Is Tarzan Elsa’s Little Brother? Unraveling the Disney Family Tree
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The question of whether Tarzan is actually Elsa and Anna’s long-lost brother has been a popular and persistent fan theory within the Disney universe for years. It’s a captivating idea that links two beloved animated films, “Frozen” and “Tarzan,” in a surprising way. However, the answer, while intriguing, is ultimately a resounding no. Tarzan is not officially Anna and Elsa’s brother. Despite some comments made by a “Frozen” director, which fueled the theory, it has been officially debunked by the studio.
The Origins of the Theory: A Director’s “Fun Little World”
The roots of this theory can be traced back to comments made by Chris Buck, co-director of both “Tarzan” and “Frozen.” Buck, in a moment of playful speculation, suggested that he envisioned Anna and Elsa’s parents being shipwrecked and giving birth to Tarzan on the coast of Africa. He referred to it as “my fun little world” and a “spirit of Disney,” emphasizing that it wasn’t canon but rather a personal headcanon. This sparked a firestorm of fan theories and discussions.
Buck’s comments, though not official Disney canon, were made to MTV US where he stated the sibling theory was true, which further pushed the theory into mainstream consciousness. He even envisioned the timeline, placing the shipwreck and Tarzan’s birth in between the events of the two movies. This idea was quite popular amongst fans, who were quick to create theories on how different Disney universes were connected.
However, this concept wasn’t intended to be an official part of the Disney storyline. It was a personal interpretation by Buck, a director with a creative mind, who was envisioning the potential connections of the movies he worked on.
The Official Debunking: “Frozen 2” Sets the Record Straight
The theory, while fascinating, was ultimately put to rest by the release of “Frozen 2.” In the sequel, it is explicitly shown that Anna and Elsa’s parents died at sea in a shipwreck. The film further confirms that they were traveling to Ahtohallan, a magical glacier, and that their journey ended in tragedy, leaving no time or opportunity to reach Africa and give birth to Tarzan. This officially disproves the idea of them having another child and that child being Tarzan.
Moreover, Disney has made it clear that connections between their films, often present as Easter eggs, are intended to be fun nods rather than official plot ties. The inclusion of Rapunzel and Flynn in “Frozen” for Elsa’s coronation was not to establish familial connections but rather to pay homage to a beloved film.
The Allure of Interconnectedness: Why the Theory Persisted
Despite its official debunking, the Tarzan-as-brother theory remained popular for some time, which is understandable. The idea of interconnected universes adds a layer of magic and excitement for many Disney fans. It allows them to speculate about hidden connections and creates a sense of a broader, richer narrative. This fan theory was further fuelled by some other family connections between other movies which added to the desire to make more links.
Furthermore, the similar timelines and the nature of Disney films themselves encourages this type of speculation. The idea that there could be secret, unsaid family connections adds mystery and creates an opportunity for fans to engage in their own creative interpretations and theories. However, it is important to distinguish between these imaginative takes and the official canon.
In conclusion, while the idea of Tarzan being Elsa and Anna’s brother is a fun concept and was briefly encouraged by a director’s comments, it was never an official part of the Disney story. Disney has confirmed that this was nothing more than speculation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who gave birth to Tarzan?
Tarzan’s birth parents were British aristocrats who were shipwrecked off the coast of Africa. This is clearly shown in the movie “Tarzan”. His parents are never confirmed to be connected to Arendelle.
2. How is “Frozen” related to “Tangled”?
“Frozen” and “Tangled” have minor connections. For instance, Rapunzel and Flynn attend Elsa’s coronation, which suggests they were in Arendelle. These crossovers are Easter eggs, and not intended to indicate that the characters are related.
3. Is Rapunzel related to Anna and Elsa?
Some fans have theorized that Rapunzel might be a cousin to Anna and Elsa because they are all princesses in the Disney world. However, this is not an official connection within the movie narrative. Rapunzel’s appearance at the coronation was simply an Easter egg.
4. Where were Elsa’s parents going when they died?
In “Frozen 2,” it’s revealed that Elsa’s parents were traveling to Ahtohallan, a magical glacier in the north, and were not on their way to Rapunzel’s wedding or to Africa as the Tarzan theory claimed.
5. Why was Rapunzel at Elsa’s coronation?
Rapunzel and Flynn attended Elsa’s coronation as an Easter egg, not because they were related or that the king and queen were on their way to her wedding. It is a fan theory that they felt guilty that the Arendelle King and Queen died on their way to her wedding, indirectly causing Anna and Elsa to become orphans.
6. What is the real connection between “Frozen” and “Tarzan”?
There is no official connection between “Frozen” and “Tarzan,” other than a shared director’s musings. The fan theory of Tarzan being Elsa and Anna’s brother has been debunked.
7. Does “Frozen 2” disprove the Tarzan theory?
Yes. “Frozen 2” disproves the Tarzan theory by explicitly showing that Anna and Elsa’s parents died at sea in a shipwreck and were traveling to Ahtohallan, not Africa.
8. Did Tarzan and Jane have a baby?
Yes. Tarzan and Jane have a son in later books, named Jack, who is given the ape name Korak.
9. What happened to Tarzan’s parents?
Tarzan’s biological parents were killed by a leopard named Sabor in the film.
10. Why is Esmeralda not a Disney princess?
Esmeralda from “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” was removed from the Disney Princess franchise due to concerns about her character not being marketable enough, as well as the mature themes of the movie.
11. Is “Frozen” connected to “Moana”?
There are some subtle Easter eggs in “Moana” that reference “Frozen,” like a tapestry featuring the snow monster from “Frozen.” These are not indicative of shared storylines or families.
12. Is Elsa’s little brother in “1923”?
No, Spencer in “1923” is not Elsa’s brother from “Frozen.” He is the brother of characters in the spin-off series “1923”.
13. Does Elsa have a daughter?
There is a fan concept that Elsa has a daughter named Elysium with Jack Frost from “Rise of the Guardians”, and that this makes Elysium an heir to the throne. This is not an official Disney character or story.
14. Will there be a “Frozen 3”?
Yes, “Frozen 3” has been officially confirmed by Disney and is currently in pre-production.
15. What is Elsa’s disability in “Frozen”?
While not explicitly stated, Elsa is often interpreted as having hidden disabilities such as obsessive-compulsive disorder and anxiety disorder, which is part of the reason she is so guarded in the movie.