in New Zealand’s fjords, blending practical sets with subtle CGI for Rapunzel’s 70-foot tresses.

As leaks fuel the fire, one veteran producer sums it up: “This isn’t just casting – it’s a referendum on Disney’s remake addiction. Cavill as Flynn? Bold. Reckless? Maybe. But if it sings, it’ll save the slate.” With Moana eyeing 2026 and Hercules in script phase, the Mouse House can’t afford another misfire. For now, the kingdom watches, lanterns aglow, as Henry Cavill’s shadow looms over the tower. Will he climb it – or cut the hair and run?