Zootopia 3 is in development, with Disney Animation chief creative officer Jared Bush offering new details about the planned sequel in an interview with Collider. Bush, who co-wrote the first two films, said the project will require significant time to develop properly and indicated that Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde will remain central to the story.
The film is expected to introduce birds to the world of Zootopia, following elements teased by the ending of Zootopia 2 and the third movie’s logo. Bush also suggested that the story could be the first in the franchise to move beyond the boundaries of Zootopia City itself.
Bush said that introducing new types of animals, including reptiles and birds, had been part of conversations about the franchise since work began on the original film. He explained that the creative team wanted to remain in the world of Zootopia and explore different stories within it.
A release date has not been finalized. Bush said the timing could vary depending on the development of Zootopia 3, the performance of surrounding films and the broader circumstances affecting Disney Animation. He added that the studio needs flexibility while also communicating its plans so artists can decide which future productions they want to join.
Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman and Ke Huy Quan are seemingly set to return as Judy Hopps, Nick Wilde and Gary De’Snake, respectively.
Sources: Just Jared.