We Went Behind the Scenes and Inside the Process of 'Zootopia 2' at Disney Animation Actorsvaultpro

You cannot be inside Walt Disney Animation Studios in Burbank without feeling the weight of a rich cinematic legacy and the history of repeated, multi-generational excellence. Yet somehow, the longer you are there and the more curtains you peek behind, the lighter the weight seems to become. Artists of all kinds approach the process with a creative joy that appears downright contagious, translating into a product that seems accessible and fun, even when the pressure to deliver is as high as it can be.

The walls may be adorned with a history of success, awards, and cherished moments from a century of achievement, but the people in every room are focused entirely on making the next project as perfect as possible. The project this time is Zootopia 2, the highly anticipated sequel to 2016’s animal-universe take on the beloved buddy-cop formula.

I was one of the lucky media members invited to the press day at the studios. Between eating snacks designed for animated mice, I saw how every piece of the Zootopia 2 puzzle was coming together. Before delving into the fascinating elements of the craft on display, there were interesting teasers about characters (both new and old), and the plot (no spoilers here!).

Will Nick Wilde and Judy Hopps Be a Couple in ‘Zootopia 2’?

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

It seemed somehow destined, after the events of the last film, that opposite partners Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) would develop a deeper bond. While we’re not sure what their relationship status is, we know they have become official partners on the force, and their different methodologies land them in buddy-cop couples therapy.

Working out differences was always at the core of the plot of Zootopia 2. Filmmakers Byron Howard and Rich Moore made it clear that they planned not only to elevate the world-building aspect (they have a much larger world to showcase) but also to deepen the emotional layers tied to ideas of tolerance, cooperation, and embracing diversity. The kind of wholehearted stuff that can make a Disney animated feature not just a success, but a classic. But that leads everyone to the next obvious question.

Who Is the Villain in ‘Zootopia 2’?

There are several new characters, and yet it seems clear that villainy may not always come in the packages you’d expect it to. In keeping with the Zootopia landscape, the new film suggests that some creatures may not be as nice or as dangerous as they appear. Key new character Gary (a snake voiced by Ke Huy Quan) seems to be one such multi-layered individual. Also joining the ensemble are David Strathairn, Macaulay Culkin, Andy Samberg, and Brenda Song as The Lynxleys, a powerful clan of Lynxes with a mysterious legacy in Zootopia.

The mystery being unraveled, and putting Judy and Nick at odds with the rest of the police force, is clearly the meat of what Zootopia 2 is going to be about. Fortune Feimster joins the cast as Nibbles, a character who introduces Judy and Nick to a previously unseen region of Zootopia. There is also a new mayor in town in the form of Winddancer, a Fabio-esque horse voiced by Patrick Warburton.

The Biggest Creative Sandbox in the World

At every stop during the Zootopia 2 media tour, one thing became clear over and over again: the people creating the elements for this film are also playing in a massive sandbox. Each team, and each segment, has its own types of toys, tools, and boundaries. Yet they are all encouraged to explore and play.

From this, a fully realized feature film is gradually crafted over time. Perhaps the fact that it all comes from this place is why the result appeals to audiences of all ages. There is a curiosity and joy that permeates each step.

Walt Disney Animation has traditionally studied the movement of actual animals and humans to accurately render realistic motions and actions. For Zootopia 2, media members were shown this process in person as an artist watched a small rabbit and porcupine wander around the art studio, eating snacks and exploring, while demonstrating how their unique musculature and physical traits are incorporated into an anthropomorphized animated character. The attention to detail and the series of rules are crucial for the artist to engage fully in the creative process.

When composer Michael Giacchino speaks about his work, whether it’s on Star Wars, Star Trek, or Zootopia, he references how he is still very much the kid in his basement playing with action figures. Now he does it on a slightly different scale, with musical instruments. When he brings to the stage the set musicians (legendary talents in their own right), he defers to them for their expertise, but also finds a way to give them a new sandbox to play in, a few new toys, and then lets them have at it just as he did with the elements provided by the director.

Michael Giacchino at Walt Disney Animation Studios

When you set foot in the animation room and speak with lead artists and lead animators, you are handed a Sharpie pen and a pad of paper. A creative session begins with everyone taking a crack at drawing Gary De’Snake playing sports. From this type of session, with all manner of drawings, good and bad, come ideas. Characters, jokes, and plot points all emerge.

When you step into the ADR booth with Nate Torrence, who voices Officer Clawhouser, there is no room to stray from the dialogue or the timing, but the performance itself is now the place for exploration. Someone has to build the initial box, of course, and it’s hard for producer Yvette Merino to put any limits on directors Jared Bush and Byron Howard. However, knowing limits fosters creativity; they all band together and find a way.

The result of all this play is years and years of hard work. The hours and dedication it takes to produce just one feature are impressive; yet, if there weren’t room to play, joke, explore, and have fun, the end result wouldn’t be so joyful, entertaining, and human (or, in this case, animal). Zootopia 2 releases in theaters on November 26, 2025.