Get ready for more animated sequels. With Disney struggling at the box office, the company has started to turn to past successes, pumping out sequels in hopes of capturing former box office glory.
Following the debut of the Inside Out 2 teaser -- which actually looked quite good -- Disney has now confirmed plans for another sequel to a blockbuster franchise: Frozen 4.
Even though Frozen 3 was only recently announced and isn't close to release yet, that didn't stop Disney CEO Bob Iger from appearing on Good Morning America today to confirm that there are also plans for a Frozen 4.
“‘Frozen 3’ is in the works, and there might be a 'Frozen 4’ in the works too," Iger told the GMA hosts.
Naturally, Iger didn't have much more to say than that. As both movies are still presumably early in development, there was no story details, concept art or teasers in any form. Iger did say that director Jenn Lee, who created the original Frozen and Frozen 2, "is hard at work with her team at Disney animation on not one but actually two stories.”
It was revealed on social media shortly after that Frozen songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez are also returning to pen some new music for the two sequel films.
Well, I’ve been quiet here for a while. But yeah, this. https://t.co/0ueoW3UxOx#frozen3 #frozen4
— Kristen Anderson-Lopez (@Lyrikris10) November 16, 2023
Released in 2013, the original Frozen put a unique twist on the concept of love and featured some of the most captivating and powerful songs we've ever seen in a Disney film. It was a smash hit for Disney, earning over $1.2 billion at the worldwide box office. Six years later, Frozen 2 was released in 2019, topping its successor and hitting $1.45 billion at the global box office. Although I personally feel that the first Frozen was a more original and compelling story with catchier tunes, Frozen 2 was a worthwhile sequel.
But there's some concern that Disney is leaning too hard into its catalog of previously released animated films. In addition to Frozen 3 (and now Frozen 4), Disney is also working on Toy Story 5 and a Zootopia sequel. We've also got Inside Out 2 set for release in June 2024.
Some believe that releasing sequels to beloved animated hits will tarnish the originals, but Disney is clearly searching for some box office magic after a string of original animated flops. I know we all want new and innovative stories, but until they can draw in audiences at the box office, Disney will likely continue to lean on its past hits.