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It’s everyPixarfan’s dream to turn back time and relive the studio’s glory days, back when they consistently released masterpieces likeToy StoryandFinding Nemo. The animation giant is still going strong with a promising upcoming slate. However, with the studio’s rich history of beloved characters there’s one potential spinoff idea for a character fromThe Incrediblesthat would be sure to ignite fan interest.
This iconicPixarcharacter may be from a movie that’s twenty years old, but by no means has he been forgotten. So far, there have been twoIncrediblesmovies — the 2004 original, and the 2018 sequel. Both films featured this hilarious superhero in a significant supporting role, and despite his limited screen time, he often stole the scene from the main characters.
Frozone FromThe IncrediblesDeserves His Own Spinoff
Lucius Best, better known as Frozone, is the perfect example of an effortlessly cool side character who steals the show. Frozone is the ultimate package. From the beginning, audiences have loved his ability to create ice from moisture, his role as Bob Parr’s best man and partner in crime, his hip attitude and energy, and, most importantly, his hilarious antics with his wife, Honey. And whoever at Pixar came up with the idea of casting the inimitable Samuel L. Jackson as his voice actor deserves a raise — the actor was the perfect choice to bring the character to life. So, what’s stopping the studio from giving him a long-overdue spinoff?
In August 2024, Pixar CCO Pete Docter announcedIncredibles 3atthe D23 Expo. Despite the love for the first two films, fans haven’t responded well to the studio’s strategy of favoring sequels to milk existing IPs. This includesupcoming films likeToy Story 5and past efforts such asLightyear,Toy Story 4,Inside Out 2,Cars 3, andFinding Dory. While there have been decent original outings likeElemental,Turning Red, andLuca, these films haven’t quite achieved universal acclaim or long-lasting impact. The best solution? Give fans what they’ve been clamoring for: a Frozone spinoff.
Pixar Has Two Ways To Bring Frozone Back
The timing is perfect to add this exciting project to Disney’s pipeline of upcoming content. With no confirmed release date forIncredibles 3, Pixar has the opportunity to introduce a “more fun, more Frozone” approach.The Incredibles 2faced production scheduling conflictswithToy Story 4, which impacted its final output. If Brad Bird can turn things around with the third installment, the franchise could regain its lost relevance and pave the way forFrozone’s standalone venture.
Another approach could also make a Frozone spinoff work — a reversal of the previous strategy. Instead of waiting until afterIncredibles 3to develop a standalone movie, Pixar could start working on a self-contained Disney+ series. This could be done with a fraction of the budget, perhaps using the2.5D animation stylepopularized by theSpider-Versemovies. A series like this could focus on Frozone’s solo superhero adventures and his laugh-out-loud chemistry with his wife, while keeping references to themainIncrediblesfamily to a minimum.
There Is No Frozone Without Samuel L. Jackson
No matter what form a potential spinoff takes, one thing is certain: no Samuel L. Jackson, no party. It goes without saying that the 75-year-oldPulp Fictionactor is a non-negotiable for any future Frozone project. His inclusion inThe Incrediblesvoice castandFrozone’s surge in popularitywere no coincidences. Brad Bird knew exactly what he was doing when he cast Jackson, wanting the character to have the coolest voice possible.
The feeling clearly goes both ways, as Samuel L. Jackson has often expressed how much he enjoys lending his voice to the animated superhero family. In fact, Pixar is fortunate to have a legend like him on board, as he has been proactive in encouraging Brad Bird to make sequels forThe Incredibles. In a2018 interview withEntertainment Weekly, the Nick Fury actor even shared his idea for an origin story featuring Frozone and Mr. Incredible:
That would be cool, to know why Lucius is this lovable uncle figure, and how long he and Bob have known each other and what kind of things did they get into? Did they meet because they were superheroes? Did they meet one night by accident? Or did they just meet naturally and come to find out, ‘Oh, you’re a hero, too!’
Just like Jackson’s incredible ideas, Frozone’s story is a gold mine waiting to be tapped. Imagine exploring his flashback where he tries to compete in the Winter Olympics but is rejected due to his super abilities. That would be a blast to watch. Considering how forward and unapologetic Disney and Pixar have been about turningstandalone classics into franchises, it’s surprising that a celebrated character like Frozone hasn’t received that treatment yet. However, the recentIncredibles 3announcement shows that the franchise still matters to them, and it might not be too late for the icy superhero to finally get his due.
