Zootopia 2 (titled Zootropolis 2 or Zoomania 2 in various regions)[b] is an upcoming American animated buddy cop comedy film produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures. The sequel to Zootopia (2016) and the second installment in the Zootopia franchise, it is being directed by Jared Bush and Byron Howard,[1] written by Bush and produced by Yvett Merino.[2] It stars Ginnifer Goodwin and Jason Bateman reprising their respective roles as Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde from the first film, joined by Ke Huy Quan and Fortune Feimster.
Zootopia 2 | |
---|---|
Directed by | Jared Bush Byron Howard |
Written by | Jared Bush |
Produced by | Yvett Merino |
Starring | |
Production company | |
Distributed by | Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures[a] |
Release date |
|
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Howard and Rich Moore talked about a potential sequel to Zootopia in June 2016. On February 8, 2023, Disney CEO Bob Iger announced that a sequel was in development, with the title and release date being revealed the following year on February 7, 2024. Bush was revealed to be writing and directing the film in August 2024, when Quan and Feimster joined the cast. Howard was revealed as another director the following month.
Zootopia 2 is scheduled to be released in the United States on November 26, 2025.
Premise
editDetectives Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde must go undercover in Marsh Market to crack the case when they find themselves on the twisting trail of a mysterious reptile.[3]
Voice cast
edit- Ginnifer Goodwin as Judy Hopps, a young optimistic rabbit from Bunnyburrow and the first rabbit of the Zootopia Police Department.[4]
- Jason Bateman as Nick Wilde, a sly red fox and a former small-time con artist who later joined the Zootopia Police Department as a police officer.[5]
- Ke Huy Quan as Gary, a snake being pursued by Nick and Judy.[6]
- Fortune Feimster as Nibbles, a beaver living in Marsh Market who encounters Nick and Judy.[5][7]
- Shakira as Gazelle, a gazelle pop music superstar.[8]
Production
editDevelopment
editIn June 2016, directors Byron Howard and Rich Moore were in talks about the possibility of a Zootopia sequel.[9][10] On February 8, 2023, during the Q1 earnings call, Disney CEO Bob Iger confirmed that the sequel was in active development.[11] Later that day, screenwriter Jared Bush confirmed that he was working on the film.[12] Ginnifer Goodwin, who voices Judy Hopps, told CinemaBlend that she'd like to see a role reversal between Judy and Nick in the sequel. "I would like to see Nick have to be the one to convince Judy that the world is worth fighting for". Jason Bateman, who voices Nick Wilde, also told CinemaBlend about his idea for the sequel. "The two of us [Nick and Judy]. kicking ass out there. Cleaning up the streets. We're a couple of new cops out there. So, bad guys, be warned," he said.[13]
On February 7, 2024, Iger announced the film's release date and that the film would be officially titled Zootopia 2.[14] On April 15, Goodwin confirmed on her Instagram account that she began recording her lines for Judy, revealing that the film was in production.[4] At the D23 Expo on August 9, it was announced that Zootopia 2 would feature reptiles, and Ke Huy Quan was announced to be playing Gary, a snake being pursued by Nick and Judy.[6] Footage was also shown of a sequence in which Nick and Judy search for Gary in Marsh Market.[5] The following day, Bush revealed on his X account that Fortune Feimster joined the cast to voice a beaver named Nibbles.[7] The same month, Bush was revealed to be the sole writer and director of the sequel, and Yvett Merino was revealed to be the producer.[2] In an interview at D23, Goodwin admitted the sequel has secretly been in development since 2017.[citation needed] On September 19, Jared Bush became the new chief creative officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios following Jennifer Lee's resignation to become director of Frozen 3. The following day, Bush confirmed that Byron Howard, the original creator and director of Zootopia, had returned to become co-director of Zootopia 2.[1] On November 8, at D23 Brazil, Shakira publicly announced that she was returning to voice Gazelle for the sequel, revealing that she was writing a new song for the film, and that Gazelle would don a new outfit.[8]
Release
editZootopia 2 is scheduled to be released in the United States on November 26, 2025.[14]
Notes
edit- ^ Distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures through the Walt Disney Pictures banner.
- ^ Due to trademark issues, the film is titled Zootropolis 2 in various regions such as the UK, Ireland, Italy and Spain, and Zoomania 2 in Germany. See Zootopia § Alternative titles.
References
edit- ^ a b Taylor, Drew (September 19, 2024). "Disney Animation Shake-Up: Jennifer Lee Out, Jared Bush in as Chief Creative Officer". TheWrap. Archived from the original on September 20, 2024. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
- ^ a b Exeider, Agent (August 14, 2024). "Jared Bush to be sole Director of Zootopia 2". Zootopia News Network. Retrieved August 17, 2024.
- ^ "Snow White Project Profile FINAL 08-08-2024" (PDF) (Press release). The Walt Disney Studios. August 9, 2024. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
- ^ a b Bythrow, Nick (April 16, 2024). "Zootopia 2 Voice Recording Begins As Judy Hopps Actor Shares BTS Photo". Screen Rant. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
- ^ a b c Smith, Jeremy; Meenan, Devin (August 9, 2024). "Zootopia 2 Footage Reaction: Disney Heads To The Marsh With Ke Huy Quan As Gary The Snake (D23)". Slashfilm. Archived from the original on August 10, 2024. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ a b Campione, Katie (August 9, 2024). "'Zootopia 2': Ke Huy Quan Joins Cast Of Upcoming Animated Sequel". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 10, 2024. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ a b Jared Bush [@thejaredbush] (August 10, 2024). "Fellow mammals🐰🦊… and reptiles!!! Soooo excited to officially announce the return of Ginny Goodwin and Jason Bateman as Judy and Nick, and overjoyed to welcome the incredible Ke Huy Quan as Gary🐍, and the absolutely hilarious Fortune Feimster as Nibbles🦫. We have a bajillion other characters, so many more announcements to come in the next months! See you all at the D23 Zootopia Panel!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ a b Walt Disney Animation Studios (November 8, 2024). "Just announced at #D23Brasil". Retrieved November 8, 2024.
- ^ Snetiker, Marc (June 2, 2016). "Zootopia directors talk sequel, TV potential". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on January 15, 2018. Retrieved January 7, 2018.
- ^ Sciretta, Peter (June 6, 2016). "'Zootopia' Is Now The Second Biggest Original Movie Of All Time; Directors Talk Sequel Possibilities". /Film. Archived from the original on May 11, 2018. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (February 8, 2023). "Frozen, Toy Story & Zootopia Sequels In The Works". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on February 8, 2023. Retrieved February 11, 2023.
- ^ Jared Bush [@thejaredbush] (February 8, 2023). "Fellow mammals… we've been working on something just fur you. Welcome back" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ O'Connell, Sean (March 7, 2016). "What Zootopia 2 Should Be About, According To The Cast". CinemaBlend. Archived from the original on February 11, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ a b Peralta, Diego (February 7, 2024). "Zootopia 2 Sets Fall 2025 Release Date". Collider. Archived from the original on February 7, 2024. Retrieved February 7, 2024.