Things are about to get pretty hairy…or should we say furry?
During The Walt Disney Studios presentation at CinemaCon 2025, further details were revealed about the highly anticipated upcoming sequel “Zootopia 2.” Narrating an animated video shown to the crowd, the film‘s main voice lead, Jason Bateman had some fun with Disney’s offerings, renaming their entire slate with animal puns like “Thundercolts” (“Thunderbolts”), “Sealio,” (“Elio”), and “Fantastic Fur” (“Fantastic Four: First Steps”).
Taking the stage, Academy Award-winner Ke Huy Quan was present to unveil the first footage for the sequel, having previously been announced as joining the cast during the D23 Expo in August 2024. “Zootopia 2” will introduce the world of reptiles, in which Quan plays a snake named Gary who Bateman’s Nick and Ginnifer Goodwin’s Judy are after. He’s the first of his species to enter Zootopia and his presence sets the sequel’s plot in motion.
“Abbott Elementary” star and creator Quinta Brunson was also revealed as part of the cast, her voice being present in some of the footage shown. In one scene, Nick and Judy are forced to attend group therapy for dysfunctional partners and Brunson is heard as Dr. Fuzzby, an adorable quokka leading the meeting. Playing a beaver named Nibbles, comedian Fortune Feister was also reported to be lending her voice around the time of D23. In November at D23 Brazil, singer Shakira shared that she would be returning to play Gazelle and would even be writing a new original song for the film.
“Zootopia” was first released in 2016, written by Jared Bush and Phil Johnston, and directed by Byron Howard and Ron Moore. It proved a runaway smash, earning over $1 billion at the box office and spawning a Disney+ series titled “Zootopia+.” Bush returns for the sequel as sole screenwriter, as well as co-director alongside Howard.
“Zootopia 2” is set to be released by Walt Disney Studios on November 26.
