Disney’s Frozen 2 has received mixed reviews, but the box office results mean there’s still plenty of reason for Disney to make Frozen 3. For Frozen 2, screenwriter Jennifer Lee once again co-directed with Chris Buck, using the sequel to open up the characters’ horizons to lands beyond Arendelle.
Frozen 2 mostly focuses on the relationship between the main Arendelle protagonists and the Northuldra tribe. Queen Elsa (Idina Menzel) feels drawn to the north after hearing voices, and sets forth with sister Anna (Kristen Bell), Kristoff (Jonathan Groff), reindeer Sven, and the snowman Olaf (Josh Gad). Inspired by her late mother and father’s tales from childhood, Queen Elsa establishes a peaceful connection with the Northuldra, and discovers that her ancestry is directly connected to the Enchanted Forest.
While Frozen 2 doesn’t feature a traditional villain like the first movie, Frozen, it does build to a conclusion that provides spiritual clarity for both the people of Arendelle and the Northuldra tribe. Unlike the original film’s declarative anthem “Let It Go,” the sequel’s theme song, “Into the Unknown” is more introspective, and creates an entirely different mood. The ending also leaves the story very open to go in new directions - that is, if Disney decides to make Frozen 3.
Will Frozen 3 Happen?
Overall, Frozen 2 has received mostly positive reviews, and even set a November box office record for animated films on its first day of release. But even if Frozen 2 becomes a massive box office success like the original film, one of the co-directors has implied that Frozen 3 probably won’t happen. Jennifer Lee told Yahoo Movies that “For me [finishing Frozen 2] felt final,” and previously noted that she’s “tired.” Still, as a glimmer of hope, Lee recently said that “we always say ’never say never.’” As for Chris Buck, he believes that Frozen and Frozen 2 work as one large movie, but similarly teased Frozen 3 by saying “nothing ever closes the door.” Assuming that Frozen 2 will be regarded as another commercial and critical hit for Disney, it seems plausible that the cast will reunite, at some point, for a third installment.
Frozen 3’s Release Date
Frozen 2 was officially announced in March 2015, approximately 16 months after Frozen premiered. So, moving forward, it’s unlikely that Disney will rush to greenlight Frozen 3, especially since Frozen 2 does appear to mark the end of the story. If Lee feels inspired to write a new chapter (or Disney hires another writer to do so), several years will be required for the pre-production and animation. Given the six-year wait for Frozen 2, a similar timeline would see Frozen 3 releasing some time around 2025.
Frozen 3’s Story
Warning: SPOILERS ahead for Frozen 2.
Frozen 2 is somewhat unusual in that it doesn’t have an actual villain, and is instead about a journey to find out the source of Elsa’s powers (and to reveal the secrets of Arendelle’s past). However, it does go to lengths to repeatedly remind the audience of Frozen’s villain, Prince Hans. He is brought up during a game of charades, and mentioned in conversation between Anna and Kristoff. During his summary of the plot of Frozen, Olaf plays the role of Hans, and then we see Hans himself in an icy form when Elsa is exploring Ahtohallan.
With Anna now ruling as Queen of Arendelle and Elsa looking after the Enchanted Forest, a new villain could interrupt the peaceful give-and-take dynamic between the respective lands - and Hans is devious enough that he could probably find a way to return and make trouble for the sisters. Frozen 3 could bring things full circle by bringing back Hans, or could even do a jump forward in time and follow either Anna or Elsa’s children.
More: Frozen 2 Review: Disney’s Sequel is Deeper & Darker, If Also Messier
