The original Zootopia brought laughter, warmth, and a surprisingly sharp social message when it hit theaters in 2016. Walking into the El Capitan Theatre for the world premiere of Zootopia 2, I felt that same spark—this time mixed with the thrill of exploring an entirely new corner of the animal world.
Disney’s newest character, Gary the Snake (played by the charming Ke Huy Quan), slithered his way into the spotlight, signaling that we’re heading into bold new territory for the franchise.
Gary De Snake isn’t just a new character—he’s our gateway into a part of Zootopia we’ve never seen before. For the first time, the franchise slithers beyond its mammal-centric society and into the underground world of reptiles, a kingdom with its own rules, culture, and history. Gary brings a mix of charm, sarcasm, and unexpected heart, serving as the bridge between two communities that don’t always see eye-to-eye. His introduction signals a major shift in the franchise: Zootopia is bigger, more diverse, and more complex than we ever imagined.
Judy Hopps (the aggressively adorable bunny played by Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick Wilde (the sly and cunning fox played by Jason Bateman) remain the heart of the franchise—an effortlessly lovable duo whose dynamic only deepens now that they’ve stepped into higher-ranking roles within the ZPD. They don’t wear those titles lightly. Instead, they use their newfound responsibility to question the systems around them, refusing to settle for convenient answers or the complacency they see in others. Their decision to befriend Gary De Snake isn’t just an act of bravery; it’s a testament to their commitment to justice in places where others prefer to look away. Even with all they’ve faced together, Judy and Nick are still learning to trust each other in new ways, pushing past old fears and unspoken doubts as they chase the truth side by side.
Directors Byron Howard and Jared Bush spoke with a confidence that instantly set the tone for what this sequel aims to be: bigger in scope, richer in world-building, and grounded in the chemistry that made fans fall in love with Judy and Nick in the first place. Their passion for expanding Zootopia’s ecosystem—especially with the introduction of reptiles—felt genuine, and it shows in every frame. With that level of care, it’s easy to predict that Zootopia 2 will dominate Thanksgiving weekend; the duo dynamic is simply too strong and too likable to ignore. And while the emotional beats land, the real unexpected MVPs of the night were the puns—an almost nonstop stream of clever wordplay that kept the entire El Capitan Theatre laughing.
If laughter is a metric of success, this sequel’s already winning.
With the film dropping a few subtle teases for what could come next, it’s hard not to imagine just how much more of Zootopia’s world is still waiting to be explored. If Zootopia 2 is any indication, the franchise is only getting more confident and more creative, especially with its expanding cast of species—and yes, an even bigger arsenal of puns feels inevitable. There are entire corners of the animal kingdom we haven’t even touched yet, and that untouched potential makes a third film feel both exciting and promising. If this sequel proves to be the box office hit it’s poised to be, a follow-up could easily slither, trot, or hop its way to success just as effortlessly.
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Being at the world premiere gave us the rare chance to capture the energy of the night firsthand, and our reel reflects every bit of that excitement. From the glowing El Capitan marquee to the buzz of fans and press filling Hollywood Boulevard, we documented the experience in real time—moments that felt too electric not to share.
Ready to return to the wild? Zootopia 2 is out in theaters now—go see what all the buzz (and puns) are about.
