Academy Award winner Ke Huy Quan has portrayed Short Round, a Goonie, a husband who travels between universes, and an ouroboros within the Marvel universe. But with “Zootopia 2,” he will portray a new character, a reptile with versatility. A serpent with feelings. A snake on a mission.
As part of an exclusive and very special chat with the phenomenal interviewing staff at Where Is The Buzz’s leading talk show personality, Nakia Richardson, Quan discusses being part of one of the most celebrated franchises under the banner of the Disney empire today, going into the recording booth as Gary De Snake of the hit Disney show Zootopia’s animated series.
And of course, he confirms this: 2025 is the Year of the Snake, and Gary declares the throne his!
Quan is very open about how much being part of Zootopia matters to him.
“I’ve been a major fan of the character since Zootopia 1 released nine years ago,” he tells Nakia with a grin that screams the guy still can’t believe how fortunate he’s got Disney on the roster. “I must’ve watched it three times at the cinema. To get Gary the Snake offered to me… my gosh.”
And he knows that.
”‘I grew up loving Disney cartoons. To now get the chance to actually be a Disney animated character… it’s just a dream come true.’ ”
No reptile like Gary has ever existed in Zootopia. Period.
“It’s over a century that a reptile’s set foot on the land of Zootopia,” explains Quan. “And one evening, Gary appears. Because of the reputation of snakes, everyone panics.”
His entrance upends the city as predators and their quarry alike go completely bananas. But Gary brings a purpose with him as he arrives, not fangs.
“He’s trying to clear the name of his family and bring them home,” Quan explains. “It’s up to Judy Hopps, Gary, and Nick Wilde.”
Let’s just make one thing clear here: a snake, a bunny, and a fox combined? This is just a peak movie.
However, Quan brings a certain charisma that makes Gary go from scary intruder to unexpected source of emotion.
As Nakia points out after viewing the first cuts of the movie:
“And the minute you see Gary talking, I’m like ‘Oh, that’s Ke’.”
The Year of Ke Huy Quan and the Snakes
Quan laughs at the reminder that he has spent the majority of his professional life among serpents.
Indiana Jones? Snakes.
Loki’s Ouroboros? Literal snake symbolism.
Now comes ‘Zootopia 2’? A complete serpent role
“I did not make the connection before,” he explains. “But it feels like it’s meant to be. The Year of the Snake… Gary the Snake… I am super excited.”
Call it fate. Call it prophecy. Call it the cinematic serpent multiverse.
Either way, it’s an icon.
Inside the Booth: The Art of Becoming a Disney Snake
Quan admits that voice acting taught him the meaning of being humbled.
And that’s because with live action, there’s the set that’s there physically; there’s the other actors; there’s the fact that it’s your job to do the performance as an actor. And with animation, there’s only half of that that’s the actor’s responsibility
The other half of Gary’s expressions, movements, and emotive elements are created by animators.
“Your booth consists of only a poster of your character on the wall,” he tells me. “Your mind creates the scene. You are not reciting your dialogues with the other actor. But when the movie comes out? Oh boy! Very satisfying.”
And the audience will soon realize the potential of the snake’s expressions through the voice of the great Ke Freaking Huy Quan.
Representation, Reptiles, and Rewriting Bias
Zootopia has consistently used its soft paw and sharp mind to address issues of the social realm.
“The city prospers because of its diversity.” Everyone brings their own set of qualities. And one of the themes that resonates with me personally is the power of common culture and the loss of that culture.”
And then there’s a line that could very well serve as Gary Snake’s thesis statement and possibly even the heart of the movie:
“The only antidote to prejudice is empathy.”
Not just a message for kids’ movie. A message that matters right now.
Full Circle: Goonie to Disney Legend
This year, Quan returned as an honoree at the famous TCL Chinese Theatre and got reunited with the Goonies crew.
‘Goonies never say die,’ Nakia reminds him.
“We are a family,” he responds. “When we made that movie as kids, we had no idea that it would affect the childhoods of people forty years later.”
But today, as of the year 2025, he’s again an influential figure on childhoods; this time, the form of childhood that.
A lineage that stretches over generations, mediums, and now the species.
The Future Hall of Fame: Next Chapter of Zootopia
Quan believes that “Zootopia 2” should rank among Disney’s classics.
And it won’t be very long until fans realize that it belongs with Snow White, Tarzan, Pinocchio, Cinderella…and so on. To say that I feel privileged to take this journey with them is an understatement.”
A well-stacked cast featuring the likes of Fortune Feimster, Andy Samberg, Idris Elba, Patrick Warburton, Quinta Brunson, Nate Torrence, and the repeat performance by Shakira as Gazelle makes the movie look more like a blockbuster hit. Directed by Oscar winners Jared Bush and Byron Howard and produced by Yvett Merino, the movie Zootopia 2 opens on November 26.
And Nakia’s parting words to Quan say it best: “The first one was amazing. I know this one is going to be double the fun.” Quan beams. ‘I thoroughly enjoyed our discussion tonight. I eagerly look forward to fans watching the movie.’
