Disney has reportedly decided to pause development on its live-action adaptation of "Tangled", the much-loved 2010 animated film based on "The Brothers Grimm" fairytale. The project had progressed with "The Greatest Showman" director Michael Gracey at the helm and a script penned by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, known for her work on "Thor: Love and Thunder" and "Do Revenge". However, according to The Hollywood Reporter, insiders suggest the studio is now taking a step back—likely influenced by the underwhelming performance of its most recent live-action remake, "Snow White".

Despite a hefty $270 million production budget—partially inflated by the 2023 industry strikes—"Snow White" failed to connect with audiences, grossing just $69 million in North America and $145 million worldwide. The film faced criticism from the outset, with backlash surrounding casting decisions and creative choices. 

Lead actress Rachel Zegler's controversial social media remarks about the original animated movie during the press tour also drew attention and fuelled online debate. In the end, the film earned a lukewarm B+ CinemaScore and a 50% rating on Metacritic—figures that fall short of Disney's usual standards.

The decision to slow down "Tangled" reflects wider concerns about Disney's live-action remake formula, which has produced mixed results over the past decade. While reimagined classics like "Beauty and the Beast", "Aladdin", and "The Lion King" delivered blockbuster success, others—including "Dumbo" and "Pete's Dragon"—struggled to make a mark.

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More recently, "Mufasa: The Lion King" premiered to a passable $35.4 million domestically but managed to climb to an impressive $718 million globally. In contrast, "The Little Mermaid" saw a more subdued box office run, earning around $570 million worldwide. These fluctuating outcomes suggest that while Disney's nostalgia-fueled strategy still has potential, it's no longer a sure-fire formula.

As for "Tangled", it remains unclear whether the project will eventually be revived, reimagined, or shelved indefinitely. At present, Disney seems to be re-evaluating its strategy in response to the growing sense of viewer exhaustion with its string of live-action remakes.