Walt Disney Animation Studios’ comedy-adventure, “Zootopia” has broken records worldwide earning more than $900 million at the global box office to date. The best reviewed movie of 2016, critics and audiences around the world have fallen in love with the wonderfully innovative animal metropolis of “Zootopia” and the comedic chemistry of rookie rabbit officer Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) and scam-artist fox Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman). It’s been called one of the best buddy cop comedies in years! Thankfully, there’s more—much more.
As the runaway hit arrives home on DVD , viewers will not only be able to enjoy the vibrant world of Zootopia and reunite with their favorite characters, but also discover more about the evolution of this extraordinary tale through in-depth bonus offerings.
Here are some ZOOTOPIA FACTS about how this blockbuster animated movie was made:
ADD IT UP — There are 64 unique species in Zootopia and most species are unique in topology: elephants have trunks, pigs have snouts; some animals have hooves, some have paws; some have three fingers, some have two.
HAIRY SITUATION – While researching the variety of animals that would inhabit Zootopia, filmmakers learned that not all fur is the same. A strand of polar bear fur is clear—it’s the light reflecting off of it that makes it appear white—and a strand of fox fur is dark at the root, getting lighter till its red tip. Artists strived to replicate their findings to ensure that the animals in “Zootopia” were believable.
LITTLE LAMB – Artists designing Assistant Mayor Bellwether were inspired by the lambs in
the old Disney films “Make Mine Music” and “Melody Time.”
FANCY – Artists crafted six unique outfits for Assistant Mayor Bellwether. The chosen fabric,
naturally, was wool. Her outfits include a houndstooth dress, a blazer and a little bell in honor
of her moniker. She also has an orange dress with a scissor pattern that represents shears.
HEAR ME ROAR – Artists were inspired by Mufasa from Disney’s classic film “The Lion King”
when creating the look of Mayor Lionheart.
THE EYES HAVE IT — Clawhauser may not share a real cheetah’s svelte shape, but he does
sport the animal’s iconic tear marks—markings that run from the inside corners of his eyes
down to the outside edges of his mouth.
ROLL IN THE HAY – In an effort to bolster the animal-feel, artists added bits of debris—hay,
leaves, sticks—in the coats of animals like the big sheep and Yax the Yak.
HERE KITTY KITTY – Nathan Warner, director of cinematography-layout, got a pat on the
back from a real-life cheetah during their research trip to Africa. The rescued animal that
caretakers had introduced to the filmmakers seemingly took offense to the camera Warner
carried and leapt up to let him know. Both filmmaker and cat were just fine following the
event.
STIFF UPPER LIP – When artists realized that real rabbits actually have a split upper lip, they decided to forego authenticity in this case and kept Judy’s lip all together.
TWEEZE ME – Advances in technology allowed filmmakers to trim the fur that fell beneath
clothing so that the garments hung correctly. Previously, hairs that intersected with an item of
clothing—like Bolt’s collar—had to be plucked one by one, which would have been an
impossible feat in a film like “Zootopia.”
SPECIAL DVD FEATURES include candid conversations with filmmakers and artists behind Zootopia, an alternate opening, never-before-seen characters and deleted scenes and a sneak peek at some of the hidden Easter Eggs that make reference to Disney Animation’s most beloved films and characters.
Directed by Byron Howard (“Tangled,” “Bolt”) and Rich Moore (“Wreck-It Ralph,” “The Simpsons”) and produced by Clark Spencer (“Wreck-It-Ralph,” “Lilo & Stitch”), the progressive mammal metropolis of Zootopia is a melting pot where animals from every habitat live side by side and “anyone can be anything.” But when new rabbit police officer Judy Hopps (voice of Ginnifer Goodwin) arrives in town she discovers that being the first bunny on a police force of tough, hulking animals isn’t so easy. Determined to prove herself, she jumps at the opportunity to crack an unsolved, challenging case even if it means working with a fast-talking, scam-artist fox, Nick Wilde (voice of Jason Bateman), to solve the mystery. But the case leads these two unlikely partners to an uneasy conclusion that Zootopia’s “evolved” society is being pulled apart by unseen forces determined to use fear to take control of the city by turning predators and prey against each other.
Others who helped bring the world of Zootopia to life, include a remarkable roster of voice talent including Idris Elba (BBC’s “Luther,” Golden Globe -nominated for Netflix’s “Beasts of No Nation”) as Judy’s no-nonsense cape buffalo boss Chief Bogo, Jenny Slate (“Obvious Child,” “Marcel the Shell”) as Assistant Mayor Bellwether, Nate Torrence (HBO’s “Hello Ladies,” Fox’s “Weird Loners”) as charming cheetah Clawhauser, Bonnie Hunt (“Return to Me,” “Jerry Maguire”) and Don Lake (“Dumb and Dumber To,” “The Bonnie Hunt Show”) as Judy’s anxious, but supportive parents, Tommy Chong (“Up in Smoke,” “That ’70s Show”) as Yax the Yak, J.K. Simmons (“Juno,” Oscar winner for “Whiplash”) as Mayor Lionheart, Octavia Spencer (“Insurgent,” Oscar winner for “The Help”) as the distraught Mrs. Otterton, Alan Tudyk (“Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” “Trumbo”) as Duke Weaselton, Shakira as the socially minded international pop star Gazelle, Raymond Persi (“Wreck-It Ralph,” WDAS story artist) as Flash the sloth, Maurice LaMarche (“Pinky and the Brain,” two-time Emmy winner “Futurama”) as Mr. Big, Tiny Lister (“Friday,” “The Fifth Element”) as Finnick, John DiMaggio (Fox’s “Futurama,” Cartoon Network’s “Adventure Time”) as Jerry Jumbeaux Jr., Katie Lowes (ABC’s “Scandal,” “Big Hero 6”) as Dr. Badger, and Jesse Corti (“Frozen,” “Beauty and the Beast”) as Mr. Manchas.
The film is also supported by an emotional and powerful music score created by Michael Giacchino (“Jurassic World,” Academy Award -winning composer for Disney•Pixar’s “Up”) and an inspiring original song, “Try Everything,” performed by Grammy -winning, international superstar Shakira (voice of Zootopia’s biggest pop star, Gazelle) and written by Grammy -winning singer-songwriter Sia and songwriting duo Stargate.
