Los Angeles transformed into a vibrant celebration as stars gathered for the world premiere of “Zootopia 2” on November 22, 2023. The event took place at the iconic El Capitan Theatre, which was specially closed off to accommodate the festivities while shielding attendees from Southern California’s rainfall.
Returning to their roles, Jason Bateman and Ginnifer Goodwin reprise their characters, rookie cops Nick Wilde and Judy Hopps, who embark on a new mystery in 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!”
The sequel introduces new characters, including Gary De’Snake, voiced by Academy Award winner Ke Huy Quan. He described his character as a friendly viper, saying, “Even though he is a poisonous viper, but then you meet him, he’s actually really friendly.” Another addition to the cast is the lively beaver named Nibbles Maplestick, brought to life by Fortune Feimster, who remarked, “I honestly can’t believe it. This is at the top, for sure.”
Notable returning stars include Colombian pop sensation Shakira, who enlisted her young sons for a cameo as Judy Hopps’ little brothers. She shared, “We recorded our lines together because they actually have a small part in the movie as Judy Hopps’ little brothers, bunnies, little bunnies!” Actress Bonnie Hunt, who voices Bonnie Hopps, expressed her joy in sharing the film with her large family, stating, “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.”
The filmmakers are eager for audiences to experience the culmination of years of hard work. Co-director Byron Howard shared their vision for the film, saying, “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 that viewers can expect to explore new locations within the Zootopia universe that were not featured in the first film.
Producer Yvett Merino conveyed the film’s underlying message: “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.”
The much-anticipated “Zootopia 2” is set to hit theaters on November 26, 2023, promising to bring joy and excitement to audiences worldwide.
