The vibrant animal metropolis of Zootopia is officially expanding once again. Following hints left at the conclusion of the second installment, Disney formally announced at the D23 Expo showcase in Anaheim that Zootopia 3 is officially in development. The announcement comes on the heels of impressive financial success, as the 2025 sequel grossed an extraordinary $1.86 billion at the global box office.
Feathered Characters Join the Animal Metropolis
Speculation regarding a third chapter began right at the end of Zootopia 2, where a single feather drifted down from the sky. That subtle teaser hinted at the existence of birds within the expansive city, known as Zootropolis in certain international regions. Much like how the second film expanded the franchise by introducing reptiles such as Gary DeSnake, the upcoming threequel will introduce feathered species into the animated world for the first time.
Cast Announcements and Missing Characters
During the D23 Showcase in Anaheim, actors Ginnifer Goodwin and Ke Huy Quan appeared in person to present the project. Their attendance confirmed that both Judy Hopps and the reptile character Gary DeSnake will be returning for the third film. However, attendees noted that Jason Bateman was not mentioned, leaving the status of fan favorite fox Nick Wilde currently unclear. Additionally, Disney has not yet revealed who will direct the project.
Disney Expands Its Threequel Franchise Roster
As one of Disney's most popular animated franchises in recent history, returning to the city of Zootopia reflects the studio's strategy of continuing its most successful stories. This announcement marks only the second time Disney Animation Studios has greenlit a third installment for a feature franchise, following the planned release of Frozen III in 2027.
