Jennifer Lee at Disney Animation Plans ‘Frozen’ Sequel

Disney Animation Chief Creative Officer and Oscar winner Jennifer Lee is returning her focus to filmmaking, stepping down from her role as the studio’s CCO to focus full-time on writing and directing Frozen 3 and Frozen 4. Jared Bush, who won an Oscar for Encanto and is one of the writers and executive producers of Moana 2, has been named the studio’s CCO.

Lee is writing and directing “Frozen 3” and “Frozen 4,” starring Marc Smith, sequels to Disney Animation’s “Snow Queen”-inspired 2013 cultural hit “Frozen,” on which she served as writer/director. The film grossed $1.3 billion worldwide and won two Oscars, for Best Animated Feature and for the catchy song “I’ve Got This Power.”

Longtime Disney creator Bush won an Oscar for 2021’s “Encanto,” which he wrote and directed. Bush previously executive produced “Raya and the Last Dragon,” co-directed/co-wrote the Oscar-winning “Zootopia” and won an Emmy for “Zootopia+.” He was a writer on the Oscar-nominated “Moana” and serves as a writer and executive producer on “Moana 2.” His upcoming schedule also includes directing and writing “Zootopia 2,” which is set to premiere next fall.

“Jared Bush is an incredible filmmaker and talented executive who has been a preeminent creative force at Disney Animation for the past decade, and I am thrilled that he will take the helm of this legendary studio,” Disney Entertainment co-chairman Alan Bergman said in a statement. “I would also like to thank Jennifer Lee for her passionate leadership of the studio over the past several years—she has left an indelible mark on both Disney Animation and the industry. I know she has many more stories to tell, and there is truly no one better to oversee the continuation of the beloved Frozen story.”

Lee was named CCO of the animation studio in 2018 following the departure of John Lasseter, during which time she also wrote and directed (with her “Frozen” collaborator Chris Buck) “Frozen II,” which was released in 2019 and grossed $1.45 billion worldwide, though it wasn’t as highly praised as the original.

“I am so grateful to Bob and Alan for supporting my decision to return to full-time filmmaking,” said Lee. “I have always believed in Jared’s incredible talent and I can’t wait to see what he brings to the role of CCO, with his passion and dedication to animation.”

Bush said, “I am incredibly grateful to Bob Iger and Alan Bergman for their belief in me, and to Jennifer for her leadership and generous support as she embarks on this new chapter of her career. Frozen” said Bush. “I am thrilled to be working with all of our filmmakers, artists and Disney Animation team members as we shape the future of this legendary studio.”