Zootopia+
| Zootopia+ | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | Animation Anthology |
| Story by |
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| Directed by |
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| Theme music composer |
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| Composers |
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| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 6 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers | |
| Producer | Nathan Curtis |
| Cinematography | Joqauin Baldwin (Layout) Gina Warr Lawes (Lighting) |
| Editors | Shannon Stein Jeff Draheim |
| Production company | Walt Disney Animation Studios |
| Original release | |
| Network | Disney+ |
| Release | November 9, 2022 – present |
Zootopia+ is an animated spin-off web television series based on Zootopia by Byron Howard, Rich Moore and Jared Bush. Produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios, the series was released on Disney+ on November 9, 2022.
Synopsis
The anthology series will feature six stories that take place in the same timeline as the original film.[1]
Cast
- Bonnie Hunt as Bonnie Hopps
- Don Lake as Stu Hopps
- John Lavelle as Yax
- Leah Latham as Fru-Fru
- Michelle Buteau as Tru-Tru
- Katie Lowes as Molly Hopps and Brianca
- Crystal Kung Minkoff as Charisma
- Porsha Williams as Christine
- Maurice LaMarche as Mr. Big
- Alan Tudyk as Duke Weaselton
- Imari Williams as Rhino Boss
- Nate Torrence as Officer Clawhauser
- Idris Elba as Chief Bogo
- Shakira as Gazelle
- Charlotte Nicdao as Sam
- Raymond S. Persi as Flash
- Kristen Bell as Priscilla
- John Lavelle as Gerald Cook
- Byron Howard as Bucky
- Jared Bush as Pronk
Ginnifer Goodwin and Jason Bateman reprise their roles as Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde, respectively, through archive footage from the original film.
Episodes[2]
| No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Hopp on Board" | Trent Correy and Josie Trinidad | Josie Trinidad, Trent Correy and Michael Herrera | November 9, 2022 | |
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Shortly after bidding Judy goodbye as she departs for Zootopia, her parents, Stu and Bonnie, notice one of their younger children, Molly, atop of the train taking Judy. The two run in pursuit in their truck, avoidding hitting other people in their path, while failing to inform Judy of the situation. Stu eventually manages to arrive atop of the train, but ends up falling off and being rescued by Bonnie after struggling with Zootopia's enviroments. The train arrives at the station and Molly almost falls to the rails, but Bonnie and Stu save her before she could be hit by a train. Molly then goes atop a train that goes back to Bunnyburrow, forcing Bonnie and Stu to chase her once again. | |||||
| 2 | "The Real Rodents of Little Rodentia" | Josie Trinidad and Trent Correy | Trent Correy, Josie Trinidad and Michael Herrera | November 9, 2022 | |
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A reality television parody (primarily of The Real Housewives franchise) starring Fru-Fru and her sisters. | |||||
| 3 | "Duke: The Musical" | Trent Correy and Josie Trinidad | Josie Trinidad, Trent Correy and Michael Herrera | November 9, 2022 | |
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Duke Weaselton reconsiders his life choices through song after being caught by Hopps. | |||||
| 4 | "The Godfather of the Bride" | Josie Trinidad and Trent Correy | Trent Correy, Josie Trinidad and Michael Herrera | November 9, 2022 | |
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In a crime film parody, at Fru-Fru's wedding, Mr. Big gives a speech and flashes back to his humble beginnings. | |||||
| 5 | "So You Think You Can Prance" | Trent Correy and Josie Trinidad | Josie Trinidad, Trent Correy and Michael Herrera | November 9, 2022 | |
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A talent competition parody, in which Clawhauser and Bogo audition to be Gazelle's next backup dancer. | |||||
| 6 | "Dinner Rush" | Josie Trinidad and Trent Correy | Trent Correy, Josie Trinidad and Michael Herrera | November 9, 2022 | |
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A romantic comedy spoof in which Flash the sloth from the DMV goes on a date with Priscilla. | |||||
Production
Development
On December 10, 2020, Walt Disney Animation Studios chief creative officer Jennifer Lee announced that a spin-off series titled Zootopia+ and based on the 2016 film Zootopia is in development at the studio for Disney+.[3] Trent Correy and Josie Trinidad, who worked as an animator and head of story for the film, respectively, are set to direct the series.[3] The idea for the series was suggested by Cortney during a pitch presentation in 2020, as one of three pitches for potential Disney+ series.[4][2] Trinidad was originally set to direct only two episodes for the series, but her excitment to work on the project caused her to be ascended to co-director for the entire series alongside Cortney.[2] The series was produced remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which complicated the production process according to producer Nathan Curtis.[5][2] Lee executive-produces the series alongside Zootopia co-directors and Encanto directors Byron Howard and Jared Bush.[2]
Writing
The series was written during the storyboard process, with story artists writing lines or developing the structure for the story of each episode.[2] Each episode explores secondary characters from Zootopia during the film's events, with the series featuring a different genre per episode, an idea conceived by Correy; according to Trinidad, some of the shorts were already planned by Correy, while others were conceived during production.[4][6] The idea of having the series focus on secondary characters during the events of the film was conceived due to the filmmakers wanting to further explore the world and characters depicted in the film.[5] The first episode explores the life of mob boss Mr. Big from his childhood until his daughter's wedding in an homage to The Godfather Part II, while also exploring inmigration issues.[7]
Animation
The series marks the first time Pixar's Presto animation software was used promeniently on a non-Pixar project.[2] Head of character Frank Hanner updated the character models from the original film to make them compatible with the software.[2]
Production designer Jim Finn worked closely with directors of photography Joaquin Baldin and Gina Warr Lawes to develop the visual style for each episode.[2] Editor Shannon Stein worked during the edition process to help establish each episode's distinctive tone and genre.[2]
Music
Five of the episodes were composed by Curtis Green and Mick Giacchino. However, Giacchino's father, Michael Giacchino, who composed for the original Zootopia film, composed the music for "Duke: the Musical". The song written for the same episode, "Big Time" was composed by Michael with lyrics by Kate Anderson and Elyssa Samsel (Olaf's Frozen Adventure, Central Park).[2]
References
- ^ Porter, Rick (December 10, 2020). "'Moana,' 'Tiana' Animated Series Set at Disney+". Variety. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Zootopia+ Production Notes" (PDF). Disney+. Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
- ^ a b Holloway, Daniel (December 10, 2020). "'Moana,' 'Cars,' 'Princess and the Frog' Spinoff Series Set for Disney Plus". Variety. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
- ^ a b "'Zootopia+' Disney+ Release Date Announced". Disney Plus Informer. June 17, 2022. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
- ^ a b "Zootopia+ – Cast and Filmmakers Interview". Retrieved 2022-11-09.
- ^ Talking Zootopia+ with Director Josie Trinidad | What's Up, Disney+, retrieved 2022-11-07
- ^ Motamayor, Rafael (2022-06-17). "Zootopia+ Review: A Fun If Redundant Expansion Of The Oscar-Winning Film [Annecy 2022]". SlashFilm.com. Retrieved 2022-07-14.