Zootopia 3 Greenlit
Disney Confirms Zootopia 3 in Development with Returning Stars, Teasing New Avian Focus.
Key Points
At D23, Disney Animation chief Jared Bush announced Zootopia 3 is in production on stage, with Ginnifer Goodwin and Ke Huy Quan confirming their returns as Judy Hopps and Gary De'Snake.
A post-credits teaser in Zootopia 2 features a bird feather landing on Judy Hopps’s windowsill, signaling that avian characters will play a larger role in Zootopia 3.
Industry guidance suggests animated features often require four to five years to complete, which could put Zootopia 3 in theaters around 2030, though Disney has not confirmed a target date.
Ke Huy Quan is reported to reprise the role of Gary De'Snake in Zootopia 3.
Disney officially announced Zootopia 3 is in production at the D23 Expo, the company's major fan event. Voice actors Ginnifer Goodwin and Ke Huy Quan took the stage to confirm their returns as Judy Hopps and Gary De'Snake, according to Bleeding Cool and Screen Crush.
The announcement came on the heels of Zootopia 2's massive global run, which surpassed $1.8 billion at the box office — making it Disney's highest-grossing animated film ever. Jared Bush, who co-directed the first two films with Byron Howard, is attached to lead the third installment, Dark Horizons reported.
Goodwin and Quan Confirm Returns on D23 Stage
The Zootopia 3 reveal was made live at the D23 Disney Entertainment Showcase. Ginnifer Goodwin, the voice of Officer Judy Hopps, appeared alongside Ke Huy Quan, who voices Gary De'Snake, according to Y105 Music. The crowd moment doubled as the film's first official confirmation.
Quan's role as Gary De'Snake is a newer addition to the franchise, introduced in Zootopia 2. His return signals the studio plans to keep the expanded cast intact. Disney Animation chief Jared Bush made the announcement on stage, per Bleeding Cool, with production already underway.
A Bird Feather Teased the Next Adventure
Sharp-eyed viewers spotted a clue at the end of Zootopia 2. A post-credits scene shows a bird feather drifting down onto Judy Hopps's windowsill. That small moment hints that avian characters — birds — will play a much bigger role in the third film, according to Screen Crush.
Disney has not shared plot details yet. But the feather teaser follows a pattern the studio uses to set up future stories. The phrase "feathery fliers" has already appeared in early fan and industry chatter about where the Zootopia world could expand next.
A 2030 Release Window Looks Most Likely
Disney has not announced a release date for Zootopia 3. But animated films typically take four to five years to finish. That timeline would put the movie in theaters around 2030, Dark Horizons noted. The studio has a crowded slate, which could push the window even further.
Disney also has Frozen 3 and Lilo and Stitch II in development, confirmed at the same D23 event. All three projects compete for studio resources and top animation talent. Fans should expect a long wait — but the official green light means the clock has started.
Zootopia 2's Record Box Office Drove the Green Light
Zootopia 2 crossed $1.8 billion worldwide, making it the top-grossing animated film in Disney history, per Mega 993 Online. That kind of performance makes a third film an easy call for the studio. The franchise has also expanded with a Disney+ spin-off series, building a loyal fan base between films.
The original Zootopia won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature in 2017. The franchise now spans two blockbuster films, a streaming series, and a confirmed third entry. Disney is clearly betting the Zootopia world has plenty of story — and box-office potential — left to explore.
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