Zootopia 3 has been officially confirmed and Disney has admitted that there has been a huge change in the franchise that takes it in an unexpected turn: birds are coming to Zootopia.
This was announced on stage at the D23 fan event in Anaheim, during which Disney Animation’s chief creative officer also confirmed the return of the popular animated franchise for a third film.
Ginnifer Goodwin and Ke Huy Quan, both of whom also provide voices for Judy Hopps and Gary De’Snake, respectively, were also present for the announcement.
“Bunny and Snake will be returning!” Bush joked and revealed that Zootopia 3 that Judy, the original 2016 rabbit police officer voiced by Goodwin, and Gary, the pit viper added in Zootopia 2, will be returning.
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The most obvious sign of what the next chapter will be is hinted at in the conclusion of Zootopia 2. The second movie in its post-credits scene gives a hint that birds are coming, as a feather is shown in the post-credits scene.
In addition, Disney teased, “the world of Zootopia is about to go to the birds.”
Details of the story are still a mystery with no official synopsis, full cast list or director confirmed yet.
But the franchise has a lot of steam. Zootopia 2 grossed approximately $1.8 billion and was the highest-grossing opening of any animated film in history.
The original Zootopia, which came out in 2016, also hit the $1 billion mark and was followed by Disney+’s Zootopia+ series.
Already, Jared Bush has indicated that there are still more stories to be told, as people have only been able to see one city, on one continent, on one planet.
Given Disney’s usual production schedule for animated movies, an early release date like 2030 may be feasible for Zootopia 3.
Also read: Zootopia 2 dethrones Frozen 2