VitalThrills.com recently attended the Frozen 2 press conference and got new details about the anticipated Walt Disney Animation Studios sequel. Attending were directors Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee, as well as Frozen 2 cast members Idina Menzel, Kristen Bell, Jonathan Groff, Evan Rachel Wood and Josh Gad, as well as composers Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez.
Kristen Bell, who plays Anna, spoke about the message of the film, and said that it’s not just girls and women who will find inspiration here. She said Kristoff has a lot to teach us as well. “There’s one moment where Anna is in distress and he swoops in and picks her up,” Bell said. “It’s in the midst of battle, right. He doesn’t say ‘I’ve got you’ and start taking over. He swoops her up and very quickly looks at her and he says, ‘I’m here. What do you need?’ It’s mind blowing.”
Bell continued, “We talk about female empowerment and it’s lead by two women, but I personally think that the representation Jonathan gives for the guys is out of this world,” Bell said. “It’s so subliminal, I don’t even know if people will pick up on it.”
As for Groff’s song “Lost in the Woods” (buy the soundtrack), we’re told that it is an ’80s power ballad in the best way. Bell told the crowd, “Dare I say, it’s one of the best, or at least one of the top three moments of the film,” while Gad said the song is, “the funniest song in Disney Animation history.”
Wood, who plays Anna and Elsa’s mother Queen Iduna, said “Disney raised me.” She continued, “I’ve been singing Disney lullabies to my son since he was born, so to be welcomed into the Disney family is already huge, and then to be given a Disney lullaby of my own was… I’m still processing it.”
Buck spoke about how this film follows the first. “They were trying to figure out who they were,” he said. “But it feels like they’ve graduated college now. They’re getting their lives together. We wanted to know what that means for each of them.”
“If ‘Frozen’ was happily ever after,” Lee added, “then ‘Frozen 2’ is the day after happily ever after. Life gets in the way. It throws you curveballs. So, this is about learning to fight for your place in the world, do what’s right, all of the grown-up things you have to do. There’s still fun and humor, but it’s a deeply emotional story about finding out who we are meant to be.”
Anderson-Lopez spoke about the musical choices in the film. She said, “The girls — Anna and Elsa — are growing up, and our own girls are growing up, too. Our daughters are around the same age as Jennifer Lee’s daughter. They informed the choices we made with ‘Frozen,’ and have also informed the choices we made with ‘Frozen 2.’ As the girls get more independent and have to walk their own paths and face their own moments of crisis without us there to protect them, it’s ushered in a new era of parenting for us, which also made its way into the film.”
Lopez added, “The epic tone of the new movie was something we wanted to hit right from the beginning. So, the lullaby, ‘All Is Found,’ that Queen Iduna sings to her young daughters is meant to be a road map to the mythology of the story.”
Why was Elsa born with magical powers? The answer is calling her and threatening her kingdom. Together with Anna, Kristoff, Olaf and Sven, she’ll set out on a dangerous but remarkable journey. In Frozen, Elsa feared her powers were too much for the world. In Frozen 2, she must hope they are enough. The film will hit theaters on November 22.
- FROZEN 2 – In Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Frozen 2, Elsa, Anna, Kristoff, Olaf and Sven journey far beyond the gates of Arendelle in search of answers. Featuring the voices of Idina Menzel, Kristen Bell, Jonathan Groff and Josh Gad, “Frozen 2” opens in U.S. theaters November 22. © 2019 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
- SPIRITS OF NATURE — – In Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Frozen 2,” Anna (voice of Kristen Bell) learns that a voice has been calling Elsa, urging her to venture into the unknown where she must face the spirits of nature—wind, fire, earth and water. “Frozen 2” opens in U.S. theaters on Nov. 22, 2019. © 2019 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
- FAMILIAR FACE — In Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Frozen 2,” Anna (voice of Kristen Bell) and Elsa (voice of Idina Menzel) meet Lieutenant Destin Mattias in the enchanted forest. They recognize him from portraits in their castle as one of their father’s protectors from long ago. “Frozen 2” opens in U.S. theaters on Nov. 22, 2019. © 2019 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
- REINDEER GAMES — – In Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Frozen 2,” Kristoff and Sven find themselves among a herd of reindeer. Featuring Jonathan Groff as the voice of Kristoff (and Sven), “Frozen 2” opens in U.S. theaters on Nov. 22, 2019. © 2019 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
- Magical and larger than life, Elsa is the perfect mythic character—but she can’t help but wonder why she was born with powers. What truths about the past await Elsa as she ventures into the unknown to the enchanted forests and dark seas beyond Arendelle? Featuring Idina Menzel as the voice of Elsa, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Frozen 2” opens on Nov. 22, 2019. © 2019 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
- In Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Frozen 2, Elsa encounters a Nokk—a mythical water spirit that takes the form of a horse—who uses the power of the ocean to guard the secrets of the forest. Featuring the voice of Idina Menzel as Elsa, “Frozen 2” opens in U.S. theaters November 22. ©2019 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
- In Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Frozen 2, Elsa, Anna, Kristoff, Olaf and Sven journey far beyond the gates of Arendelle in search of answers. Featuring the voices of Idina Menzel, Kristen Bell, Jonathan Groff and Josh Gad, “Frozen 2” opens in U.S. theaters November 22. ©2019 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
- Trusted reindeer Sven and curious snowman Olaf (voice of Josh Gad) are up for an adventure in “Frozen 2.” They join Kristoff, Anna and Elsa on a journey into the unknown in search of answers about the past. From the Academy Award®-winning team—directors Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck, producer Peter Del Vecho and songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez—Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Frozen 2” opens in U.S. theaters on Nov. 22, 2019. © 2019 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
- In “Frozen 2,” Elsa is grateful her kingdom accepts her and she works hard to be a good queen. Deep down, she wonders why she was born with magical powers. The answers are calling her, but she’ll have to venture far from Arendelle to find them. Featuring the voices of Idina Menzel, Kristen Bell, Jonathan Groff and Josh Gad, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Frozen 2” opens on Nov. 22, 2019. © 2019 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
- FROZEN 2 – In Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Frozen 2, Elsa, Anna, Kristoff, Olaf and Sven journey far beyond the gates of Arendelle in search of answers. Featuring the voices of Idina Menzel, Kristen Bell, Jonathan Groff and Josh Gad, “Frozen 2” opens in U.S. theaters November 22. © 2019 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
- In Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Frozen 2, Anna (voice of Kristen Bell) and Olaf (voice of Josh Gad) venture far from Arendelle in a dangerous but remarkable journey to help Elsa find answers about the past. From the Academy Award®-winning team—directors Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck, producer Peter Del Vecho and songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Frozen 2” opens in U.S. theaters on Nov. 22, 2019. ©2019 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
- KING AGNARR – The son of King Runeard, King Agnarr is married to Queen Iduna, and is Anna and Elsa’s father. King Agnarr loves his family, and would do anything to ensure his daughters’ wellbeing and safety Alfred Molina lends his voice to King Agnarr. From the Academy Award®-winning team—directors Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck, producer Peter Del Vecho and songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez—Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Frozen 2” opens in U.S. theaters on Nov. 22, 2019. © 2019 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
- BRUNI – Curious and cute, this salamander inhabits the Enchanted Forest. Though shy at first, Bruni can’t help but be drawn to Elsa’s icy magic and enjoys the cool snowflake treats she creates. From the Academy Award®-winning team—directors Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck, producer Peter Del Vecho and songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez—Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Frozen 2” opens in U.S. theaters on Nov. 22, 2019. © 2019 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
- (From Left to Right) HONEYMAREN – A member of the Northuldra, Honeymaren is a true free spirit and wants nothing more than to bring peace to the enchanted forest. She is bold and brave, with a reverence for the magic of nature. Rachel Matthews provides the voice of Honeymaren. RYDER – Eager and fun, Honeymaren’s brother Ryder embraces life with optimism. Ryder’s love of reindeer might just rival Kristoff’s – but unlike Kristoff, Ryder has never roamed the great plains outside of the Enchanted Forest. He longs to embrace the world and venture beyond the magical mist. Jason Ritter lends his voice to Ryder. YELANA – The unspoken leader of the nomadic Northuldra. She is fiercely protective of her family and community but is known to soften when people show an understanding of nature and their environment. Martha Plimpton was called on to bring Yelana to life. Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Frozen 2” opens in U.S. theaters on Nov. 22, 2019. © 2019 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
- INTO THE UNKNOWN — Magical and larger than life, Elsa is the perfect mythic character—but she can’t help but wonder why she was born with powers. Meanwhile, Anna is the perfect fairytale character—unflappable and forever the optimist. What truths about the past await Elsa and Anna as they venture into the unknown to an enchanted forest far from Arendelle? Featuring Idina Menzel as the voice of Elsa, and Kristen Bell as the voice of Anna, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Frozen 2” opens on Nov. 22, 2019. © 2019 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
- ENCHANTED FOREST — In Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Frozen 2,” Elsa (voice of Idina Menzel) finds herself in an enchanted forest that is surrounded by a mysterious and magical mist. “Frozen 2” opens in U.S. theaters on Nov. 22, 2019. © 2019 Disney. All Rights Reserved.