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?

[Chaotic]

Yes please and Wreck-it Ralph 2 also.

[Zodokai]

I'm not particularly surprised, but not disappointed either. Although sequels have become the norm these days, I agree that the world this film lives in is interesting and expansive enough to warrant some more exploration.

Looking forward to some more details on this one as they emerge.

[Adam_ME]

I thought the first movie was good, but very overrated. That being said, I think a sequel has a lot of potential provided it's more like the first half of Zootopia where we're exploring their world and less like the second half with the buddy cop subplot.

[Creed]

That will be great. I LOVED Zootopia. So much ideas.

[Janjira54]

Zootopia 2 PLEASE. I need more Nick and Judy

[Elbie]

Still havent seen the first but glad for the success of an orignal property.

[aiman04]

They should make a spin-off focusing on the sloths alone. I'm prepared to see a 3-hour epic of their day at work.

[Leonidas King]

After making 1 Billion dollars worldwide this is bound to get a sequel.

[imsounoriginal]

Zootopia was good, not as great as the hype, but the characters and the world that the movie created are pleasant enough that I'd like to return. Gorgeous character designs and animation, plus spot-on voice casting.

[Zorkel567]

I'll say this. I have yet to see the original. The Blu-ray arrived today, so I'll be watching it soon. I've heard good things about the original, and it seems like the world would be perfect for a sequel.

My only hope is that Disney Animation doesn't get too into sequel territory. Out of 55 films in the canon, only 3 are sequels- The Rescuers Down Under, Fantastia 2000, and Winnie the Pooh. Only one of those is even really a direct sequel- The Rescuers. One just happens to follow the same characters (Winnie the Pooh) while the other (Fantasia 2000) is just using the original concept to show new shorts.

We already know that Frozen 2 has been given a greenlight. And there are folks clamoring for sequels not just to Zootopia, but Wreck-It Ralph and Big Hero 6. Admittedly, all three have stories that could easily spawn sequels. Pixar's already demonstrated what can happen if you focus too much on sequels. I'd rather see Disney remain focused on original properties, ie Moana and Giants, with only an occasional sequel if the story for the sequel is great. If Disney considered upping their output to compensate for sequels while still remaining to the standards of their current quality, then I wouldn't have such a problem with the idea.

I think we've also seen that sequels aren't always a guarantee for success recently, with Alice: Through the Looking Glass, X-Men: Apocalypse, TMNT: Out of the Shadows, Neighbors 2- all underperforming, while an original property like Zootopia was a great success.

[Darth Marcus]

With the resurging popularity of R-rated films these days...

[Show spoiler]

[Ernest Rister]

Originally Posted by Zorkel567

I'll say this. I have yet to see the original. The Blu-ray arrived today, so I'll be watching it soon. I've heard good things about the original, and it seems like the world would be perfect for a sequel.

My only hope is that Disney Animation doesn't get too into sequel territory. Out of 55 films in the canon, only 3 are sequels- The Rescuers Down Under, Fantasia 2000, and Winnie the Pooh.

The Three Caballeros would like to have a word with you. Also, Make Mine Music and Melody Time are going to appear on Maury Povich to find out if Fantasia is their father.

[Ernest Rister]

Originally Posted by Chaotic

Yes please and Wreck-it Ralph 2 also.

Wreck-It 2 is in production as we speak.

[Steelmaker]

Originally Posted by Ernest Rister

Wreck-It 2 is in production as we speak.

I enjoyed Wreck It Ralph but not as much as I wanted to. I think as a gamer, I had actually hoped to see MORE homage paid to classic gaming IP's in the movie. Now I understand this gets tricky with licensing and everything but come on! It's not like Disney doesn't have the money and won't make it back 10 times over anyway.

[Ernest Rister]

You'd be surprised how touchy divisions and companies can be with their IP -- Pixar is owned by Disney, but even they are highly-protective and can be touchy when their own corporate parent wants to use their characters in theme parks and video games. It reminds me of 1988 when Roger Rabbit came out, and try as they might, Zemeckis and the company couldn't get rights to use Tom and Jerry, and Spielberg had to outright tell Warner Bros he'd never make a film for them again if they wouldn't allow their classic characters (Bugs, Porky, Daffy, etc....) to appear in the film.

[headphones]

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

That kids, is what you call an oxymoron.

[Steelmaker]

Originally Posted by Ernest Rister

You'd be surprised how touchy divisions and companies can be with their IP -- Pixar is owned by Disney, but even they are highly-protective and can be touchy when their own corporate parent wants to use their characters in theme parks and video games. It reminds me of 1988 when Roger Rabbit came out, and try as they might, Zemeckis and the company couldn't get rights to use Tom and Jerry, and Spielberg had to outright tell Warner Bros he'd never make a film for them again if they wouldn't allow their classic characters (Bugs, Porky, Daffy, etc....) to appear in the film.

Yeah and that's exactly what I had hoped to see in Wreck It Ralph. I was hoping it would be like Roger Rabbit in terms of different licenses being represented. What I simply don't understand is, so long as those who own these IP's are being monetarily compensated, why do they have such a problem with it? Is it not free mass exposure of those properties which ultimately benefit those who own them? What am I missing here? What's the potential harm?

[dgoswald]

Feel like I'm in bizarro world when people eulogise about the original film.

[hifiHigh]

Already??