Once upon a time—well, in 2010—Walt Disney Animation Studios released the feature film Tangled, and we’ve been happier ever after since our first viewing. That happiness grew with the announcement of an animated series based on the film, which will take place between the events of the feature and the start of the 2012 short, Tangled Ever After. The series unfolds as Rapunzel acquaints herself with her parents, her kingdom, and the people of Corona.
Today, we’re positively ecstatic that Disney Channel has just announced the voice cast who will be joining Mandy Moore and Zachari Levi when the series premieres in 2017. Seventeen actors were announced this morning—and Disney fans will recognize quite a few from all around the worlds of Disney.
Ashley Judd (Divergent) has will lend her voice to the role of Rapunzel’s mother, Queen Arianna.
Broadway star, Eden Espinosa, will voice Cassandra, Rapunzel’s handmaiden and confidant. Eden is well known for performing the role of Elphaba in the Broadway production of Wicked, but you might also recognize her as the featured soloist in the Magical fireworks spectacular at the Disneyland Resort.
Comedian Jeff Ross (The Wedding Ringer) will provide the voice of Hook Hand’s brother, Hook Foot.
The actor who voiced Molt in a bug’s life and Bing Bong—Bing Bong!—in Inside Out, Richard Kind, will now lend his voice to Uncle Monty.
Several actors will reprise their roles from the feature film: Jeffrey Tambor (Transparent, and who has also been heard on Hercules: The Animated Series, Sofia the First, and Star vs. The Forces of Evil) will return as the voice of Big Nose; while Paul F. Tompkins joins him once again at the Snuggly Duckling in the role of Shorty. M.C. Gainey will voice the Captain of the Guards. Disney fans will remember him as Pappy Joe on Girl Meets World and as Tom Friendly on Lost.
From Broadway’s Newsies, Jack Kelly—actor Jeremy Jordan—will voice teen alchemist Varian; and Jonathan Banks, who voiced Filbrick Pines on Gravity Falls, will play Quirin, Varian’s father.
Another Broadway favorite, James Monroe Iglehart—Tony® winner for his role as Genie in Disney’s Aladdin—will be the voice behind Eugene’s friend Lance Strongbow.
Sean Hayes (Will & Grace) joins the Tangled: Before Ever After cast as Pete the Guard; Peter MacNicol (Ally McBeal) as Nigel the Advisor; Clancy Brown (The Shawshank Redemption) as Rapunzel’s father, King Frederic; and Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (Lost) voices blacksmith Xavier.
Veteran Disney voice Diedrich Bader is the voice bringing Stan the Guard to life. You’ve heard Diedrich on Ultimate Spider-Man (as Sergei Kravinoff and Kraven the Hunter), as Dundgren on Gravity Falls, on Miles from Tomorrowland as Admiral Crick, and as Albert on Phineas and Ferb. Diedrich also played Oswald Lee Harvey on ABC’s The Drew Carey Show.
And what would Tangled: Before Ever After be without a full quota of Pub Thugs? Charles Halford (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) will be voicing Pub Thug Vladimir, while Steve Blum (Disney XD’s Star Wars Rebels) joins him in pub-thuggery as Attila Buckethead.
Produced by Disney Television Animation, Tangled: Before Ever After was developed by animation veterans Chris Sonnenburg (Disney’s Enchanted) and Shane Prigmore (The Lego Movie). Sonnenburg serves as executive producer and supervising director; Benjamin Balistreri (How to Train Your Dragon) is supervising producer; Jase Ricci (Disney XD’s Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero) is story editor; and Alan Bodner (The Iron Giant) is art director. The series will feature music by Academy Award®-winning Disney Legend Alan Menken and lyricist Glenn Slater. Emmy® Award-winning Kevin Kliesch (Tangled Ever After) will serve as score composer. Celebrated artist Claire Keane (Frozen, Tangled), daughter of Disney Legend Glen Keane, who was animation supervisor on the feature film, is contributing design work and consulting on the series.
