Princess Rapunzel is the star of Disney’s Tangled and featured in Tangled: Before Ever After, a Disney Channel Original Movie animated adventure and comedy series. The beautiful princess is known for your long, magical, golden hair who is longing to explore the outside world. Tangled: Before Ever After is set between Tangled and its short film Tangled Ever After. Rapunzel acquaints herself with her parents, kingdom and the people of Corona.
Tangled: Before Ever After premieres Friday, March 10th at 8/7c on the Disney Channel
During my Beauty and the Beast press trip, the other bloggers and myself sat down with the creators, Chris Sonnenburg and Ben Balistreri, of Tangled: Before Ever After for an interview. Creator, Chris Sonnenburg said they really wanted to show what happens between Tangled when Rapunzel (voiced by Mandy Moore) and Eugene (voiced by Zachary Levi) fall in love to Tangled: Ever After when they get married. There was a great story to be told.
Sonnenburg said he gets a lot of inspiration from his daughters, ages 15 and 17, and telling the stories the way Disney always tells stories with such a wonderful truth, magic and excitement. Speaking of Sonnenburg’s daughters, Queen Arianna is actually named after his oldest daughter, Arianna.
The movie contains many beautiful murals, created by Claire Keane. Keane and Sonnenburg are close friends and created a unique, weathered journal. Keane did the illustrations inside the journal and it was presented to the executives for the creation of the movie. When you hold the journal it is almost like you’re holding a piece of Rapunzel’s story.
One blogger suggested the movie looks like it has a little inspiration from George Lucas’s film Twice Upon a Time. Creator, Ben Balisteri, embraced the suggestion and said it was a high praise.
You’ll hear two new songs in Tangled: Before Ever After. Sonnenburg said there would for sure be a soundtrack for the series. He said he is very much influenced by the works of Howard Ashman and Alan Menken. Ashman said music plays an important role in storytelling so the creators really wanted to keep the music special. Sonnenburg wanted music to be used where the characters have something to say and something on their heart that is going to change their viewpoint on the world.
While watching Tangled: Before Ever After you’ll definitely fall in love with a cute character named Pascal, Rapunzel’s pet chameleon, best friend, and confidant. Sonnenburg created an Instagram account, @followpascal, for his plush Pascal who he carries everywhere with him. Of course, it was the perfect photo opp with the creators too! Be sure to follow him on Instagram so you can see all the places he’s gone and the different fun things celebrities have done with him.
According to the creators we will eventually learn how Rapunzel will lose her hair and everything exists for a very specific reason in the show. Balisteri said they like to leave room for inspiration and fun things along the way.
Tangled: Before Ever After features a new character Cassandra, Rapunzel’s “tough-as-nails” handmaiden and close friend. The creators felt Rapunzel needed someone Rapunzel could look up to with access to the castle and a very adventurous spirit. Rapunzel can confide in Cassandra.
There are many different references in the series including hidden ones. Sonnenburg had his own personal references. Sonnenburg means Sunny Castle and the crest for the Sonnenburg crest is a hill with a castle on it. Corona is a hill with a castle on it. Plus, there’s fun hidden Disney Easter eggs you should try to find!
Sonnenburg said he encourages us all to watch Tangled Ever After where you get to see the wedding. It was the fuel for this show.
Watch the first five minutes of Tangled Before Ever After below:
Tangled Before Ever After premieres on Disney Channel on Friday March 10th at 8/7c
Tangled: The Series premieres on Disney Channel on Friday, March 24th at 7:30/6:30c
About #Tangled the Series
It’s just the beginning of happily ever after for Rapunzel and Eugene. As Rapunzel reacquaints herself with her parents, her kingdom and the people of Corona, she comes to realize that there is so much more she needs to learn about the world and herself before she becomes Princess of Corona. With the help of her handmaiden and friend, Cassandra, and Eugene, she begins to find the adventure she desires right outside her door. Life is about to get a little hairier!
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