Zootopia 2 Director Finally Sets the Record Straight on the Fan-Favorite Villain Theory
Ahead of Zootopia 2, co-director Jared Bush has torpedoed a viral fan theory about the sequel’s main villain. Disney Animation’s chief creative officer also weighed in on social media, clarifying that a newly recruited cast member isn’t the big bad after all.
Fans have been trying to Sherlock their way to the Zootopia 2 villain since the teaser dropped. One popular theory kept popping up: Nick Wilde's dad is the big bad. Co-director Jared Bush just shut that down.
So, is Nick's dad the villain? Short answer: no
During a quick fan Q&A on X (formerly Twitter) in late September, followed by a reply in early October, Bush answered a very specific question about whether Nick's family shows up in the sequel. He kept it simple:
"Nick's family is not explored in this film."
That pretty much wipes out the running theory that Jason Bateman's charming fox is going to square off with his own father. The rumor blew up after the teaser showed Nick and Judy Hopps facing down a hooded figure with glowing eyes. The silhouette gave some fans Nick-adjacent vibes, and the internet did what the internet does. Now we can cross that one off the whiteboard.
Why this matters if you love a good Disney twist
The first Zootopia pulled a last-minute villain switcheroo, so people have been expecting another reveal. Bush taking the time to shoot down a specific theory is interesting inside baseball by itself. It clears the lane for the sequel to set up a different antagonist without everyone obsessing over a family angle that is not in play.
- What Bush confirmed: Nick's family is not part of this story.
- The debunked theory: the hooded, glowing-eyed figure is Nick's father and the main villain.
- Where this came from: a brief Q&A on X in late September and a follow-up reply in early October.
- Who is involved: Jared Bush, co-director of Zootopia 2 and co-director of Encanto; Jason Bateman returns as Nick; Judy Hopps is back in the mix with him at the ZPD.
- What is still unknown: the actual identity of the antagonist.
- Release date: Zootopia 2 is currently set to hit theaters on November 26, 2025.
Bottom line: Nick vs. Dad is not the movie. The hooded figure is still a question mark, and Disney clearly wants it that way for now.