Zootopia was released in March 4^th where it was produced in makeshift quarters in a warehouse in North Hollywood. Disney’s targeted audience is children, however they have been known to toss in some adult jokes in their movies (Wark, A, 2019). There are not only jokes for adults, but lessons that maybe we have disregarded over the past years. The central plot of the story is about crime fighting talking animals and the alterations between predators and prey, however, upon a closer look at the movie adults will be able to read more into the story line than most children (Wark, A, 2019). Just as humans have different races, there are different animal species, in Zootopia, specie isn’t supposed to matter. Judy Hopps graduated top of her class from the police academy, yet was set as meter maid because the Chief of Police didn’t think a bunny could handle real tough work (Wark, A, 2019). Later in the movie Nick, a fox and Judy’s partner in crime, shares his childhood fights of not being a typical sly fox. Sound similar to gender stereotypes?  Assistant Mayor Bellweather, a sheep, works with Mayor Lionheart (Wark, A, 2019). This predator-prey duo seems pretty functioning throughout the movie, until we find out that she is actually the powerful force between the war outbreaking between predator and prey (Wark, A, 2019). Bellweather spits out facts about how there are 9 prey to every 1 predator and if the prey rally together they can overtake the predators, which already started after the initial warning that predators may become dangerous to prey again (Wark, A, 2019). Not to mention the prey begin running their lives on fear of predators based upon appearance.This is only touching the surface of how deep Zootopia goes on discussing todays politics on race, gender, riots and bullying (Wark, A, 2019). Zootopia reminds us, through animals, how humans behave. Especially in election season, people can become incredibly worked up over their political beliefs.  Zootopia reminds us that the issues are real problems.

As Zootopia was filmed in north Hollywood it has become a type of media that has been produced by a powerful country allowing it to travel globally, this allows it to be remade and remixed in national and local cultures. The cultural proximity of Zootopia can be seen Depending on which country you see “Zootopia” in, you may see a different animal onscreen as a news reporter. Disney reportedly changed which animals portray a news reporter in several different countries. In the US, fans saw a moose (Acuna, K, 2019). France and Canada also saw a moose as well. Japan see a tanuki and Australia and New Zealand see a koala, while China saw a panda, and Brazil saw a jaguar in their version of the film (Acuna, K, 2019).

Furthermore Zootopia also changed to Zootropolis in the UK and in most of Europe, as well as Zoomania in Germany as it “merely allow the film to have a unique title” making them having  to re-record various lines of dialogue and tweak marketing materials (Lee, B, 2019). What’s noticeably more likely is the creation of pre-existing European brands already known as Zootopia. The biggest one lies in Denmark as a large-scale zoo which lifted the title (Lee, B, 2019).

Interesting video on how other Disney films have changed in other countries:

References:

 Acuna, K. (2019). Disney changed a minor character in ‘Zootopia’ for foreign audiences. [online] Business Insider. Available at: https://www.businessinsider.com/zootopia-for-foreign-audiences-2016-4/?r=AU&IR=T [Accessed 14 Aug. 2019].

Wark, A. (2019). Disney’s Zootopia Isn’t Just For Kids. [online] The Odyssey Online. Available at: https://www.theodysseyonline.com/disneys-zootopia-kids [Accessed 14 Aug. 2019].

Lee, B. (2019). Why are film titles still being changed for international release?. [online] the Guardian. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2016/mar/09/why-are-film-titles-still-being-changed-for-international-release?CMP=twt_gu [Accessed 14 Aug. 2019].