 Greno and Howard were not particularly interested in casting solely A @-@ list actors as the voices of main characters Flynn and Rapunzel . Instead , the directors simply searched for actors who had " the right voice " for these characters . Writing for ReelViews , film critic James Berardinelli felt that the directors ' decision mirrored " Disney 's approach during the late 1980s and early 1990s , when big name stars were often bypassed in favor of lesser known talents . " Hundreds of actors and singers auditioned and were considered for the role of Rapunzel 's love interest , among them comedian Dan <unk> and American Idol alum Clay Aiken . However , the role of Flynn Rider was ultimately won by American actor Zachary Levi because he , according to Greno , " nailed " his audition . Levi auditioned for the role after he first received a telephone call from his agent informing him about the film . Identifying himself as " a huge Disney nut , " Levi was immediately " sold " on the project . His interest was further cemented by the fact that he would also be providing the character 's singing voice . Additionally , Levi appears to have a history playing male " characters who are surrounded by tough , strong women . " Required to audition a song in the style of a singer @-@ songwriter , Levi decided to perform James Taylor 's " Sweet Baby James " for the directors . 
