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The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Inside the Animation Money Machine: Zootopia 2, Frozen Paydays & the New Economics of Disney Franchises (Ep. 334)

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Places & Travel, Society & Culture, Tv & Film

4.7 • 1.5K Ratings

🗓️ 25 November 2025

⏱️ 47 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

As Jim Hill and Drew Taylor sit down just hours before Zootopia 2 preview screenings begin, they dig into the film’s early reactions, the surprising box-office shape of the holiday season, and the escalating economics behind today’s animated franchises. HIGHLIGHTS Early reactions to Zootopia 2 and what Drew learned from scoring sessions and long-lead press days. How Wicked: For Good outpaced the original film’s opening—and why reviews may complicate the long-term outlook. Stephen Schwartz’s long history with animation—from Pocahontas to The Prince of Egypt—and his record-breaking opening weekend. A surprise Thanksgiving return for Prep & Landing and why Snowball Protocol deserved more promotion. Drew breaks down the blockbuster salaries behind Frozen 3 and 4—and how favored-nations deals shaped the cast’s negotiations. Tim Allen completes his Toy Story 5 recording, plus a look back at the franchise’s evolving pay scale. Trailer talk: David, Hoppers, and what Pixar’s 2026 slate signals for the studio. Hosts Jim Hill — X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | Website: jimhillmedia.com Drew Taylor — X/Twitter: @DrewTailored | Instagram: @drewtailored | Website: drewtaylor.work Follow Us Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews YouTube: @jimhillmedia TikTok: @jimhillmedia Producer Credits Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey Sponsor This episode is brought to you by Unlocked Magic, from the team at DVC Rental Store — offering discounted Disney theme park tickets, including special events. Save on your next trip at UnlockedMagic.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0

Welcome back to fine tuning with Drew Taylor, your one-stop shop when it comes to animation news and commentary.

0:06.4

I'm entertainment writer Jim Hill and Mr. Taylor, whose writings on the industry you can regularly read over on the rap,

0:13.6

and whose musings on the Mission Impossible movies, you can still listen to, unlike theuse, the official Mission Impossible podcast.

0:21.8

Anyway, Drew and I are recording this week's show on Sunday night, November 23rd.

0:28.2

Podcasts were live Tuesday, November 25th, which is when in what?

0:33.8

In the late afternoon, early evening, those preview night screening Zootopia to begin, right?

0:41.1

Yes, yes. It's Zootopia Week, Jim. How do you feel? Do you feel the excitement? Your heart rate is a little bit elevated. You're ready to go back to Zootopia. Tell me how you're feeling.

0:51.6

Well, you know, I was down in Orlando this past week,

0:56.8

and what was fascinating is you could not escape Zootopia. You know, I mean, for example,

1:04.5

I needed a charger cord for my phone while I was at the contemporary.

1:12.2

So I went to the Fantasia store and, you know, middle aisle straight down the store,

1:18.8

all's utopia merchandise.

1:20.7

The one that was genuinely bizarre, Drew, is I am leaving Orlando on Saturday morning,

1:29.3

at 6 o'clock in the morning.

1:32.2

And it was one of these things where it's like, I'm not hallucinating.

1:37.2

You know, you know when you put your stuff in the tray and they put it through the metal detector.

1:37.8

Oh, I saw that.

1:39.1

Yes, that they're like selling that as ad space now.

1:42.8

And I saw that there was a Zootopia thing right? Zootopia too.

1:46.8

Yes. And it was just one of these things where it's like, okay, all right, I get it. I'm supposed to pay

1:50.9

attention to this. Now, important to stress here that because of your gig over at the rep, you've,

1:57.5

you've actually got to already do some very cool things related to this Byron Howard

...

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