Cover Zootopia 2’s hidden details prove Disney’s animators had just as much fun making this sequel as we’re having watching it (Photo: Disney)
Zootopia 2’s hidden details prove Disney’s animators had just as much fun making this sequel as we’re having watching it (Photo: Disney)
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‘Zootopia 2’ is in cinemas now. Get ready to spot some cool Easter eggs. We have listed a few here to get you started, without spoilers.
Right then, Disney fans—did you catch everything hiding in plain sight during Zootopia 2? The animators have absolutely outdone themselves this time, cramming the film with numerous cheeky references. What makes Zootopia 2’s Easter eggs so delightful is that they serve dual purposes: kids get a cracking adventure story, while adults can be on the lookout for references to other iconic films tucked between the punchlines.
Whether you’re a devoted Disney fan or just love a good cinematic wink, here are six brilliant Easter eggs that prove this sequel is as clever as it is charming.
Also read: ‘Stranger Things’ star Sadie Sink’s best Prada moments
A double rat reference: ‘Ratatouille’ and ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’
Above A still from ‘Zootopia 2’ that caused many in the cinema hall to chuckle (Photo: Disney)
Above A still from ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’, one of the movies it references (Photo: IMDB)
A still from ‘Zootopia 2’ that caused many in the cinema hall to chuckle (Photo: Disney)
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In what might be the cleverest nod of the entire film, Disney manages to reference both Ratatouille and the Oscar-winning Everything Everywhere All at Once in one fell swoop. A chef is exposed as having a rat under his toque pulling the strings, but here’s where the second Easter egg comes in: it’s a raccoon who discovers the truth, giving us a cheeky reference from Everything Everywhere All at Once’s “Raccacoonie” moment—where Michelle Yeoh’s character tries to explain what’s happening to her family by saying they are being controlled like a puppet, like in the movie “Raccacoonie”, by which she means Ratatouille. It’s a full-circle moment, and one which made us chuckle.
Celebrity cameos gone wild
The voice casting department clearly had an absolute field day. Michael J. Fox voices a character called Michael J. The Fox, an inmate in the prison where our adventurous leads find themselves for a while, while Australian wildlife warrior Robert Irwin lends his voice to Robert Furwin, a koala who works as an airport ticket agent. It’s the sort of on-the-nose casting that shouldn’t work but absolutely does.
The Bellwether scene reminds us of ‘The Silence of the Lambs’
Above Dawn Bellwether returns in a prison setup that’s giving serious Hannibal Lecter vibes (Photo: Disney)
Dawn Bellwether returns in a prison setup that’s giving serious Hannibal Lecter vibes (Photo: Disney)
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In the same prison scene, Zootopia 2 co-directors Jared Bush and Byron Howard pay homage to Jonathan Demme’s The Silence of the Lambs. Dawn Bellwether is in one of the cells, and her prison set-up is remarkably specific. The bulletproof glass cell, the isolated containment, even Jenny Slate’s delivery, it all reminds one of Anthony Hopkins’ Hannibal Lecter. But the best part? Bellwether is a sheep. Disney knew what they were doing!
The hedge maze moment pays tribute to ‘The Shining’
Above The frosted hedge maze in ‘Zootopia 2’ is a pitch-perfect nod to ‘The Shining’ (Photo: Disney)
The frosted hedge maze in ‘Zootopia 2’ is a pitch-perfect nod to ‘The Shining’ (Photo: Disney)
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Zootopia 2 drops yet another Easter egg during the Tundra Town chase sequence. The frosted hedge maze is an unmistakable homage to The Shining, complete with the actual musical cues from Kubrick’s masterpiece. Watching Pawbert Lynxley (who is literally snow cat) crouch and stalk through the frozen labyrinth, while that iconic score plays is the sort of bold reference that reminds you Disney’s animators are proper film nerds at heart.
Rapunzel’s frying pan – a double tribute to ‘Tangled’
Zootopia 2 seems to secretly celebrate the 15th anniversary of Tangled, which was also directed by Byron Howard. During Judy’s first encounter with Gary d’Snake, Nick suddenly knocks him unconscious with a frying pan, paying homage to the classic scene in Tangled where Rapunzel uses a frying pan to knock out Flynn. (Later in the film, a weasel is seen selling a bootleg video featuring a special version of Tangled called Wrangled).
Judy’s gown honours ‘La La Land’
Above Judy’s gown gives a nod to ‘La La Land’ and ‘Beauty and the Beast’
Judy’s gown gives a nod to ‘La La Land’ and ‘Beauty and the Beast’
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One of the most memorable scenes in Zootopia 2 is when Judy and Nick change into formal wear for the Zootopia Centennial Celebration. Judy’s vivid yellow gown seems to recall Emma Stone’s iconic look in La La Land, while some fans think it gives a nod to Belle from Beauty and the Beast. As for Nick’s tuxedo, it’s very suave, very James Bond, we must say.
Suchetana Mukhopadhyay is the Digital Content Manager for Tatler Hong Kong. In this role, she leads all digital editorial and branded content on Tatler Hong Kong’s website, from brainstorming story ideas with the writers to editing and publishing the articles, and from managing the overall content flow to driving search engine optimisation. She also leads the beauty content at Tatler Hong Kong and across the region, and is always looking to champion diversity through her articles. She was previously with Cedar Hong Kong and Gafencu, and freelanced for the South China Morning Post, Campaign Asia-Pacific, CNN and more. Contact her here.
