Disney is developing yet another live-action adaption of a classic fairy tale, this time tackling Hans Christian Andersen's The Snow Queen.
According to The DisInsider, the House of Mouse is in the early stages of the development process. While details regarding casting and plot remain scarce, the film is being geared toward a theatrical release. So far, only Kristin Burr is attached as a producer.
Andersen's Snow Queen was first published on Dec. 21, 1844 in New Fairy Tales. First Volume. Second Collection. 1845. It is one of Anderson's longest stories and is divided into seven parts. It follows Gerda and her friend Kai as they explore the struggle between good and evil.
This will not be the first adaption of the story for Disney. Both Frozen and Frozen 2 are loosely based on the tale. The two films were a massive success for the media conglomerate, earning over $2.5 billon. Of the $2.5 billion, Frozen 2 brought in $1.4 billion, making it the highest-grossing animated film of all time. The sequel was also nominated for Best Original Song for "Into the Unknown" at the Academy Awards.
ABC, the Disney-owned TV network, also adapted the character for its series Once Upon a Time during the drama's fourth season. Elizabeth Mitchell ported the Snow Queen, who was revealed to be the aunt of Frozen's Anna and Elsa.
The Snow Queen is the latest classic tale to get the live-action treatment, with Atlantis: The Lost Empire and Hercules also in development. While no details are available for Atlantis, Avengers: Endgame directors Joe and Anthony Russo will be producing Hercules with Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings' Dave Callaham writing the script.
The Snow Queen, Hercules and Atlantis will join a host of other modern live-action remakes that Disney has released over the last several years. So far, Disney has remade Cinderella, The Lion King, Aladdin, Lady and the Tramp, Jungle Book, Alice in Wonderland (which spanned the sequel Alice Through the Looking Glass), Dumbo and Beaty and the Beast. The story of Sleeping Beaty was also adapted, with a focus on the villain Maleficent, in Maleficent and Maleficent: Mistress of Evil.
Frozen 2 reunites directors Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck and producer Del Vecho with voice actors Idina Menzel, Kristen Bell, Jonathan Groff and Josh Gad. Returning musical talents include Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez. It is now streaming on Disney+ and is available on Digital HD, Ultra HD Blu-ray, Blu-ray and DVD.