The world premiere of Zootopia 2 took place on Thursday at the renowned El Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles. The event attracted a vibrant crowd and was temporarily closed to accommodate fans eager to see the highly anticipated sequel. Despite Southern California’s rain, the atmosphere was lively as stars gathered to celebrate their roles in this new chapter of the beloved animated franchise.
Returning to the screen are Jason Bateman and Ginnifer Goodwin, reprising their roles as rookie cops Nick Wilde and Judy Hopps. In this installment, the duo faces a fresh mystery within their bustling animal metropolis. Goodwin expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “I mean, I’m a Disney nut, first of all. I used to go into the Disney offices and beg them to cast me in anything… Judy is my favorite, I don’t know, because she’s mine!”
New characters join the adventure, including Gary De’Snake, voiced by Oscar winner Ke Huy Quan. Quan described his character, saying, “Even though he is a poisonous viper, but then you meet him, he’s actually really friendly.” Another addition is the energetic beaver named Nibbles Maplestick, voiced by comedian Fortune Feimster. Feimster described her participation as a pinnacle of her career, stating, “I know I’ve gotten to do some cool stuff in my career, but this is at the top, for sure.”
Returning to the franchise is Colombian pop star Shakira, who enlisted her two young sons to help with their roles as Judy Hopps’ little brothers. Shakira shared, “We recorded our lines together because they actually have a small part in the movie as bunnies!” Actress Bonnie Hunt, who voices Bonnie Hopps, expressed her joy in sharing the film with her family, noting, “I have, I don’t know, 19 nieces and nephews now, so I get to be a part of their childhood in a way that will last, I hope, their lifetime.”
Filmmakers are eager for audiences to experience the culmination of years of hard work. Co-director Byron Howard remarked, “We want to be entertained. We want to laugh, we want to cry, we want that Disney magic, so we really try our very hardest to get that.” Co-director Jared Bush added, “We go through a lot of different places in ‘Zootopia’ we didn’t get to see the first time.”
The film’s underlying message resonates with producer Yvett Merino, who stated, “We are all a little different, and we all have differences, and if we really just take the time to understand the differences, we would all be stronger together.”
Fans can look forward to the theatrical release of Zootopia 2 on November 26, 2023, as Disney continues to expand its portfolio of animated films that resonate with audiences of all ages. With its blend of humor, heart, and important themes, the sequel promises to captivate a new generation of viewers while delighting those who have long cherished the original.
