As Bob Iger prepares for his eventual departure from the CEO position, he’s made a surprising move—his acting debut has officially arrived.
The first Zootopia in 2016 became a major success for Disney Animation Studios, praised for its mix of comedy, mystery, and commentary. Earning more than $1 billion worldwide, it became one of the studio’s biggest animated releases and later inspired the Disney+ spinoff Zootopia+. Fan demand never slowed, leading to high anticipation for Zootopia 2.
This time, Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde pursue a mysterious reptile who throws the city into chaos. Ginnifer Goodwin and Jason Bateman reprise their roles, while Ke Huy Quan joins as Gary De'Snake, introducing a fresh element to the familiar duo.
Momentum began immediately, with Tuesday preview screenings bringing in $10.2 million—the second-largest debut for Disney Animation Studios, just behind Moana 2’s $13.8 million. Forecasts positioned the five-day Thanksgiving box office between $135 million and $150 million, with others tracking $130 million to $160 million. The film followed with $39.5 million on its first full day of release.
Internationally, projections place Zootopia 2 between $135 million and $145 million. In China, it ranked as the 10th-highest U.S. opening day ever at $33.7 million. Korea posted the second-highest opening day for a Hollywood film this year. On Rotten Tomatoes, it currently stands at 93%, signaling strong reactions and steady word-of-mouth.
But the film also carries one unexpected surprise—Bob Iger’s own cameo. He voices Bob Tiger, a tiger weatherman who briefly appears to give a weather report. Though Iger has appeared in documentaries and specials in the past, this marks his first voice performance in animation.
Iger’s choice of role is rooted in his early career. Before joining Disney, he worked as a local TV weatherman in Ithaca, New York. The tiger forecaster nods to that chapter in a playful way, echoing his on-air moment in 2021 when he delivered the forecast for KABC, the ABC affiliate owned by Disney. Now, he returns to forecasting—only this time, from inside Zootopia.
Zootopia 2 director Jared Bush revealed the cameo was long-awaited, saying Iger had been requesting to appear in an animation “for years” (per Laughing Place). With his CEO contract set to conclude in 2026, the appearance lands at a meaningful time and feels like a symbolic tribute to the creativity he helped champion.
Disney continues to nurture the Zootopia universe, and Iger’s role—both fictional and corporate—adds another layer to the franchise’s expanding world. Zootopia 2 arrives with plenty of excitement, and the forecast this time is delivered by the CEO himself.
How do you feel about Bob Iger stepping down from his role as Disney CEO? Did you catch his cameo in Zootopia 2 this Thanksgiving weekend? Let us know in the comments down below!
