“Zootopia 2″ Introduces New Reptilian Plot, Revisits Themes of Trust and Prejudice
Zootopia – The long-awaited sequel, Zootopia 2, picks up mere days after Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde foiled a conspiracy threatening their city, now finding the duo navigating the challenges of being police partners-and each other. The film introduces a new investigation centered around Zootopia’s reptile population, a group notably absent from the original film, and features a reimagining of a classic Disney villain archetype.
Nearly ten years after the first Zootopia captivated audiences, the sequel delves deeper into the dynamic between Hopps and Wilde, forcing them to confront their differences and build trust while unraveling a new plot. Directors Jared Bush and Byron Howard aimed to move beyond a simple continuation of the 2016 hit-which grossed over $1 billion worldwide (approximately 867 million euros)-by exploring the complexities of their “buddy movie” partnership.
The narrative addresses a previously observed gap in the original film’s representation, bringing reptiles, birds, and insects into sharper focus. A key character, Gary de’Snake, visually echoes classic Disney antagonists like Kaa from Jungle Book (1967) and Sir Hiss from Robin Hood (1973), signaling a potential shift in the film’s villainous landscape.
