Zootopia 2 (2025)

First Look at the Zootopia Sequel: New Species, Old Friends, and a Galaxy Far, Far Away?

The highly anticipated sequel to *Zootopia* is set to introduce a broader range of animal life, with the inclusion of various non-mammalian species such as reptiles—marking a notable expansion of the film’s richly imagined world. Fans can also look forward to the long-awaited appearance of marine mammals like pinnipeds, which were hinted at in previous tie-in materials but never shown in the original film.

Director Jared Bush, during a May 21, 2023 Q\&A on his X (formerly Twitter) account—held in the context of discussing *Encanto*—responded to fan inquiries about the sequel’s animal cast. At the time, Bush noted that the final roster of species had not yet been decided, keeping fans in suspense about who or what might show up.

Flashback to 2016, when the idea of a sequel was still speculative, cast members Ginnifer Goodwin and Jason Bateman had plenty of ideas about where the story could go. Goodwin envisioned a role reversal, with Nick Wilde now inspiring Judy Hopps to stay hopeful in a darker world. Bateman chimed in with enthusiasm for seeing the duo as full-fledged officers, teaming up to clean up the streets: “The two of us, kicking butt out there. So, bad guys, be warned.”

For fans eager to get an early glimpse, a special sneak peek of the sequel will be unveiled on **June 14, 2025**, at the **Annecy International Animation Film Festival**—a fitting stage for a project that promises to push the boundaries of anthropomorphic storytelling even further.

And in a moment of pure visual delight, the teaser trailer reveals a scene set at an animal costume party, where an especially sharp-eyed viewer might spot a zebra dressed as none other than Darth Vader—a playful nod that suggests Disney hasn’t lost its sense of humor or its love for a good Easter egg.