“Zootopia” was a huge critical and financial success for Disney, so it’s not surprising that fans are interested in a sequel. The 2016 buddy-cop movie won over audiences with its touching and easy-to-understand message about racism (via Slate), as well as its easy-going comedy. Since it came out, people on the internet have been making guesses about what a sequel might look like, who might be in it, and when it might come out.

People may not realize it, but these ideas may also have more truth to them than they think. Rich Moore and Byron Howard have always been interested in making a sequel. In 2016, Moore told Collider, “It would be nice to go back to it again.” One fan’s poll on the r/Zootopia subreddit showed that many people would be willing to wait up to five years for a sequel that turns out to be better than the first one. That’s a high bar to jump over, but anything is possible.

So, when will Disney fans be able to go back to the huge city of animals where everyone can be anything?

What Will Zootopia 2 Be About?

Since “Zootopia” didn’t end on a cliffhanger, there are many ways it could be continued. Goodwin and Bateman have both talked about what they would like to see in the sequel. Goodwin told CinemaBlend that she would like Nick to be the one to convince Judy that the world is worth fighting for.

On the other hand, Bateman said that he’d like to see, “We were both killing it out there. Streets need to be cleaned up. We are two new police officers out there. So, bad guys, be warned.” Building on the first movie’s themes of diversity, racial profiling, and acceptance, it will be interesting to see how the sequel manages to show Judy and Nick’s policing in a positive light without going against the political and social changes that have happened since 2016.

Judy and Nick might keep working to make their community better, or they might leave their home to meet new animals with more complicated social rules and figure out how they need to change the way they police. The short-form style of “Zootopia+” could also affect how a sequel would go since it would have a lot of stories to build on.

When Will Zootopia 2 Be in Theaters or Streaming Online?

As a result of the pandemic, Disney+ is still trying out different ways to release movies through streaming, so it’s natural to wonder what a “Zootopia 2” release might look like. Disney didn’t put movies like “Luca” and “Turning Red” in theatres. Instead, they went straight to streaming. But “Zootopia 2” may do better since the first movie was a hit and there are already a lot of fans waiting to see it.

Disney has a lot going on, from Marvel projects to live-action remakes of old stories to reboots of old fan favorites. We don’t know when the sequel will come out, but based on the buzz online, it’s clear that fans want it to come out soon so it can join other long-awaited sequels. “Zootopia” took two years to make, so patience is the key here.

It’s also possible that Disney+’s upcoming anthology series “Zootopia+,” rather than being a traditional sequel, will be a follow-up to the movie. The show is set to come out in 2022.

But since no one at Disney has said anything official, it’s impossible to know if “Zootopia 2” will join the growing franchise.

Who Will Be in the Cast of Zootopia 2?

Even though there isn’t a formal cast list yet, two cast members have already talked about being in a sequel. Officer McHorn’s voice actor, Mark Smith, told The Sun in a 2017 interview that he would play the same character in the next movie. He was born into a poor family and got the nickname “Rhino.” Later, he competed in “Gladiator” and then became an actor.

Tommy Lister, who voiced the angry fox Finnick, told fans at a meet-and-greet in 2019: “I can tell you for sure I’m doing another “Zootopia” with Disney.” He also said that they were making a trilogy and that the next movie would cost $300 million. Since he will die in 2020, it is hard to say if another actor will take his place.

Ginnifer Goodwin and Jason Bateman are likely to come back as their main characters, Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde, respectively, to keep fighting the good fight.

In an interview with Collider in 2016, Byron Howard said that Officer Clawhauser (Nate Torrence), a bubbly, overweight cheetah, was his favorite character. He also talked about how many different ways another “Zootopia” story could go. This could be a hint at a sequel (or trilogy), or it could be something “Zootopia+” explores.

Zootopia 2 Release Trailer

Where to Watch Zootopia 2

The comedy Zootopia, which stars Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, and Shakira, is now available to watch on Netflix.