WildeHopps’ Future? Byron Howard, Yvette Merino & Yvette Nicole Brown Talk Potential Zootopia Prequel and the Future of Nick and Judy
As someone who genuinely loves Zootopia 2, sitting down to talk about where this world could go next felt less like an interview and more like a fan conversation. With Zootopia 2 now out on digital, I had to ask the questions we’re all thinking: Can we spend more time in this universe? Could we ever see a prequel? Maybe even a series?
Table Of Content
- “The More Time We Spend With These Characters, the Better.”
- Don’t Expect a “Darker” Zootopia—Expect a Smarter One
- The Animation Feels Different Because the Studio Has Grown
- Yes, They Know You Want More Finnick
- There’s Still So Much of This World We Haven’t Seen
- And At Its Core, Zootopia Is Still About One Thing: Empathy
- So… Will We See More?
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The answer? They’re just as into that idea as we are.
“The More Time We Spend With These Characters, the Better.”
When I brought up the possibility of exploring earlier stories—family lives, upbringing, what Zootopia looked like before we arrived—the reaction was immediate. They said they would support more storytelling “a hundred percent.”
In fact, there’s a little jealousy when it comes to television. With a series, you can live with characters for years. With films, you get about 90 minutes, and that’s it. That time limit means there are entire layers of this world we’ve barely scratched.
They talked about how much history there is to explore, how the city evolved, how different animal communities function. Basically, there’s no shortage of stories—they just need the space to tell them.
Don’t Expect a “Darker” Zootopia—Expect a Smarter One
I also asked something fans debate all the time: as the audience grows up, could the tone grow up too? Especially when it comes to the relationship between Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde.
Their perspective was interesting. They don’t see the films as just “kids’ movies” to begin with. From day one, they were designed to work on multiple levels—for children, for adults, and for people rewatching years later and catching things they missed the first time.
And when you think about it, Judy and Nick’s story is still new. In the first film, they only knew each other for 48 hours—and half of that time they didn’t even like each other. The sequel is really about them finally getting to know one another. Where that relationship goes next? Even they say they don’t fully know yet.
RELATED: Everything You Need to Know: Disney’s Zootopia 2 – Who Is Gary De’ Snake & Is Zootopia 3 Next?
The Animation Feels Different Because the Studio Has Grown
If the sequel feels slightly more expressive or emotionally detailed, that wasn’t accidental—but it also wasn’t some big stylistic reset.
The filmmakers explained that as the studio evolves, so does the animation. They learn more about the characters, and even the voice performances from Ginnifer Goodwin and Jason Bateman continue to reveal new personality beats the animators can build from.
So the mission isn’t to change what worked. It’s to hold onto what people loved and push it just a little further each time.
Yes, They Know You Want More Finnick
We had to bring up Finnick, because fans always ask where he fits into Nick’s life now. They lit up talking about that dynamic. Finnick represents Nick’s past—the hustler days, the history, the part of him that existed long before the badge. Even as Nick grows into his new role, Finnick is that friend who keeps him grounded. It’s also impossible to talk about Finnick without remembering Tommy “Tiny” Lister Jr., the incredible actor who originally gave him that unforgettable voice and sadly passed away in 2020. His performance brought a unique energy and humor to the character, and the filmmakers continue to honor his legacy in any future stories involving Finnick.
There’s Still So Much of This World We Haven’t Seen
One of the most surprising things they shared was that entire sequences set in Bunnyburrow were once planned but never made it into the original film simply because there wasn’t enough time. That’s the reality of theatrical storytelling—world-building sometimes gets cut for pacing.
They also teased the idea of exploring species we haven’t met yet, especially birds, which would open up completely new environments. (There was even a joking pitch about wanting to see a toucan causing chaos.)
And At Its Core, Zootopia Is Still About One Thing: Empathy
More than anything, they kept coming back to the message behind these films. The idea that everyone deserves a place, that helping someone else succeed doesn’t take anything away from you. That sense of inclusion and compassion is the heartbeat of the story—and they believe that’s why it continues to connect across generations.
It’s not just about solving cases or building a bigger world. It’s about characters fighting for others, not just themselves.
So… Will We See More?
Nothing official was announced, but the enthusiasm in the room was very real. If there’s an opportunity to tell more stories in this universe—whether through another sequel, deeper backstories, or even a different format—it’s something they’d gladly jump into.
And honestly? Fans seem ready for that too. Watch the interview now and grab Zootopia 2 on digital!
