“Once upon a time…” So many of our favorite Disney animated stories begin that way. That’s why it makes us so happy when we encounter a “twice upon a time.” This morning, Disney Channel announced that one of our favorite feature films from Walt Disney Animation Studios, Tangled, has inspired an animated TV series, set to premiere on Disney Channel in 2017.
Produced by Disney Television Animation, Tangled has begun production with Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi reprising their roles as Rapunzel and Eugene (aka Flynn Rider). The series will also reunite Disney Legend and Academy Award®-winning composer Alan Menken and lyricist Glenn Slater.
The series was developed by animation veterans Chris Sonnenburg (Disney’s Enchanted) and Shane Prigmore (The Lego Movie). Gary Marsh, president and chief creative officer, Disney Channels Worldwide, says, “The genius of the original movie was its seamless blending of cinematic adventure, character-driven comedy, and touching emotion. And we are fortunate to have several of the creative talent from that movie on board with this new production. With the addition of Chris and Shane as executive producers, we have the perfect team in place to create a series worthy of the original film.”
The new series takes place between the events of the feature film and the beginning of the 2012 short, Tangled Ever After, as Rapunzel acquaints herself with her parents, her kingdom, and the people of Corona. Her irrepressible spirit and natural curiosity about the world drives her to the realization that there is so much more she needs to learn before she can truly accept her royal destiny. She boldly puts her crown and impending marriage on hold to seek out epic adventures, much to the dismay of the King, who, after missing out on Rapunzel’s youth, must accept that his daughter is now an independent young woman.
All of our favorite characters from the big screen will be coming to the series, including Eugene, Maximus the horse, the Snuggly Duckling Pub Thugs, a newcomer, Cassandra—a “tough as nails handmaiden”—and fan favorite Pascal, the chameleon.
Sonnenberg serves as executive producer and supervising director, and Prigmore is co-executive producer/creative director. Rounding out the creative team are Jase Ricci (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) as story editor, and Emmy® winner Kevin Kliesch (Tangled Ever After) is score composer. Celebrated artist Claire Keane (Frozen, Tangled), daughter of Disney Legend Glen Keane, who was animation supervisor on the feature film, consulted on the series’ development.
