By the D23 Team
The buzz is already building about the keyboard-playing lemmings, Dr. Fuzzby the “therapy animal,” and the mysterious Gary De’Snake—not to mention the return of those crime-fighting partners in detection, Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde. The theatrical debut of Zootopia 2 is still months away, on November 26, but the Fall 2025 issue of Disney twenty-three is already exploring the Walt Disney Animation Studios’ feature’s new neighborhoods and introducing its new characters. The fun starts with an original cover image of Zootopia residents, familiar and new, created exclusively for Disney twenty-three by Walt Disney Animation Studios.
In Zootopia 2, bunny police officer Judy Hopps, says Ginnifer Goodwin, who returns to the role, “now comes with experience… She also comes with a partner.” Jason Bateman, the voice of Nick Wilde the fox, also spoke with Disney twenty-three: “Judy helped Nick become a better fox,” he says, “but they still have stuff to learn from one another.”
D23 Gold Members will learn a lot from Disney twenty-three’s exclusive dual interview with the film’s directors, Byron Howard and Jared Bush, who’s also the Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios (and the writer of Zootopia 2). “The trickiest part [of developing the sequel] was figuring out how to tell a story that continues the journey of these characters… and expands what we know about Zootopia,” Bush says.
Also in this issue, Disney twenty-three visits the set of TRON: Ares, the third installment in The Walt Disney Studios’ groundbreaking and heart-pounding sci-fi saga. This time the sentient Programs from the Grid enter the physical world—and at least one, Ares (Jared Leto) rebels against his programming. Being on location while the cameras rolled gives correspondent Courtney Potter rare insider access—touring the sets and speaking with creative contributors from producer Justin Springer to prop master Dean Eilertson. Helming the film, says director Joachim Rønning in an exclusive interview, “has been a thrill. I think it’s been fun for everyone involved, and I think it will be for the fans as well.”
In addition to visiting the world of TRON, this issue of Disney twenty-three takes readers to Hong Kong Disneyland on its 20th anniversary, to recount its remarkable origin story and its exciting plans for the future, and to Disney Cruise Line’s latest ship, the heroes and villains themed Disney Destiny—with glimpses into its alluring new spaces inspired by Doctor Strange, Cruella De Vil, Edna Mode, and many, many more.
No issue of Disney twenty-three would be complete without some deep dives into Disney lore, and the Fall 2025 installment offers readers amazing insights into the 12 principles of animation that have guided Disney Animation for decades and into the incredible success of the original Mickey Mouse Club, debuting on ABC-TV some 70 years ago. D23 Gold Members will also find detours to the Los Angeles that Walt Disney knew and to the Land of Oz, in the form of the quirky, colorful artworks that informed Disney’s Return to Oz (1985). There’s a generous serving of Halloween tricks and treats from Disney Branded Television, a wide-ranging chat with author Rick Riordan to mark the 20th anniversary of his first Percy Jackson novel, and an eye-opening look behind the scenes at how a Disney On Ice show comes together. All that, plus regular features including D Society, Ask the Archives, and By the Numbers.
Start reading today! Become a D23 Gold Member to enjoy this issue and more!