Hollywood is buzzing with a delicious rumor: Evie Templeton, the 16-year-old breakout star of Wednesday Season 2, has caught the eye of Disney executives for the coveted role of Rapunzel in their upcoming live-action adaptation of Tangled. After stealing scenes as the delightfully unhinged Agnes DeMille in Netflix’s gothic juggernaut, Templeton’s magnetic performance has sent shockwaves through the industry, positioning her as a frontrunner to bring the iconic long-haired princess to life. With her youthful energy, emotional depth, and undeniable talent, could Templeton be the key to making Disney’s Tangled remake a magical success? Fans are already losing their minds, and it’s easy to see why. Let’s dive into why Templeton’s star is rising, why Disney’s interest makes sense, and whether she’s the perfect fit to wield Rapunzel’s golden locks.

Evie Templeton: From Nevermore to Stardom

If you’ve binged Wednesday Season 2, you know Evie Templeton is a force. As Agnes DeMille, a 13-year-old Nevermore Academy student with invisibility powers and an obsessive crush on Wednesday Addams (Jenna Ortega), Templeton delivers a performance that’s equal parts eerie, endearing, and electrifying. From her creepy curtsy to her fiery red pigtails mimicking Wednesday’s braids, Agnes is a complex character who evolves from a stalker to a vulnerable outcast seeking her own identity. Templeton’s ability to balance Agnes’s intensity with moments of raw insecurity has earned her rave reviews, with fans and critics calling her one of the season’s standout stars.

Templeton’s journey to Wednesday is as inspiring as her performance. Born in Barbados in 2008 and raised in London from age seven, she honed her craft on the West End, playing young Cosette and Éponine in Les Misérables. Her screen roles in Disney’s Pinocchio (2022), Lord of Misrule (2023), and the upcoming Return to Silent Hill (2026) showcased her versatility, but it’s her turn in Wednesday that’s made her a household name. Her chemistry with co-stars Jenna Ortega and Emma Myers, especially in the iconic dance scene to Lady Gaga’s “The Dead Dance,” has fans buzzing about her star potential. “Evie Templeton is a revelation,” one X user posted. “She’s got that spark that makes you root for her, even when she’s being totally unhinged.”

Disney’s Tangled Remake: A High-Stakes Glow-Up

Disney’s live-action Tangled, based on the 2010 animated classic, has been in development since 2024, with The Greatest Showman director Michael Gracey at the helm and a script by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson. The original film, which grossed $591 million worldwide, told the story of Rapunzel, a spirited princess with magical golden hair, kidnapped by the manipulative Mother Gothel and later rescued by the charming thief Flynn Rider. Its blend of adventure, romance, and humor made it a beloved staple, and the live-action remake is under pressure to capture that magic while bringing something fresh to the table.

Casting Rapunzel is no small task. The character demands a delicate balance: youthful innocence, fiery independence, and a voice that can belt out hits like “When Will My Life Begin?” and “I See the Light.” Previous rumors linked stars like Florence Pugh, Sabrina Carpenter, and Taylor Swift to the role, but none have been confirmed, leaving the door open for a rising talent like Templeton. With Disney facing scrutiny over recent live-action casting choices, the studio is reportedly eager to find a young, authentic actress who can embody Rapunzel’s spirit without overshadowing the character’s essence.

Why Evie Templeton Is a Perfect Fit

At just 16, Templeton checks all the boxes for Rapunzel. Her performance as Agnes in Wednesday showcases her ability to play a character who’s both naive and resilient, much like Rapunzel’s journey from sheltered captive to fearless adventurer. Agnes’s emotional arc—transforming from a Wednesday-obsessed fangirl to a young woman finding her own path—mirrors Rapunzel’s quest for self-discovery. Templeton’s expressive eyes and soft features capture the same wide-eyed curiosity that made animated Rapunzel so captivating, while her stage experience in musicals like Les Misérables proves she can handle the singing demands of the role.

Templeton’s dance background, honed at Tring Park School for Performing Arts, also gives her an edge. Rapunzel’s lively energy and physicality—think twirling with her endless hair or climbing tower walls—require an actress with grace and agility, qualities Templeton displayed in Wednesday’s choreography-heavy scenes. Her ability to convey vulnerability, as seen in Agnes’s heartfelt moments with Enid, suggests she could nail Rapunzel’s emotional depth, especially in scenes confronting Mother Gothel’s betrayal. Plus, her youthful age aligns perfectly with Rapunzel’s 18-year-old character, avoiding the criticism faced by older actresses in similar roles.

Fans are already rallying behind the idea. “Evie as Rapunzel would be PERFECT,” one Reddit user wrote. “She’s got that innocent-but-strong vibe, and her voice is so pure!” Templeton’s stage-honed singing, showcased in her West End performances, has sparked excitement about how she’d tackle Rapunzel’s iconic songs. Her natural blonde hair, though dyed red for Wednesday, could easily be styled into Rapunzel’s signature golden locks, making her a visual fit for the role.

The Jenna Ortega Connection

The Wednesday connection doesn’t stop with Templeton’s performance. Jenna Ortega, who plays Wednesday and serves as a producer, has reportedly championed Templeton for bigger roles, including whispering her name to Disney insiders. Ortega’s influence in Hollywood is undeniable—her Emmy-nominated performance and savvy producing decisions have shaped Wednesday’s success—and her mentorship of Templeton on set has been well-documented. “Jenna saw something special in Evie,” an insider revealed. “She’s been pushing for her to get the spotlight she deserves.” Their close bond, evident in Wednesday’s behind-the-scenes footage, adds credibility to the rumor, as Ortega’s endorsement carries weight in casting circles.

Ortega’s own Disney roots—she starred in Stuck in the Middle and voiced Princess Isabel in Elena of Avalor—make her a bridge between Templeton and the studio. If anyone can vouch for Templeton’s ability to handle a high-profile Disney role, it’s Ortega, who’s navigated the transition from teen star to global icon. The idea of Ortega helping launch Templeton’s career as Rapunzel feels like a full-circle moment, especially given Templeton’s small role in Disney’s Pinocchio.

Challenges and Competition

While Templeton seems like a dream choice, the road to Rapunzel isn’t without hurdles. Disney’s casting process is notoriously rigorous, and the studio may lean toward a bigger name to ensure box office success. Stars like Florence Pugh, with her proven track record in films like Black Widow, remain strong contenders, though some fans argue she’s too mature for Rapunzel’s youthful spirit. Templeton’s relative inexperience could also be a concern—she’s a rising star, not a household name—but her Wednesday performance proves she can hold her own alongside heavyweights like Catherine Zeta-Jones and Steve Buscemi.

Another challenge is the pressure to get Tangled right. Disney’s live-action remakes, from The Little Mermaid to Snow White, have faced criticism for straying too far from their animated roots or miscasting leads. Rapunzel’s fans are protective, demanding an actress who captures her warmth and spunk. Templeton’s youth and authenticity could be her trump card, but she’ll need to prove she can carry a big-budget film alongside a likely star-studded cast, with names like Kathryn Hahn and Demi Moore rumored for Mother Gothel.

What Fans Think: A Star in the Making?

The internet is alight with excitement over Templeton’s potential casting. “Evie Templeton as Rapunzel would be a game-changer,” one X user tweeted. “She’s got the voice, the look, and the heart!” Others see her as a fresh face who could bring new life to the role, avoiding the pitfalls of overexposed celebrities. “Disney needs to stop casting 30-year-olds as teens,” a Reddit thread argued. “Evie’s the right age and has the talent to make Rapunzel iconic.”

Some fans, however, are skeptical, citing Templeton’s limited film experience compared to established stars. “She’s amazing in Wednesday, but Rapunzel’s a huge role,” one user cautioned. “Can she carry a whole movie?” Yet, Templeton’s ability to steal scenes in a crowded ensemble suggests she’s ready for the challenge. Her emotional range and stage-honed charisma make her a compelling choice, and her Wednesday buzz gives her the momentum Disney loves.

The Future of Tangled and Templeton

As Tangled moves forward, with production slated for 2026, all eyes are on Disney’s casting decisions. If Templeton lands the role, it could be a career-defining moment, catapulting her from Nevermore’s shadows to Disney’s spotlight. Her Wednesday performance has already made her a fan favorite, and playing Rapunzel could cement her as Hollywood’s next big thing. Whether she’s painting tower walls or singing about her dreams, Templeton has the potential to make Rapunzel unforgettable.

For now, the rumor alone is enough to keep fans buzzing. Wednesday Season 2’s success—406.7 million viewing hours and counting—has proven Templeton’s star power, and Disney’s interest feels like the natural next step. So, grab your frying pan, let down your hair, and join the excitement: Evie Templeton as Rapunzel could be the fairy-tale casting we’ve all been waiting for. What do you think—can she make Tangled shine?