Ke Huy Quan Takes the Snake As Reptiles Descend On 'Zootopia 2'

New Disney Animation CCO Jared Bush has subsequently confirmed his reteaming with co-director Byron Howard to direct the sequel to the 2016 film

There’s some old blood and some fresh blood coming to Zootopia 2, and that fresh blood is cold. Reptiles are coming in from everywhere all at once as Ke Huy Quan has joined the cast of Disney’s upcoming sequel as Gary the viper.

It was announced by star Ginnifer Goodwin, who returns to voice Judy Hopps at the Disney Entertainment Showcase back in August at D23. “Now, reptiles have a shady past,” she said, teasing that only Quan’s Gary could send the crew “on a whole new mission.” The role continues Quan’s in-demand status after his return to Hollywood acting led him to be Waymond Wang in Everything Everywhere All At Once garnered him numerous accolades including an Academy Award. Goodwin further described Gary as “creepy, slithery” and “highly venomous”. She also called the franchise born from the billion-dollar 2016 film that won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature her “happy place” and is definitely excited for the sequel’s release. While supporting characters from the first film like Mr Big, Clawhauser, Flash the Sloth were confirmed to be returning, Quan’s Gary is the first new character announced for the film.

'Frozen III' Bumped To 2027, Proshot Musical Confirms 2025 Disney+ Release

The clip shown at the event clearly did not get a public release, but it shows Nick, set to be voiced once again by Jason Bateman, and Judy searching for Gary in Marsh Market where the semi-aquatic animals live. Hippos get tattoos and ride waterslides, seals feast on algae and sea lions can be plumbers.

It was originally reported that Jared Bush was returning to write and direct alone, and he took to Twitter Friday to celebrate his promotion to Chief Creative Officer at Disney Animation after Jennifer Lee stepped down to focus her efforts on the upcoming third and fourth Frozen films, and ended up making a major clarification. He wrote “Yesterday was a big day at Disney Animation! I am so honored to be stepping into this new role with the most talented people in the world and I’m so excited for all that is to come.” He then essentially made his first big announcement as CCO: “So let’s start with what’s next RIGHT NOW: overjoyed to announce we are getting the band back together! Byron Howard will officially be joining me as Director of Zootopia 2!!!!!” Yes, with all those exclamation points, it seems the film will be a team directing effort like the first, as well as 2021’s Encanto, but the screenplay is still all his.

Quan was originally a child actor in the mid-‘80s to the early ‘90s in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, The Goonies, Encino Man, and sitcom Head of the Class before finding it difficult to attain acting work. Since EEAAO, he has starred as a series regular on two Disney+ series, American Born Chinese as Jamie Yao, and of course Loki season 2 as Ouroboros, or as later revealed, A.D. Doug. He voiced Han in Kung Fu Panda 4, and has two other films coming next year: With Love, and the Russo Brothers-directed The Electric State.

Zootopia 2 is set to hit theaters on November 26, 2025, the Thanksgiving weekend Disney has had its grasp on for animation for decades, including both animated Moana films and all three Frozen films that have ever been dated, just to name a few.

Yvonne Chapman, Live-Action 'Avatar' Kyoshi, Cast In 'Superman & Lois' Final Season

Sources: Variety, Jared Bush