Selena Gomez fans react to rumors fiance Benny Blanco will play live-action Tangled heartthrob

Selena Gomez fans have shared their reactions to rumors that her fiancé Benny Blanco is being considered to play heartthrob Flynn Rider in Disney’s live-action remake of Tangled (2010).

Last month in December, Variety reported that a live-action adaptation was in the works – with Michael Gracey in talks to direct.

Since the announcement, speculation on who could be cast in the leading roles for the upcoming project have circulated throughout social media.

Some have previously demanded that Sabrina Carpenter play Rapunzel while others suggested that Kathryn Hahn should take on the role of Mother Gothel.

And this week, new rumors arose that Blanco, 36, could possibly portray Flynn Rider -a character that was voiced by Zachary Levi in the original movie that released nearly 15 years earlier.

Social media users took to X to share their thoughts on the latest casting rumor, with one penning, ‘Don’t ruin this movie for me.’

Another wrote, ‘I’m sorry but noooooo I’ve been waiting for this live action,’ while a fan added, ‘Are we being fr fr?????? LIKE WHAT.’ 

One shared that Flynn Rider and Blanco, ‘look nothing alike I know it has nothing to do with it but ya.’ 

‘Nah pls tell me this is FAKE cuz hell no im not buying this live action anymore,’ one X user typed, while another penned, ‘He’s not an actor be serious.’ 

One fan expressed, ‘Selena, take your man to the studio do not let him audition for anything!’ 

Another suggested that Sabrina Carpenter and Taylor Zakhar Perez take on the roles of Rapunzel and Rider by penning, ‘should have been this.’

‘You meant Zayn Malik,’ one said of the former One Direction member, while a social media user shared that Blanco is 13 years older than Flynn Rider’s age in the movie. 

Another typed, ‘Haha, Benny Blanco as Flynn Rider? Guess we’re getting a musical number with autotune in the tower!’ 

‘This can’t be real,’ a fan commented on X and one simply added, ‘This is interesting news…’ 

Another uploaded a GIF of Ryan Reynolds asking, ‘But why?’ while one also shared their thoughts on Zayn Malik being cast as Flynn: ‘WHAT?? WRONG FLYNN RIDER HAS ALWAYS BEEN AND ALWAYS WILL BE ZAYN MALIK!!!!’ 

‘We wanted Jonathan Bailey,’ one wrote, referencing to the Bridgerton and Wicked actor. 

However, some defended the casting rumor with one adding, ‘We support this,’ and another writing, ‘Awesome.’ 

While Blanco hasn’t taken on any roles on the big screen in the past, the record producer has worked with a number of music artists – such as Ed Sheeran, Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, BTS, Rihanna, The Weeknd and also Selena Gomez. 

The producer is also known for releasing his own tracks such as the 2018 song, Eastside – which featured both Halsey and Khalid. 

Tangled initially released in theaters in 2010 – and raked in a whopping $592.5 million in the box office on a budget of $260 million.

Along with Mandy Moore – who played Rapunzel – and Zachary Levi, other voice stars that appeared in the animated movie included Donna Murphy.

The film showcased a number of songs, such as I See The Light, I’ve Got A Dream and also When Will My Life Begin?

Tangled garnered critical praise following its release, and also received a number of award nominations, such as two Golden Globe nods.

The movie also received a nomination at the 83rd Academy Awards for Best Original Song for I See The Light.

Two years after Tangled, a short film titled Tangled Ever After was released, as well as as a TV film, Tangled: Before Ever After (2017).

Casting rumors began to filter around social media not long after it was revealed last month that Disney was in the process of working on the live-action remake of the movie. 

Fans have demanded that Sabrina Carpenter take on the leading role of Rapunzel and suggested that the former Disney channel star would be an ideal casting choice.

One year earlier, the Espresso hitmaker also wore a Tangled-inspired costume for Halloween. 

In July 2024, Zachary Levi – who voiced Flynn Rider – offered his own thoughts on who should possibly play the character. 

He told Entertainment Tonight, ‘I mean, he’s already getting every other job but probably Timothee Chalamet?’

‘Unfortunately I feel like I’m a little old – and that I don’t know all of the younger actors that could be that guy.’

While both he and Moore might not reprise their roles in the live-action, he did offer the pair making a possible cameo.

‘I think it would be fun if Mandy and I got to be Rapunzel’s parents. I think that would be a really fun little cameo for us to pop in to,’ Levi told the outlet.

In regards to the love the film has gotten even years after its release, Zachary stated, ‘I’m so proud of that movie. I’m so grateful that I got to be a part of it.’

‘I always dreamed about being in a Disney animated musical and then I got to be in one! And not just any one, like, I think it’s one of the best ones that there is.’

Amid the circulating casting rumors, Benny has been keeping busy and attended the 81st Golden Globe Awards with fiancée Selena Gomez earlier this month before the deadly L.A. fires. 

The couple were recently seen handing out food to firefighters who were battling the blazes throughout Southern California. 

Last month on December 11, the actress announced that Benny had popped the big question to her after a year and a half of dating.

She has taken to social media on various occasions to give her fans a glimpse of the $1 million engagement ring. 

Benny also recently teased that Gomez was possibly working on new music in a cryptic TikTok. 

In the short reel, he opened a door to a room where Selena was seen sitting on a sofa with a microphone in front of her. 

A fan comment was added over the video which read: ‘Benny please make some new songs for our queen.’