Zootopia 2

[Walts Ghost]

‘Zootopia’ Is Now the Second Biggest Original Movie of All Time; Directors Talk Sequel Possibilities

Byron Howard and Rich Moore Talk Zootopia 2 Possibilities
Entertainment Weekly recently caught up with Zootopia directors Byron Howard and Rich Moore and got the scoop about a possible sequel (which Disney has not officially yet put into development, but there’s too much money on the table for them not to). But if and when they do begin developing Zootopia 2, Moore says that “so much of the time spent on Zootopia was inventing” the look and world of the movie, and that a sequel could “go back to it and explore farther, more of it, rather than being theoretical and having to invent it [again].” Howard adds that they will probably look back at the ton of material they designed for Zootopia that just didn’t make it into the final film.

Another example given to EW was the unused “dune houses” throughout Sahara Square, which were fleshed out by the creative team and could get a close-up in a possible sequel. Howard says its like going to New York City for the first time: “You see the highlights on the first trip, but when you go back, you get to appreciate things you didn’t know before, almost like a local.”

Of course, the duo is reluctant to reveal much about a possible storyline for a Zootopia sequel. But they acknowledge that fans would probably want them to explore the the relationship between protagonists Judy and Nick, and whether it’s amorous or platonic. One of the many things I enjoyed about Zootopia is that it didn’t have a romantic relationship shoehorned in. And I like that Judy and Nick’s relationship, like Rey and Finn’s in Disney’s other big film from this past year, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, might never develop into a typical Hollywood romance.

My guess is that Moore and Howard will take a cue from many popular television shows and ride the line of should they/shouldn’t they, teasing the possibility but keeping it at arm’s length until probably Zootopia 3.

As for the plot at the center of a sequel? I’m sure Disney and the creators are still exploring ideas. But while they’re looking back at the pieces that didn’t make the first film, they might even look back at the origins of Zootopia, which almost began as a James Bond-style spy movie. Is it possible that they might look back at that unused plot for ideas for a sequel? Personally, I’m hoping they go with more of a throwback to the buddy cop movies of the 1970s/1980s. Maybe Shane Black could contribute in the writers room. What do you think?