Whenever it happens, Frozen films had their plots primarily surrounding Elsa, her powers, and her inner conflict. Anna played a key ing role in these stories, but Frozen 3 should be Anna's time to come to the forefront and receive the same care and character treatment that Elsa has now received twice.
In Frozen, Elsa's lack of control of her powers causes a Frozen 2 goes further in this regard, showing Elsa's inner struggle with being Queen of Arendelle and setting her on a quest to save the kingdom once again—uncovering her own truth along the way and freeing herself from the expectations that held her back from being who she really is. Anna also helps Elsa here, serving as the other side of a spiritual bridge between the two sisters.
This said, Anna has been Elsa's system enough in Frozen franchise. She's a great character with her own desires and motivations, and now, with Anna as Queen of Arendelle, it's time for Frozen 3 to focus on her and let Elsa take on a more ing role. Anna has a new kingdom to run, a fiance to marry, and is an integral part of the Frozen franchise - meaning Frozen 3 is a bigger deal for Anna than Elsa.
Frozen 2 Gave Elsa A Real Ending
The ending of Frozen 2 serves as true catharsis for Elsa. It answers questions about her powers, frees her from mindsets that were holding her back, and shows her embracing who she really is. It's well done and serves as great character work for Elsa. It also gives the franchise license to not focus on her turmoil in Frozen 3 - as she has let go of the majority of her trauma. In this way, Elsa has a satisfying ending in Frozen 2 and revisiting her arc would only serve to walk back the great growth she's experienced.
Elsa's recognition that her powers are not only a part of her but a legacy from her mother's people legitimizes them and gives her license to use them even more freely. The revelation that she's an elemental spirit gives her the freedom to leave behind the strictures of the crown and the pressures that weighed on her heart, though she couldn't it those things to her family or subjects. "Into The Unknown" clarifies that Elsa has been struggling with being stretched between what she feels she is responsible for and what she feels is right. Frozen 2's ending addresses these problems and sets Elsa free. By the end of the film, Elsa has arrived at the peace that had been eluding her.
Frozen Movies Have Underserved Anna (Because Of Elsa)
While Elsa's magic has been a cornerstone of the Frozen franchise to date, Anna doesn't need ice powers to shine. She's a spitfire: strong, independent, capable, innovative, and proactive. And that she's yet to have a fully fleshed personal arc that doesn't involve Elsa is a problem for such a strong and present character. The last two Frozen films have underserved Anna's character by making her story subordinate to Elsa's. None of this is to say that Elsa isn't a great character—she is—but merely to point out that she's taken Anna's equally-deserved spotlight in the previous films.
However, Frozen 3 has the opportunity to fix this problem and give Anna the main plot and let her powerful character shine in her own right. Frozen has seen Anna chase Elsa to her ice fortress, while Frozen 2 saw Anna pursue her to the Northuldra. This reactionary, trailing, and at times subservient role given to Anna needs to be quashed in favor of making Anna Frozen 3's main character.
Anna's Story Needs To Be More Important In Frozen 3
In this way, Frozen 3 needs to be an Anna-focused story and make her the most important part of the film. Frozen 2 sets this up nicely. Anna is crowned Queen of Arendelle, engaged to be married to the love of her life, and has just spent an entire movie trying to be everything for her sister, only to realize that there are some places she can't follow her. As a result, the implications for introspection and personal growth are palpable in Anna's life moving foward.
Anna is also surrounded by a core cast of characters who can aid in elevating her status as Frozen 3's primary protagonist. Kristoff was underutilized in prior films, and needs to do him justice, so having him fill the role that Anna has been filling for Elsa in previous Frozen films would do nicely. Flipping the script and having the newly self-actualized Elsa help her sister through her issues would also be a great choice by the filmmakers.
How Frozen 3 Should End Anna's Story
Anna has big shoes to fill in becoming the new Queen of Arendelle. She wasn't raised for the throne and has displayed a wild streak in the past two films that suggests being tied to the castle might be difficult for her. A new social structure, the burdens of leadership, and her renewed royal duties might prove suffocating to a soul as free as Anna. Prominent theories have suggested that Anna will develop powers in Frozen 3, or that prior villains could return to hassle the royal family. It's even possible that other family secrets could crop up for Anna to deal with - meaning there is ample room for her character to struggle and grow in the movie.
Yet more powerful than introducing some new element of danger would be to lean into the characters Frozen has already woven and create the drama from within. Anna's new responsibilities and marriage pack enough potential drama and plot to serve as a feature film without the introduction of new elements like powers for her. While Anna should marry Kristoff in Frozen 3 because the first two films justify their relationship and love, putting together the wedding with all its possible complications while struggling to serve a nation she loves in a role she's never been trained would make for a compelling third Frozen installment.
However, if Disney decides to end Anna's story; it must focus on her character development and get Elsa out of the way to let her little sister shine as the spitfire she is. Anna has been set up to have a lot on her plate in the next Frozen film, meaning Frozen 3 has a responsibility to the character to bring her forward and give her arc a satisfying conclusion like it's already done for Elsa.
