Ice Age (2025) – Overview and Speculations

The Ice Age franchise, launched in 2002 by Blue Sky Studios, has been a beloved series of animated films that mix humor, heart, and adventure in a prehistoric setting. After the release of The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild (2022) on Disney+, speculation about another major installment in the franchise, possibly slated for 2025, has fans excited about the potential return of Manny, Sid, Diego, and the ever-mischievous Scrat.

Here’s a speculative breakdown of what an Ice Age movie in 2025 could involve:

1. Potential Plot Directions

1.1 New Adventures in a Changing World

• The next Ice Age film could focus on the continuing evolution of the Earth, showing how the world has transformed from the icy landscapes of earlier films to more temperate or diverse environments. This change could introduce new challenges and creatures, sparking an epic adventure.

1.2 A New Threat

• A dramatic environmental event—such as volcanic activity, rising oceans, or a mᴀssive earthquake—could threaten the prehistoric world, forcing the herd to band together and adapt to the changes.
• Alternatively, a new group of antagonistic prehistoric animals or humans could disrupt the harmony, adding tension and humor to the story.

1.3 The Next Generation

• The franchise could focus on the children of the main characters, such as Peaches (Manny and Ellie’s daughter), as they take the lead in protecting their family and discovering their own place in the world.
• New, younger characters could be introduced, creating a pᴀssing-the-torch moment for the original trio of Manny, Sid, and Diego.

1.4 Scrat’s Adventure

• Scrat, the franchise’s iconic saber-toothed squirrel, might embark on his own subplot, possibly involving a new quest to secure his beloved acorn or an entirely different comedic escapade. His story could connect to the main plot in surprising and hilarious ways.

2. Returning Characters

• Manny the Mammoth (Ray Romano): The level-headed leader of the herd will likely face new challenges as he continues to protect his family and friends.
• Sid the Sloth (John Leguizamo): Sid’s humor and optimism remain a cornerstone of the series. His antics could involve a new romantic interest or a subplot about his place in the herd.
• Diego the Saber-Toothed Tiger (Denis Leary): Diego might face questions about his legacy, possibly mentoring younger animals or taking on a protective role.
• Ellie the Mammoth (Queen Latifah): Ellie’s wisdom and strength will continue to play a vital role, especially if the story focuses on family.
• Peaches (Keke Palmer): Now an adult mammoth, Peaches could take center stage, leading the herd into a new era.

3. New Characters

• A New Herd Member: A quirky or misunderstood animal could join the group, bringing fresh humor and dynamics to the team.
• Villains: Potential antagonists could include rival herds, prehistoric humans, or even larger-than-life creatures like a Megalodon or a mᴀssive dinosaur that emerges from underground.
• Younger Characters: The offspring of the original characters or new friends for Peaches could inject youthful energy into the story.

4. Themes

• Family and Friendship: The heart of the Ice Age series has always been about the bond between its characters. The 2025 installment would likely continue exploring themes of loyalty, teamwork, and chosen family.
• Adapting to Change: With the Earth evolving, the herd’s ability to adapt to new environments and challenges would be a central theme.
• Generational Growth: A focus on pᴀssing wisdom and responsibility to the next generation could add emotional depth to the story.

5. Visual Style

• Updated Animation: As animation technology has evolved, Ice Age 2025 would likely feature more detailed and vibrant visuals, with dynamic environments and fluid character movements.
• Expansive World-Building: The prehistoric world could be further expanded, showcasing diverse ecosystems, from dense jungles to vast oceans and volcanic terrains.

6. Humor and Heart

• Classic Slapstick Comedy: Sid’s clumsiness and Scrat’s endless acorn-chasing escapades would continue to bring laughter to audiences.
• Emotional Resonance: Moments of heartfelt connection between characters, particularly involving family or sacrifice, would add balance to the humor.

7. Audience Expectations

• Nostalgia: Fans of the original films will expect the return of beloved characters and the lighthearted tone that made the series a success.
• Freshness: While staying true to the franchise’s roots, Ice Age 2025 must introduce new elements to engage modern audiences, particularly younger viewers.
• Iconic Moments: Memorable set pieces, like an over-the-top chase scene or a surprising revelation about the world’s history, would be essential.

8. Challenges

• Maintaining Original Charm: Balancing the humor and heart that defined the original Ice Age films with fresh storytelling is critical to avoid feeling repeтιтive.
• Appealing to a New Generation: As younger viewers may not have grown up with the earlier films, Ice Age 2025 needs to introduce relatable and engaging new characters while satisfying long-time fans.
• Evolving Beyond Familiar Tropes: While the franchise is known for its comedic formula, introducing new ideas and stakes is essential to keep the story compelling.

A Farmer’s Misplaced Hammer Led to the Largest Roman Treasure in Britain

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November 16, 1992 was the day which changed Suffolk-resident Eric Lawes’ life in a huge way. What he thought would have been an innocent search for a hammer he had misplaced on his farm in Hoxne Village, Suffolk, England ended up bringing him much more than he had bargained for — namely, uncovering the hiding spot of a long-hidden treasure. Based on the Guardian’s coverage of the story, Eric Lawes had been previously gifted a metal detector upon his retirement as a parting token. He decided to put his retirement gift to good use in order to locate the hammer which he had had some trouble finding. According to a 2018 Smithsonian Magazine article, when the device started recording that there was a strong signal coming from the earth, he knew that he was about to discover something big. As he started digging, it soon became clear to him that he had unearthed a treasure trove.

The Guardian reports that, when Lawes saw that his preliminary digging had yielded a few gold coins and silver spoons, he immediately contacted both the local archaeological society and the police department. Archaeologists came to the property the following day and had the area of earth holding the treasure carefully sectioned-off and removed. Their hope was that at a later stage, in their laboratory, they could examined the items in order to identify both their age and how they were stored.

When all was said and done, close to 60 pounds of items made from silver and gold were found on the site. These included more than 15,000 Roman coins, 200 gold objects, and several silver spoons. For archaeologists, this find — which later became labeled as the Hoxne Hoard — was an incredible discovery. AP News reported that archaeologist Judith Plouviez was over-the-moon about the discovery, saying that it was “an incredibly exciting and amazing find.” What’s more, another archaeologist, Rachel Wilkinson, told Smithsonian Magazine that this discovery was “the largest and latest ever found in Britain.”

Ordinarily, archaeologists would use radiocarbon dating as a means of identifying the age of ancient relics. However, they couldn’t locate any suitable material from the haul. Consequently, they determined the age by examining writing on the coins, as well as the ruler carved into them, estimating that the treasure was probably buried in either 408 or 409 AD.

Roman-era archaeologist Peter Guest told Smithsonian Magazine that “if you look at them a little more carefully, then they should be dated to the period after the separation of Britain from the Roman Empire.” He offers as part of his evidence the fact that almost all of the coins found in the Hoxne Hoard were clipped – in other words, small chunks of their edges had been taken off. These clippings would have been used to create coins which were similar to the Roman coins of that era.

Guest has a logical reason for this, arguing that “The Roman Empire wasn’t supplying Britain with new gold and silver coins, and in light of that, the population tried to get over this sudden cutoff in the supply of their precious metals by making the existing supplies go further.”

Archaeologists also believe that the treasure belonged to a Romano-British family. During that time, considering that there was so much societal discord and upheaval, it was common for Romans who had settled in Britain to bury their most prized possessions.

That said, one archaeologist is of the belief that the hoard had a lot of sentimental value for the Romano-British family to whom it is believed to have belonged. In her book The Hoxne Late Roman Treasure: Gold Jewellery and Silver Plate, Catherine Johns claims that the manner in which the treasure was kept supported this claim. Some of the items which were recovered had been packaged in small, wooden boxes which were lined with leather. What’s more, pieces of wood, locks, and nails, among other things, surrounded the gold and silver pieces. This leads Catherine to assert that the package was carefully buried and not simply chucked away in a rush.

Interestingly enough, the items unearthed might shed some light on the identity of the family who owned them. They cite a gold bracelet bearing the inscription “UTERE FELIX DOMINA IULIANE,” which roughly translates to “use this happily Lady Juliane”. A second name “Aurelius Ursicinus” has also been discovered. This has consequently led some to believe that Juliane and Aurelius were the couple and the original owners of the treasure. That said, that has yet to be confirmed.

All in all, the discovery was a real treasure for archaeologists, and by extension, for Lawes. According to Smithsonian Magazine, in recognition of his discovery and willingness to contact authorities, the British government rewarded him with over £1.7 million, an amount which he shared with the farmer whose land was dug out in order to get the treasure. Funnily enough, apart from the treasure, Lawes also found his lost hammer — which now resides in the British Museum.