Each Walt Disney Animation and Pixar’s early-2020s slates have consisted of authentic films, however that’s seeking to change as the last decade goes on. Finally yr’s D23 Expo, Pixar introduced a follow-up to the 2015 hit movie Inside Out, and now Disney CEO Bob Iger has revealed that three extra animated sequels are within the works. Pixar will launch a fifth installment in its flagship Toy Story franchise, and sequels are additionally coming for the Zootopia and Frozen franchises (their second and third films, respectively).
Whereas reactions to the information of three extra Disney sequels on the docket have been combined, just about everyone seems to be asking the identical query at this level: what are these films going to be about?
Toy Story 5
Of the three film bulletins from Iger, that is the one which has obtained essentially the most backlash. Two out of the 4 Toy Story films that at the moment exist are basically in regards to the franchise ending, so its return for yet one more installment is baffling to some. On prime of this, fan reception to 2019’s Toy Story 4 was notably weaker than the earlier three movies, despite the fact that it was nonetheless constructive on the entire.
Going into this installment, Woody the cowboy and Buzz Lightyear the astronaut will possible nonetheless be separated, as the previous left the latter for a lifetime of journey with Bo Peep on the finish of the final film, whereas the latter stayed with Bonnie and the remainder of the toys. On condition that Tim Allen has tweeted about returning to voice Buzz within the new film, it will possibly most likely be assumed that the main focus might be on the characters remaining in Bonnie’s room, together with Jessie the cowgirl, Bullseye the horse, Rex the dinosaur, Hamm the pig, and Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head, amongst others.
Nonetheless, it wouldn’t really feel like a real Toy Story film with out Woody, and despite the fact that he received the majority of the main focus within the fourth movie and Tom Hanks has but to publicly acknowledge the brand new undertaking, it might be stunning if Woody had been to not be within the film in any respect, even for only a cameo look.
Regardless, given the present location of the longtime protagonist as of now, a Buzz- and/or Jessie-centric film appears possible at this level. Since Woody was at all times the ringleader of the toys, the hole in management might result in battle between the remaining characters, and the aforementioned two specifically appear most poised to take over that function in Bonnie’s room. An attention-grabbing dimension to a narrative like this might be that these two characters are at the moment a romantic couple and a battle like this might threaten to drive a wedge between them. This, on prime of the absence of Woody, who was near each Buzz and Jessie, may make for some fairly good drama within the new film.
On a doubtlessly happier be aware, it’s doable the film may deal with a reunion between Woody and the opposite toys. Maybe one of many aforementioned two romances is tying the knot, with the others studying of this via some type of toy grapevine and eager to shock them by displaying as much as the occasion. A street trip-style film would ensue, with the surprising friends having to beat a bunch of obstacles as a way to make it to the massive occasion.
Admittedly, these concepts appear maybe extra suited to quick movies or specials (each of which have been made for the Toy Story franchise up to now). Nevertheless, on condition that characteristic movies earn more money, it’s not stunning Disney and Pixar are taking that choice right here.
Frozen 3
Frozen is formally going to be a trilogy (and if it’s as profitable as Toy Story, possibly extra). Whereas this franchise has by no means had an official “conclusion” (whereas the aforementioned one has already had two) some followers are a bit of caught as to the place it will possibly go at this level. Very similar to Toy Story 4, Frozen 2 ended with the 2 leads on separate paths, with Elsa going to stay within the woods together with her new mates as a spirit and Anna taking up from her as Queen of Arendelle.
This cut up doesn’t come throughout as being fairly as “closing” because the one between Woody and Buzz in Toy Story 4 since we all know the sisters nonetheless see one another typically. Nevertheless, one other battle between the 2 lands appears possible, and this time Anna and Elsa would positively be on completely different sides of it.
Being compelled to decide on between defending their respective lands and sustaining their bond as sisters could be dramatic, heart-wrenching, and most significantly, present the potential for an additional killer soundtrack of earworms. These two spent most of their lives aside from one another, at the very least in an emotional sense, as a consequence of Elsa’s powers, and the specter of it taking place once more would make for some enormous stakes for the third film.
No matter what occurs on this film, although, viewers will most likely get to see a marriage between Anna and Kristoff. Their romance has been the opposite relationship central to the Frozen franchise up to now, and in spite of everything Kristoff went via as a way to suggest to Anne within the second movie, their nuptials are certain to be one for the books. (And despite the fact that the sisters will most likely be in battle for a lot of the film, it’s a protected guess that Elsa might be there to cheer on the couple when the marriage does occur.)
Zootopia 2
Of the three lately introduced Disney sequels, that is the one which most individuals appear to be on board with, even when they’re less-than-enthused in regards to the different two. Zootopia was an enormous hit again in 2016 (it even joined the billion-dollar membership with out being a sequel, a rarity for an animated movie) however Disney hasn’t carried out very a lot to capitalize on its success since then past a number of smaller initiatives. Hopefully, this implies they’ve been working onerous to search out the best story and fine-tune it so it’s good.
It’s onerous to foretell what a follow-up to Zootopia may seem like because the world of the franchise presents so many potentialities. The primary film centered on bunny Judy Hopps and fox Nick Wilde as they solved a case for the police division, however a lot of completely different animals populate the titular metropolis, which means they might theoretically have new lead characters – both facet gamers from the earlier movie or model new ones – with Judy and Nick taking a backseat and taking part in smaller roles within the film.
This state of affairs could be extra possible than some might imagine, as a result of it’s no secret that within the years since Zootopia got here out, the establishment of the police has develop into much more hotly debated by the general public than it was again then, which is de facto saying one thing on condition that the film itself is centered on this pressure to an extent. Whether or not or not the movie efficiently handles the nuances and metaphors it makes use of to tackle this matter is certainly a “your mileage might differ” state of affairs, however Disney might think about the subject too controversial to deal with this time round.
The primary movie ended with Nick becoming a member of Zootopia’s police drive, so if the film does resolve to deal with that facet of the town once more, the final, battle in regards to the practices of the cops – whether or not from Nick, Judy, or each – is more likely to be part of this plotline. Whereas Disney advocating for abolishing the police is unlikely, some type of reform to the squad would most likely occur right here, although how a lot is debatable.
The opposite choice Disney has with this film is to shift the main focus, to a different matter and even different characters. In the event that they follow Nick and Judy however don’t wish to deal with the police facet of their story, they might go the route of them serving to out another person on the town coping with a disaster of some variety (maybe a business-related one, as this might assist increase the world of the franchise) or, maybe extra controversially, go the romantic route with the 2 of them. Regardless of them being of various species, this duo positively has their shippers, and it may make for an allegory on interracial marriage (and even homosexual marriage, in a way, because the battle would most likely be others not accepting their relationship and seeing it as “unnatural”).
It’s onerous to say which different animals the filmmakers may go along with; Judy’s former bully-turned-farmer could be an attention-grabbing one, and it may result in an exploration of sophistication points (which might be particularly attention-grabbing given he at the moment lives exterior of Zootopia itself). Nevertheless, he’s a bunny and Disney would most likely wish to select a species of animal not spotlighted so closely within the first movie. Gazelle, the Shakira-voiced pop star of Zootopia, might be an alternative choice, and the film’s crew may use her to inform a narrative that includes some commentary on the world of superstar and fame.
No matter what Disney does with this film, there are two key parts the Zootopia sequel ought to have. The primary is that it ought to increase the world by introducing new characters and new parts of life in Zootopia, and presumably the world exterior it. This could not solely enrich the story of this film however assist construct the franchise and doubtlessly result in extra sequels and spin-offs, one thing Disney certainly needs for the Zootopia model. On paper, this franchise ought to have extra shelf life than the likes of Toy Story and Frozen, so whereas this film’s major focus shouldn’t simply be establishing extra content material, if Disney performs its playing cards proper it may organically result in simply that.
The opposite key component is that this Zootopia sequel ought to embrace some type of social commentary. That was an enormous a part of what received the primary film such glowing evaluations, and plenty of adults who won’t have seen it in any other case to go test it out. Whereas the metaphors within the first film weren’t excellent, they managed to permit for a narrative that wouldn’t typically be seen in a movie “for youths” to be there, they usually did spark dialog amongst audiences.
Granted, the political local weather in 2023 (and doubtless no matter yr this film winds up popping out) is much more risky than it was again in early 2016. It’s comprehensible that Disney may wish to transfer away from super-topical content material, particularly since they’ve been in scorching water with each left- and right-leaning folks up to now few years, and prefer it or not, they depend on each for cash. Nevertheless, in the event that they had been to only play a narrative about cops “straight” within the present period, with out acknowledging any of the controversy in regards to the topic, the sting the primary film had could be misplaced.
That is why the most effective route for this film is to select one other facet of the town to deal with and supply some sharp commentary on that. Enterprise, leisure, training, no matter, however it might be disappointing to observe up what was a whopper of a movie on the time with a watered-down story with no “chunk” to it. It doesn’t technically need to be “political”, or at the very least not an clearly political matter just like the legislation and its enforcement, however a Zootopia sequel that performs it protected could be a tragic follow-up certainly.
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