Disney's animated sequel, Zootopia 2, was a huge success after its Thanksgiving weekend release, breaking global opening weekend records for animated films. Voice actress Ginnifer Goodwin gave an interview to Variety on Thursday (December 4th), sharing her experience returning to the role of Judy Hopps and the relationship between Judy and Hunnick.
Although the actors didn't record together during the film's dubbing process, Goodwin still mentioned the natural chemistry between her and Jason Bateman, who played "Hunick." "We discussed it," she said, "'Judy' and 'Hunick' are like a couple who just moved in together, still figuring out their rhythm. I have no doubt they're soulmates. It doesn't need any discussion."
When asked about the online rumors about a romance between the characters "Judy" and "Hunick," she laughed and said, "I've heard those rabbit hole theories, but I've never actually gone down them." She added, "One of the things I love most about Disney is how they portray love in all its forms, like the sisterhood in Frozen. I embrace and accept whatever interpretations the audience makes."
She would even joke with Bateman privately, speculating what animal the two characters would have if they had a child. "He said that if a fox and a rabbit had a child, it would be called 'Funny'."
Goodwin admitted that since the first Zootopia movie was released in 2016, the film has practically become the background music in her home. "I've probably listened to it 40 times." For her two children, who are only teenagers, the film is simply a work they enjoy. "I can actually sneak my work into their world."
However, when a friend accidentally revealed to the children that their mother was "Judy Hopps," the children didn't believe her. "They argued, 'Mom thought her voice sounded like that rabbit, but it doesn't at all.' I had to pinch the doll's belly to match the dialogue and try to prove that what I said was true." She laughed, saying that this forced her to explain the "basic rules" of the animated world to young children.
Goodwin pointed out that she waited for news of the sequel every year. "Every year I would call Disney and ask, 'Will that be my Christmas present?'" When she received the call in December 2023, she fell off her chair in the kitchen and cried tears of joy. In order to recreate Judy's tone, she listened to the dubbing of the first film dozens of times. "I kept warming up with Judy's voice on the way to the recording studio."
Regarding the sequel, Goodwin expressed her continued excitement, but she dared not predict its direction. "I want to see explorations of other animal worlds, such as semi-aquatic animals. The post-credits scene in the second film already hinted at the emergence of a completely new animal group." Speaking about the sequel's success, she believes, "It's difficult for parents to find works that interest both their children and themselves, but Zootopia has achieved that."
