Frozen 2 built on the phenomenal success of its predecessor, going on to be the highest-grossing animated film of all time. Such a feat was achieved not only thanks to the brimming love for the sisters of Arendelle, but also because the sequel pushed their character arcs in new and inspiring ways. Aside from catchy songs and vibrant set pieces, audiences could read powerful messages into the coming-of-age story as well.
More important that conveying a particular message, though, was exploring the ways Anna (Kristen Bell) and Elsa (Idina Menzel) had grown as people. Jennifer Lee, who wrote the screenplay as well as co-directed the film with Chris Buck, was particularly invested in the sisters confronting their own personal truths.
With the film becoming available digitally on February 11, the two directors and producer Peter Del Vecho sat down with Screen Rant to share some of the creative process behind Frozen 2. They also discussed their favorite cut musical numbers, which will be available as part of the home release on February 25.
Congratulations on Frozen 2. One thing that I really loved was how it went beyond the scope of the first story and actually incorporated themes like post-colonialism, treatment of indigenous people, and even environmental protections. Were those conscious choices that you incorporated, and what inspired them?
Jennifer Lee: I think, in many ways, it was more organic than very specific. We didn't write this sort of from outside or agenda in, we wrote it from character out. But the characters are growing up, and they're confronting a changing world. They're confronting truths about their family, they're confronting their community, their environment. That's what we all wrestle with as we mature: what's our role in the world and what choices do we make?
I think Anna's put to the ultimate test of doing what's right for everyone, that could possibly jeopardize the structure of the kingdom. And those are things we wrestle with all the time. So, for us, it became really about looking at all the things we wrestle with in our world as you grow up and mature and have to make choices about how you're going to participate. For us, it always has to come from character, and that's and that's where we found ourselves. That's what was so interesting.
Speaking of character, Kristoff got to sing his little heart out. But at the same time, you guys did a great job of letting the sisters have their space. How do you work on that balance? He's the perfect man for Anna, but he's also not in the limelight.
Chris Buck: There's a song that's on the deleted scenes, "Get This Right," and it was about a proposal to Anna. It was too early too much in the film, and it took their relationship to a different place. It also took away from the Anna-Elsa story too much.
Anytime that anything like that shows up, we've got to make tough choices and say we have to cut the song because it's not supporting the Anna-Elsa story. That's the main drive. Kristoff's there to support that story.
So we took his character arc and the proposals along the way that support his story, and then eventually we see what happens at the end. But it's all in support of Anna and Elsa's story.
Were there any other avenues that you guys had to let go of, because of the main story that you wanted to tell? I know that we saw a little clip of Anna learning more about her parents and what they thought of her. Were there any other babies that you had to let go of?
Peter Del Vecho: There's a lot of them all along the way. We talked about songs, but I can't tell you how many versions of the script Jen wrote and how many sequences got rewritten. Characters that at one point we loved and had to let go of are merged with other characters.
So, you're constantly trying to let the film and the characters tell you where it needs to go. And that means being open to the idea that some things you were in love with may not be the right choice for the movie.
I know that this feels a complete journey for Anna and Elsa, but we did meet some lovely new characters along the way, especially in Northuldra. Is there any chance that you would consider a Disney+ series for that?
Jennifer Lee: Is that a request? I think with the Frozen world, we're just as exhausted - if not more so, because we're older.
After the first one, we took a quite a step back and took a beat before thinking about, is there more to tell. So, we're kind of in that mode. Now with the DVDs coming out, I'm still enjoying watching some of the things that we animated last. Like "Show Yourself."
But I think, for us, we don't want to jump to create something that wouldn't feel right in the long run. So, we're going to take our time before thinking about it, I think.
Speaking of the DVD, is there any one feature or deleted song that you're most excited for fans to watch?
Jennifer Lee: I loved "Home." We talked about "Get This Right," which I absolutely love, but I love "Home." There's just this beautiful bridge in it about Anna that sums up her journey.
In fact, part of "Home" isn't there, but it’s the journey inside that is there. And I love that Marc Smith, our Director of Story storyboarded that in such a beautiful way, so I always love going back to that one.
Disney's Frozen 2 arrives on Digital on February 11, and is out on 4K, Blu-ray, and DVD on February 25.