Zootopia 2 Runs Wild in China and Oz Takes Over the Holidays (Ep. 335)

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Places & Travel, Society & Culture, Tv & Film

4.7 • 1.5K Ratings

🗓️ 2 December 2025

⏱️ 44 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Jim goes solo this week while Drew speeds back toward LA for an early press screening of “Avatar: Fire & Ash.” In the meantime, Jim catches us up on a very eventful week in animation news, from the monster launch of “Zootopia 2” in China to Disney Parks animatronics already slipping into B mode. He also spotlights new shorts, holiday specials, and takes a deep dive into the surprising Hollywood history behind “The Wizard of Oz.” NEWS • Zootopia 2 shatters expectations with a $156M domestic debut and a staggering $275M in China. • Shanghai Disneyland’s Zootopia Land proves to be a major factor in the sequel’s overseas success. • Early operational issues arise with the Clawhauser animatronic at Animal Kingdom’s new “Zoobetter Together” attraction. • Plymptoons launches a TikTok account and announces a December studio art sale in NYC. • Locksmith Animation debuts “Cardboard,” a touching new short drawing awards-season buzz. FEATURE • Jim traces the fascinating Hollywood history of “The Wizard of Oz,” from Disney’s thwarted attempt to acquire the rights to the abandoned “Rainbow Road to Oz.” • How MGM’s 1939 classic became a television institution and shaped Disney’s musical ambitions. • A preview of next week’s continuation on animated Oz adaptations of the 1960s and 70s. For this episode’s full show notes, click here. HOSTS • Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com FOLLOW • Facebook: JimHillMediaNews • Instagram: JimHillMedia • TikTok: JimHillMedia SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency SPONSOR This episode is brought to you by UnlockedMagic.com, where you can save up to 12 percent on Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando tickets. Just pick your dates, grab your tickets, and go. And when you do, please let the folks at Unlocked Magic know that Drew and Jim sent you.Unlocked Magic If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Think about cheese.
0:02.0	Make your thoughts cheesier.
0:04.2	Now add 100% chicken breast fillet, Chipopla sauce and Ameta cheese melt.
0:08.3	And it's giving the new cheesy chicken stack at McDonald's.
0:12.0	Did we mention it's cheesy?
0:13.9	Cheese.
0:15.8	Availments with the 4th of Jan, 2026 from 11 a.m.
0:18.1	Plus and participation may vary.
0:19.2	Subjects availability.
0:20.1	Welcome back to fine-tuning with Drew Taylor. You one-stop shop on it comes to animation news and commentary.
0:26.6	I'm entertainment writer Jim Hill and Mr. Taylor, whose writings on the industry you can regularly read over on the rap and his musings on the Mission Impossible movies you can still listen to over on Light the Fuse,
0:40.0	the official Mission Impossible podcast.
0:42.4	Well, Drew isn't here today.
0:44.6	I'm recording this show solo on Monday, December 1st, which means it's somewhere between
0:51.1	Palm Springs in Los Angeles.
0:53.0	Mr. Taylor and his lovely bride, Katie Katie are probably at this very minute, driving just a wee bit above the speed limit, largely because Drew needs to be back in town in time to catch one of the very first media screenings for James Cameron's Avatar, Fire, Fire and Ash, which done open in theaters
1:13.8	officially, December 19th.
1:16.6	Uh, hopefully Drew will be able to talk a wee bit about this three hour and 15 minute long
1:22.0	movie when he and I regroup next week and record a new fine-tuning then.
1:27.5	But as for today's show, it's just me and the cats.
1:31.3	Even Nancy's currently out of town.
1:34.3	She's just finishing up spending Thanksgiving weekend in Kansas City,
	...

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