Zootopia 2 Filmmakers Reveal The Sequel’s Most Important Character (And It’s Not the Bunny or Fox)

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Fans have been waiting a very long time for Zootopia 2; Zootopia came out in 2016 and introduced a rich new part of Disney’s storytelling universe, with a complex narrative often seen in Pixar movies. The made-up animal city dealt with problems like prejudice, social class, and discrimination, mirroring issues we face in the real world. This gave parents a helpful way to start conversations with their children about society and how to make it better. However, Zootopia 2 is coming out at a time when those social problems haven’t been resolved and may have even gotten worse, which presents some significant new storytelling hurdles for the filmmakers at Disney Animation Studios.

The social issues explored in Zootopia 2 were more complex for the filmmakers to handle, and developing the characters and their journeys also proved difficult. This sequel expands the animal population of Zootopia beyond mammals to include birds, reptiles, amphibians, and various marine creatures. Directors Jared Bush and Byron Howard share that finding the right story meant first determining which character would have the most significant narrative and thematic role. This time, that character isn’t Ginnifer Goodwin’s Judy Hopps (the bunny) or Jason Bateman’s Nick Wilde (the fox); instead, the central character in Zootopia 2 is Gary De’Snake, voiced by Academy Award winner Ke Huy Quan (Loki, Everything Everywhere All At Once).

ComicBook had the opportunity to attend the Zootopia 2 press event, which was organized by Disney and the movie’s creators. We spoke with Jared Bush and Byron Howard and learned a lot about why Gary De’Snake plays such a key role in the new film.

Howard explained that what they appreciate about their animators and designers is their ability to tackle difficult tasks, like creating a character such as “Gary De’Snake”. He noted that because Gary has no arms or legs, he can only communicate through his body movements and shape, which presents a significant creative challenge. “And if you watch, he’s actually a beautifully designed character, like every scale and the color and how it all works together is incredible.”

Gary De’Snake Is the Heart of Zootopia 2 (According to the Directors)

I’m so excited about the plot of Zootopia 2! It looks like Judy and Nick are getting tangled up in a real conspiracy, involving some of Zootopia’s politicians and a new arrival – Gary, the first snake to move into the city in years. Gary really pulls at their heartstrings with a story about his family being in trouble, and it kicks off this amazing road trip outside of Zootopia. It’s not just a fun adventure, though; it’s going to teach us a lot about what life is like for animals like reptiles. Honestly, the simple detective story feels like a way to open up a bigger conversation – not just about getting along with those who are different from us, but about understanding a whole world full of different views and beliefs, and how to navigate it with kindness. You know, the kind of important lesson that’s perfect for kids, delivered through a really fun animated movie.

It definitely wasn’t simple, but Byron Howard stated with assurance that Gary acted as their key to understanding the story. Once they figured that out, they were then able to successfully tackle the difficult task of bringing it to life through animation:

“In finding what the core of the story is, Key [Huy Quan] as Gary’s voice, and Gary himself as the emotional core of the movie, asserted itself in a really big way,” Howard explained. “Like, as soon as we found Gary and the emotion behind his family and what he’s after, that really gave us the anchor point for the whole film. And so Gary not only had to be well animated as a snake and really appealing, but he also kind of had to carry a massive part of the story. He’s a huge part of that. The animator is a huge part of that.”

Zootopia 2 will be in theaters on November 26, 2025.

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2025-09-30 02:14