4th Collaboration: Disney and Nat Geo Pair for 'The Real Frozen'

National Geographic and Walt Disney Animation Studios are producing a fourth natural history series based on a Disney franchise.

The project, currently working under the title The Real Frozen, joins Silverback Films in a partnership that follows three previous collaborations. Those earlier efforts included Lion, which mirrored The Lion King, and A Real Bug's Life, an Emmy-winning show. A third project, The Real Finding Nemo, was previously announced.

The new series reimagines the Frozen universe by placing real animals in the icy landscapes of Iceland, Finland, Norway, and Sweden. It focuses on the survival strategies and social bonds of wildlife during harsh winter conditions. The premise suggests that real-life behaviors echo the emotional themes of the animated film.

Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, and Jonathan Groff will return to voice Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff. The trio serves as the primary narrators for the show. Josh Gad also appears in the role of Olaf.

Courteney Monroe, president of National Geographic content, said the network aims to inspire children through stories their parents trust. She described the series as a way to combine Disney characters with natural history storytelling to introduce families to the natural world.

Christina Chen, producer of Frozen 3, stated that National Geographic is well-positioned to show the real places that inspired the animated environments. She noted that the lead characters and original animators will participate in the series. Frozen 3 is scheduled for a theatrical release approximately one year from now.

Director Jeff Wilson described the project as a rare opportunity to combine two studios known for imagination. He said the collaboration allows the team to show that the real world is as magical as the animated version. Elisabeth Oakham and Katie Parsons are directing and producing all episodes. Janet H. Vissering serves as executive producer for National Geographic, while Tom McDonald holds the executive vice presidency for Nat Geo content.