"We Never Met in the Recording Studio"... The Secret Behind the Fantastic Chemistry of 'Zootopia 2'

Jennifer Goodwin and Ke Huy Quan Interview
"Even More Fun Than the Original"

Movie still cut from "Zootopia 2"

"I never actually met Jason Bateman, who voiced the fox Nick, in the recording studio. I didn't even know how the other person was recording, so the fact that such great chemistry was achieved feels almost magical to me."

Jennifer Goodwin, who plays the rabbit Judy in Disney's animated film "Zootopia 2," recalled her fantastic chemistry with Bateman during a video interview with Korean reporters on the 18th. She said, "The script was well written, and thanks to the hard work of hundreds of people, we were able to create a wonderful result."

"Zootopia 2" tells the story of Judy and Nick, now police officers, as they try to save the city thrown into chaos by the mysterious appearance of Gary the Snake. Judy and Nick, who have very different personalities, continue to bicker in this film as well, but gradually come to appreciate each other's value.

Goodwin said, "Judy has a flaw in that she doesn't really listen to others, and Nick has trouble taking things seriously," adding, "This dynamic between the two characters continues in 'Zootopia 2' as well." Director Jared Bush, who also directed the previous film, stated, "I tried to maintain the chemistry between Judy and Nick, just like in the original."

The newly introduced character Gary plays a key role in delivering the film's core message of 'communication with others.' While snakes have mostly appeared as villains in Disney animations, this time a snake takes center stage. The voice acting is performed by Ke Huy Quan, a familiar face from the film "Everything Everywhere All at Once."

Jennifer Goodwin as Judy in the movie 'Zootopia 2'

Ke Huy Quan said, "When I was first offered the role of Gary, a venomous viper, I wondered if they had contacted the right person, since my voice isn't scary at all," adding, "But after hearing more about the character, I was so excited and couldn't wait to play the part." He continued, "I hope people will see Gary not as a scary snake, but as a playful character with a warm heart."

Director Bush emphasized, "Gary carries the message that everyone's story is worth listening to," and added, "I wanted to talk about the value of communication."

The main difference from the previous film lies in the new settings. Director Bush explained, "We explored spaces that weren't shown in the previous movie. My favorite is the Wetlands Market. Both above and below the water are fascinating, and we focused on bringing that to life."

Goodwin said, "Choosing between 'Zootopia' and 'Zootopia 2' is like picking one of my own children," but confidently added, "If I had to choose, I think 'Zootopia 2' is more fun."

Released in 2016, "Zootopia" was a box office hit, surpassing $1.02 billion in global revenue. The sequel will be released on the 26th.