Ke Huy Quan reveals new Zootopia 2 role ahead of Nov. 26 release, says character’s got ‘a big heart’

Ke Huy Quan is bringing his post-Oscar energy to Zootopia 2 in the most unexpected role yet. The Academy Award winner voices Gary De’Snake, a friendly pit viper with a big heart. The animated sequel hits theaters on November 26, 2025, just 2 days away. And yes, Gary is everything you wouldn’t expect from a venomous snake.

How Animation’s Happiest Accident Led to a Dream Role

Here’s where the story gets wild. Ke Huy Quan didn’t audition for Gary De’Snake in the traditional sense. An animator working on Zootopia 2 caught his interview on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and loved his voice so much they took the audio clip and edited it into the character. They literally replaced his face with Gary’s on screen while keeping his voice intact.

“I didn’t know it at the time, but when I went in to meet with the creative team,” Quan explained to Entertainment Weekly, “they showed me my appearance on Stephen Colbert but my face was gone. It was replaced with Gary, the snake, but kept my voice. And yes, thanks to that animator, that’s how I got the role.” Talk about a unique hiring process. The directors Jared Bush and Byron Howard, along with producer Yvett Merino, saw the test footage and immediately knew this was the perfect match.

Meet Gary: The Most Misunderstood Viper in Zootopia

Gary De’Snake is a pit viper who shows up at exactly the wrong moment. Judy and Nick discover a mysterious snake skin, kicking off a new mystery. Then Gary arrives on scene, and Zootopia residents completely freak out. He’s venomous. He shouldn’t be trusted. Or so everyone thinks.

“Very soon, they discover a skin from Gary, and they need to go on this journey to find out why, for a hundred years, no reptile has ever stepped foot in Zootopia,” Quan says. But here’s the twist. Gary isn’t the villain. He’s actually “very fun and friendly, kind of goofy, and he has a big heart.” He’s an eternal optimist who just wants his family to come back to Zootopia. He wants to help solve the mystery and prove that reptiles belong there too.

Quan says he connected with the character because they share similar energy. “I think they wanted me to bring some of my own personality into the character. I am kind of goofy at times,” he explains. His Oscar win for Everything Everywhere All at Once in 2023 gave him this incredible second act in Hollywood. That excitement shows in Gary. “Everywhere I go, I feel really excited,” he says. “I still can’t believe, ‘Oh my God, I’m still here.’ And that’s very Gary.”

Recording Disney Magic: A Pinch-Me Moment

For Quan, stepping into a Disney animated film was a childhood dream realized. He grew up watching Disney cartoons every Saturday. Walking into the recording studio felt surreal. “To finally be able to be in a Disney animated film, that’s really special,” he shared. Each session carried bittersweet feelings though. He worried every time might be his last.

And then came the final day. Videos circulated online showing Quan jumping up and down with pure joy after finishing his last line. When asked about that moment, he got emotional. “When you mentioned that video of me jumping up in joy, it was bittersweet,” he explained. “It was really sweet because I felt like we accomplished something really amazing. But also bitter because I don’t get to go in and play this incredible character anymore.”

What Makes ‘Zootopia 2’ Worth Your Weekend

• The return of rookie cops Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde teaming up on a new mystery
• A 100-year reptile mystery that tests friendship and understanding
• Gary’s first appearance in Zootopia changes everything for the city
• The continuation of themes about friendship and accepting those who are different
• New characters alongside returning favorites like Gazelle (voiced by Shakira)

Quan hints the film is “filled with a lot of hope, a lot of joy and emotions.” It explores deep themes about “friendship and how much we need it. And trying to get along with one another, even though we are very different.” The message hits hard. “We will be better if we’re together, than separated.”

So Why Should Fans Care About Gary De’Snake?

Think about it. We’re two days from Zootopia 2 and nobody’s talking about an Oscar winner voicing a snake. That’s because Gary isn’t meant to be the headline. He’s meant to be the heart. The story operates on a simple but powerful idea: Judy and Nick learn that Gary is just misunderstood. The whole city misjudges him because of what he is, not who he is. Sound familiar? Zootopia has always been about bias and prejudice underneath the fun.

Meanwhile, Quan’s casting journey proves something too. Sometimes the dream role finds you in the most unexpected ways. An animator watching late-night television led to an Oscar winner voicing an animated snake. That’s the kind of story Zootopia would tell, actually.

Sources

• Entertainment Weekly – Exclusive interview with Ke Huy Quan on his Zootopia 2 role
• Walt Disney Animation Studios – Official cast and character announcements
• IMDB – Cast and crew information for Zootopia 2

Jessica Morrison

Jessica Morrison is a seasoned entertainment writer with over a decade of experience covering television, film, and pop culture. After earning a degree in journalism from New York University, she worked as a freelance writer for various entertainment magazines before joining red94.net. Her expertise lies in analyzing television series, from groundbreaking dramas to light-hearted comedies, and she often provides in-depth reviews and industry insights. Outside of writing, Jessica is an avid film buff and enjoys discovering new indie movies at local festivals.