Ginnifer Goodwin and Ke Huy Quan think Zootopia 2 is what Disney does best [Exclusive]

The “Zootopia” films are also allegories of society and address fairly intense social themes in a way that is very digestible for young audiences. This may sound revolutionary on paper, but in reality it has been at the center of Disney’s greatest works for over 100 years. As I said in my review of “Zootopia 2,” if “Zootopia” was a film teaching the important lesson of not judging a book by its cover, “Zootopia 2” is an exploration of how the stereotypes that pit us against those who are different from us came to be, and how far the wealthy elite will go to maintain a status quo that keeps some communities demonized to the point where others are so ignorant of the truth that they are willing to ignore continued oppression at best, and actively encourage mistreatment at worst.

These important messages have always been at the heart of “Zootopia,” even though the creators say their motivation was inspired by observing animals in the wild, not political unrest. However, as animals ourselves, it is not surprising that we reproduce similar hierarchies and structural dynamics. Providing a space to introduce these themes to young viewers is crucial, and the stars of these films understand the importance of being part of this legacy.

I recently spoke with “Zootopia 2” stars Ginnifer Goodwin and Ke Huy Quan, who both tell me the film is yet another example of what Disney does best: telling timeless, universal stories about the human condition.

During our interview, Ginnifer Goodwin told me that Disney’s ability to tackle difficult topics in an accessible way is “what Disney does best and always has done” and that Disney classics never feel out of style because they always tap into stories about the human condition that are timeless and universal. “You can take any of these themes and see different groups of people,” she said.

“It’s crazy, because I feel like sometimes we get asked about something related to something political or current affairs, and it’s like they wrote this. years “It just shows that history repeats itself over and over again,” she said. “It just shows that history repeats itself over and over again.” Goodwin also admitted that, like many of us, she gives in to the Disney magic and finds herself laughing so hard she cries and also “just crying,” because there is strong emotional power in stories like “Zootopia 2.”

Ke Huy Quan said that Disney had found the “secret ingredient” in how to make these films, said he was honored to be part of a film that would be watched by millions of children who will be positively influenced by the central message, and reflected on the impact of Disney films on his own upbringing. As he explained:

“Every time I look back, I immediately remember all these wonderful memories: who did I watch this film with? With my brother, for example, who is my best friend. And [‘Zootopia 2’] is the kind of movie that kids and their parents can bond over, or siblings can bond over, growing their relationship just by watching it together. It’s just amazing to be a part of this. »

“Zootopia 2” is now available in theaters worldwide.