The ALL-STAR Zootopia 2 Cast: 12 New & Returning Characters Confirmed For The 2025 Sequel

The wait is finally over: Zootopia 2 is officially on its way, and as of , the confirmed cast list is a star-studded mix of returning favorites and exciting new A-list talent. The sequel to Disney's 2016 Oscar-winning hit is set to bring back the dynamic duo of Officer Judy Hopps and Detective Nick Wilde for a brand-new buddy cop mystery adventure, but the city of Zootopia is expanding its borders—and its population—with a host of fresh voices.

This deep dive breaks down every confirmed voice actor, the iconic characters they are reprising, and the major new players joining the cast, including Oscar winners and comedy legends, as the film races toward its highly anticipated release date in November 2025. Get ready to meet the new faces—and voices—that will shape the future of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ beloved animal metropolis.

Confirmed Returning Cast: The Core of Zootopia

The heart of the original film was the undeniable chemistry between its two lead characters, and fans will be thrilled to know that the core voice actors are all reprising their roles. Their return ensures that the sequel maintains the beloved tone and dynamic that made the first film a global phenomenon. The returning cast members are the bedrock of the Zootopia universe.

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• Ginnifer Goodwin as Judy Hopps: The optimistic, determined rabbit police officer and first-ever bunny on the Zootopia Police Department. Goodwin’s performance as Judy’s relentless pursuit of justice remains a central pillar of the franchise.
• Jason Bateman as Nick Wilde: The sarcastic, quick-witted fox who transitioned from a con artist to Judy’s partner and the ZPD’s first fox officer. Bateman’s dry delivery and emotional depth are crucial to Nick's character arc.
• Shakira as Gazelle: The global pop superstar of Zootopia. The iconic gazelle and advocate for predator-prey harmony is confirmed to return, likely bringing a new hit song to the sequel’s soundtrack.
• Idris Elba as Chief Bogo: The imposing Cape buffalo who serves as the chief of the Zootopia Police Department. Elba’s commanding voice will once again keep Judy and Nick in line—or try to.
• J.K. Simmons as Mayor Lionheart: The previous Mayor of Zootopia, a lion who was arrested in the first film. His return suggests a potential role either in a flashback or a storyline involving his political comeback.
• Jenny Slate as Dawn Bellwether: The diminutive sheep who was the true villain of the first film. Her confirmed return could mean a prison-break subplot or a continued exploration of her ideology.
• Alan Tudyk as Duke Weaselton: The weasel who runs a black-market operation. Tudyk's versatile voice acting is a franchise staple.
• Nate Torrence as Benjamin Clawhauser: The cheerful, donut-loving cheetah receptionist at the ZPD.
• Don Lake and Bonnie Hunt as Stu and Bonnie Hopps: Judy’s parents. Their role often provides a grounding element to Judy’s adventures.

Introducing the New Voices: A-List Stars Join Zootopia

The most exciting news for Zootopia 2 is the introduction of several high-profile actors taking on brand-new characters. These additions are not just comedic relief; they are integral to the sequel’s central conflict, which reportedly involves a planned city expansion that threatens a marginalized community and the theft of a priceless historical artifact.

The New Faces of Conflict and Comedy

The new cast members bring a fresh energy and a diverse range of talent, from Oscar winners to beloved comedians, signaling a major expansion of the Zootopia universe and its population of animal entities.

• Ke Huy Quan as Gary De’Snake: The Oscar-winning actor joins the cast as the film’s new primary antagonist. Gary De'Snake is a reptile and a master thief who plans to steal an ancient, historical book detailing the city’s climate wall—the technology that separates Tundratown and Sahara Square. This character is central to the mystery and the film's themes of class and city planning.
• Andy Samberg as Pawbert Lynxley: The comedy star voices a member of the Lynxley family, a prominent group of lynxes. Pawbert is described as the easy-going runt of the litter. The Lynxley family is connected to the controversial city expansion plot, which seeks to destroy the Reptile Ravine area.
• Macaulay Culkin: The iconic actor has joined the cast in an undisclosed role. While his specific character is yet to be fully revealed, his involvement promises a significant, possibly dramatic, new entity in Zootopia.
• Brenda Song: Known for her work in various Disney and comedy projects, Song’s character is also currently under wraps but is part of the major new wave of talent joining the animated sequel.
• David Strathairn: A highly respected dramatic actor, Strathairn’s addition suggests a weighty, serious role, possibly a political figure or a figure connected to the historical conflict surrounding the climate wall.
• Fortune Feimster as Nibbles: The comedian voices Nibbles, a new character whose role is expected to provide comedic moments within the buddy cop framework.
• Quinta Brunson as Dr. Fuzzby: The Emmy-winning creator and star of Abbott Elementary voices Dr. Fuzzby, a character who will likely be involved in the scientific or investigative aspects of the plot, perhaps assisting Judy and Nick.
• Robert Irwin: The conservationist and television personality has also been confirmed to join the voice cast, adding another new entity to the bustling metropolis.

The Plot and Themes: A Deeper Dive into the Zootopia Universe

The new cast and characters are directly tied to the themes that Zootopia 2 is set to explore. The original film tackled prejudice and stereotypes, and the sequel appears to be expanding this topical authority to include issues of urban development, class conflict, and the marginalization of "outsider" groups.

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The central plot revolves around a city expansion plan that would destroy Reptile Ravine, an area inhabited by society's outsiders—reptiles—to make way for new development. This mirrors real-world issues of gentrification and displacement, giving the animated film a strong, relevant narrative backbone.

The introduction of Ke Huy Quan’s villain, Gary De’Snake, is key to this narrative. His plan to steal the historical book about the climate wall suggests that the truth about Zootopia’s meticulously controlled environment—the separation of its distinct climate zones like Tundratown and Sahara Square—will be exposed. This could potentially destabilize the entire city's infrastructure and social order, forcing Judy and Nick to confront a threat far larger than a simple criminal plot.

The return of the buddy cop dynamic, with Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde now established as partners, will see them navigate this complex mystery, which is described as a "buddy cop mystery adventure-comedy." Their relationship, which was the emotional core of the first film, will be tested as they deal with a new level of political intrigue and a villain with deeply rooted, systemic grievances.

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Zootopia 2 Release Date and Production Details

The highly anticipated sequel, produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios, is one of the most significant animated releases on the upcoming slate. Disney confirmed the sequel in 2023, and production has been moving forward steadily.

The official US theatrical release date for Zootopia 2 is set for Wednesday, November 26, 2025. This places the film perfectly for the lucrative Thanksgiving holiday box office, a prime slot for major animated blockbusters. International release dates are expected to follow closely, with some regions seeing the film in the days immediately following the US premiere.

The film’s directors and writers are looking to build upon the success of the first film, expanding the animal metropolis and delving deeper into the lives and cultures of its diverse inhabitants. The integration of LSI keywords and entities like Tundratown, Sahara Square, Reptile Ravine, and the Lynxley family highlights the narrative's focus on world-building and social commentary.

With an all-star cast, a compelling new plot, and a confirmed 2025 release date, Zootopia 2 is poised to be one of the biggest and most thematically resonant animated films of the decade. Fans of Judy Hopps, Nick Wilde, and the vibrant world of Zootopia should mark their calendars for November 2025.