Disney Animation’s creative chief says Frozen 3 brings in a brand-new villain who may outmatch Elsa, and the songwriters are about five songs into the score for Nov. 2027.
Elsa has frozen a kingdom, tamed a water horse and outrun a dam break. Now Disney says she may finally have met someone tougher.
Jared Bush, the chief creative officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios, told Collider’s Steve Weintraub that Frozen 3 adds a brand-new villain. “A brand-new character coming in, a new villain, into the world of Frozen, and someone who may be more powerful than Elsa,” Bush said in the interview, which Collider published Tuesday, Nov. 3.
That’s a big claim for a franchise whose main character can build an ice palace while singing. It’s also the first real villain talk Disney has offered since the sequel’s footage played for fans at D23 in August.
Who is the new Frozen 3 villain?
Disney isn’t saying yet. No name, no design and no voice actor have been announced.
Bush did confirm the character is a woman and that the voice work is well underway. Asked when the actor would be revealed, he said, “We’ve already recorded her multiple times.” Then he added, “Stay tuned.”
Collider describes her as a new black-clad witch. That’s Collider’s description, not a quote from Bush, and Disney hasn’t released any official art of the character.
What else did Jared Bush say about Frozen 3?
Quite a bit, actually. Bush said the story picks up close to where Frozen 2 left off.
“Kristoff finally proposed to Anna,” he said. “This movie starts with their wedding.” He also said there’s not a whole lot of time between the second and third films, though he didn’t say exactly how much.
He teased the music, too. “Kristen and Bobby Lopez are working on one of the movie’s most emotional songs right now,” Bush said, referring to songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez. “They are about five songs in.”
And there’s a wedding number to look forward to. “I’ll say that there is a song that you hear around the wedding of Anna and Kristoff that is spectacular,” he said.
His broader pitch was simple. “We have a very special story in store for people,” Bush said. “I think one that will surprise people.”
Here’s the official trailer for Frozen 2 from Walt Disney Animation Studios, if you want a refresher on where everybody left off:
When does Frozen 3 come out?
Frozen 3 opens in theaters on Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2027, the day before Thanksgiving. “Well, Frozen 3 is out in one year,” Bush told Collider, which tracks with the calendar.
Jennifer Lee and Trent Correy are directing, per Collider. Disney confirmed the main cast at D23 in Anaheim on Aug. 14, 2026, where Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel and Josh Gad appeared on stage. Jonathan Groff is also expected back as Kristoff.
Is Frozen 4 still coming right after Frozen 3?
No, and that’s the other half of this week’s news. Disney originally talked about developing the third and fourth films as a pair. Lee said in 2023 that there might be enough story for two movies.
Bush told Collider in a separate interview, published Monday, Nov. 2, that the plan to release them close together has changed. “We’re going to put them right together, and they’re going to be out in the world,” he said, describing the old plan. “That’s not what we’re doing, for a lot of reasons.”
His main reason was quality. “We want to make sure that Frozen 3 is the best movie it can possibly be,” Bush said. He also joked that “a little extra time is not a bad thing because the character is going to need to sing again.”
Frozen 4 doesn’t have a release date. Collider’s Weintraub floated a gap of about three years between the films, and Bush generally agreed, but he didn’t name a year himself.
How big is the Frozen franchise?
Very big. The original Frozen (2013) earned about $1.27 billion worldwide, and Frozen 2 (2019) earned about $1.45 billion, according to The Numbers. Frozen 2 became the biggest animated movie ever at the time.
The franchise also lives in the parks. Frozen Ever After runs at EPCOT, World of Frozen opened at Hong Kong Disneyland in 2023, and another World of Frozen opened at Disneyland Paris in 2026.
So a new villain isn’t just a movie decision. If she catches on, don’t be surprised to see her on a lunch box, a parade float or a Loungefly bag someday. Elsa may want to start stretching now.
Article compiled and written by Kambrea Pratt (editor-in-chief), Derek Gibbs (beat editor) and the Pirates & Princesses newsroom. Pirates & Princesses is part of WebReef Media.
Pirates and Princesses is your destination for Disney news, theme park updates, and the pop culture you love. From Disney cruises and travel tips to Disney fashion, food, collectibles, and movie news, PNP covers it all. Visit us at piratesandprincesses.net for daily coverage. Follow PNP on Facebook and Instagram, and listen to the Pirates & Princesses podcast on Apple Podcasts and YouTube.
Hat Tips:
Collider (Nov. 3, 2026), Jared Bush interview on the Frozen 3 villain, songs and wedding
Collider (Nov. 2, 2026), Bush on the changed Frozen 4 release plan
WDWNT (Nov. 3, 2026), first report of the villain tease
Playbill (Aug. 15, 2026), D23 cast appearance
The Numbers, Frozen box office figures
Walt Disney Animation Studios, Frozen 2 official trailer
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