Title change controversy Tangled

unofficial logo of rapunzel, before changed tangled.

when first put production, film promoted having title rapunzel unbraided, later changed rapunzel. disney s previous animated feature princess , frog in 2009, while being well-received various critics , taking in $270 million worldwide not successful disney had hoped. catmull later admit in writing disney animation s faith princess , frog s excellent quality bring in audiences notwithstanding word princess in title version of stupid pill. in order market film both sexes , additional age groups, disney changed film s name rapunzel tangled while emphasizing flynn rider, film s prominent male character, showing story important rapunzel s. disney criticized altering classic title marketing strategy. floyd norman, former disney , pixar animator , story artist, said, idea of changing title of classic rapunzel tangled beyond stupid. m convinced ll gain nothing except public seeing disney desperately trying find audience.

justin chang of variety compared changing title of little mermaid beached. writing san francisco chronicle s blog, margot magowan accused disney of sexism, writing, can imagine if disney…switched movie title wouldn t risk highlighting male star? s awful kind of radical gender discrimination exists our smallest people—little kids come world huge imaginations , aspirations, big dreams squashed bunch of billionaire guys run massive entertainment franchises.

on november 24, 2010, day of film s release, directors nathan greno , byron howard disputed reports title change marketing decision. said changed title rapunzel tangled because rapunzel not main character in film. went on cannot call toy story buzz lightyear, , needed title represented film is, , s duo, , stars rapunzel , flynn rider.

in march 2014, executive producer john lasseter explained disney had changed name improve film s appeal 4 quadrants: there audience perception these movies little girls[,] when boys, men, whatever see these movies[,] them. on rapunzel … changed name , called tangled. did marketing made people not show say, hey, looks pretty good.