| Zootopia | |
| Origin: | Zootopia (2016) |
| Owner: | The Walt Disney Company |
| Years: | 2016–present |
| Animated Series: | Zootopia+ (2022) |
| Soundtracks: | Zootopia (2016) |
| Attractions: | (2023–present) |
| Footnotes: |
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Zootopia, also known as Zootropolis or Zoomania in various regions, is a Disney media franchise that originally started in 2016 with the release of the American animated feature film Zootopia, produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios, and released by Walt Disney Pictures. The series takes place in the titular city where anthropomorphic animals consisting of predators and prey coexist with one another.
The franchise consists of two animated films, Zootopia (2016) and a sequel currently in development, and one television series, Zootopia+ (2022), which aired on Disney+.
| Film | Release date | Director(s) | Screenwriter(s) | Story by | Producer(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zootopia | Rich Moore & Byron Howard | Jared Bush & Phil Johnston | Rich Moore, Jared Bush, Jim Reardon, Byron Howard, Jennifer Lee, Phil Johnston & Josie Trinidad | Clark Spencer | ||
| Zootopia 2 | Jared Bush | Yvett Merino | ||||
See main article: Zootopia. Development of the film that would come to be called Zootopia began when Byron Howard pitched six-story ideas to Disney Animation chief creative officer and executive producer John Lasseter, of which three involved animal characters: an all-animal adaptation of The Three Musketeers,[1] a 1960s-themed story about a "mad doctor cat...who turned children into animals", and a "bounty hunter pug in space".[2] The common thread running through these ideas was that Howard wanted to do a film similar to Disney's Robin Hood, which also featured animals in anthropomorphic roles.[3] According to Howard, Zootopia emerged from his desire to create something different from other animal anthropomorphic films, where animals either live in the natural world or in the human world. His concept, in which animals live in a modern world designed by animals for animals, was well received by Lasseter, who responded by embracing and lifting Howard "in the air like a baby Simba".[4] Lasseter suggested that Howard should try combining the 1960s theme with the animal characters, especially the space pug. This led Howard to develop and pitch Savage Seas, an international spy film centered on an arctic hare named "Jack Savage" who was somewhat like James Bond.[5] It was around this time that screenwriter Jared Bush was hired to work on the film; he was excited to work on a spy film because his own father and grandfather had worked for the Central Intelligence Agency.
Howard and Bush continued to develop the film with the assistance of the Disney Story Trust, the studio's top creative personnel who meet regularly to review and discuss all projects in development. The most delightful part of the spy film turned out to be its first act, set in a city created by and for animals. To focus on the all-animal city, Howard eventually dropped the 1960s setting, along with the espionage and international aspects, and changed the film into a contemporary police procedural in which Nick Wilde was the lead role and Judy Hopps was essentially his sidekick.[6] For a while, "the filmmakers were very committed" to that version of the story, but then in November 2014, the filmmakers realized the film's plot would be more engaging if they reversed the roles to instead focus on Hopps as opposed to Wilde. The change in perspective involved dropping several characters, including two characters known as "The Gerbil Jerks" who were described as "trust-fund gerbils that had nothing better to do than harass Nick."[7]
In May 2013, The Hollywood Reporter initially reported that Howard was directing the film and that Jason Bateman had been cast, but little else about the film was known at the time.[8] Zootopia was first officially announced on August 10, 2013, at the D23 Expo, with a March 2016 release date.[9]
Research for the film took place in Disney's Animal Kingdom, as well as in Kenya and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, where animators spent eight months studying various animals' walk cycles as well as fur color.[10] [11] Eight hundred thousand forms of mammals were created for and featured in the film. To make the characters' fur even more realistic, they also went to the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County to closely observe the appearance of fur with a microscope under a variety of lighting.[12] The filmmakers drew inspiration for Zootopias urban design from major cities including New York City, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Paris, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Brasília.[13] To develop a city that could actually be inhabited by talking mammals ranging in size from 2inches to and from drastically different climates, the filmmakers consulted Americans with Disabilities Act specialists and HVAC system designers.[14] For assistance with designing motor vehicles appropriate for so many different types and sizes of mammals, the filmmakers consulted with J Mays, former chief creative officer of the Ford Motor Company.[15] During the development process, Walt Disney Studios chairman Alan F. Horn suggested that Nick should expressly state his disappointment ("Just when I thought someone actually believed in me...") after discovering that Judy still fears him as a predator.[16] In March 2015, it was revealed that Rich Moore (Wreck-It Ralph) had been added as a director of the film, in addition to Jared Bush () as co-director.[17]
See main article: Zootopia 2. In June 2016, Howard and Moore were in talks about the possibility of a Zootopia sequel.[18] [19] [20] [21] [22] On February 8, 2023, Disney CEO Bob Iger announced that a sequel to Zootopia was in the works.[23] Later that day, screenwriter Jared Bush confirmed that he was working on the film,[24] while Josie Trinidad was confirmed as the film's co-director.[25] Ginnifer Goodwin told CinemaBlend that she'd like to see a role reversal between Judy and Nick in the sequel, stating that she "would like to see Nick have to be the one to convince Judy that the world is worth fighting for." Jason Bateman also told CinemaBlend about his idea for the sequel: "The two of us [Nick and Judy] kicking ass out there. Cleaning up the streets. We're a couple of new cops out there. So, bad guys, be warned."[26]
In February 2024, Iger announced that the film would be officially titled Zootopia 2 and would be released on November 26, 2025.[27] In April 2024, Goodwin confirmed on her Instagram account that she began recording her lines for Judy, revealing that the film is in production.[28] In August 2024, Bush was revealed to be the writer and sole director of the sequel, and Yvett Merino was revealed to be the producer.[29] Disney Chief Creative Officer Jennifer Lee executive produces the film.[30] . On August 9, 2024, 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.[31] Footage was also shown of a sequence in which Nick and Judy search for Gary in Marsh Market.[32] The following day, Bush revealed on his X account that Fortune Feimster joined the cast to voice a beaver named Nibbles.[33]
See main article: Zootopia+. The anthology series of short films features six stories that take place during the events of the original film.[34] On December 10, 2020, Walt Disney Animation Studios chief creative officer Jennifer Lee announced that a spin-off series titled Zootopia+ and based on the 2016 film Zootopia is in development at the studio for Disney+.[35] Trent Correy and Josie Trinidad, who worked as an animator and head of story for the film, respectively, were set to direct the series.[35] The idea for the series was suggested by Correy during a pitch presentation in 2020, as one of three pitches for potential Disney+ series; he developed a pitch for a Zootopia series due to his interest in wanting to further explore the film's world and characters.[36] [37] [38] Trinidad was originally set to direct only two episodes for the series, but her excitement to work on the project caused her to be ascended to co-director for the entire series alongside Cortney. The series was produced remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which complicated the production process according to producer Nathan Curtis.[39] Correy's pitch featured 10 stories, but four of them had to be discarded due to receiving a 6-episode order.[40] Lee executive-produces the series alongside Zootopia and Encanto co-directors Byron Howard and Jared Bush.
The Zootopia franchise takes place in a fictional world inhabited by anthropomorphic mammals.
Zootopia is a modern city and the main setting of the franchise. There are 12 unique ecosystems within the city limits between its different districts which include:
Bunnyburrow is a rural neighborhood and the birth place of the franchise's protagonist Judy Hopps.
See main article: List of characters in the Zootopia franchise.
| Characters | Feature film | Television series | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zootopia< | --! style="text-align:center;" | Zootopia 2--> | Zootopia+ |
| Officer Judy Hopps | Ginnifer Goodwin Della Saba | Ginnifer Goodwin | |
| Nicholas "Nick" Wilde | Jason Bateman Kath Soucie | Jason Bateman | |
| Chief Bogo | Idris Elba | ||
| Officer Benjamin Clawhauser | Nate Torrence | ||
| Dawn Bellwether | Jenny Slate | ||
| Mayor Lionheart | J. K. Simmons | ||
| Stu Hopps | Don Lake | ||
| Bonnie Hopps | Bonnie Hunt | ||
| Gideon Grey | Phil Johnston | ||
| Gazelle | Shakira | ||
| Finnick | Tom Lister, Jr. | ||
| Jerry Jumbeaux, Jr. | John DiMaggio | ||
| Duke Weaselton | Alan Tudyk | ||
| Mrs. Otterton | Octavia Spencer | ||
| Yax | Tommy Chong | John Lavelle | |
| Nangi | Gita Reddy | ||
| Flash | Raymond S. Persi | ||
| Priscilla | Kristen Bell | ||
| Mr. Big | Maurice LaMarche | ||
| Fru Fru | Leah Latham | ||
| Manchas | Jesse Corti | ||
| Dr. Madge Honey Badger | Katie Lowes | ||
| Doug | Rich Moore | ||
| Molly Hopps | Katie Lowes | ||
| Brianca | |||
| Mandy | |||
| Christine | Porsha Williams | ||
| Charisma | Crystal Kung Minkoff | ||
| Tru Tru | Michelle Buteau | ||
| Sam | Charlotte Nicdao | ||
| Occupation | Films | Television Series | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zootopia | Zootopia 2 | Zootopia+ | ||
| Director(s) | Rich Moore Byron Howard | Jared Bush | Trent Correy Josie Trinidad | |
| Screenwriter(s) | Jared Bush Phil Johnston Story by Rich Moore Jared Bush Jim Reardon Byron Howard Jennifer Lee Phil Johnston Josie Trinidad | Jared Bush | Trent Correy Josie Trinidad Michael Herrera | |
| Producer(s) | Clark Spencer | Yvett Merino | Nathan Curtis | |
| Executive Producers | John Lasseter | Jennifer Lee | Jared Bush Byron Howard Jennifer Lee | |
| Composer | Michael Giacchino | Curtis Green Mick Giacchino Michael Giacchino ("Duke: The Musical") | ||
| Cinematography | Brian Lench Nathan Warner | Joqauin Baldwin Gina Warr Lawes | ||
| Editor | Jeremy Milton Fabienne Rawley | Jeff Draheim Shannon Stein | ||
| Studio(s) | Walt Disney Pictures Walt Disney Animation Studios | Walt Disney Animation Studios | ||
| Distributor | Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures | Disney+ | ||
| Runtime | 1h 48min | 7min | ||
| Critical | Public | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rotten Tomatoes | Metacritic | CinemaScore | ||
| Zootopia | [43] | 78 (43 reviews)[44] | A[45] |
See main article: List of accolades received by Zootopia.
| Award | Category | Zootopia | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Academy Awards | Best Animated Feature | ||
| Annie Awards | Best Animated Feature | ||
| Kids' Choice Awards | Favorite Animated Movie | ||
| People's Choice Awards | Favorite Movie |
The film was chosen by the American Film Institute as one of the top ten films of 2016,[46] and won the Academy Award,[47] Golden Globe, Critics Choice Movie Award and Annie Award for Best Animated Feature Film. It also received a nomination for the BAFTA Award for Best Animated Film, which it lost to Kubo and the Two Strings.[48] [49]
Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde are included in Disney Infinity 3.0 as playable characters. As with other characters in the Disney Infinity series, figurines of them were released to interact with the game.[50]
In 2016 was launched the hidden object game Zootopia: Crime Files, in which Judy and Nick must solve a crime solving skills in puzzle games. The game ended up being shut down eventually.[51] [52]
In the world building game Disney Magic Kingdoms, Judy Hopps, Nick Wilde, Chief Bogo and Flash appear as playable characters.[53]
The video game Disney Heroes: Battle Mode includes Judy and Nick as playable characters.[54]
In 2018 was released Zootopia: Racing Carnival, a racing game which includes the characters of the film as playable characters in races with their own cars. The game ended up being shut down eventually.[55]
Judy Hopps appears as a playable character in the video game Disney Mirrorverse.[56]
Shanghai Disney Resort announced that a Zootopia theme-land was opened on December 20, 2023 at Shanghai Disneyland, as part of The Walt Disney Company's 100th Anniversary celebration.[57]
Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde made cameo appearances in the 2018 film Ralph Breaks the Internet.[58]
Several characters of Zootopia have cameo appearances in the 2023 short film Once Upon a Studio.[59]
Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde made cameo appearances in the end credits in the 2023 film Wish.