‘Zootopia 2’ Casts Ke Huy Quan, First Sequel Footage Introduces Reptiles and New Animals

As a cinephile who grew up with Disney classics and has been eagerly awaiting the return of my beloved characters, I can hardly contain my excitement for “Zootopia 2”! The original film was a breath of fresh air, blending humor, heart, and social commentary in a way that resonated with audiences worldwide. The announcement of its sequel has been the highlight of this year’s D23 Expo for me.


As a movie enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share some exciting news! Walt Disney Animation Studios has given us a sneak peek into “Zootopia 2,” the much-anticipated sequel to its 2016 blockbuster hit. At D23, Ginnifer Goodwin graced the stage and confirmed that our beloved character, Judy Hopps, is returning! Yes, you heard it right – “the bunny is back!”

Changing topics, the original rabbit character from “Zootopia” grew emotional, saying, “‘Zootopia’ holds a special place in my heart,” she expressed, “I can’t wait for everyone to witness this thrilling new journey.” Disney has also hinted at revisiting beloved characters from the initial film, such as Mr. Big, Claw Hauser, and Flash the Sloth. In addition, they’ve dropped tantalizing tidbits about a multitude of fresh creatures. Leading the pack is Ke Huy Quan, a Disney veteran known for his roles in “Loki” and “Indiana Jones,” who will be voicing Gary, a snake character described as a “creepy, slippery, highly venomous viper.” Welcome aboard, Gary! It seems that Gary plays a significant role in the latest case of Nick and Judy, our favorite animal cops. Moreover, this will mark the introduction of reptiles within the Zootopia universe for the first time.

The first look showed a sequence set in the Marsh Market where aquatic mammals reside.

Directors Byron Howard and Rich Moore are back for the sequel, with Jason Bateman and Ginnifer Goodwin once more stepping into the roles of Nick Wilde and Judy Hopps. As suggested by an official summary, “Zootopia 2” follows our brave bunny police officer, Judy Hopps, and her friend, the fox Nick Wilde, as they join forces yet again to solve a brand new, extremely challenging case – one that could be the most dangerous and intricate they’ve ever encountered.

In 2016, the initial release of “Zootopia” brought in a whopping $75 million at the domestic box office, which was then the biggest opening for any non-Pixar animated film produced by Disney (a record since broken by “Frozen 2”). The movie eventually raked in $341 million domestically and nearly twice that amount internationally. With a worldwide total of over $1 billion, “Zootopia” now ranks as the third highest-grossing animated film ever released by Disney, surpassed only by “Frozen” and its sequel “Frozen II”.

2022 saw the debut of “Zootopia+,” a seven-minute anthology miniseries on Disney+, featuring lesser-known characters from the Zootopia universe. The duo of Trent Corry (animator for “Big Hero 6” and “Raya and the Last Dragon”) and Josie Trinidad (“Wreck-It Ralph” storyboard artist) took on the roles of series directors and writers.

The screenplay for “Zootopia” was written by one of its co-directors, Jared Bush. Jennifer Lee and Yvett Merino are the film’s producers.

The film is slated to hit theaters on Nov. 26, 2025.

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2024-08-10 06:17