Unlocking The Mysteries -16 Fascinating Facts About Disney’s Film ‘Tangled’
Delve into the hidden secrets behind the making of the beloved movie!
It's no secret that Disney movies hold a special place in our hearts. Mention Disney in a conversation, and it's like a flood of nostalgia and warmth washes over us.
Whether it's a child begging for yet another viewing of Frozen or someone lucky enough to have witnessed Cinderella's premiere, Disney has a knack for captivating audiences of all ages.
The Walt Disney Company is renowned for weaving important life lessons into its captivating storylines. From celebrating the value of close relationships, as seen in the enduring bond between Winnie The Pooh and Piglet, to promoting diversity with characters from diverse backgrounds, Disney brings people together through its magical narratives.
And who can forget Disney's timeless messages about true love and happily ever afters? Even though life may not always guarantee such fairy tale endings, Disney provides an escape into a world of enchantment and wonder.
In 2010, The Walt Disney Company surprised audiences with its 50th animated feature film - Tangled. This animation marked a milestone as Disney's first computer-animated princess movie. Now, as Tangled celebrates its 11th anniversary, let's delve into some fascinating facts that will reignite your desire to revisit this beloved film:
1. Mother Gothel Was Indeed An Old Lady
While Mother Gothel's age is never explicitly stated in Tangled, her attire offers a clue to her longevity. The style of her dress harkens back to the Renaissance Era, suggesting that she has been around for centuries. Given that Tangled is set in the late 1700s, it's plausible that Mother Gothel has lived for over 400 years, using Rapunzel's magic to maintain her youth and beauty.
2. During a festival honoring Rapunzel, the princess unwittingly captured her parents' lantern.
The lantern festival began as a joyous occasion to celebrate the birth of the baby princess. However, when Mother Gothel abducted Rapunzel, the festival took on a new significance. Each lantern illuminated the night sky on Rapunzel's birthday, symbolizing the hope that she would one day return home.
Rapunzel had always been intrigued by the festival, and when she finally witnessed it, she unknowingly released a lantern adorned with the royal emblem—the very lantern her parents had sent aloft into the sky.
3. Flynn Rider's character was tasked with organizing "Hot Man" gatherings.
Flynn Rider, or shall we say Eugene Fitzherbert, garnered plenty of admiration from the female staff members at the studio during his development.
According to Nathan Greno, one of the directors of Tangled, the dashing rogue underwent numerous "hot man" sessions before emerging as the Flynn Rider we're familiar with. In these sessions, women brought pictures of Hollywood's "hottest hunks," which were then used as inspiration to craft the ultimate character by combining desirable traits from each man.
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4. Pascal, Rapunzel's loyal companion, was originally intended to be a squirrel.
During the early stages of the movie's development, Rapunzel's lovable sidekick was initially envisioned as a squirrel. However, Pascal's character took a different direction when one of the workers brought in their pet chameleon for inspiration.
This real-life reptile became the model for Pascal's design. While Disney considered making Pascal purple, they ultimately settled on a green chameleon to complement Rapunzel's attire.
5. Maximus Used A Roman Sword In A Fight With Flynn
In the scene where Maximus engages in combat with Flynn, eagle-eyed viewers might notice that Maximus wields a Roman sword, adding an intriguing layer to the action. This subtle nod to the Gladiator movie, where the character Maximus is a prominent figure, adds depth to the scene.
Additionally, the name "Maximus," meaning "greatest," perfectly complements the heroic and determined personality of the horse in "Tangled."
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6. The Kingdom of Corona, the enchanting setting of "Tangled," draws inspiration from real-world locations. Specifically, it is said to be inspired by the island of Mont Saint-Michel in Normandy, France. This picturesque island, with its stunning medieval architecture and captivating surroundings, serves as a fitting muse for the fictional kingdom in the Disney movie.
The Kingdom of Corona drew inspiration from one of France's renowned landmarks – Mont Saint-Michel on the Normandy Coast. Before the pandemic, this iconic site attracted nearly 2.5 million visitors annually.
Despite its popularity, Mont Saint-Michel remains home to 44 residents, including nuns and monks residing in the Abbey. It holds UNESCO World Heritage Site status, showcasing its cultural and historical significance. Interestingly, the monastery's architecture also influenced the depiction of Minas Tirith, a prominent location in the Lord of the Rings series.
7. Easter Eggs In Tangled
Disney is known for sprinkling Easter eggs throughout their films, and "Tangled" is no exception!
In the Snuggly Duckling scene, if you look closely, you'll spot Pinocchio hiding among the patrons.
Rapunzel's tower is adorned with paintings on the staircase, each representing a different Disney movie. There's an apple for Snow White, a slipper for Cinderella, a rose for Belle, and a shell for Ariel.
And let's not forget the cameo appearance of Rapunzel and Eugene (Flynn Rider) in "Frozen" during Elsa's coronation day when Arendelle's gates open.
These clever nods to other Disney classics add an extra layer of fun for eagle-eyed viewers!
8. In "Tangled," there's a noticeable age gap between Flynn Rider (also known as Eugene Fitzherbert) and Rapunzel. Flynn is portrayed as a young adult, likely in his mid to late 20s, while Rapunzel is depicted as a teenager, around 18 years old. This age difference is evident in their respective life experiences, personalities, and goals throughout the film. Despite the age gap, their relationship blossoms throughout the movie, highlighting themes of love, trust, and growth as they embark on their adventure together.
In the movie, Flynn Rider was depicted as 26 years old, while Rapunzel was on the cusp of her 18th birthday. This marked an eight-year age gap between the two characters. Interestingly, this disparity in age isn't unique to them within the realm of Disney romances. One of the most debated age gaps exists between Snow White and Prince Florian, with Snow White purportedly being just 14 years old.
9. "Tangled" holds the distinction of being the most expensive animated film ever produced by Disney, boasting a hefty budget of $260 million.
Yes, "Tangled" still holds the title as Disney's most expensive animated film to date. While it doesn't surpass the overall most expensive movie, "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End," which had a budget of $300 million, "Tangled" came close with its $260 million production cost. The film's lengthy six-year production period and the combination of hand-drawn animation and computer graphics contributed to its high budget.
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10. Rapunzel's Baby Mobile Predicted Things That Happened To Her During The Movie
In the opening scene of "Tangled," when Rapunzel is still a baby, she gazes up at her crib's baby mobile, unaware of the significance it holds. Each figure on the mobile symbolizes elements of Rapunzel's future journey. The green chameleon represents Pascal, her loyal companion, while the white horse foreshadows her encounters with Maximus.
Additionally, the blue bird and Cupid figures correspond to musical scenes in "When Will My Life Begin?" and "I've Got A Dream." Lastly, the duck symbolizes the iconic tavern, The Snuggly Duckling, where Rapunzel embarks on an unexpected adventure.
11. Flynn Rider's character in "Tangled" draws inspiration from various legends and figures, including the renowned actor Errol Flynn. With his charm, wit, and swashbuckling demeanor, Flynn Rider embodies the spirit of classic adventure and romance associated with legendary figures like Flynn. This homage adds depth and richness to the character, making him an iconic part of the film's narrative.
Originally conceived as a British farmer, Flynn Rider's character underwent a significant transformation to become the swashbuckling thief audiences know and love. Drawing inspiration from iconic characters like Han Solo and Indiana Jones, as well as legendary actors such as Gene Kelly and Errol Flynn, Flynn Rider emerged as a charming and adventurous figure. Fans of the film may notice similarities between Flynn and Errol Flynn's portrayal of Robin Hood, adding an extra layer of depth to his character.
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12. Maximus and Pascal, the beloved animal companions in "Tangled," were both voiced by the talented Frank Welker.
An iconic figure in the realm of voice acting, Frank Welker, known for his extensive repertoire of over 800 voice impressions across animated films, shows, games, and commercials, lent his talents to bring Maximus and Pascal to life in "Tangled."
Welker's remarkable ability to mimic animals and creatures has left an indelible mark on numerous projects. Beyond his work on "Tangled," he's portrayed an impressive array of characters, including voicing 16 roles in Futurama and iconic figures such as Fred Jones and Scooby-Doo. His contributions extend to various Disney classics like Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, and Pocahontas, showcasing his versatility and enduring impact on animation.
13. Rapunzel is believed to have the largest eyes among all Disney princesses.
Rapunzel held the record for the largest eyes among Disney princesses until 2013 when Frozen debuted. Since then, comparing her eyes with those of other princesses, it's become challenging to discern the princess with the largest eyes, as their sizes appear similar but with different shapes.
Interestingly, the trend of exaggerating women's eyes or facial features has sparked curiosity among many. Some speculate that this trend might be linked to a human instinct that elicits an emotional response similar to finding something adorable, often associated with baby-like features. Do you find this theory plausible?
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14. A Disney software engineer conducted calculations to estimate that Rapunzel's hair would weigh between 60 to 80 pounds.
Kelly Ward, a senior software engineer at Walt Disney Animation Studios, was in the final stages of completing her PhD in the modeling and animation of human hair when Disney approached her about working on Tangled.
Officially, Rapunzel's golden mane measures a whopping 70 feet in length. However, Ward revealed that the weight of such lengthy locks would range between 60 to 80 pounds! To manage this, Ward and her team devised innovative methods to simulate the physics of Rapunzel's hair, ensuring it appeared both lifelike and manageable for the character, while still conveying a sense of weight and volume.
15. Frozen Stars Who Initially Auditioned for Rapunzel
Mandy Moore was ecstatic to fulfill her dream of becoming a Disney princess by voicing Rapunzel. Surprisingly, Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel also auditioned for the role but didn't land it. However, Disney had other plans for the talented actresses, leading them to iconic roles in another beloved Disney film.
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