Thanks to her work on Frozen, Wreck-It Ralph, Zootopia, and Frozen II, animation director and screenwriter Jennifer Lee quickly rose through the ranks to become Disney Animation's Chief Creative Officer. She took assumed the post in June 2018, following John Lasseter's controversial departure.
In a new interview with Disney, Lee teased that cinematic outings for Frozen are not over as the company is planning two more installments.
When asked about Frozen's enduring qualities, Lee stated, "I believe it’s both the story of familial love with these two sisters, and the idea of love conquering fear. I recently visited World of Frozen, and it is awe-inspiring. You are a citizen of Arendelle the moment you walk into the land."
She then added, "Only what we have already shared, which is the team is hard at work, we are deeply excited about the story we are shaping together, and it’s so epic it may not fit into just one film."
It's the last statement that has fans buzzing about the potential of Frozen 4.
Of course, Lee's statements come on the heels of previous remarks made earlier this year by Disney CEO Bob Iger.
While appearing on Good Morning America recently, Iger stated, "Well, I’ll give you a little surprise there, Michael. 'Frozen 3' is in the works and there might be a 'Frozen 4' in the works too. But I don’t have much to say about those films right now...But Jenn Lee, who created 'Frozen,' the original 'Frozen' and 'Frozen II,' is hard at work with her team at Disney Animation on not one but actually two stories."
It sounds as if the plans for Frozen 3 are so grandiose that the creative team behind the film can't fit everything into one film. It will be interesting to see if the next two installments are billed as Frozen 3 and Frozen 4 or Frozen 3: Part 1 and Frozen 3: Part 2.
Whatever the future holds for Frozen, it seems Jennifer Lee won't be directing the next film as she confirmed the news back in June at the Annecy Animation Festival.
While referencing how busy she is within her role as Chief Creative Officer, Lee stated, "I can’t say where we are [with Frozen 3]. All our stories are driven by the artists in the studio. Where we’re going with ‘Frozen’ did not come from me. It came from an incredible person. That’s a new piece, I’ve told no one. And I’ve been blown away by it and I’m just having a blast with that team...I would love to direct again. I know someday I want to be a filmmaker again. I’m old but I’m not that old! I’ve only done two films and I do believe there’s a time — I’ll know it — but there’s a time when you give everything you can and then you make room for innovation of the next person. I can’t imagine anywhere but Disney."