Zootopia 2 is a sequel to one of Disney’s best animated films this century, and the latest trailer indicates it’s continuing what made the first film so great. Zootopia was a nice surprise. It was a mᴀssive hit for Disney, grossing over $1 billion worldwide and earning a 98% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Part of its appeal was that it contained themes and characters that resonated with kids and adults. Yes, it featured colorful animals and silly gags that could entertain younger audiences, but older viewers could appreciate its clever commentary on racism and prejudice. It was refreshing to see Disney take a unique approach to mature themes.

After its successful box office run, it was inevitable that Disney would make a sequel, especially since other sequels, like Moana 2 and Frozen 2, performed better than their predecessors. Zootopia 2 has high expectations, but it at least looks like it will continue the first film’s goal of telling meaningful stories in creative atmospheres.

Zootopia 2 Will Address Segregation With Its New Snake Character

As the first Zootopia explains, the city is a nature-defying habitat where predators and prey can live in peace. However, the prey often still harbor prejudice toward predators, and sometimes exhibit discriminatory behavior towards them. The villainous Dawn Bellwether exploits this tension, creating a serum that turns predators vicious to put them away and put prey in charge.

While the film ends peacefully, it still contains a not-so-subtle commentary on racism and diversity. The use of prey and predator is a clever way of conveying the message in a way that’s easy to understand, but not overbearing. It elevates Zootopia over other animated films that use animals, but lack any substance.

The final trailer for Zootopia 2 hints at a similar premise for the sequel that propels its social commentary even further. The film introduces a new character; a snake named Gary De’Snake, voiced by Ke Huy Quan. Gary is seemingly accused of a crime he didn’t commit, and Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde help him clear his name.

However, the issue of racism is evident in this trailer, as it looks like Zootopia is even more discriminatory toward reptiles than they are toward predators. It’s mentioned that snakes are rarely seen in the city, and reptiles live in a secret community. The trailer also ends with a lizard saying, “Maybe everyone will see reptiles ain’t that different.”

Zootopia 2 will not only be tackling prejudice, but also segregation. The reptiles live in a separate environment, isolated from the mammals. It’s unclear what caused this, but reptiles are stereotyped as dangerous creatures. It’s a heavy issue for a Disney film to tackle, but it’s promising to see the studio isn’t retreating from the franchise’s meaningful themes.