Zootopia
Directors: Byron Howard, Rich Moore, Jared Bush
Writers: Jared Bush, Phil Johnston
Cast: Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Idris Elba, J.K. Simmons, Jenny Slate, Nate Torrence, Shakira
Studio: Disney Animation Studios
Release Date: March 4, 2016

On the surface, Zootopia looks like just another talking animal with anthropomorphic features piddling around getting laughs by means of using childish humor. But that is just the surface, and it is a very thin one. In reality, for beyond that layer lies a deeper and more meaningful story, and if you peel that layer back, you’ll soon discover that Disney Animation Studios’ latest film has a message, a very poignant one that could not have come out at a more perfect time.

In a day and age where bullying, prejudices, stereotypes, and preconceived notions are hurting many, and social issues are becoming more prevalent in our neighboring communities and homes, Zootopia has a message. Yeah, expecting a film like this to get everyone to get along is merely impossible and expecting too much, but all it is asking of us is to “try.” Try to understand one another, because if you do, you’ll become more exceptional. Check out the full review of the movie here below.

Last fall, a group of journalists were invited to sit down to talk to the creative team behind Disney’s upcoming film Zootopia. The film is an animated play of the buddy cop genre that pairs a naive bunny with a con artist fox. That sort of predator and prey dynamic would really help make the buddy cop feel more fun to watch.

We’ve already posted reports on the design and functionality of how Zootopia could exist in real life, and our sit down with directors Rich Moore (Wreck-It Ralph) and Bryon Howard (Bolt, Tangled). But we also got to learn about what goes into a Disney script. Below is our chat with co-director Jared Bush, screenwriter Phil Johnston, story lead Mark Smith, and editor Fabienne Rawley. During out sit down with them we learned about the importance of story boarding, how much a story can evolve before a scene gets animated, and how many iterations of a scene from film can get done before they decide on one.

Recently Sacha Baron Cohen took a step away from the mockumentary genre and went forward with the raunchy political comedy The Dictator. But after spoofing rappers, journalists, and fashion experts, the comedian is putting a satire of the spy genre in his crosshairs.

A report says that Baron Cohen and Phil Johnston have successfully sold a spy comedy pitch to Paramount. No amount was disclosed, but it is said that the pitch sold for high six to low seven figures.