Making-of special ‘Story of Frozen’ to air on ABC

Disney and ABC are going behind the musical with “The Story of Frozen,” a one-hour TV special about the making of the highest-grossing animated movie of all time.

Set to air Tuesday on ABC, “The Story of Frozen” will feature interviews with stars Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel; directors Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee; songwriters Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez; Disney Animation Chief Creative Officer John Lasseter; and others. Josh Gad, who voiced Olaf in the movie, will host the show.

The special also promises “exciting announcements about the next chapter of ‘Frozen,’” according to ABC’s news release, and a preview of “Frozen” characters Anna, Elsa and Kristoff on an upcoming episode of the fairy-tale series “Once Upon a Time.”

“Frozen,” a loose retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s “Snow Queen” that centers on the conflict between two royal sisters in a fictional Nordic kingdom, has been a surprise juggernaut for Disney since its release in November.

The film has won Academy Awards for animated feature and original song, grossed more than $1.27 billion at the worldwide box office, dominated the album charts via its soundtrack, and spawned spinoff properties including a Disney on Ice show and a planned Broadway adaptation.

During a conference call with analysts in May, Disney Chairman and Chief Executive Robert Iger said “Frozen” is now considered one of the company’s top five franchises. He added, “You can expect us to take full advantage of that over the next at least five years.”

“The Story of Frozen” represents a tidy bit of synergy, as Disney is ABC’s corporate parent. The special will also culminate in a sneak peek at Disney and Marvel’s upcoming animated movie “Big Hero 6.”

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