Development
In June 2016, directors Byron Howard and Rich Moore were in talks about the possibility of a Zootopia sequel. [14] [15] On February 8, 2023, during the Q1 earnings call, Disney CEO Bob Iger confirmed that the sequel was in active development. [16] Later that day, screenwriter Jared Bush confirmed that he was working on the film. [‡ 4] Ginnifer Goodwin, who voices Judy Hopps, told CinemaBlend that she would 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 butts out there. Cleaning up the streets. We're a couple of new cops out there. So, bad guys, be warned," he said. [17]
On February 7, 2024, Iger announced the film's release date and that the film would be officially titled Zootopia 2. [18] On April 15, Goodwin confirmed on her Instagram account that she began recording her lines for Judy, revealing that the film was in production. [3] 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. [5] Footage was also shown of a sequence in which Nick and Judy search for Gary in Marsh Market. [19] The following day, Bush revealed on his Twitter account that Fortune Feimster joined the cast to voice a beaver named Nibbles. [‡ 5] 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] 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 alongside Ed Sheeran, and that Gazelle would don a new outfit. [‡ 3] [20] On April 3, at CinemaCon, new footage from the film was shown that revealed the casting of Quinta Brunson as a new character named Dr. Fuzzby. [6] At the 2025 Annecy International Animation Film Festival in June 2025, it was announced that Jean Reno would join the cast, and that Maurice LaMarche would reprise his role as Mr. Big. [7] On June 16, Michael Giacchino was confirmed to be returning to compose the score. [21] In July 2025, it was announced that Ed Sheeran would co-work on Shakira's song. [22] At the D23 Expo in August 2025, it was announced that Macaulay Culkin, Brenda Song, Patrick Warburton, and Wilmer Valderrama would join the cast. [23]
