Actor Jason Bateman, who voices Nick Wilde in the Zootopia films, recently appeared to learn — for the first time — that his character features in Better Zoogether, a new theme-park show at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The show debuted in early November 2025.
ginnifer explaining zootopia in the parks to jason is so funny to me. also I’m surprised he didn’t realize he was in better zoogether, I’m very curious what he thought he was recording pic.twitter.com/zlT77PYglH
— samantha 🩵 zootopia 2 spoilers (@holymangos) November 30, 2025
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The moment surfaced in a TikTok video posted by user @georgecbutler. In the clip, Bateman discusses the Zootopia land at Shanghai Disneyland. His co-star Ginnifer Goodwin then tells him that a Zootopia show has opened in Florida and that his character appears in it. She also mentions that Nick Wilde sings in the production. Bateman reacts with confusion and asks, “Was I decent?”
“Fantastic – you stole the show,” Goodwin replied playfully, seeming to enjoy her co-stars surprise.
Details of the New Show
Zootopia: Better Zoogether opened on November 7, 2025, after a preview period earlier that fall. The show takes place inside the Tree of Life Theater, which formerly hosted It’s Tough to Be a Bug!.
The sign for Better Zoogether at Animal Kingdom in Walt Disney World – Photo Credit: Follow The Bradleys’ Fun
The new production introduces guests to a celebration called “Zoogether Day,” where a series of animal acts begin to fall apart. Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde work to restore order as the plot unfolds. The attraction includes animatronics, such as Officer Clawhauser, and uses in-theater effects carried over from the earlier show. It is the first Zootopia-based attraction to open in the United States.
Bateman’s Reaction
The moment started with the interview asking Goodwin, who voices Judy Hopps, and Bateman about what it’s like being featured in a Disney World attraction and what it was like making it.
The theater in Better Zoogether at Animal Kingdom in Walt Disney World – Photo Credit: Follow The Bradleys’ Fun
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Goodwin excitedly responds, before Bateman starts to ask what he must be a part of. Goodwin chuckles at his befuddlement before explaining about the land in Shanghia, known as Crazy Animal City, as well as the new Animal Kingdom attraction. Bateman seemed familiar only with the Shanghai land. Goodwin’s explanation appears to catch him off guard at first. Then he catches himself and turns it into a self-deprecating joke, comparing himself to Goodwin’s teenage children needing her to “walk through them everything.”
It almost felt like a Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde interaction on camera.
Why the Moment Drew Attention
The exchange attracted attention as fans got to see a moment behind the curtain for large franchises. Theme-park projects often involve many creative teams, and actors are not always informed when previous recordings are licensed for new uses.
Nick Wilde and Judy Hopps in Zootopia 2 – YouTube, Disney
It was a fun but perhaps surprising moments for fans as well, as they got a glimpse into what it’s like to be in the spotlight.
Conclusion
Jason Bateman’s reaction to learning about Zootopia: Better Zoogether provided a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse into how broad franchise development can be. It also showed that even established actors might not always know how their past recordings are used.
Nick Wilde and Judy Hopps at the police station in Zootopia 2 – YouTube, Disney
The show now plays daily at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and gives guests another way to experience the world of Zootopia.
Have you seen Better Zoogether, and did Jason Bateman truly steal the show? What did you think of this Bateman moment? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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