‘Toy Story 5’ and ‘Frozen 3’ Officially In The Works, Disney Confirms
Disney is expanding its animated movies with new films from some fan-favorite franchises. Disney CEO Bob Iger announced on an earnings call Wednesday that Toy Story, Frozen and Zootopia have sequels in the works.
Iger said, “We’ll have more to share about these productions soon, but this is a great example of how we’re leaning into our unrivaled brands and franchises.” The most recent installments of the animated franchises were huge global grossing hits on the big screen: Frozen 2 earned $1.45 billion in 2019, Toy Story 4 with $1.07 billion in 2019 and Zootopia grossed $1.02 billion in 2016.
The new installment in the Toy Story series comes after four films starring Tom Hanks as Woody and Tim Allen as Buzz. Disney recently replaced Allen with Chris Evans in the 2022 Lightyear spin-off. Hanks and Allen have worked together on all four Toy Story movies starting with the 1995 original and its following sequels, Toy Story 2 (1999), Toy Story 3 (2010) and Toy Story 4 (2019).
Iger promised more details soon, but many social media users began questioning whether Allen, who voices Buzz Lightyear in Toy Story, would be involved. The comments came weeks after he was accused of flashing Pamela Anderson on the set of the sitcom Home Improvement in 1991. The actor publicly denied the claims, stating that it “never happened” and he would “never do such a thing.” Anderson followed this up by claiming: “He has to deny it because look at the times we’re in. What if he said, ‘Oh yeah, I did that.’”
However, Allen wrote on Twitter shortly after the Toy Story 5 news rolled in: “See ya soon Woody, you are a sad strange little man and you have my pity. And off we go to a number 5! To infinity and beyond!”
See ya soon Woody, you are a sad strange little man and you have my pity. And off we go to a number 5! To infinity and beyond! pic.twitter.com/bwRzE487Vi
— Tim Allen (@ofctimallen) February 9, 2023
Frozen was released in 2013 and Frozen II was released in 2019. Zootopia came out in 2016, with a Disney+ series of short episodes, Zootopia+ was released last year. Zootopia won an Oscar for Best Animated Feature in 2017.
Kristen Bell, who voices Anna in Frozen has been outspoken about her desire for a third film. “I would like to officially announce, with zero authority, Frozen 3,” she said on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon in June. “Please bear in mind I did say, ‘zero authority,’ because I can’t [actually announce it]. I can’t do that — I’m not in charge. But there could be something in the works and something maybe happening, maybe.”
Fans of the film franchises voiced their opinions on Twitter of the announcement. One person wrote: “Zootopia 2: Sure why not there’s plenty more stories to tell in this universe. Frozen 3: Surprisingly I don’t mind this idea. If they take their time instead of rushing it out like 2, there’s a lot of potential. I just won’t look forward to it. Toy Story 5: Absolutely f—ing not.”
Zootopia 2: Sure why not there's plenty more stories to tell in this universe
— Schaffrillas (@Schaffrillas) February 9, 2023
Frozen 3: Surprisingly I don't mind this idea. If they take their time instead of rushing it out like 2, there's a lot of potential. I just won't look forward to it
Toy Story 5: Absolutely fucking not https://t.co/BqPHL7ZjOv
Another person said, “There does not need to be a Toy Story 5. Them toys have been through ENOUGH!!” Meanwhile, another commented, “Toy Story 5 FOR WHAT. Toy Story 4 almost gave me a damn STROKE cuz of that fat a– evil bear!”
