‘Zootopia 2’ Casts Ke Huy Quan, First Sequel Footage Introduces Reptiles and New Animals
Walt Disney Animation Studios has teased the first footage for “Zootopia 2,” the long-awaited sequel to its 2016 billion-dollar box office darling. Ginnifer Goodwin welcomed the fans at D23, proclaiming from the stage that “the bunny is back!”
Switching gears the “Zootopia” original police bunny got sentimental, “‘Zootopia’ is my happy place,” she said, “And I am so ready for the world to see this crazy new adventure.” After promising to revisit your favorite animals from the first film (including Mr Big, Claw Hauser, Flash the Sloth) Disney also teased an arks-load of new animals. First up is Disney alum (“Loki,” “Indiana Jones) Ke Huy Quan who is playing a reptile named Gary, the snake who was described as a “creepy, slithery, highly venomous viper.” Welcome Gary! Apparently, Gary is a big part of Nick and Judy’s hot new case (yes, the duo are still animal cops). Plus this will be the first reptiles we shall see in the Zootopia world.
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The D23 exclusive clip showed Nick and Judy searching for Gary in Marsh Market where the semi-aquatic animals live. The Marsh was a host to plenty of animal hijinks including hippos getting tattoos, hippos riding waterslides, seals eating algae and we spotted a plumber sea lion.
Byron Howard and Rich Moore return to direct the sequel, with Jason Bateman and Ginnifer Goodwin set to reprise their roles as Nick Wilde and Judy Hopps. According to an official logline, “Zootopia 2” sees “brave rabbit cop Judy Hopps and her friend, the fox Nick Wilde, team up again to crack a new case, the most perilous and intricate of their careers.”
The first “Zootopia” film opened to $75 million at the domestic box office in 2016, which at the time was the largest opening for any of Disney’s non-Pixar animated films (a record now held by “Frozen 2”). The movie would earn $341 million at the domestic box office and almost double that from the international market. “Zootopia’s” worldwide gross sits at just over $1 billion, making it the third highest-grossing animated Disney film of all time, behind “Frozen” and “Frozen II”
In 2022, Disney+ released “Zootopia+,” an anthology miniseries of seven-minute shorts starring side characters from the “Zootopia” universe. Disney animator Trent Corry (“Big Hero 6,” “Raya and the Last Dragon”) and Disney storyboard artist Josie Trinidad (“Wreck-It Ralph”) served as series directors and writers.
“Zootopia” co-director Jared Bush penned the script. Jennifer Lee and Yvett Merino serve as producers.
The film is slated to hit theaters on Nov. 26, 2025.
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