Disney Animation Chief Creative Officer Jared Bush Speaks on the Future After Wild Success of Zootopia 2

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I’m so thrilled with how well Zootopia 2 is doing this Thanksgiving! It’s amazing to hear Jared Bush, the creative head at Walt Disney Animation Studios, talking about where the studio is headed after this huge success – the movie is already close to making a billion dollars worldwide, which is incredible!

Jared Bush on the future of Walt Disney Animation Studios via The Walt Disney Company website.

I’ve seen the plans for Walt Disney Animation Studios over the next decade, and I’m incredibly excited about them. There’s a huge amount of creative variety, and it’s all driven by the filmmakers’ enthusiasm.

— DTVA News (@DTVANews) December 5, 2025

His comments offer insight as to where he sees the studio going.

Reflections on Zootopia 2’s Success

The new movie Zootopia 2 earned about $556 million worldwide in its first five days, making it the second-highest-grossing Thanksgiving opening ever. It has since surpassed $900 million globally, boosted by strong ticket sales in China, Japan, and South Korea.

Bush believes the film’s success comes from its incredibly detailed and engaging world, calling it the most immersive environment Disney Animation has ever created in its 100-year history.

He explained that the film’s visuals are unlike anything audiences have seen before, but what truly stands out is the overwhelming sense of happiness it conveys.

I remember Bush explaining how important it was for people to see themselves reflected in the animal characters and their stories on screen. It really resonated with me – he believed it made the show much more meaningful.

He pointed out that people naturally connect with animals. That’s what makes Zootopia so enjoyable – you see yourself in these animal characters. They remind you of people you know – friends, teachers, even someone you might encounter while getting your driver’s license. It’s a really relatable concept.

It was this character-driven thinking that led the storywriting process for Zootopia 2.

I feel like I really know Judy and Nick after working on the first movie. They only spent about two days together in that one, so I was super curious about what would happen to them next. As a fan, and someone involved in telling their story, it’s incredibly exciting to explore where their relationship goes from here.

We really focused on understanding Judy and Nick’s histories and thinking about their future. We wondered if they could continue to work well together, or if their initial success was just a fluke. Ultimately, Judy and Nick are at the heart of the story. Despite all the exciting things happening in Zootopia, the audience is most invested in their relationship and what happens with them next.

-Jared Bush

What’s Coming: Hints at 2028 and Beyond

In a recent interview, Bush revealed plans for a new animated movie expected in 2028. He described the project as being unlike anything they’ve done before, noting that it won’t be set in a world populated by humans, and will feature a very different visual style.

Bush didn’t say if the change would mean a different look for the animation – like moving to hand-drawn or more unusual visuals – but he mentioned he frequently considers how art styles develop over time.

I recently heard from Bush about Disney’s potential to play around with different animation styles, and it’s really interesting. He emphasized they’re not just looking to experiment for the sake of it. Any new style has to mean something, and fit within the bigger picture of Disney’s incredible 100-year history of storytelling. It’s about purposeful innovation, not just flashy visuals.

He noted the comic-style of Spider-Verse worked because it was in “the DNA of the story.”

For upcoming Disney movies, he explained his thinking.

He explained that any major changes need to be rooted in a strong story. The studio is actively looking for those kinds of opportunities, particularly with new talent who are eager to innovate and take risks, which he believes is crucial.

Why This Moment Matters for Disney Animation

As a lifelong animation fan, it feels like Disney Animation is at a really important turning point. They’ve had a few films that didn’t quite hit the mark recently, but the amazing success of Zootopia 2 has given them a huge boost. What excites me most is what Bush has been saying – that Disney is now willing to take chances with different styles, bring in a wider range of storytellers, and focus on completely original ideas. It feels like they’re rethinking how they make animated movies, and that’s incredibly promising!

If the upcoming 2028 movie is truly original, it could signal a shift for Disney, allowing them to successfully combine their established brands with new and surprising stories and visual styles.

Right now, Bush appears to be concentrating on keeping up the current success, leveraging the positive reception of Zootopia 2 to propel future projects, all while upholding high standards for storytelling, character development, and artistic vision.

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2025-12-08 20:59