Ive gone into some serious detail about my loathing for this man in a previous article on the most monstrous movie villains in cinema. Do I hate Prince motherloving Han of the motherloving Summer Isles? Absolutely. Do I love the character and think hes a brilliant part of this movie? Oh god yes. So Prince Hans is the youngest son of a royal family, destined never to inherit, and manipulates his way into heroine Annas life in order to achieve the kingdom his late birth would seem to have denied him. Okay, but why (I hear you ask) is he number seven on a list of darkest Disney Villains? Dorkiest, or douchiest, possibly but darkest? If youve clicked on the link above, you know why but for those of you who read on, Frozens screenwriter Jennifer Lee has confirmed that Prince goddamned Hans was actually specifically written to have all the tropes of a sociopath. He has no interest in anyone as a human being except in terms of how they can benefit him. When he meets Anna, he presents an adorably goofy persona in order to attract her, mirroring her own. In the same way, he subtly becomes a different version of himself to win over other characters. Hes domineering and sharp with the Duke, because the Duke is a highly strung, pompous nobleman who bows to displays of authority. Hes fearlessly, selflessly heroic with Elsa to mirror her own self-sacrificing, self-flagellating nature. Essentially, hes a cipher, not a real person, just like a serial killer. Prince Hans is whatever works: whatever gets him what he wants and where he wants to be. Hell lie to and kill whoever he needs to, without a second thought. Hes an episode of Criminal Minds as much as he is a Disney Villain. More than that, though: he sets himself up as Annas Prince Charming. They even have a duet together! You dont mess with a Disney duet, man. Not cool.
Professional writer, punk werewolf and nesting place for starfish. Obsessed with squid, spirals and story. I publish short weird fiction online at desincarne.com, and tweet nonsense under the name Jack The Bodiless. You can follow me all you like, just don't touch my stuff.
