Disney Announces Sequels for ‘Toy Story’, ‘Frozen’, & Zootopia Alongside News Of 7,000 Employees Being Laid Off

Disney CEO Bob Iger announced animated sequels for Toy Story, Frozen, and Zootopia on Wednesday’s earning call. In this call, it was also announced that 7,000 Disney employees are being laid off to save $5.5 billion in costs.

“Today, I’m so pleased to announce,” Iger said, “that we have sequels in the works from our animation studios to some of our most popular franchises, Toy Story, Frozen, and Zootopia. We’ll have more to share about these productions soon, but this is a great example of how we’re leaning into our unrivaled brands and franchises.” 

Zootopia (2016), Toy Story 4 (2019), and Frozen II (2019) made Disney billions, so it is no surprise to hear that sequels are in the works.

Tim Allen has already confirmed his reprisal of the role of Buzz Lightyear for the new movie.

Several Tim Allen fans had previously speculated that Allen was fired from the role of Buzz Lightyear because Chris Evans played a part in Lightyear (2022), the movie about the fictional space ranger that inspired the toy we see in Toy Story (1995).

Tom Hanks has not yet commented on the film, but it is hard to imagine a sequel that doesn’t feature Woody, even if there was seemingly some finality in Woody’s goodbye in Toy Story 4.

We can also expect the return of Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel, who played Anna and Elsa, respectively, in Frozen (2013) and Frozen II (2019). Seven months ago, Bell expressed interest in a sequel on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.  

“But I know Idina recently said she would do it,” Bell said. “And I feel like if we’re all in… what are we waiting for?”

Ginnifer Goodwin, who played Judy Hopps in Zootopia (2016) has not been in any movies since Zootopia came out but had a long history with Disney. She played Tinker Bell in Tinker Bell and the Legend of the NeverBeast (2014) and Snow White in Once Upon A Time (2011), so it would certainly be a surprise if she, alongside Jason Bateman, who played Nick Wilde, didn’t return for a sequel.

Disney will undoubtedly make a lot of money, perhaps even $5.5 billion.