by Whitney
Friedlander
There are certain things
that Disney movies have
taught us. Heroines are
feisty, determined, and
usually right. Villains'
downfalls are the result
of their own narcissism.
Snakes are not to be
trusted.
The world of 2016's Zootopia more
or less followed these guidelines,
focusing on Judy Hopps, a young
police officer rabbit with strong
ambitions and morals, and Nick
Wilde, a small-time criminal who's as
sly as the fox he actually is. The movie
is set in a universe where predators
and prey have evolved past their
natural instincts. While there's still
some distrust, everyone largely lives
in harmony.
But the starring creatures in
this movie are mammals. What
would happen if a reptile entered
this ecosystem? That thought had
been brewing in the minds of Jared
Bush and Byron Howard since they
wrapped 2021's Encanto and Bush
slipped Howard a sketch that read
"Zootopia 2" with the number in the
shape of a snake.
Now, almost 10 years since
Zootopia's release, the sequel, which
was directed by both filmmakers
and written by Bush, gives the
audience Gary De'Snake. The twist?
He's a venomous blue pit viper who
just wants a hug. This presented a
conundrum. How do you make a snake
loveable? The answer: use art and
technology to give the character depth.
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