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Animation Magic: Zootopia 2's Late Changes
19 Feb
Summary
- Animation's iterative process allowed late script and character changes.
- Pawbert's villainous turn was problematic until a rewrite seven months ago.
- Andy Samberg's casting and improvisation influenced Pawbert's final persona.
The development of Disney's "Zootopia 2" showcased animation's unique, overlapping production stages. Co-directors Jared Bush and Byron Howard detailed how writing, pre-production, and production occur concurrently, enabling constant refinement. This flexibility allowed for substantial changes, such as the character Nibbles Maplestick evolving from a standard officer to a wild podcaster.
Significantly, the film's villain, Pawbert, was dramatically rewritten only about seven months before its release. Initial screenings revealed Pawbert's original arch personality and sudden heel turn were problematic for audiences. The character was thus revised to be more needy post-reveal, with Andy Samberg's casting and improvisation in the booth adding late-stage development.
