Frozen co-director Jennifer Lee makes an unexpected return to the franchise, after stepping down from her six-year role as Disney Animation's CCO.

Lee is stepping down as Disney's animation chief and will return exclusively to filmmaking.

Walt Disney Animation Studios is replacing Jennifer Lee, its chief creative officer, after an uneven six-year tenure.

Lee is writing and directing “Frozen 3” and writing “Frozen 4” with Marc Smith — the sequels to Disney Animation’s 2013 “Snow Queen”-inspired cultural hit “Frozen,” for which she served as writer/director. The movie made $1.3 billion worldwide and earned two Oscars, for best animated feature and for earworm song “Let It Go.”

As Disney readies the sequels to its uber-grossing $1.75 billion Frozen franchise, Walt Disney Animation Studios Chief Creative Officer Jennifer Lee is segueing from her position to direct and write Frozen 3 and executive produce Frozen 4 with Marc Smith.

Frozen fans already had a lot to look forward to with Frozen 3 recently getting a release date in 2027 and the confirmation that Frozen 4 is also in development. However, one big question was just who would direct the new Frozen films.