The Town with Matthew Belloni 'Zootopia 2,' China, AI, and the Battle for Originals With the Head of Disney Animation
31 snips
Jan 14, 2026 
Jared Bush, Chief Creative Officer at Walt Disney Animation Studios, and co-director of Zootopia 2, discusses the film's remarkable success, especially in China, where its relatable story resonates deeply. He explores the state of original animated films and the challenges posed by AI, advocating for human creativity over automated replacements. Jared also shares insights into maintaining adult humor in animations, managing the creative processes at Disney, and the high stakes involved in the upcoming Frozen sequels. He hints at future character journeys in the Zootopia franchise, showcasing his passion for storytelling.
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Why Zootopia Connects In China
- Zootopia 2 became the biggest U.S. animated movie of 2025 largely due to its massive China box office showing.
- Jared Bush credits relatable underdog themes and city visuals that echo Shanghai for that resonance.
Underdog Journey Resonates Globally
- The first Zootopia's story of an underdog leaving a small town to succeed in a big city resonated strongly with Chinese audiences.
- Jared Bush says the film's train-opening and tiered-city concept echoed many viewers' experiences.
Use AI To Speed Workflows, Not Create Art
- Use AI as productivity tools, not creative auteurs; let them speed formatting and routine tasks.
- Jared Bush wants faster creation workflows but rejects AI deciding the story or creative choices.
