Hoppers: Pixar’s ‘Zootopia’? A Toy Story 5 Easter Egg & will Ratatouille 2 happen

Pixar is back at it again, and honestly? Hoppers might just be their most surprising original in years. The film is a home-in-the-world adventure about a group of animals navigating a world where humans and animals coexist in unexpected ways—full of heart, humor, and clever world-building that feels classic Pixar but fresh.

I had the chance to sit down with some of the brilliant minds behind Pixar’s upcoming film, and let me tell you—this is more than a movie. It’s a universe.

Daniel Chong, the director of Hoppers, brought the creative vision to life, guiding the story, the characters, and the emotional beats that give the film its soul. Alongside him, producer Nicole Grindle, who has worked on iconic Pixar films like Ratatouille, The Incredibles, and more, made sure that vision came together seamlessly—from storyboarding to animation to all the subtle details that Pixar fans notice and love.

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“What makes a Pixar movie stick with audiences?” I asked. Their answer was simple but powerful: great characters.Everything else flows from there—humor, emotion, storytelling. And it shows. From start to finish, Hoppers strikes that perfect balance of funny, emotional, and just plain fun.

I also spoke with John Cody Kim, the Story Supervisor, and Margaret Spencer, the Story Lead. These two are the architects behind the narrative, shaping each scene and every story beat. They shared how much work goes into even the smallest decisions: each character choice can go through 20–30 variations before the final version lands. It’s meticulous, almost invisible work—but it’s what gives Pixar its signature magic.

Of course, no Pixar movie would be complete without Easter eggs, and Hoppers doesn’t disappoint. There’s a nod to a major upcoming film hidden in plain sight, along with classic Pixar Easter eggs like the Pixar ball and Pizza Planet truck. “Some come from the crew, some we only notice at the end,” they explained. Fans will definitely want to pause and look closely to catch all the hidden details.

Speaking of Easter eggs, Toy Story fans are in for a treat. There’s a subtle hint tucked away in Hoppers that connects to the next chapter in Woody and Buzz’s story. Without spoiling too much, it’s clear that Pixar is continuing to weave its universes together in clever ways.

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And what about Ratatouille 2? I had to ask. Their answer? “It’s one of our favorite films, but some things should just be left alone.” No concrete plans yet, but as with all Pixar films, fans can always dream—and the studio’s love for its past characters makes the possibility tantalizing.

Above all, Hoppers is about connection and coexistence. “Humans are animals too,” they said. “Take care of things, and the world takes care of you. Teamwork matters.” It’s a theme that resonates across ages, whether you’re a kid laughing at the antics on screen or an adult noticing the layers beneath.

Hoppers is more than an animated feature. It’s a reminder of what Pixar does best: build worlds that make you laugh, make you cry, and leave you thinking long after the credits roll. And if you’re a fan of the Pixar universe, pay attention—there are Easter eggs and hidden connections everywhere. Toy Story, Ratatouille, and even future films are all hinted at, creating a subtle web of wonder that only the studio can pull off.

Tickets for Hoppers are now on sale.

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