Disney To Air 'Frozen' TV Special With News About "The Next Chapter"

Two years ago, I was at Disney Animation Studios to learn about Wreck It Ralph. At the same time, there were some photos on the wall from this little movie called Frozen. When I asked about them, everyone was very coy. They mentioned the film would be about two princesses and set in the snow, but that was about it. How could I know that behind those walls, animators were making what would become a multiple Oscar-winner and the biggest animated film of all-time?

Now, you too can step into Disney Animation Studios and learn about Frozen. Disney will air The Story of Frozen: Making a Disney Animated Classic on Tuesday September 2 at 8 p.m. on ABC. It's all new hour of behind the scenes footage about the film, which will also include a sneak preview of their latest, Big Hero 6, and promises to "include some exciting announcements about the next chapter of Frozen and a never-before-seen preview of "Frozen" characters Anna, Elsa and Kristoff on an upcoming episode of ABC's smash-hit Once Upon a Time." Does that just mean the upcoming books? Or could it possibly refer to a movie? Read more about the Frozen TV special below.

Below the photo, read a full press release about the Frozen TV special. I've bolded the most telling paragraph, which we'll discuss after:

"The Story of Frozen: Making a Disney Animated Classic" is an all-new, original special in a first-of-its-kind collaboration with Lincoln Square Productions and Walt Disney Animation Studios. The special ventures behind-the-scenes for an exclusive look at the origins and evolution of the Academy Award- winning film "Frozen," now the biggest animated feature of all time. A breathtaking and fantastic saga, the special tells the real story of making a modern movie based on a timeless tale that nearly overnight became a cultural touchstone for legions of fans."The Story of Frozen: Making a Disney Animated Classic" airs TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2 (8:00 -9:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.Viewers will get a rare look inside Walt Disney Animation Studios and unprecedented access to the creative team that brought "Frozen" to life. Throughout the one-hour special, the audience will hear from "Frozen" stars Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel, the directors, songwriters, producer and artists and chief creative officer John Lasseter – the team who dreamed of making a cherished Hans Christian Andersen story into a big screen animated musical. Viewers will take a journey to the beautiful Norwegian villages and landscapes that inspired the look of Arendelle – the fictional kingdom – and see images and footage from the research trips to Norway, Quebec and points beyond that helped create the film's unforgettable look and feel.This special will also include some exciting announcements about the next chapter of "Frozen" and a never-before-seen preview of "Frozen" characters Anna, Elsa and Kristoff on an upcoming episode of ABC's smash-hit "Once Upon a Time."The program will culminate in an exclusive sneak peek at the action-packed comedy-adventure "Big Hero 6," currently in production at Walt Disney Animation Studios –under wraps until now – as the team prepares their next big-screen epic."The Story of Frozen: Making a Disney Animated Classic" features interviews with "Frozen" stars Kristen Bell (voice of Anna) and Idina Menzel (voice of Elsa) as well as Walt Disney Animation Studios' chief creative officer and "Frozen" executive producer John Lasseter, Academy Award®-winning filmmakers, including directors Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee, producer Peter Del Vecho, and songwriters Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez. This one-hour special will also feature exclusive insights and commentary from art director Mike Giaimo and talented artists from the art direction, animation and effects teams. The exclusive sneak peek of "Big Hero 6" is presented by the film's directors, Don Hall and Chris Williams."The Story of Frozen: Making a Disney Animated Classic" is produced by Lincoln Square Productions. Jeanmarie Condon is Senior Executive Producer and Rudy Bednar is Director of "The Story of Frozen: Making a Disney Animated Classic."

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Me again. Now the specific use of the word "Chapter" in that tease likely means Disney is just going to let the world know what we already knew. The Frozen story will continue in Random House books. That's a safe, easy way to satisfy demand while also not ruining the huge intellectual property Disney has now created. But who knows? Maybe they announce the Broadway show, or have prepped the biggest long shot, a film sequel. I sincerely doubt that film will happen anytime soon though.

Will you be tuning in to watch The Story of Frozen: Making a Disney Animated Classic?