Disney Animation Studios is taking 2015 off to give Pixar space to launch two films, before they release two of their own movies in 2016. The first one is Zootopia, which will be out in March.
The studio gave a first look at the film to USA Today, showing off art of the film’s main characters: con-artist fox Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) and rabbit cop Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin). Nick Wilde does look a bit like previous anthropomorphic foxes like Robin Hood or Fantastic Mr. Fox, although he gets a suit and tie.
Nick and Judy are paired up, even though they would never be friends otherwise. As the film goes on, they learn to become friends, like in many other films about an unlikely pair.
“He's a crafty, sarcastic schemer, and that I've been doing in parts since I was 12,” Bateman told USA Today of his character. “I foolishly said, 'What kind of voice do you guys want me to do?' And they just looked at me like I was an idiot and said, 'Just do what you do. Just talk.'”
Zootopia is set in the title animal city, which features sections for different animals from around the world. Judy is from the rural section called Bunny Burrows and other parts are called Tundratown and Sahara Square. It is being directed by Rich Moore (Wreck-It Ralph) and Byron Howard (Tangled).
The movie is “as fully immersive as though you walked into Disneyland,” Goodwin said. “This movie is begging for an entire division of the theme park.”
Zootopia, which was first announced in August 2013, hits theaters on March 4. The second Disney Animation film of 2016 is Moana, which opens in November 2016.
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image of Jason Bateman courtesy of Jennifer Graylock/INFphoto.com