 Loosely based on the prince in the Brothers Grimm fairy tale " Rapunzel " , Flynn is a wanted thief who seeks refuge in Rapunzel 's tower after stealing a crown . <unk> by Rapunzel into taking her to see the kingdom 's floating lanterns in time for her eighteenth birthday , Flynn undergoes a change of heart as he gradually begins to fall in love with Rapunzel . Created by directors Nathan Greno and Byron Howard because they felt that the incarcerated Rapunzel needed someone to escort her out of the tower , Flynn was conceived as a thief as opposed to a traditional prince in favor of having him resemble a funnier and edgier character . Originally written as a British farmer , Flynn was ultimately developed into a swashbuckling thief based on fictional characters Han Solo and Indiana Jones . Actors Errol Flynn , whose surname also serves as the character 's first in homage , and Gene Kelly also influenced the character 's personality . 
