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DISNEY ANIMATION HAS announced that a follow-up to the animated mega-hit “Frozen” — which raked in nearly €1.2 billion in global ticket sales — is in the works.
“Forecast: Winter weather ahead! Disney Animation developing #Frozen2,” the studio said on Twitter, adding that directors Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee would be back for the second installment of the musical tale.
“At last, I can say – FROZEN 2!!!! I’m beyond excited to create alongside my Frozen family!” Lee tweeted, along with a photo of Queen Elsa and her sister Anna — the stars of the blockbuster Oscar-winning flick.
Beyond being Disney’s top box-office hit, “Frozen” is the fifth top-grossing film of all time, according to industry tracker Box Office Mojo.
It won two Oscars last year for best animated feature — Disney’s first in the category — and best original song for the ubiquitous “Let It Go.”
Beyond the booming ticket sales, the film’s princess stars and sidekick ‘Olaf the Snowman’ are also cash generators in the form of merchandise, theme park attractions and – appropriately – ice shows.
The film’s soundtrack — boosted by the popularity of “Let It Go” and other tunes like “Do You Wanna Build A Snowman?” — has been a best-seller.
There are tentative plans for a Broadway show, following in the footsteps of “The Lion King” and “Aladdin.”
Loosely based on Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Snow Queen,” the film tells the story of princess Anna, who sets off on a journey to find her sister Elsa, whose hard-to-control icy powers have trapped the kingdom of Arendelle in eternal winter.
The dynamic sisters are set to star in an animated short, “Frozen Fever”, to be released with Disney’s live-action feature “Cinderella” on Friday — a twin bill that experts say is likely to boost “Cinderella” sales.
- Twitter explosion -
“Frozen 2″ quickly became one of the top trending topics on Twitter.
Actress Kristen Bell, who portrays Anna, tweeted a photo of herself smiling and sleeping on a bag of ice cubes, with the message: “Dreams really do come 2!!! #FROZEN2.”
The announcement from Disney — also made at an annual meeting with shareholders — is hardly a surprise, given the massive success of the 2013 original, which focused more on sisterly love than a romance.
The studio’s last animated release, “Big Hero 6,” has so far taken in just €569 million worldwide in comparison, despite largely positive reviews and this year’s Oscar for best animated feature.
Disney also offered news on another major franchise — the “Star Wars” films.
It revealed the title of its first stand-alone film featuring “Star Wars” characters — “Rogue One” — and said Oscar-nominated British actress Felicity Jones had been cast in the film set for release in December 2016.
Episode VIII in the original series will be released in May 2017.
Disney shelled out $4 billion to buy “Star Wars” founder George Lucas’s Lucasfilm in October 2012.
Disney chairman and chief executive Robert Iger today hailed the entertainment giant’s good financial health.
“We’ve had four straight years of record results,” Iger told shareholders.
Driven by extraordinary creativity, innovative technology and global expansion, 2014 was in fact the best year in our history.
Revenue was up eight percent to €45.95 billion, a company statement said.
Disney shares were up 3.5 percent to €100.32 in late trade — a sign that investors were pleased with the announcements.
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Oh please give me a break
If these ” Asylum seekers ” really were in fear for their lives they would have claimed Asylum at the first port of Safety ,not spend thousands travelling through dozens of countries to get to our little Island.
They are not Asylum seekers
They are social welfare seekers
Cut and paste asset column – cut and paste well done
Wrong story chief….
My asset, a one way ticket from Ethiopia to Ireland costs about 600 euros, direct flights from Addis Ababa to Istanbul and on to Dublin, first port of call in a European country Ireland, this is just one route, please back up your statement or do not make one, asylum seekers are human and children are children, another institution Ireland and the government want to hide until a scandal breaks which will cost the tax payer much more in the long term.
Jeez David, better watch out, they don’t like actual facts on Asylum comments. They usual far right crowd will be along after Jeremy Kyle with their red thumbing.
Istanbul in Turkey? Turkey which is in Europe? The same country which is politically European and made an application to join the EU in 1987? Is that the Istanbul you say you can get a connecting flight to Dublin “their first port of call” in Europe?
The majority are coming in through Italy, but then again you know that don’t you.
@Yaya – yes, because Turkey is in the EU and is, therefore covered by the Dublin Regulation – which, by the way, everyone misquotes.
But, like I said, no one likes facts here so carry on …
@Dara, Turkey isnt actually in the EU, it is however in Europe
Only 5% of Turkey is in Europe 95% is in Asia.
@Yaya – get that sarcasm detector looked at
3% actually, but politically it is European, which is what we are talking about, it is also not part of the Dublin Regulation
Jesus yaya – do you still not get the sarcasm? Ok I’ll explain it to you – as Turkey is not in the EU it is, therefore not subject to the Dublin Regulation, therefore, your comment re Istanbul being in Europe had absolutely no relevance whatsoever to the one that you tried to undermine.
I used sarcasm to try to point this out to you but it seems it was a bit too highbrow for you.
I’ll stick to Daily Mail formatting in future.
That comment wasn’t in response to yours at all Dara
Upon their 18th birthday, return them to their country of origin as they are now no longer children.
Why?
How does a minor get on a plane in the first place? Surely the airlines have a responsibility in this as I fail to see how a 14 y.o child can arrive up to a check in desk with a one way ticket to Ireland without raising suspicion.
Because they come by land. My guess would be that their families get the funds together for the people smugglers and then when their kid is set up, they follow them over or at least have a source of funds from Europe going forward. Also, having no ID on them they can lie about their ages etc. We all know that the majority want to live in countries like the UK and Germany, Ireland has just become a one stop shop for a European passport. Its just a big con game run by people smuggling cartels that promise these people the moon and stars for a few thousand dolors.
At the end of the day its the tax payer that suffers and it puts pressure on the social welfare system etc.
Fair point Damien. I do remember watching a few programmes where people were claiming that they were under-age in order to claim asylum but I never thought of it the other way around.
So, where are those missing children?
Faded into the background (if nothing sinister has happened). I know a family who fostered an afghani boy for 12yrs – his parents were dead. As soon as he turned 18, he was sent to a DP Centre.
The family fought to keep him but we’re told no. He’s studying now whilst waiting on the outcome of an application – the family were advised not to stay in contact and were warned that they cannot give him any financial support.
The ‘missing children’ are possibly now living illegally in Ireland.
Well said! The old ‘first port of call’ and ‘ship them back brigade’ still alive and kicking I see. Just as well the U.S. doesn’t have the same attitude to irish undocumented, sticking them in direct provision centres for example. But then, I guess most Irish who abuse the American immigration system are our ‘own’ grand fellas, not like these dark types coming over here to our fair Isle. Hypocrisy, the worst Irish trait, and not a word of concern for the children who have gone missing on our watch.
Agreed Joanne
Actually if found they are deported. First they are taken to a prison, processed, and then shipped out. What is your point. The same thing happens to white people and white asylum seekers. Continue with your Irish bashing all you want, its obvious who the racist is in this case.
Can you tell me how many Irish citizens claimed asylum in the US in the last 50 years ?
There is no comparison at all.
Illegal Irish people in the US are (by and large) economic migrants who have chosen to enter (and remain) illegal. If found they should be arrested and deported – just like all ‘illegals’ the world over.
What a crying shame for this country that you never need to emigrate Larry….. Well there’s always hope.
Racist? Please, the only racists around here are those who see one rule for certain ethnicities and different ones for others. As for your assertion that they face deportation ‘if found’ etc that may happen on occasion, and that is the risk you run when you break the law, but where are they sent back to? Ireland… hardly a war zone or the most dangerous place to be if you’re a woman/homosexual/religious minority and so on. And still not a word on the missing children.
This was meant in response and support to David Hughes’ comment above
How can you blame these young vulnerable persons for not wanting to go through the direct provision system ?!
I have great admiration for these ‘now’ brave young men.. Let’s pray that they are safe and secure and that they also have a wonderful future (wherever that maybe)
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