Disney has confirmed that the reason behind the decision to rename upcoming Brothers Grimm adaptation Rapunzel to Tangled is to increase its appeal to boys. The new title was confirmed last month by producer Roy Conli.  Ed Catmull, president of Pixar and Disney Animation Studios recently told the Los Angeles Times:

“We did not want to be put in a box. Some people might assume it’s a fairy tale for girls when it’s not. We make movies to be appreciated and loved by everybody.”

Disney suits seem to believe that the poor box office performance of The Princess and the Frog was partly to blame on the fact that most boys don’t want to see a film with the word “princess” in the title (Apparently Mermaids and Sleeping Beauties don’t have the same effect).

The studio’s marketing campaign will reportedly highlight the role of “infamous bandit” Flynn Ryder, a character not found in the original fairy tale.

In Tangled, Rapunzel will be voiced by Mandy Moore and Ryder by Zachary Levi.