Even Frozen 2’s Creators Didn’t Understand The Voice Calling To Elsa

A new Frozen II docuseries reveals that the mysterious “voice” Elsa hears was merely an afterthought during most of production. Now streaming on Disney+, Into the Unknown provides a behind-the-scenes look at the making of a pop culture sensation. Surprisingly, one of the biggest subplots confused many of the film’s collaborators until a creative epiphany led to narrative clarity.

Without any context, Disney fans might believe that Frozen II’s Iduna storyline was part of the script. The sequel picks up after the original film, with sisters Elsa (Idina Menzel) and Anna (Kristen Bell) remembering their parents and looking after their native Arendelle. The major conflict emerges when Elsa hears a female voice calling her into the Enchanted Forest, which sets the tone for a mystical storyline about fate, familial legacy, and perseverance. Once Elsa and Anna reach a land called Northuldra, they learn the truth about their’s mother upbringing. From there, the Frozen II storyline becomes more poignant; an ideal blend of drama and humor to entertain various demographics. Into the Unknown does indeed showcase the passion of Disney artists, but also shows viewers how the main story evolved as production intensified.

Frozen II’s “voice” is a recurring talking point in the making-of docuseries. At first, c0-director and writer Jennifer Lee admits that her team has differing opinions about the mystical subplot, which was clearly designed to show WHY Elsa left home. Still, Into the Unknown shows that uncertainty about the “voice” didn’t stop animators and other creatives from pushing forward to cover the essentials. They knew what was necessary in terms of world-building and character design, which is beautifully highlighted throughout the docuseries, most notably during the first three episodes. Still, there’s doubt about the connective tissue — i.e the “voice” — which comes into play as songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and husband Robert Lopez attempt to finalize their work, and with a full understanding that plot details will continue to change in the months leading up to the Frozen II world premiere.

Into the Unknown’s first two episodes acknowledge the “voice” dilemma, and the uncertainly helps build to a third-episode revelation in which Lee and her collaborators make a definitive decision. After re-structuring the song “Show Yourself” to include a lullaby reprise from Evan Rachel Wood’s character, Iduna, the filmmakers decide that it makes sense to have Elsa and Anna’s mother be the “voice,” if only for practical reasons leading up the final act conflict.

As for the viewing experience for audience members, the Frozen II team could not have known that the Iduna storyline would resonate so deeply. The directors feel confident about their decision and seem to recognize the importance of resolving a key issue, but their primary concern is making sure that viewers are clear about the basics. Meaning, the “voice” dilemma didn’t necessarily NEED to be resolved, but clarity amongst the filmmakers allowed for more audience clarity during test screenings. Step by step, the Frozen II filmmakers realized that a touch of mystery would benefit the overall story, but also that they needed to make a firm and internal decision about who the “voice” would be.

About The Author

Q.V. Hough
(1892 Articles Published)

Q.V. Hough is a senior writer at Screen Rant. He’s also the founding editor at Vague Visages, and has contributed to RogerEbert.com and Fandor.

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