Jared Bush, the Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios, has confirmed a location in the upcoming film Zootopia 2 was directly inspired by Zootopia Land in Shanghai Disneyland. Bush also shared the names of a few more characters in the film, revealing that the late Tiny Lister will posthumously reprise his role as Finnick.
Zootopia 2
Zootopia 2, the sequel to the original Zootopia film, is coming to theaters on November 26, 2025. The film will have Nick and Judy going undercover to solve a case involving a mysterious reptile, testing their own partnership in the process. Jared Bush and Byron Howard are directors, and Yvette Merino is producing the film.
Many of the cast members from the original film are returning for the sequel, including Ginnifer Goodwin as Judy Hopps, Jason Bateman as Nick Wilde, Idris Elba as Chief Bogo, Shakira as Gazelle, Maurice LaMarche as Mr. Big, and Raymond S. Persi as Flash the Sloth.
Several new characters and cast members for this second film have been announced, including Ke Huy Quan as Gary De’Snake, Fortune Feimster as Nibbles, Quinta Brunson as Dr. Fuzzby, Patrick Warburton as Mayor Winddancer, Andy Samberg as Pawbert Lynxley, Macaulay Culkin as Cattrick Lynxley, Brenda Song as Kitty Lynxley, and David Strathairn as Milton Lynxley.
Additional Cast & Characters Revealed
Jared Bush has recently shared even more new information about the upcoming film on his X account. First, Bush revealed that the late Tommy “Tiny” Lister Jr. will still be featured as the voice of Finnick, “working with recordings from the first film.” Bush explains that the work was done with the blessing of Lister’s family, and expresses his gratitude, “Thank you to his family. Thank you, Tiny.”
In additional character and casting news, Bush also posted that a new basilisk character, named Jesús, will be voiced by Danny Trejo. Meanwhile, Ed Sheeran and Blake Slatkin are also the inspiration for new sheep characters:
Very excited to confirm that the ENTIRE songwriting team behind Zootopia 2’s big track “Zoo” – Shakira, Ed Sheeran and Blake Slatkin – are ALL characters in the film as well! You already know Gazelle, but please say hello to our two new sheep: Ed Shearin and Baalake Lambkin!
Jared Bush via X
Shanghai Disneyland
In one more interesting post, Bush added that Zootopia 2 took inspiration from Zootopia Land in Shanghai Disneyland. Zootopia Land, which first opened in late 2023, is the first-ever Zootopia-inspired area to come to a Disney Park.
Bush revealed that in Zootopia Land, there is a building facade themed to a sheep barbershop that supplies wool for sweaters. He explained that the animators fell in love with the idea and incorporated it into the upcoming movie:
#Zootopia2 fun fact: the Zootopia Land in Shanghai added this hilarious barbershop for sheep that supplies wool for sweaters that we loved and put it into Zootopia 2. This is the first time we’ve used something built by the parks and added it into a film.
Jared Bush via X
See if you can spot the barbershop facade in our complete video tour of Zootopia Land, and watch Tom’s Honest Review below:
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