Disney Channel to Unwind `Tangled’ Into Series

Disney Channel has commissioned a new animated series based on the 2010 movie Tangled, the network announced Wednesday.

The series, which will debut on the channel in 2017, will feature the voices of Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi reprising their respective roles as Rapunzel and Eugene/ Flynn Rider from the film, the network said.

Set between the events of the feature film and Disney's 2012 short film Tangled Ever After – which generated 5 million viewers in its run on Disney Channel -- the animated series begins with Rapunzel acquainting herself with her parents and her kingdom, said network officials.

Disney Television Animation will produce the series, which will be developed by animation veterans Chris Sonnenburg (Enchanted) and Shane Prigmore (The Lego Movie). Tangled the series will also re-team Academy Award-winning composer Alan Menken and lyricist Glenn Slater.

"The genius of the original movie was its seamless blending of cinematic adventure, character-driven comedy and touching emotion,” said Gary Marsh, president and chief creative officer for Disney Channels Worldwide. “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."

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.