In a move that’s about as surprising as the sun rising in the east, Disney has announced that they’re moving forward with a third installment in the Zootopia franchise. Because, of course they are. The company’s D23 Expo, a veritable font of announcements designed to make shareholders happy, saw voice actors Ginnifer Goodwin and Ke Huy Quan take the stage to reveal the project, which will be titled – wait for it – Zootopia 3. The announcement also came with the news that the film will introduce birds to the world of Zootopia, because why not? It’s not like the franchise has gotten stale or anything.
The Zootopia franchise has been a behemoth for Disney, with the first film grossing over $1 billion and the second one raking in a whopping $1.86 billion worldwide. It’s a financial juggernaut that shows no signs of slowing down, and Disney would be crazy to not keep milking it for all it’s worth. And by “crazy,” I mean “responsible to their shareholders.” The introduction of birds to the franchise is a clever move, as it opens up new possibilities for characters and storylines. One can only assume that the film’s writers are already hard at work coming up with creative ways to incorporate our fine-feathered friends into the Zootopia universe.
The Zootopia Machine
The Zootopia franchise is a well-oiled machine at this point, with a Disney+ series, theme park attractions, and merchandise galore. It’s a testament to the power of branding and the ability of a company like Disney to create a cultural phenomenon. And with the introduction of birds to the franchise, the possibilities for merchandising opportunities are endless. One can only imagine the number of bird-themed toys, clothes, and other knick-knacks that will soon be flooding the market. The Merchandising Department must be rubbing their hands together in glee at the prospect of all those extra sales.
The announcement of Zootopia 3 is also a reminder that, in Hollywood, familiarity is often mistaken for originality. Studios are more likely to greenlight a sequel or reboot than take a chance on something new and innovative. It’s a safer bet, after all, to rely on a proven franchise rather than trying to create something from scratch. And so, the Zootopia franchise will continue to churn out films, each one hoping to capture a little bit of the magic that made the first one so successful. Somewhere, a Focus Group is no doubt earning a bonus for their role in helping to shape the franchise’s direction.
The Never-Ending Cycle
The announcement of Zootopia 3 is just another example of the never-ending cycle of sequels and reboots that Hollywood is trapped in. It’s a cycle that shows no signs of slowing down, as studios continue to prioritize profits over creativity. And why not? It’s a proven formula, after all. The Zootopia franchise is just one of many that will continue to churn out films, each one hoping to capture a little bit of the magic that made the first one so successful. It’s a reminder that, in the end, Hollywood is all about making money, and if that means sacrificing a little bit of originality along the way, so be it.
As the Zootopia franchise continues to expand, it’s worth wondering what other surprises the studio has in store for us. Will we see a Zootopia theme park? A line of Zootopia-themed restaurants? The possibilities are endless, and one can only assume that Disney is already hard at work exploring every possible avenue for merchandising and cross-promotion. It’s a cynical view, perhaps, but it’s one that’s hard to avoid when faced with the reality of Hollywood’s business model.
In the end, the announcement of Zootopia 3 is just another example of Hollywood’s relentless pursuit of profit. It’s a reminder that, no matter how much we might love a particular franchise or film, it’s all just a means to an end – a way for studios to make money and keep the machine churning. And so, we’ll continue to see sequel after sequel, each one a little bit more tired and a little bit more cynical than the last. It’s a cycle that shows no signs of slowing down, and one that will continue to leave fans and critics alike feeling a little bit exhausted and a little bit jaded. Somewhere, an executive is no doubt nodding very seriously, having just come up with the brilliant idea to make Zootopia 4. Because, of course, that’s exactly what the world needs. More Zootopia.
Finn McFrame, celebrated satirical mastermind and self-proclaimed “Emperor of Irony,” started his illustrious career as a cinematographer, where his expertise in capturing every single frame of a squirrel stealing a baguette earned him accolades at obscure film festivals.
Born in the glamorous town of Boring, Oregon, Finn grew up with dreams of being a Hollywood director until he realized that satire, not cinema, was his true calling—or at least the one that let him sleep until noon.
Finn McFrame: changing the world, one satirical lens flare at a time.
