In the Shanghai Disney "Zootopia" park, in front of the photo spots with a half-hour-long wait, children wear bunny ear headbands while young adults take selfies with Nick plushies. The Hollywood animated film, which has been playing for over three weeks, continues to attract audiences to theaters.

As of noon on December 21, Zootopia 2 had earned over 3.78 billion RMB at the Chinese mainland box office, ranking as the second highest-grossing film of the year in China. Globally, it has grossed over $1.2 billion, also securing the second position globally. But what’s most surprising is that its Chinese box office is nearly double that of North America.

In a market that is becoming increasingly selective about imported films, why did Zootopia 2 become an exception?

Recently, during the height of the film's popularity, directors Jared Bush and Byron Howard sat down with National Business Daily for an exclusive interview, offering a unified response: "We always have a core value, which is the relationship between Nick and Judy." Jared Bush added, "Audiences love this ‘imperfect pair’. Byron and I both consider them soulmates."

Byron Howard (left) and Jared Bush(right) during an online interview with National Business Daily (photo from the interview)

During their interactions with audiences in Shanghai and Beijing, Jared Bush was surprised to hear many mention "Judy’s journey from a small town to the big city." “Byron and I are both from small towns, and this experience resonates deeply with us,” he shared.

"This ‘Imperfect Pair’—We See Them as ‘Soulmates’"

Since the release of the first Zootopia in 2016, the "partnership" between Judy and Nick has become iconic for global audiences. It's not just a humorous pairing; this duo shows deep emotional bonds through mutual acceptance and trust. Online discussions and fan creations about their relationship continue to flourish.

In the film, Judy and Nick (Image source: Douban Movies)

Jared Bush chuckled, saying, "They have incredible chemistry. There’s something about them that people can relate to, whether it’s themselves or their friends. Byron and I both see them as soulmates. From the first movie to the second, we deepened their connection. As we move forward, we’ll continue to enhance these stories."

Byron Howard also added, “The relationship between Nick and Judy is what makes the film so moving. I think this is incredibly real for us humans. Sometimes, you need to find someone who truly understands you, and they might be completely different from you, from a completely different world. But this chemistry is what it is, and you end up spending your life with them, growing richer because of it.”

This bond is not simply pandering to audience expectations; it is an authentic representation of how an imperfect pair grows together, conveyed through the plot and character interactions. Jared Bush and Byron Howard firmly believe that the connection between Judy and Nick forms a bridge that resonates with the audience’s emotions, a point that is even more thoroughly explored in the sequel.

As an animated sequel, Zootopia 2 does not follow the common nostalgic route. Instead, it further develops the social issues hinted at in the first film. Viewers of all ages, from adults to students and children, found their own points of connection in the story.

Director Jared Bush at the Beijing Premiere (photo by Bi Yuanyuan/NBD)

Jared Bush commented, “We are really moved by the enthusiasm from Chinese audiences. I was lucky to attend the opening ceremony of the ‘Zootopia’ theme area at Shanghai Disneyland, where I saw firsthand the warm welcome from Chinese fans. We realized it was important to bring back the characters that fans loved into the story.”

Jared Bush recalled, “When I interacted with audiences in Shanghai and Beijing, I was surprised that many mentioned Judy’s journey from a small town to the big city.” This mirrors the personal experiences of Jared Bush and Byron Howard. “Like Byron, I grew up in a very small town and later moved to a city, so that journey feels very exciting,” Jared Bush said.

When seeing fans dressed as characters at screenings, Jared Bush remarked, “People have put so much thought and effort into this, it’s truly amazing. It makes us feel great.” He acknowledged that the team spent four to five years on the film, carefully considering every detail. He also realized that the audience noticed every bit of effort they put in behind the scenes. “We’ve even seen people host dog movie screenings, bringing their pets to watch the film, which is so fun,” he said.

If There’s a Zootopia 3, the Story Will Still Center Around Nick and Judy

“Zootopia is like an endless playground, showcasing natural wonders and a picture of animals coexisting. The more we incorporate humor, animal behavior stories, and elements of our world into the film, the more it becomes a mirror reflecting society,” Byron Howard said. “In creating these two films, we’ve always strived to give the audience something better than they expected—showing new sides of Judy and Nick’s lives, introducing new characters, and new worlds.” Byron Howard promised, “We’ll do our best to bring the audience more than they expect.”

When considering the creative process for Zootopia, what story would the directors want to tell if they didn’t have to consider the market?

“Disney animation has a unique way of constructing stories. It’s unlike anything I’ve experienced,” Jared Bush shared. “Making a film takes about four to five years, and it’s a deeply collaborative process. This film had 700 people involved in its creation. Over those four to five years, we often showed the film to the team and asked for feedback. We want feedback. We want to hear what works, what doesn’t, and make changes.”

He gave an example: They often had brilliant artists say, “I have an idea,” and then the idea would be incorporated into the film. The new character, Mayor Lionheart, was carefully crafted. Jared Bush revealed, “Mayor Lionheart wasn’t part of our initial idea. It was suggested by one of our character designers, Amy Thompson. We needed a new mayor, and she suggested various animals. Then she said, ‘How about this stunning horse?’ And we said, ‘Yes.’ So, I believe that as we move forward, what we really strive to do is listen to everyone around us.”

For Byron Howard, the core value of Zootopia will always be the relationship between Nick and Judy, and their desire to maintain this bond. “But the truth is, we’ve found that the storytelling method isn’t linear. We don’t focus on one idea. Over the years, we’ve been exploring and bringing in as many excellent creative talents as possible,” Jared Bush admitted.

When discussing Zootopia 3, the two directors revealed an exciting piece of news for fans: Although no official release date for the sequel has been announced, preparations for the third film have quietly begun. Byron Howard shared, “Jared already drew a rough sketch. Just like years ago, when we were finishing Bolt, he drew a rough sketch for Zootopia 2, where the number ‘2’ in the title was designed to look like a snake. Now, he’s drawn a sketch for the third film, and we’ve secretly filmed a segment.”

“We always strive to tell meaningful stories, and these stories must be driven by passion, which has helped the film immensely,” Jared Bush said. “We’ve always believed that only by telling truly meaningful stories can this series continue to shine. Whether it’s the character depth in Zootopia 2 or in future films, we will start with the audience’s expectations and create stories that touch hearts.”

Byron Howard emphasized, “If there’s a next one, Jared and I will always stay in this world. We’ll always work hard to tell great stories, full of sincerity.”