The creators of Zootopia 2 are dealing with the post-credits scene and Zootopia 3

Disney animated sequel Zootopia 2 has a post-credits scene and it is not a moment in which you can blink an eye: it is also a summary of the events of the film, a direct reference to the first part Zootopiaand a fun tease of possible focus Zootopia 3. However, Disney has yet to greenlight another Zootopia sequel Zootopia 2‘S a promisingly energetic opening performance at the box office and Disney obsession with sequels everything indicates that a third film will eventually be made. Zootopia AND Zootopia 2 co-directors Jared Bush (also Disney’s current chief creative officer) and Byron Howard tell Polygon that they believe the Zootopia setting has “limitless” potential for sequels.

“I think it’s endless because it’s based on the fact that [just watching] the normal functioning of the world is entertainment itself,” says Howard.

[Ed. note: Spoilers below for what happens in Zootopia 2’s post-credit scene, plus the filmmakers’ thoughts on where the movie series could go.]

IN Zootopia 2mismatched team of rabbit and fox detectives Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) solve yet another mystery while putting a strain on their new professional partnership. This time the story revolves around the viper, Gary De’Snake (Everything Everywhere Everything at once Oscar winner Ke Huy Quan), who sneaks into the animal city of Zootopia to retrieve a stolen journal and prove that the reptiles have been unfairly excluded from the city after an innocent snake was framed for murder.

The case reveals great tension between the ambitious, restless Judy and her more cautious partner. At a key moment in the film, an argument between them ends in the destruction of a carrot-shaped recording device that played a key role in both their early relationship and the first case they solved together. In the first movie, Judy gave the pen to Nick “to symbolize our partnership”, and he repairs it and gives it back at the end Zootopia 2 symbolize their reconciliation.

In the post-credits scene, Judy returns home to her apartment with a broken carrot pen lying on the windowsill, reminding viewers that everything is fine between her and Nick. She has a short, cheerful conversation through the wall with the noisy gazelles living next door, who first shout at her and each other. Zootopia. It is also a reminder – in the first film, he retreats from depression to his dark, dingy room, and thin walls and aggressive neighbors deepen his feeling of loneliness and out of place. This time, the same environment provides her with support and care and gives her a sense of belonging.

But when he turns to leave, a feather falls from above and lands on the window sill. The source is unclear, but there is definitely a bird living somewhere in the area – which is an anomaly Zootopia has no bird inhabitants. Just as Zootopia 2 answers the question, “Why are there no reptiles in this city?”, the feather is a hint that the next film may answer the question of why birds were also excluded. It’s even possible that the bird character is seeking Judy for help or spying on her as an adversary, given that she was instrumental in getting the reptiles allowed to return to the city.

“Honestly, I think our job is to get people out of the theater [and] say, “It was great!” Man, I want more of this!” Bush told Polygon. “I think that’s the goal. I think what we really tried to say in this movie was, ‘This is how you grow.’ [the Zootopia world]’ so people can say, ‘And you can expand it even further!’ I think that is the goal every time we enter this world.

“There’s still so much room for fun in the world of Zootopia,” says co-writer Carrie Liao. “I’m sure there are other animals I want to see, other environments that exist in our real world, and I ask myself, ‘Well, will we see that in Zootopia?'”

Howard says the show’s potential comes in part from the fact that everyone loves animal characters and the opportunity to learn all the ins and outs of Animal Town. “We have been fascinated by animals since childhood,” he says. “I think it’s something that is widely believed around the world to unite people, no matter what country they come from or what experience they have. [It’s fun] see how Zootopia works, [with] just thousands of animals, different stories, many different paths to go. So yes, I think it could go on forever.

Zootopia 2 is in theaters now.