Filmmaker Jennifer Lee will make a surprise return to the franchise to direct Frozen 3 & 4. Lee rose to prominence as an animation director in 2013 with her feature film debut Frozen, which she wrote and co-directed with long-term Disney animator Chris Buck. The movie was a box office success, grossing over $1.28 billion globally against a production budget of $150 million. The film won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and spawned a successful franchise, with Lee and Buck returning for Frozen 2, after which she was appointed chief creative officer for Walt Disney Animation Studios.

Despite the success of Frozen 2, and following her new role for Disney, Lee initially ruled herself out of a return to the Frozen franchise. Still, according to reports from IndieWire, the A Wrinkle in Time writer has stepped down as Disney Animation's chief creative officer to return exclusively to filmmaking and direct the next two Frozen sequels. In a statement, the Oscar winner confirmed her decision, stating that she was thankful for the experience the role had brought her and for the she had received surrounding her decision to step down. Read her comments below:

"I am so grateful to Bob and Alan for ing my decision to return to filmmaking full time. Every day working with them is a master class in creativity, business, community, and integrity..."

What Direction Could Frozen 3 & 4 Take?

Details On The Story Remain Under Wraps.

Frozen 3 is set for release on November 24, 2027, with Lee also co-writing and executive producing Frozen 4. Not much is known about the storyline for Frozen 3 yet, but the epic, sprawling world will have plenty to offer in of story ideas, and could well see Anna and Elsa heading out on another quest to save Arundel. This seems to be the case per concept art revealed at D23, showing the sisters' return and the tease of a dangerous villain.

Plot details have been kept largely under wraps, but Lee has suggested that the movie will explore the origin of Elsa's powers, including the theory that she inherited them from her mother. The sequel could also reveal what happened to Hans, who is expected to return. Given that Frozen 3 & 4 are being filmed simultaneously, there is plenty to explore across the two movies, and it feels likely that the plots of both films will be interconnected.

Our Take On Lee's Frozen Return

Lee Is Best Suited To Helm The Sequels.

There will be a lot of expectations for the Frozen sequels to be a success, which could be one of the reasons behind Lee's return to the series. It will also provide an opportunity to inject greater representation into the franchise, which has been lacking, but as the first woman to direct two feature films grossing over $1 billion at the box office, the Frozen sequels should be in safe hands with Lee.

It is unclear whether co-director Chris Buck will Lee behind the camera for Frozen 3 & 4.

Source: IndieWire