Ginnifer Goodwin Breaks Silence on Judy and Nick’s Zootopia 2 Bond

With the massive box office run of Zootopia 2, one of the film’s stars, Ginnifer Goodwin, has weighed in on a topic that’s kept fans talking for years: just what’s going on between Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde? The sequel amped up the chemistry between the two animated leads, prompting Variety to ask if the 2025 follow-up was, in fact, a love story in disguise. Goodwin didn’t shy away from the question, instead offering a candid take on the ongoing debate about whether Judy and Nick are more than mates.

Goodwin’s Take on Judy and Nick’s Relationship

Goodwin explained that Disney tales are all about celebrating different kinds of love, and it’s up to the punters to decide what Judy and Nick’s connection means to them. She reckons the story is open to interpretation, and that’s part of the fun. In her words:

What I love most about Disney is that all different types of love are celebrated. Just like how “Frozen” is a celebration of sibling love, whatever people glean from “Zootopia” is valid. We made this movie for the public, so do with it what you will.

She also shared a bit of banter with her co-star Jason Bateman, who voices Nick. The two have joked about what sort of animal would result if a fox and a bunny had an offspring, with Bateman dubbing the hybrid a “Funny.” Goodwin seems to be taking the inter-species dynamic in stride, not taking things too seriously and leaving the door open for all sorts of interpretations.

What’s Next for Judy and Nick?

When asked about her hopes for a third film, Goodwin said she’s keen to see the world of Zootopia expand. She admitted she hadn’t thought much about birds or semi-aquatic animals during the first film, but now sees endless possibilities as the universe grows. The post-credits scene in Zootopia 2, which features a mysterious feather, has already sparked plenty of theories about where things could head next.

There are other worlds that I would love to see explored, because it didn’t even occur to me when we were making the first one, like, “What about the semi-aquatic animals?” If you stayed for the post-credit scene of Zootopia 2, we introduced another world with a new type of animal. I wouldn’t even pretend to be able to predict what it is that they’ll do with Zootopia 3.

Goodwin made it clear she has no idea what Disney will do with the next chapter, but she’s got full faith in the creative team to keep things fresh and surprising.

Creators Drop Hints About the Post-Credits Scene

It’s not just the cast stirring up speculation. The directors and producers have also weighed in on the feather that appears in the sequel’s end credits. Director Jared Bush explained that the feather is meant to get people thinking about the wider world beyond the city, hinting at heaps of untold stories and new animal groups yet to be explored.

Well, I think that there are limitless numbers of stories to tell in the world of Zootopia. I think that this is something that hopefully, when audiences see it, will get them excited about what that could be, what that actually means, and what mystery may lie ahead.

Producer Yvett Merino added that Zootopia was always just one part of a much bigger continent, with plenty of room for new species, environments, and cultures. So far, the films haven’t really touched on birds, insects, fish, or even household pets, leaving the door wide open for future adventures. The feather might just be the start of a whole new direction for the franchise.

Zootopia 2 is currently showing in cinemas around the globe, while the original is available to stream on Disney+.