Tangled’s original Mother Gothel, Donna Murphy, just broke her silence on Kathryn Hahn stepping into her iconic role. The voice actress shared her honest reaction and a memorable message for her successor in an exclusive interview.
Donna Murphy on Kathryn Hahn playing Mother Gothel in Tangled
Donna Murphy expressed excitement about Kathryn Hahn stepping into the role of Mother Gothel in Disney’s live-action Tangled remake, PEOPLE reported in an exclusive interview.
Murphy spoke with the outlet at the opening night of Broadway’s School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play in New York City. The two-time Tony winner called herself “thrilled” that Hahn will be “carrying on the torch.” She recalled their earlier connection, saying, “We did a pilot years ago with Jeff Goldblum, and I’ve just been a fan of hers since.”
Murphy also shared that she saw Hahn shortly before the casting became official. “I was thrilled to be able to congratulate her. She’s a rockstar. She’s going to kill it,” she added.
When asked whether she offered any advice, Murphy shut down the idea. “She doesn’t need any advice,” she said. Murphy then recalled Hahn’s humble reaction to landing the part. “She was sort of doing the ‘I am not worthy’ [thing], and I was like, ‘Don’t even kid yourself, woman. You have got everything you need for the Mother’ … and Mother knows best,” she added.
Hahn previously told PEOPLE that she “never thought” she would star in a movie musical at this point in her career. “I’m just telling people that it feels like I’m in Fame right now. I’m rehearsing in Spain,” she said. She also noted that the role challenged her physically. “Grace — natural grace — and agility don’t come very easily. So that’s been a real fun thing to figure out,” Hahn shared.
Disney first announced the live-action adaptation of the 2010 animated film in 2024. Teagan Croft and Milo Manheim will star as Rapunzel and Flynn. The film is set to hit theaters on March 31, 2028.
