Shakira announced Friday that she will be a part of the new Disney animated film “Zootopia,” voicing the character of Gazelle.
Directors Byron Howard and Rich Moore, along with producer Clark Spencer, welcomed the singer via video at Disney’s D23 Expo at the Anaheim Convention Center in California, and also gave the audience a sneak peek of “Try Everything,” Shakira’s song from the movie.
“Zootopia” is a first for the Grammy-winning artist, who has worked on the soundtrack for various TV shows including “Pretty Little Liars” and “Silicon Valley,” but has never voiced a character for a feature film before.
The Colombian singer joins previously announced voice stars Ginnifer Goodwin and Jason Bateman.
Goodwin will lend her voice to an optimistic bunny named Judy Hopps who’s new to Zootopia’s police department. Bateman voices the scamming fox, Nick Wilde, who Judy reluctantly teams up with to crack her first case, while Shakira’s Gazelle is dubbed “the biggest pop star in Zootopia.”
“This rabbit-and fox-duo are in practically every scene in the film together. After meeting Ginnifer, we knew she embodied Hopps, the ultimate pure-of-heart, idealist bunny,” Howard said when the initial castings were announced. “You fall in love with her [Goodwin’s] character instantly. And for Nick Wilde, our cynical con-artist fox, we only ever had one actor in mind, the incomparable Jason Bateman. Jason has a way of saying the most hilarious sarcastic things while always staying completely charming. We feel so fortunate to be working with both of them.”
Howard, who last worked on “Tangled” and “Bolt” for the studio, will direct the film along with Moore of “Wreck-It Ralph” and “The Simpsons.” Jared Bush will co-direct.
See the teaser trailer below.