Disney's "The Snow Queen" in 2013?

[steve]

In the meantime, I'll see where I can find and read this fairytale.

http://www.andersen.sdu.dk/vaerk/hersho ... een_e.html

[Margos]

Wow! That's going to make a fantastic 2D Disney movie!

[IagoZazu]

http://www.andersen.sdu.dk/vaerk/hersho ... een_e.html

Thanks!

Now that I read it all, I am very intrested to see how they will adapt it into a 2D Disney movie. It certainly has the fanasty and charm a Disney fairytale would have, such as the talking animals and flowers. It has a strongly religious theme too, and I could see the characters be adapted into charming Disney characters.

I don't know about the Snow Queen being that much of an antiagonist though. The fairytale never portrayed her as the wicked demonic villainess bent on keeping Kay prisoner forever agianst his will. She wanted Kay to be with her forever, but he was already infected with the glass shards from the mirror The Devil created, so he wouldn't have wanted to leave anyway. I hope I'm not spoiling anything here.

Movies are always different than the book, so now I wonder how Disney will alter the story somewhat. I don't think they want it to be too overtly religious, even though that would take away the theme. I wouldn't be surprised if they expanded it to make it longer.

Here's hoping we learn more in the near future. 2013 sounds so far away.

[nomad2010]

I don't know about the Snow Queen being that much of an antiagonist though. The fairytale never portrayed her as the wicked demonic villainess bent on keeping Kay prisoner forever agianst his will. She wanted Kay to be with her forever, but he was already infected with the glass shards from the mirror The Devil created, so he wouldn't have wanted to leave anyway. I hope I'm not spoiling anything here.

actually there was a hallmark original movie based on it quite a few years ago. the snow queen was the main antagonist and the devil part if i recall correctly was cut. i'm sure it's on youtube. it was alright but very long and got quite boring at times. it's hard to find sometimes because it's titled "snow queen". the "the" was cut from the title.. i did a search and finally found it.

here's the imdb: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0210294/

[yukitora]

I hope disney does justice to the original. The snow queen was just a well-intentioned misdirected soul. Considering Andersen's christian background, rewriting the titular characters role would detroy the whole christian interpretation.

It's one thing to remove religious references for appeal, but another thing to destroy the authors original intent.

[Cordy_Biddle]

I don't know about the Snow Queen being that much of an antiagonist though. The fairytale never portrayed her as the wicked demonic villainess bent on keeping Kay prisoner forever agianst his will. She wanted Kay to be with her forever, but he was already infected with the glass shards from the mirror The Devil created, so he wouldn't have wanted to leave anyway. I hope I'm not spoiling anything here.

actually there was a hallmark original movie based on it quite a few years ago. the snow queen was the main antagonist and the devil part if i recall correctly was cut. i'm sure it's on youtube. it was alright but very long and got quite boring at times. it's hard to find sometimes because it's titled "snow queen". the "the" was cut from the title.. i did a search and finally found it.

here's the imdb: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0210294/

Yes, I have that version on DVD. It stars Bridget Fonda as the Snow Queen with Jeremy Guilbaut as Kai, and Chelsea Hobbs as Gerda. The really cool concept with that version was the "cycle of seasons" idea.

My favourite version of the story to date, however, is the charming "Faerie Tale Theatre" episode starring Lee Remick & Melissa Gilbert.

...Cold be hot,
and friends be kind,
when love unites
the heart and mind...

[Dream Huntress]

There's something that has always confused me about the story: Why did the Snow Queen took Kai with her? The story never reveals the real motive behind it, could had been because she felt alone? Or because she wanted to take care of him while the mirror shard was inside him? And for that matter, why Kai at all? There were other people who also were cursed by the mirror shards.

By the way, hi everybody, I'm new in the site.

[Cordy_Biddle]

My understanding (mostly from the FTT version) is that the Snow Queen must have somehow orchestrated Gerda's quest to find and rescue Kai, also testing her powers of love and loyalty. Remember that the Lady of Summer was the Snow Queen's sister. Several people try to derail Gerda's quest. In the Hallmark version, most of those people are somehow connected to the Snow Queen and all provide clues and lessons into her character.

It's a complicated fairytale; the Snow Queen is quite an enigma. I don't believe anyone will completely understand her.

[Dream Huntress]

^ True she's a mistery, and that's why I wonder why Hans Christian Andersen decided to make her like that, if you think about it she's more of a plot device, think about it, the whole story started beacuse of the goblin king's -or devil- mirror, not the Snow Queen, she just so happens to randomly take Kai away. She becomes a character in the adaptations -like the Hallmark version, or this beautifully russian animated movie- because they reinterpret the reasons behind her actions.

[Mooky]

I'm beyond excited for this movie!

Still... Part of me is worried Disney might compromise the story's large cast (how are they going to deal with about 15 characters?) by blending characters of Gerda and Kai with those of Princess and Prince, respectively, just so they could make yet another addition to the Princess line. I wouldn't put it past them.

And the fairytale itself is quite episodic, it might need major reworking for it to work on screen. I'm not too enthusiastic about Musker & Clements leading this project though.

[BelleGirl]

I used to have a record on which the story of the Snow Queen was told. The storytelling was accompagnied by music from Smetana's "The Moldau", which fitted the story wonderfully well, I think.

I wonder what kind of music Disney will use in their version of the Snow Queen: I hope it's either some new compositions by Alan Menken or fitting classical music.

I hope the tone of the story will remain pretty serious, with a light touch here and there. Much like the princess movies Snow White, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty.

[robster16]

Some updates,

I read somewhere that "Snow Queen" is being develloped as a 2D movie.

Alan Menken has confirmed in dutch press interviews that he is working on Rapunzel and will then work on Snow Queen, so he's actively working on the project again. He already did work for the movie back in 2002 when the movie was originally in production. One of the songs he wrote is called "Love Can't Be Denied", which he apparently confirmed in an interview back in 2006.

I now found a recording of the song, which was performed during an event on September 26 in 2005 called "Part Of Your World: The Music Of Alan Menken" at the Merkin Concert Hall. The entire evening was part of the Kaufman's Center's "Broadway Close Up" series. The song was performed by Brian d'Arcy James.


Brian d'Arcy James

You can view more pictures of the event here:
http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Ph ... n_20050928


Even though it's highly likely that the song will not end up in the new movie because there will undoubtedly be script changes but here are the lyrics to the complete song, which to me suggest that this is a lovesong Kai sings to Gerda (which also means they are probably not young children in the version of the movie they were working on and at least teenagers):

Love Can't Be Denied - Alan Menken

Love can't be denied
Love must have its way
Once it gets inside
Love is there to stay
Once you let you heart awaken
Love can't be denied

Try to run and hide
Try to slam the door
Love can't be denied
Love keeps wanting more
Love won't let itself be shaken
No matter how I've tried

It flows in my veins
It burns beneath my skin
It calms my head
And says "you fool, give in"

Tip aside your doubt
Cast away your pride
Love can't be kept out
Love can't be denied
Let yourself be overtaken
And swept before the tide
Love's the only thing
No one is above
I'm in love and love can't be denied

Download the recording here: http://www.mediafire.com/?zozz5a2dcz3

[Margos]

Some updates,

I read somewhere that "Snow Queen" is being develloped as a 2D movie.

Alan Menken has confirmed in dutch press interviews that he is working on Rapunzel and will then work on Snow Queen, so he's actively working on the project again. He already did work for the movie back in 2002 when the movie was originally in production. One of the songs he wrote is called "Love Can't Be Denied", which he apparently confirmed in an interview back in 2006.

Oh, be still my heart! 2D!? Alan Menken!? Fairy Tale!? Holy mackerel! I'm excited for TPatF because of the 2D and Rapunzel for Menken..... but now I can be doubly excited for "The Snow Queen!" How many years do we have to wait again? *stares at calendar intently*

[supertalies]

Uhm..four?

This sounds really interesting! But was it confirmed by Disney?

[Margos]

Uhm..four?

Four whole years!?
Well, I guess it could be longer from now. So, whatever.... I'm still looking forward to it, though.

[BelleGirl]

Where can I read the Dutch press interview with Alan Menken?

[robster16]

Where can I read the Dutch press interview with Alan Menken?

He said it on dutch tv after an appearance at the dutch Musical Awards where he got a lifetime achievement award. Here's a direct quote from an italian newspaper interview for La Stampa from the 6th of may 2009:

“ … I am preparing the soundtracks of two Disney animated feature: Rapunzel and The Snow Queen, in addition (to) a live-action musical film about Beauty and the Beast, plus a new (Broadway) musical that will debut in fall 2010, Leap of Faith.”

link to the original italian interview: http://www.lastampa.it/redazione/cmsSez ... girata.asp
the translation btw comes from: http://jimhillmedia.com/blogs/jim_hilll ... -lady.aspx

[Poody]

Thanks for the song It sounds pretty good!

[IagoZazu]

Awesome! A 2D Disney animated feature with Alan Menken?! Sounds like a recipe for a classic!

The lyrics for "Love Can't Be Denied" look great. Too bad 2013 is a long time from now.

I wonder, even though it's in its very earlier stages, will they really change Kai and Gerda into teens and not originally children? It might be more suitable for a love story, but I don't know. They could change it pretty easily anyway.

[jpanimation]

I read somewhere that "Snow Queen" is being develloped as a 2D movie.

Alan Menken has confirmed in dutch press interviews that he is working on Rapunzel and will then work on Snow Queen, so he's actively working on the project again. He already did work for the movie back in 2002 when the movie was originally in production. One of the songs he wrote is called "Love Can't Be Denied", which he apparently confirmed in an interview back in 2006.[/b]

Wait, Alan Menken is working on Rapunzel? Was this common knowledge or is this new information? If true, I'm even more excited for Rapunzel and if all you say about Snow Queen is true (Musker&Clements, Menken, and traditionally animated), then I'm pumped as hell!

Lets hope you heard right