Disney Animation's highly anticipated sequel, "Zootopia 2," is set to hit Japanese theaters on December 5, 2025. Today, the studio announced a surprising addition to the Japanese dub: acclaimed game creator Hideo Kojima will make a guest voice appearance.
Sources indicate this collaboration wasn't a typical industry arrangement but rather a direct invitation from the film's director, Jared Bush, making this cross-industry dream a true reality.
Kojima will lend his voice to Paul Moledebrandt, a mole police officer working at the Zootopia Police Department, where Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde are employed.
Globally renowned for his work on the "Metal Gear Solid" and "Death Stranding" series, Kojima has made numerous cameo appearances in his own games and live-action projects. However, this marks his first foray into voice acting for an animated feature film.
"I never expected an invitation from Disney, let alone for a sequel to my favorite film, 'Zootopia.' Since it was Director Bush himself who extended the offer, I immediately accepted," Kojima revealed. He added that while his scene is brief, the recording process was an eye-opening experience.
"The precision in animation creation is incredibly high. With the visuals as a guide, the recording went smoothly. Normally, I'm on the directing side, but experiencing the performance firsthand gave me a deeper appreciation for the voice actors' meticulous attention to detail, even down to page turns and background noises," Kojima stated.
The Japanese voice cast also boasts a strong lineup. Returning actors include Aya Ueto, Toshiyuki Morikawa, Kenta Miyake, and Dream Ami. New additions such as Hiro Shimono, Noriko Eguchi, Ryosuke Yamada, Nana Mizuki, and Akira Emoto further elevate the anticipation. With Hideo Kojima's cross-media cameo, the buzz surrounding the film's release continues to build.
Kojima himself offered high praise for the project: "The original was already a pinnacle for Disney. I wondered if a sequel could surpass it, but from my experience during the recording, I'm confident it will."
via： ファミ通.com