Zootopia 2 Director Brings Back a Beloved Voice and Unveils a Shocking Theme Park Tie-In

As the excitement builds for the release of Zootopia 2, the long-awaited sequel to the 2016 hit, fans of the original film are eagerly awaiting any new details about the movie. The original Zootopia was a massive success, grossing over $1 billion worldwide, becoming one of Disney’s most profitable animated films. Since then, Disney fans have been asking for a sequel, and in 2023, CEO Bob Iger confirmed that Zootopia 2 was in development.

With its premiere scheduled for November 26, 2025, just in time for Thanksgiving, the sequel promises to bring back beloved characters, including Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde. This time, they’ll face challenges not just from their work, but also in their relationship.

Related: Disney Drops Major ‘Zootopia 2’ News Just Weeks Before Premiere!

The pressure mounts as a new reptile character, Gary De’Snake, emerges in Zootopia, throwing their partnership into turmoil and making the need for reconciliation even more urgent.

The plot of Zootopia 2 takes Judy and Nick deeper into the city than they’ve ever gone before. Their investigation of the mysterious Gary De’Snake forces them to go undercover, uncovering hidden parts of Zootopia while trying to fix their struggling friendship.

Jared Bush, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Chief Creative Officer, co-wrote and co-directed the original Zootopia and has returned to take on the same roles for the sequel.

Related: New Surprises Announced for Disney’s Zootopia Land in Celebration of ‘Zootopia 2’

However, the excitement surrounding Zootopia 2 isn’t just about the plot or the characters. Recently, Jared Bush revealed a heartwarming surprise that’s sure to stir emotions among fans.

In the first film, Nick Wilde partnered with Finnick, a crafty fennec fox he met as a teen in juvenile detention. Despite his small and seemingly harmless appearance, Finnick is sharp-witted and has no qualms about conning Zootopia’s citizens, who often underestimate him.

The character of Finnick, voiced by the late Tommy “Tiny” Lister Jr., has a special place in the hearts of Zootopia fans. Tragically, Lister passed away in 2020, but his legacy lives on in Zootopia 2.

Related: Judy and Nick Are in Partners Therapy—And It’s Everything

Bush shared that he had spoken with Mr. Lister’s family, and with their blessing, Finnick will return in the sequel using previously unreleased recordings Lister made for the original film.

With his family’s blessing, we are so grateful to feature the voice of Tiny Lister, reprising his role as Finnick in Zootopia 2, working with recordings from the first film. Thank you to his family. Thank you, Tiny. ❤️

This heartwarming tribute is one of the many surprises that fans can look forward to in the upcoming movie, and it shows the emotional depth that Zootopia 2 will offer.

With his family’s blessing, we are so grateful to feature the voice of Tiny Lister, reprising his role as Finnick in Zootopia 2, working with recordings from the first film. Thank you to his family. Thank you, Tiny. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/fwN7KIW6SL

— Jared Bush (@thejaredbush) September 24, 2025

In addition to honoring the memory of Tiny Lister, Zootopia 2 will also be the first film to incorporate elements from the real-world theme park. Fans of Shanghai Disneyland’s Zootopia Land will be excited to learn that this new park area, which opened in December 2023, will inspire some scenes in the 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. Q&A begins in 24 hours!

#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. Q&A begins in 24 hours! pic.twitter.com/nYgELKtkSS

— Jared Bush (@thejaredbush) October 4, 2025

The new land has many incredible features, including two thrilling attractions, a unique restaurant, and various shopping locations. One notable aspect that will appear in the movie is the barbershop for sheep that supplies wool for sweaters. Bush excitedly shared a fun fact about the barbershop, emphasizing how much it inspired the creative team for the sequel.

With a stellar cast returning from the original film, including Ginnifer Goodwin as Judy Hopps, Jason Bateman as Nick Wilde, and Idris Elba as Chief Bogo, the sequel promises to offer plenty of familiar faces and voices.

New additions to the cast include Quinta Brunson as Dr. Fuzzby, Fortune Feimster as Nibbles, Macaulay Culkin as Cattrick Lynxley, and Ke Huy Quan as the character of Gary De’Snake.

Zootopia 2 will premiere in theaters nationwide on November 26.

Excited to hear that Finnick is making a comeback in Zootopia 2? Which character are you most eager to see return to the big screen? Will you catch the sequel in theaters or wait to stream it on Disney+? Let us know what you’re thinking in the comments below!