Hoppers Cast Find Themselves in Tricky Disney-Pixar “Hop In or Hop Out” Situations

There’s something about Pixar’s latest original film Hoppers that just hits differently. Maybe it’s the heart. Maybe it’s the humor. Or maybe it’s the fact that it taps into that wide-eyed, first-time-I-saw-Toy Story kind of wonder. Whatever it is, Hoppers feels special — and after sitting down with its stars, I understand why.

I spoke with Piper Curda (who voices Mabel) and Bobby Moynihan (who plays George), and the energy between them perfectly mirrors what makes this film work: warmth, chaos, sincerity, and just the right amount of ridiculousness.

Before diving into the emotional core of the movie, I put them through a little Disney-Pixar gauntlet I like to call “Hop In or Hop Out.” The rules? I give them iconic animated moments, and they decide whether they’d jump in to change history — or stay out and let fate take its course.

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Snow White before she bites the apple? Immediate hop in. “Knock that thing out her hands!” they joked.

Ariel before signing Ursula’s contract? Suddenly, it got complicated. Would the kingdom even be as happy if Ariel hadn’t sacrificed her voice? Bobby hilariously suggested hopping in and charming Ursula into becoming “a nice lady.” Honestly? I’d watch that spinoff.

Woody when Buzz becomes Andy’s favorite? Hop in — because, as they put it, sometimes those tough lessons are necessary… but also, cuddles help.

Elsa at her coronation when her powers are revealed? Without hesitation: hop in. “I would be Elsa any day of the week,” Piper said, embracing the idea of being one of animation’s most powerful forces.

Even Nani right before the social worker arrives in Lilo & Stitch earned a hop in — purely for love of that chaotic, heartfelt energy.

It was playful and chaotic, but it also revealed something deeper: both actors genuinely love these worlds. And that love translates directly into Hoppers.

When I asked them about the long-standing Pixar tradition of Easter eggs and whether fans should keep their eyes peeled for something teasing the next film, they teased right back. There’s something there — they just aren’t giving it up easily. Let’s just say: emoji hints may or may not be involved.

But what struck me most was our conversation about the idea that Hoppers feels like “old Pixar.”

For me, watching this film brought back that nostalgic feeling of being a kid seeing a Pixar movie for the first time — that emotional overwhelm where you’re laughing one second and unexpectedly holding back tears the next. I told them it felt fresh and new, but still carried that classic Pixar heartbeat.

They agreed.

“It does what Pixar does well,” Piper shared. “It teaches you a lesson while also entertaining you and making you laugh.”

And that’s exactly it. The film doesn’t preach — it feels. It lets you sit with complicated emotions while wrapping them in humor and heart.

For Bobby, returning to Pixar carried its own meaning. He spoke about how much he loves the creative environment there — that campus energy, being surrounded by people who genuinely live and breathe imagination. This time, though, was different because he was working alongside director Daniel Chong, whom he previously collaborated with on We Bare Bears. That existing trust made the experience feel, in his words, “perfect.”

That trust shows onscreen. Because at its core, Hoppers is about two characters from completely different worlds learning to understand each other. It’s about empathy. It’s about kindness. It’s about realizing that we’re more alike than we think — especially when it would be easier not to be.

“Kindness matters,” Bobby told me. “Especially right now.”

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Piper spoke openly about empathy — how being deeply emotional can sometimes feel like a weakness. But through Mabel, she found strength in that vulnerability. She even joked that she once teared up after swatting a fly (and later realized hormones were partially to blame). Still, the sentiment stands: feeling deeply isn’t a flaw. It’s human.

And that’s what Hoppers understands so beautifully.

It understands that empathy can feel messy. That connection takes effort. That kindness is powerful. It reminds us that even if we come from different ecosystems — literal or emotional — there’s common ground waiting to be found.

By the end of our chat, we were talking about dogs (yes, I almost brought my wiener dogs), crying over squirrels, and how I was already planning to see the film again. Because some movies deserve repeat viewings — not just for the jokes or the Easter eggs, but for the feeling.

Hoppers isn’t just a return to “old Pixar.” It’s a reminder of why we fell in love with Pixar in the first place.

And trust me — you’re going to want to hop in this Friday!