Disney revealed new information about the sequel to the hit 2016 animated film “Zootopia” at its recent D23 Expo event. The studio set a November 2025 release date for “Zootopia 2” and showed off the logo and artwork. Disney also introduced a new villain character that will be voiced by Academy Award winner Ke Huy Quan.
“Zootopia 2” will continue the story of police officers Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde, voiced again by Ginnifer Goodwin and Jason Bateman. Little is known about the plot yet, but Disney teased that the movie will expand on the animal city of Zootopia seen in the first film. It will reportedly feature more reptile characters living in the city alongside mammals like Judy and Nick.
https://twitter.com/DisneyD23/status/1822107167056666736
The new villain is named Gary, a snake character who appears prominently in the sequel’s logo and artwork. Quan, who recently won an Oscar for his role in “Everything Everywhere All At Once,” takes on the role of the antagonist Gary. Not much is known about Gary’s role yet, but the artwork suggests he will be an important part of the story.
The original “Zootopia” was hugely successful, making over $1 billion worldwide and winning the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. With its blend of entertainment and social messages, it set a high bar for the sequel. Disney sees potential in theatrical sequels to its animated hits rather than straight-to-video releases, as was more common in the past.
— Disney D23 (@DisneyD23) August 10, 2024
Industry insiders speculate fans may get a first trailer for “Zootopia 2” later this year, possibly attached to the upcoming “Moana” sequel in 2024. Disney’s selection of the Thanksgiving 2025 release date, a slot frequently used for their biggest animated films, shows confidence in the project.
