LOS ANGELES — Hollywood was transformed into a lively menagerie for an exciting event!
The streets surrounding the iconic El Capitan Theatre were cordoned off on Thursday to host the much-anticipated world premiere of “Zootopia 2.” Attendees were well-prepared for the Southern California rain, ensuring the festivities went off without a hitch.
In this eagerly awaited follow-up, Jason Bateman and Ginnifer Goodwin reprise their roles as Nick Wilde and Judy Hopps, the rookie cop duo. This time, they are on the trail of a new mystery unfolding in their bustling animal city.
Goodwin expressed her enthusiasm for the role, calling it a dream come true.
“I mean, I’m obsessed with Disney,” she shared. “I used to visit the Disney offices hoping to be cast in any role. I’ve had the chance to be a fairy and a princess, but Judy is my absolute favorite because she feels like she’s truly mine!”
The sequel introduces fresh faces, including the character Gary De’Snake, brought to life by Oscar winner Ke Huy Quan.
“Even though he is a poisonous viper, but then you meet him, he’s actually really friendly,” the actor said.
There’s also an energetic beaver with the great name of Nibbles Maplestick voiced by Fortune Feimster.
“I honestly can’t believe it,” said Feimster. “I know I’ve gotten to do some cool stuff in my career, but this is at the top, for sure.”
Plus, some of the film’s original stars are back, including Colombian pop star Shakira, who drafted her two young sons to help.
“We recorded our lines together because they actually have a small part in the movie as Judy Hopp’s little brothers, bunnies, little bunnies!” she said.
Actress Bonnie Hunt, who plays Bonnie Hopps, is excited to share this sequel with her family.
“I have, I don’t know, 19 nieces and nephews now, so I get to be a part of their childhood in a way that will last, I hope, their lifetime,” she said.
Meantime, the filmmakers are thrilled for fans to see what’s taken years to complete.
“We want to be entertained. We want to laugh, we want to cry, we want that Disney magic, so we really try our very hardest to get that,” said co-director Byron Howard.
“We go through a lot of different places in ‘Zootopia’ we didn’t get to see in the first time,” added co-director Jared Bush.
As for the movie’s message, producer Yvett Merino has her take.
“We are all a little different, and we all have differences, and if we really just take the time to understand the differences, we would all be stronger together,” she said.
“Zootopia 2” hits theaters Wednesday, November 26.
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