ZOOTOPIA
Written by
Jared Bush & Phil Johnston
Story by
Byron Howard, Rich Moore,
Jared Bush, Jim Reardon, Josie Trinidad,
Phil Johnston and Jennifer Lee
IN BLACK --
We hear the feral, primeval sounds of a jungle at night. A
timpani bangs an ominous beat.
FADE IN ON:
A JUNGLE - NIGHT
A BUNNY nervously walks through the dark, foreboding forest,
frightened by every shadow and moving leaf.
YOUNG JUDY (V.O.)
Fear. Treachery. Bloodlust!
Thousands of years ago, these were
the forces that ruled our world. A
world where prey were scared of
predators. And predators had an
uncontrollable biological urge to
maim and maul and...
The timpani crescendos. A JAGUAR leaps out of the shadows,
attacks the bunny, who screams--
CUT TO:
INSIDE A BARN - A JUNGLE (SET) - NIGHT
The action continues-- as imagined by an amateur stage
production.
YOUNG JUDY
Blood, blood, blood!
Reams of red papier mâché entrails ooze from the bunny. And
when those run out-- projectile ketchup.
Reveal: These are ANIMAL KID ACTORS. The bunny, JUDY HOPPS,
10, is our hero. And this is her play being staged. A banner
reads: CARROT DAYS TALENT SHOW!
YOUNG JUDY (CONT'D)
And death.
The CROWD looks on, confused. The music goes discordant as
BOBBY CATMULL, a bobcat, bangs a drum.
YOUNG JUDY (CONT'D)
Back then, the world was divided in
two. Vicious predator or Meek prey.
2.
TWO BOXES drop down, labeled VICIOUS PREDATOR and MEEK PREY.
The PREDATOR box lands on the jaguar. The MEEK PREY box lands
on Judy. Her entrails get stuck outside the box. She drags
them underneath with her.
YOUNG JUDY (O.S.) (CONT'D)
But over time, we evolved, and
moved beyond our primitive savage
ways.

Judy and the jaguar burst out of their boxes, now wearing
white muumuus, too.
YOUNG JUDY (CONT'D)
Now, predator and prey live in
harmony.
Judy and the jaguar shake hands as the sheep throws glitter.
YOUNG JUDY (CONT'D)
And every young mammal has
multitudinous opportunities.
ASTRONAUT SHEEP
Yeah, I don't have to cower in a
herd anymore.
The Jaguar rips off his muumuu. She's wearing a homemade
astronaut costume.
ASTRONAUT SHEEP (CONT'D)
Instead I can be an astronaut.
Catmull plays a slide whistle.
ACTUARY JAGUAR
I don't have to be a lonely hunter
any more.
The Jaguar rips off his muumuu. He's dressed in a suit.
ACTUARY
Today I can hunt for tax
exemptions. I'm gonna be an
actuary!
YOUNG JUDY
And I can make the world a better
place! I am going to be...
Catmull plays a 70s-style cop show theme on the boom box.
Judy rips off her muumuu, revealing a POLICE OFFICER UNIFORM.
3.
YOUNG JUDY (CONT'D)
A police officer!
Judy's parents, BONNIE & STU, look stunned. A mean fox kid,
GIDEON GREY, snickers. He's sitting next to a WEASEL KID.
GIDEON GREY
Bunny cop. That is the most
stupidest thing I ever heard.
YOUNG JUDY
It may seem impossible to small
minds--
(points at Gideon)
I'm looking at you Gideon Grey.
Catmull drops down a backdrop showing a bright city skyline.
He hits play on an uplifting song.
YOUNG JUDY (CONT'D)
But just 211 miles away stands the
great city of Zootopia! Where our
ancestors first joined together in
peace, and declared that anyone can
be anything! Thank you and good
night!
Judy gives a mighty thespian bow, to the sound of Catmull on
organ. The audience applauds. Judy's parents look concerned.
EXT. CARROT DAYS FESTIVAL - LATER THAT DAY
A festival replete with food booths, games and rides-- all
aggressively carrot-themed. Judy, in her Cop Costume, bounces
along with her folks. We catch their conversation mid-stream.

YOUNG JUDY
Nope.
STU HOPPS
Well, we gave up on our dreams and
we settled, right Bon?
BONNIE HOPPS
Oh yes, that's right, Stu. We
settled hard.
4.
STU HOPPS
See, that's the beauty of
complacency, Jude. If you don't try
anything new, you'll never fail.
YOUNG JUDY
I like trying, actually.

STU HOPPS
Right. There's never been a bunny
cop.
BONNIE HOPPS
No.
STU HOPPS
Bunnies don't do that.
BONNIE HOPPS
Never.
STU HOPPS
Never.
YOUNG JUDY
Oh. Then I guess I'll have to be
the first one. Because I am gonna
make the world...
(parkours against a
vendor's stand)
A better place!
STU HOPPS
OR... um, heck, you wanna talk
about making the world a better
place--
The trio arrives at the Hopps Family Farm carrot booth, which
is manned by too many children to count.
STU HOPPS (CONT'D)
--no better way to do it than
becoming a carrot farmer.
BONNIE HOPPS
Yes! Your dad, me, your 275
brothers and sisters-- we're
changing the world.
5.
STU HOPPS
Yep.
BONNIE HOPPS
One carrot at a time...
STU HOPPS
Amen to that. Carrot farming is a
noble profession.
Judy spots GIDEON GREY stalking some SMALL ANIMALS. She
remains fixed on Gideon as Stu and Bonnie yap on obliviously.
BONNIE HOPPS (O.S.)
Mmm hmm. Just putting the seeds in
the ground.
STU HOPPS (O.S.)
Ahh, at one with the soil.
We're back on Bonnie and Stu's conversation now.
BONNIE HOPPS
You get it. I mean, it's great to
have dreams.
STU HOPPS
Yeah, just as long as you don't
believe in em too much.
(finally noticing Judy's
absence)
Where in the heck'd she go?
ACROSS THE FAIR... From behind a tree, Judy watches as Gideon
Grey intimidates the astronaut sheep, SHARLA.

SHARLA
Ow! Cut it out, Gideon!
GIDEON GREY
Baa-baa. What're ya gonna do, cry?
Gideon swipes Sharla's fair tickets.
YOUNG JUDY (O.S.)
Hey!
Judy charges toward the danger.
6.
YOUNG JUDY (CONT'D)
You heard her. Cut it out.
Gideon turns. There's Judy, projecting the image of a tiny
Clint Eastwood.
 What crazy
world are you living in where you
think a bunny could be a cop?
YOUNG JUDY
Kindly return my friends' tickets.
Gideon pats the tickets in his pocket.
GIDEON GREY
Come and get `em....  And that killer instinct's
still in our Dunnahh.
TRAVIS THE WOLF HENCHMAN KID
(sotto, to Gideon)
Uh, I'm pretty much sure it's
pronounced D-N-A.
GIDEON GREY
Don't tell me what I know, Travis.
YOUNG JUDY
You don't scare me, Gideon.
Gideon shoves Judy. Hard. She falls. The other prey animals
flee to safety behind a nearby tree, leaving her to face the
thugs alone.
GIDEON GREY
You scared now?
Judy starts to tear up. Her nose starts to twitch.
TRAVIS THE WOLF HENCHMAN KID
Lookit her nose twitch. She is
scared!
GIDEON GREY
Cry little baby bunny. Cry, cry --
Suddenly-- BAM! Judy kicks Gideon in the face with her hind
legs. He stumbles back, then checks his lip for blood.
7.
GIDEON GREY (CONT'D)
Oh, you don't know when to quit, do
ya?
He unsheathes his claws like a switchblade, then slaps her,
drawing blood from her cheek. She cowers, as do her scared
friends behind the tree.

 The
prey animals run back over to Judy, who wipes the blood from
her cheek. She fights tears, defeated.
GARETH THE DOUBTING SHEEP BOY
That looks bad.
SHARLA
Are you okay, Judy?
YOUNG JUDY
Yeah... Yeah, I'm okay.
Judy smiles and then whips out the tickets as she gets up.
YOUNG JUDY (CONT'D)
Here you go.
SHARLA
Wow! You got our tickets!
GARETH THE DOUBTING SHEEP BOY
You're awesome, Judy!
SHARLA
Yeah! That Gideon Grey doesn't know
what he's talkin' `bout.
YOUNG JUDY
Well, he was right about one
thing...

YOUNG JUDY (CONT'D)
I don't know when to quit.
CUT TO:
8.
EXT. POLICE ACADEMY TRAINING FACILITY - DAY
Hopps and the comparatively huge CADETS sit in a circle as
MAJOR FRIEDKIN, an intimidating drill instructor, lectures.
MAJOR FRIEDKIN
Listen up Cadets! Zootopia has 12
unique ecosystems within its city
limits-- Tundra Town, Sahara
Square, Rainforest District, to
name a few.
IN SAHARA SQUARE SIMULATOR:
Hopps struggles through the sand.
MAJOR FRIEDKIN(CONT'D)
Scorching sandstorm.
ON THE VINE-COVERED MONKEY BARS:
Hopps swings across the bars, simulating the RAINFOREST
DISTRICT. She falls off, landing face first in the mud.
MAJOR FRIEDKIN (O.S.) (CONT'D)
1000 foot fall.
TUNDRA TOWN ICE WALL:
Judy and the cadets sprint toward the wall. The CLAWED
ANIMALS dig into the ice wall. Hopps slides off.
MAJOR FRIEDKIN (CONT'D)
Frigid ice wall.
IN THE BOXING RING:
Hopps gets in the ring with a BIG BISON.
MAJOR FRIEDKIN (CONT'D)
E-normous criminal.
Hopps gets punched in the nose.
MAJOR FRIEDKIN (CONT'D)
You're dead!
9.
THREE QUICK CUTS OF FAILURE:
MAJOR FRIEDKIN (O.S.) (CONT'D)
Dead! / Dead! / Dead!
IN THE TOILET:
Hopps ruses into a stall. The toilet is considerably larger
than she is. She shuts the door. We see her climb up the
toilet. In the next stall, we see the feet of a Hippo.
Then, KERSPLASH! Hopps falls into the toilet.
MAJOR FRIEDKIN (CONT'D)
Filthy toilet. You're dead, fluff
butt!
HOPPS ON HER OWN--
She runs at sunset-- after everyone else has called it a day.
We HEAR the drill instructor's voice echoing in her mind.
MAJOR FRIEDKIN (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Just quit and go home, fuzzy bunny!
Then those of her parents...
STU HOPPS (V.O.)
There's never been a bunny cop.
BONNIE HOPPS (V.O.)
Never.
STU HOPPS (V.O.)
Never.
Then Gideon's...
GIDEON GREY (V.O.)

OVERNIGHT, IN THE BARRACKS:
Hopps stays up late studying, doing sit ups.
ON THE ICE WALL:
Hopps bounds up the wall, jumps off of the backs of the big
animals and makes it over, impressing the Major Friedkin.
IN THE RING:
10.
Hopps dodges a few swings. The Bison misses. Hopps bounds
over him and uses his momentum-- kicking his other hand into
his face, knocking him down.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. POLICE ACADEMY - DAY
It's graduation day. MAYOR LIONHEART is at the podium.
LIONHEART
As Mayor of Zootopia, I am proud to
announce that my Mammal Inclusion
Initiative has produced its first
police academy graduate.
Judy stands proudly in her cop uniform.
LIONHEART (CONT'D)
Valedictorian of her class, ZPD's
very first rabbit officer... Judy
Hopps.
Judy walks to the stage as those in attendance cheer-- her
FAMILY chief among them. ASSISTANT MAYOR BELLWETHER applauds.
She smiles at Judy, lost in the moment.
LIONHEART (CONT'D)
(clearing his throat)
Assistant Mayor Bellwether? Her
badge.
BELLWETHER
Oh! Yes right.
LIONHEART
Thank you.
Bellwether steps forward to pin Hopps' ZPD badge on her.
LIONHEART (CONT'D)
Judy, it is my great privilege to
officially assign you to the heart
of Zootopia: Precinct One, City
Center.
Judy can barely contain her glee. Her parents are in shock.
BELLWETHER
Congratulations, Officer Hopps.
11.
JUDY
I won't let you down. This has been
my dream since I was a kid.
BELLWETHER
Ya know, it's a... It's a real
proud day for us little guys.
LIONHEART
Bellwether, make room will ya? Come
on.
Lionheart shoves Bellwether out of the way.
LIONHEART (CONT'D)
Okay, Officer Hopps. Let's see
those teeth!
A group of PHOTOGRAPHERS aim their cameras. Lionheart steps
in front of Bellwether, edging her out of the photo. The
flashbulbs pop.
EXT. BUNNYBURROW TRAIN STATION - DAY
Stu, Bonnie, and several SIBLINGS accompany Judy to the train
station.
BONNIE HOPPS
We're real proud of you, Judy.
STU HOPPS
Yeah. Scared, too.
BONNIE HOPPS
Yes.
STU HOPPS
Really, it's kind of a proud-scared
combo. I mean, Zootopia. It's so
far a away... It's such a big city.
JUDY
Guys-- I've been working for this
my whole life.
BONNIE HOPPS
We know. And we're just a little
excited for you, but terrified.
JUDY
The only thing we have to fear is
fear itself.
12.
STU HOPPS
And also bears. We have bears to
fear, too. To say nothing of lions,
and wolves...
BONNIE HOPPS
Wolves?
STU HOPPS
...weasels...
BONNIE HOPPS
You play cribbage with a weasel.
STU HOPPS
And he cheats like there's no
tomorrow. You know what, pretty
much all predators-- and Zootopia's
full of `em.
BONNIE HOPPS
(scolding)
Oh, Stu.
STU HOPPS
And foxes are the worst.
BONNIE HOPPS
(retreating)
Actually, your father does have a
point there. It's in their biology.
Remember what happened with Gideon
Grey.
JUDY
When I was 9. Gideon Grey was a
jerk, who happened to be a fox. I
know plenty of bunnies who are
jerks.
STU HOPPS
Sure. Yeah, we all do. Absolutely.
But just in case, we made you a
little care package to take with
you.
BONNIE HOPPS
And I put some snacks in there.

STU HOPPS
This is fox deterrent.
13.
BONNIE HOPPS
Yeah that's safe to have there.
STU HOPPS
This is fox repellent...
BONNIE HOPPS
Okay, the deterrent and the
repellent. That's all she needs.
STU HOPPS
Check this out!
Stu removes a Fox Taser, fires it up. It sizzles.
BONNIE HOPPS
Oh for goodness sake. She has no
need for a fox taser, Stu.
STU HOPPS
Oh c'mon. When is there not a need
for a fox taser?
JUDY
Okay, look-- I will take this to
make you stop talking.

STU HOPPS
Terrific! Everyone wins!
TRAIN CONDUCTOR
Arriving-- Zootopia Express!
JUDY
OK. Gotta go. Bye!
Judy heads for the train, head held high. No turning back.
Stu and Bonnie watch, both holding back tears. Suddenly, the
emotion catches up with Judy. She turns, runs back to her
parents, hugs them tight.
JUDY (CONT'D)
I love you guys.
BONNIE HOPPS
Love you, too!
One more squeeze, then Judy runs off and jumps on the train.
14.
STU HOPPS
Oh cripes, here come the
waterworks.
BONNIE HOPPS
Oh Stu, pull it together.
JUDY
Bye everybody!
COTTON
Bye, Judy! I love you!
CROWD OF BUNNIES
Bye!
As the train pulls away, her family runs next to it, waving.
JUDY
Bye!
Judy looks back as their faces recede into the distance. The
train blasts past Bunnyburrow, passing its exponentially
increasing population sign.
Judy pulls out her iPhone and clicks play... her new life is
about to begin and we
CUT TO:
A MONTAGE --
As Hopps takes the train, it rounds a curve. She looks up.
Her eyes light up. There in the distance is...
EXT. ZOOTOPIA CITY - ESTABLISHING
...THE UNBELIEVABLE ANIMAL METROPOLIS of ZOOTOPIA, which is
comprised of amazing habitat "boroughs." The train whips past
TUNDRATOWN, SAVANNA CENTRAL, RAINFOREST DISTRICT,
MEADOWLANDS, SAHARA SQUARE, etc.
INT. ZOOTOPIA CENTRAL STATION - A LITTLE LATER
Hopps spills out of the train... and we are now in a MULTI-
SCALE ENVIRONMENT: everything from mice to elephants.
15.
EXT. DOWNTOWN ZOOTOPIA - A LITTLE LATER
Hopps emerges into the main Zootopia central plaza. It's an
amazing, magnificent place.
A JUMBOTRON featuring a gazelle pop star, GAZELLE, blares its
message in a loop.
GAZELLE
I am Gazelle. Welcome to Zootopia!
CUT TO:
INT. HOPPS'S APARTMENT BUILDING, HALLWAY - DAY
DHARMA ARMADILLO, Hopps's older ARMADILLO LANDLADY, opens the
door to Hopps' new apartment-- which we can't see yet.
DHARMA ARMADILLO
And welcome to the Grand Pangolin
Arms. "Luxury Apartments with
Charm."
Hopps discovers the room is a tiny, crappy studio apartment.
DHARMA ARMADILLO (CONT'D)
Complimentary de-lousing once a
month.
(handing over the keys)
Don't lose your key.
HOPPS
Thank you!
As Dharma leaves, Hopps' volatile, artsy NEIGHBORS, KUDU and
ORYX POOTOSSER, pass by in the hall.
HOPPS (CONT'D)
Oh hi, I'm Judy! Your new neighbor!
KUDU POOTOSSER
Yeah? Well we're loud.
ORYX POOTOSSER
Don't expect us to apologize for
it.
Before Hopps can respond, they're gone, leaving Hopps alone.
She looks around... blank-faced so it's tough to read her
emotions.
HOPPS
Greasy walls... rickety bed...
16.

ORYX POOTOSSER (O.S.)

KUDU POOTOSSER (O.S.)
No!
HOPPS
Crazy neighbors...
(big smile as she flops on
the bed)
I love it!
As the shouting continues, she stretches out on her bed,
exhausted but overjoyed.
WAKE UP MONTAGE - MORNING
Quick, rhythmic cuts of:
- Alarm clock: Beep. Beep. Beep.
- Dressing: Vest. Badge. Belt.
On the bedside table sits the PINK FOX REPELLENT. Judy
glances at it and smirks-- taking it would be silly-- she
walks out of frame. HOLD on the table. One second. Then
Judy's hand comes back into frame and grabs the Repellent.
INT. ZOOTOPIA POLICE DEPARTMENT - MORNING
Utter mayhem. COPS parade PERPS through the lobby-- one is
wearing cuffs and a plastic (not scary) safety muzzle, he
complains to the BEAR COP marching him by.
LEOPARD
C'mon! He bared his teeth first.
We land at the front desk and find CLAWHAUSER, a PUDGY
CHEETAH COP, happily eating a bowl of Lucky Chomps cereal.
HOPPS (O.C.)
Scuse me! Down here? Hi.
Clawhauser leans over the desk to find Hopps.
CLAWHAUSER
O-M goodness! They really did hire
a bunny. What?!
(MORE)
17.
CLAWHAUSER (CONT'D)
I gotta tell ya, you are even cuter
than I thought you'd be.
HOPPS
(a little wince)
Ooo, uh, you probably didn't know,
but a bunny can call another bunny
"cute," but when other animals do
it, it's a little...
CLAWHAUSER
(gasps, realizing)
I am so sorry. Me, Benjamin
Clawhauser, the guy everyone thinks
is just a flabby, donut-loving cop,
stereotyping you...?

He crams the donut into his mouth.
HOPPS
(awkwardly laughing)
I should get to roll call, so...
which way do I?
CLAWHAUSER
Oh! Bullpen's over there to the
left.
HOPPS
Great, thank you!
Clawhauser watches admiringly as she heads to the bullpen.
CLAWHAUSER
(to himself, wistful)
Aw...
18.
INT. ZPD - BULLPEN - CONTINUOUS
Hopps enters the bullpen, by far the smallest animal in the
room: rhinos, buffalo, hippos, elephants, etc. Hopps holds
her paw out to a tough RHINO, MCHORN.
HOPPS
Hey. Officer Hopps. You ready to
make the world a better place?
McHorn gives Hopps a reluctant fist bump, nearly knocking her
off the chair.
OFFICER HIGGINS (O.S.)
TEN HUT!
In walks CHIEF BOGO, a gruff CAPE BUFFALO. He takes the dais.
Everyone snaps to attention and starts stomping the floor.
BOGO
All right, all right. Everybody
sit.
As Hopps sits, she disappears below the DESK that is meant
for a rhino.
BOGO (CONT'D)
I've got three items on the docket.
First... we need to acknowledge the
elephant in the room.
(nods to ELEPHANT)
Francine, happy birthday.
An elephant, FRANCINE, blushes as other cops clap.
BOGO (CONT'D)
Number two: There are some new
recruits with us I should
introduce. But I'm not going to,
because I don't care. Finally...
He turns to a push pin-pocked MAP that's covered in photos of
MISSING MAMMALS. Hopps's eyes go wide.
BOGO (CONT'D)
...We have 14 missing mammal cases.
 And
City Hall is right up my tail to
find them. This is priority number
one. Assignments!
HIGGINS hands Bogo a stack of CASE FILES. Bogo puts on his
reading glasses, examining the files as he assigns cases.
19.
BOGO (CONT'D)
Officers Grizzoli, Fangmeyer,
Delgato-- your teams take Missing
Mammals from the Rainforest
District. Officers McHorn,
Rhinowitz, Wolfard, your teams take
Sahara Square. Officers Higgins,
Snarlov, Trunkaby: Tundratown. And
finally, our first bunny, Officer
Hopps.
Hopps sits up, expectant but steely. Bogo looks at the final
case file in his hand. He takes a dramatic breath, then:
BOGO (CONT'D)
Parking Duty. Dismissed!
HOPPS
Parking duty?
(runs after Bogo)
Uh, Chief? Chief Bogo?
Bogo looks around... then down to find Hopps.
HOPPS (CONT'D)
Sir, you said there were 14 missing
mammal cases?
BOGO
So.
HOPPS
So I can handle one. You probably
forgot, but I was top of my class
at the academy.
BOGO
Didn't forget. Just don't care.
HOPPS
Sir, I'm not just some "token"
bunny.
BOGO
Well, then writing a hundred
tickets a day should be easy.
He goes, slamming the door behind him. Judy stomps her foot.
HOPPS
100 tickets...? I'm not gonna write
100 tickets... I'm gonna write 200
tickets!
(MORE)
20.
HOPPS (CONT'D)
(then, to the closed door)
Before noon!
INT. / EXT. METER MAID CART - DAY
Hopps dons a vest, buckles her seat belt, floors the pedal
and... takes off at 2 miles an hour. Which leads to a
PARKING METER MONTAGE --
Hopps zooms past a row of cars, marking their tires. Cruising
the streets, her super-sensitive ears hear a meter ding. She
slams her brakes-- then proudly issues Ticket #1.
Ding! Another meter goes off. Then another. And another.
She's on a roll. She looks down at her counter. It's at 200.
HOPPS
Boom! 200 tickets before noon.
A final ding... Reveal: her own traffic cart is at an expired
meter.
HOPPS (CONT'D)
201.
As Hopps puts the ticket on her windshield, she hears a voice
across the street:
TRUCK DRIVER (O.S.)
Hey, watch where you're going, Fox!
Hopps looks across the street to see... a RED FOX. Hopps
looks at him, a little suspicious.
The Fox looks around, then slinks into a café. Hopps runs
across the street and peeks in the window. It's an ice cream
parlor, but... the FOX IS GONE.
HOPPS
(sotto)
Where'd he go...
INT.  It's cute but also disgusting. As Hopps
enters, she spots the fox, NICK WILDE, at the front of the
line and overhears the proprietor, JERRY, addressing him.
21.
JERRY JUMBEAUX, JR.
Listen, I don't know what you're
doing skulking around during
daylight hours, but I don't want
any trouble in here... So hit the
road.
Hopps unsnaps the holster of her PINK FOX REPELLENT.
NICK
I'm not looking for any trouble
either, sir. I simply want to buy a
Jumbo Pop for my little boy.
Ready for action, slowly creeping forward, Hopps's expression
changes when she sees that Nick is with his TODDLER SON.
NICK (CONT'D)
(to the boy)
You want the red or the blue, pal?
Staring at the cute little boy, Hopps is embarrassed by her
impulse. She snaps the Repellent holster and begins to leave.
HOPPS
(disgusted with herself)
I'm such a...
JERRY JUMBEAUX, JR.
Oh come on, kid. Back up. Listen,
buddy, what? There aren't any fox
ice cream joints in your part of
town?
Hopps suddenly stops. Her ears go up and she turns around.
NICK
Uh, no no, there are. There are.
 Wants to
be one when he grows up.
The boy gives a TOOT-TOOT with his toy elephant trunk.
NICK (CONT'D)
Isn't it adorable?
Right?
JERRY JUMBEAUX, JR.
Look, you probably can't read, fox
but the sign says...
(MORE)
22.
JERRY JUMBEAUX, JR. (CONT'D)
(slowly reads SIGN,
belittling)
WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REFUSE
SERVICE TO ANYONE. So beat it.
ELEPHANT
You're holding up the line.
The little fox is about to cry, when Hopps walks up.
HOPPS (O.S.)
Hello? Excuse me?
JERRY JUMBEAUX, JR.

HOPPS
Actually...
(revealing badge)
I'm an officer. Just had a quick
question. Are your customers aware
they're getting snot and mucous
with their cookies and cream?
An ELEPHANT COUPLE overhear and spit out their ice cream.
JERRY JUMBEAUX, JR.
What are you talkin' about?
HOPPS
Well, I don't wanna cause you any
trouble, but I believe scooping ice
cream with an un-gloved trunk is a
Class 3 Health Code Violation...
A guilty EMPLOYEE releases a scoop from their trunk.
HOPPS (CONT'D)
...Which is kind of a big deal. Of
course-- I could let you off with a
warning if you were to glove those
trunks and, I don't know, finish
selling this nice dad and his son
a... what was it?
NICK
A Jumbo Pop. Please.
HOPPS
A Jumbo Pop.
23.
JERRY JUMBEAUX, JR.
(stews for a beat, then)
Fifteen dollars.
NICK
Thank you so much.
(to Hopps)
Thank you.
(then, digs for wallet)
Oh no, are you kidding me? I don't
have my wallet. I'd lose my head if
it weren't attached to my neck,
that's the truth. Oh boy, I'm sorry
pal. Gotta be about the worst
birthday ever. Please don't be mad
at me.
(kisses him, to Hopps)
Thanks, anyway.
He turns to go. Hopps slaps some money on the counter.
HOPPS
Keep the change.
EXT. JUMBEAUX'S CAFE - MOMENTS LATER
Hopps has the Toddler's hand. Nick holds a HUGE JUMBO-POP.
NICK
Officer, I can't thank you enough.
So kind, really, can I pay you
back?
HOPPS
Oh no, my treat-- it just-- y'know,
it burns me up to see folks with
such backward attitudes toward
foxes. I just wanna say, you're a
great dad and just a... a real
articulate fella.
NICK
Ah, well, that is high praise. It's
rare that I find someone so non-
patronizing... Officer...
HOPPS
(totally misses his dig)
Hopps. Mr...
NICK
Wilde. Nick Wilde.
24.

Hopps puts a STICKER BADGE on the boy's chest.
NICK
Ah, boy, I tell him that all the
time. All right here ya go--
(hands him popsicle)
Two paws. Yeah. Oh, look at that
smile, that's a happy birthday
smile! All right, give her a little
bye-bye toot toot.
The kid toots.
HOPPS
Toot, toot!
NICK
Bye now!
HOPPS
Goodbye!
Hopps walks off with a spring in her step.
EXT. SAHARA SQUARE - DAY
Hopps continues to write tickets. As she leaves a ticket on
another car, she can see a few blocks away. It's NICK and his
KID. Hopps gives them a wave, but they don't notice her.
HOPPS
Oh! Hey, little toot toot--
Hopps realizes they are melting their jumbo-pop in the hot
sun, channeling the juice into jugs. Huh? Nick and his kid
pack the jugs into a van and NICK'S SON gets in the driver's
seat. They drive off, passing Hopps, who stares, confused.
EXT. TUNDRATOWN - A LITTLE LATER
Hopps follows them to... Tundratown, where Nick's "son" uses
his little paw prints to create molds they pour the popsicle
juice into, creating dozens of smaller popsicles. Hopps looks
on, scandalized.
25.
EXT. SAVANNAH CENTRAL - A LITTLE LATER
Hopps watches them resell the "Pawpsicles" at marked-up
prices to LEMMINGS... when one buys one, they all do.
NICK
Pawpsicles! Get your pawpsicles!
Nick rakes in the cash. As the lemmings leave, they throw
their used popsicle sticks into a RECYCLING BIN. A second
later, Nick's "son," FINNICK, emerges from the bin with a
bundle of used popsicle sticks. Hopps is mortified.
EXT.
NICK
Lumber delivery!
MOUSE CONSTRUCTION WORKER
What's with the color?
NICK
The color? Uh... It's redwood.
Hopps has now graduated to genuine anger.
EXT. OUTSIDE LITTLE RODENTIA - MOMENTS LATER
Nick hands Finnick a wad of cash.
NICK
39...40. There you go. Way to work
that diaper, big guy. Hey, no kiss
bye-bye for daddy?

As Finnick drives off in his van, BLARING LOUD FRENCH RAP
MUSIC. We discover HOPPS behind it, and she is not happy.
HOPPS
Well. I stood up for you, and you
lied to me. You liar!
26.
NICK
It's called a hustle, sweetheart.
And I'm not the liar, he is.
Nick points behind Hopps. She turns... no one. She turns
back. Nick is gone-- his tail disappears around a corner.
HOPPS
Hey!
Nick walks on, calmly. Hopps hurries up to him.
HOPPS (CONT'D)
Alright, slick Nick, you're under
arrest.
NICK
Really, for what?
HOPPS
Gee I don't know, how `bout selling
food without a permit, transporting
undeclared commerce across borough
lines, false advertising...
Nick smiles and produces those documents.
NICK
Permit. Receipt of declared
commerce. And I didn't falsely
advertise anything. Take care.
HOPPS
You told that mouse the popsicle
sticks were redwood!
NICK
That's right. "Red wood." With a
space in the middle. Wood that is
red.
(then)
You can't touch me, Carrots, I been
doing this since I was born.

NICK
My bad. I just naturally assumed
you came from some little carrot-
choked podunk, no?
27.
HOPPS
(isn't it obvious?)
Ah, no. Podunk is in Deerbrooke
County, and I grew up in
Bunnyburrow.
NICK
Okay. Tell me if this story sounds
familiar:
(harsher now, rapidly)
Naïve little hick with good grades
and big ideas decides, "Hey lookit
me, I'm gonna move to Zootopia--
where Predators and Prey live in
harmony and sing Kumbaya!" Only to
find-- whoopsie, we don't all get
along. And that dream of becoming a
big city cop? Double whoopsie!
She's a meter maid. And whoopsie
number threesie-- NO ONE cares
about her or her dreams. And soon
enough those dreams die and our
bunny sinks into emotional and
literal squalor living in a box
under a bridge.  That sound about right?
She's speechless-- How did he get my number so quickly? A
RHINO almost crushes her.
NICK (CONT'D)
Be careful now, it won't just be
your dreams getting crushed.
HOPPS
(ever-so-slightly rattled)
Hey! Hey! No one tells me what I
can or can't be!
NICK
Alright look, everyone comes to
Zootopia thinking they can be
anything they want. Well you can't.
You can only be what you are.
(points to himself)
Sly fox.
(MORE)
28.
NICK (CONT'D)
(points to her)
Dumb bunny.

NICK
Right. And that's not wet cement.
She looks down. She's landed in wet cement.
NICK (CONT'D)
(as he goes)
You'll never be a real cop.  Maybe a
supervisor one day. Hang in
there...
INT. HOPPS'S APARTMENT, HALLWAY - EVENING
CLOSE ON HER WELCOME MAT: Hopps wipes off her cement covered
feet. Then she enters
THE APARTMENT --
Hopps turns on the radio. Everybody Hurts plays. She changes
the station. A sadder song comes on. She changes the station
repeatedly, each song progressively sadder. Finally, she
lands on a treacly instrumental that will score the scene.
She puts in a microwave dinner: CARROTS FOR ONE. Hopps takes
her food (A SINGLE CARROT) and sits at a small table.
Her phone rings. INSERT: MOM & DAD FACETIME.
HOPPS
Oh hey, it's my parents!
BONNIE HOPPS
Aw there she is! Hi sweetheart!
THE FACETIME cuts between Bonnie on her phone. Stu will pop
in and out of frame.
STU HOPPS
Hey there, Jude the Dude! How was
your first day on the force?
HOPPS
It was real great.
29.
BONNIE HOPPS
Yeah? Everything you ever hoped?
HOPPS
Mmm. Absolutely. And more.
Everyone's so nice. And I feel like
I'm really making a difference--
STU HOPPS
(pops head into frame)
Hey, wait a second. Holy cripes,
Bonnie! Look at that!

Hopps is still wearing her vest, and her hat is on the chair.
HOPPS
(panicked)
Oh this? No! Oh, no no! This is
just a temporary thing--
BONNIE HOPPS
It's the safest job on the force!
STU HOPPS
Ah, she's not a real cop! Our
prayers have been answered!
BONNIE HOPPS
Glorious day!
STU HOPPS
Meter maid, meter maid!
HOPPS
Dad! Dad--
STU HOPPS
Meter maid, meter maid!
HOPPS
DAD!  You get some rest!
STU HOPPS
Those meters aren't gonna maid
themselves.
30.
BONNIE HOPPS
Bye bye!
HOPPS
(eye roll)
Buh-bye.
She hangs up, defeated. The SELF-PITYING MUSIC comes up full.
ORYX POOTOSSER (O.S.)
Hey Bunny! Turn down that
depressing music!
KUDU POOTOSSER (O.S.)
Leave the meter maid alone! Didn't
you hear her conversation? She
feels like a failure!
Judy turns off the music.

KUDU POOTOSSER (O.S.)

ORYX POOTOSSER (O.S.)

HOPPS
(quietly to herself)
Tomorrow's another day...
ORYX POOTOSSER (O.S.)
Yeah, but it might be worse!
Off Judy's exhausted look, we:
CUT TO:
EXT. STREETS OF ZOOTOPIA - THE NEXT DAY
Hopps, on meter maid duty, thunks a ticket on a windshield.
MOOSE
I was 30 seconds over!
Another meter dings, Hopps puts another ticket on a very
small windshield.
ANGRY GERBIL LADY
Ugh!
31.
DING! Another ticket down. A MOTHER HIPPO picks up the
ticket, her SMALL CHILD looks right at Hopps.
HIPPO CHILD
My mommy says she wishes you were
dead.
ANGRY DRIVER (O.S.)
Un-cool, rabbit. My tax dollars pay
your salary.
INT. METER MAID CART
After what has clearly been a series of these encounters,
Hopps repeatedly bangs her head on the steering wheel.
HOPPS
(less convinced with each
utterance)
I am a real cop. I am a real cop. I
am a real cop. I am a real cop...
FRANTIC PIG (O.S.)
Hey!
Suddenly, a PIG bangs on the cart's window. Hopps startles.
FRANTIC PIG (CONT'D)
You! Bunny!
HOPPS
(rote)
Sir, if you have a grievance, you
may contest your citation in
traffic court.
FRANTIC PIG
What're you talking about? My shop!
It was just robbed! Look, he's
getting away! Well are you a cop or
not?

HOPPS
(snapping out of it)
Oh, yes! Yes! Don't worry, sir, I
got this!
EXT. STREETS OF ZOOTOPIA - CONTINUOUS
Hopps jumps out and gives chase-- ditching her silly vest.
32.
HOPPS
Stop! Stop in the name of the law!
DUKE WEASELTON
Catch me if you can, Cottontail!
The chase is on. McHorn screeches up in his cop car.
DUKE WEASELTON (CONT'D)
Whoa. Coming through!
MCHORN
This is Officer McHorn, we got a 10-
31.
Hopps slides across his hood.
HOPPS
I got dibs! Officer Hopps, I am in
pursuit!
Hopps chases the Weasel, who races through Savannah Central.
As Hopps advances, the Weasel ducks into... LITTLE RODENTIA.
Thanks to her small size, Hopps follows him in.
HOPPS(CONT'D)
You! Freeze!
MCHORN
(arriving, but too big to
enter)
Hey! Metermaid! Wait for the real
cops!
EXT. LITTLE RODENTIA - CONTINUOUS
Hopps emerges in Little Rodentia, teeming with tiny rodents.
HOPPS
Stop!
Hopps spots the Weasel, who's using two mouse cars as skates.
She chases after him, smashing through Little Rodentia. As
the Weasel jumps off the top of a mouse building, he knocks
it over, but Hopps is able to save them from crashing.
Resuming the chase, Hopps jumps off the building-- landing
precariously in the midst of a large group of mice.
HOPPS (CONT'D)
Oh! Oh, sorry! Coming through!
`Scuse me! `Scuse me. Pardon...
33.
Hopps locates Weaselton, who's safely making his escape on
the top of a tiny mouse train.
DUKE WEASELTON
Bon voyage, flat foot!
But Hopps won't quit. She takes a short cut and knocks him
off the train. Rodents scream and run amidst the chaos.
HOPPS
Hey! Stop right there!
The Weasel throws an ornamental donut at Hopps.
DUKE WEASELTON
Have a donut, coppah!
But the donut misses and rolls towards some SHREWS coming out
of "Mousies."
FRU FRU SHREW
Ohmygawd, did you see those leopard
print jeggings?
(sees the donut about to
kill her)
Aaaaaaaaaaaagh!
But at the last second... Hopps stops it! Deep breath...
HOPPS
I love your hair.
FRU FRU SHREW
Aw... thank you.
Meanwhile, the Weasel spots the bag he was stealing and
smugly picks it up, ready to leave.
DUKE WEASELTON
Come to papa...
Then out of nowhere, Hopps dumps the donut on his head.
INT. ZPD - LOBBY - A LITTLE LATER
The lobby is overflowing with ANIMALS filing MISSING MAMMAL
REPORTS. Clawhauser is dealing with an otter, MRS. OTTERTON.
CLAWHAUSER
Okay, you're gonna have to be
patient and wait in line just like
everyone else, Mrs. Otterton, okay?
34.
Just then: BAM! The Weasel (in donut) rolls through the front
door and hits Clawhauser's desk. It settles, revealing Hopps.
HOPPS
I popped the weasel!
Behind her, Chief Bogo yells from the second floor.
BOGO
HOPPS!
INT.  Bogo looks over a report.
BOGO
Abandoning your post, inciting a
scurry, reckless endangerment of
rodents... but to be fair, you did
stop a master criminal from
stealing two dozen... moldy onions.
HOPPS
Hate to disagree with you, sir, but
those aren't onions. Those are a
crocus varietal called Midnicampum
Holicithias. They're a Class C
Botanical, sir. I grew up in a
family where plant husbandry was
kind of a thing.

HOPPS
Sir, I got the bad guy. That's my
job.
BOGO
Your job is putting tickets on
parked cars.
CLAWHAUSER (INTERCOM)
Chief, uh, Mrs. Otterton's here to
see you again.
BOGO
Not now.
35.
CLAWHAUSER(INTERCOM)
Okay, I just didn't know if you
wanted to take it this time, she
seems really upset--
BOGO
Not now!
HOPPS
Sir, I don't want to be a meter
maid... I wanna be a real cop.
BOGO
Do you think the Mayor asked what I
wanted when he assigned you to me?
HOPPS
But sir, if you--
BOGO
Life isn't some cartoon musical
where you sing a little song and
your insipid dreams magically come
true. So let it go!
MRS. OTTERTON barges in, with Clawhauser trailing, wheezing.
MRS. OTTERTON
Chief Bogo please-- five minutes of
your time. Please...
CLAWHAUSER
I'm sorry, sir, I tried to stop
her, she is super slippery. I gotta
go sit down.
BOGO
Ma'am, as I've told you, we are
doing everything we can...
MRS. OTTERTON
My husband has been missing for ten
days. His name is Emmitt Otterton.
BOGO
Yes, I know.
MRS. OTTERTON
He's a florist. We have two
beautiful children. He would never
just disappear.
Mrs. Otterton reveals her own sweet little photo of Emmitt
with her and the family.
36.
BOGO
Ma'am, our detectives are very
busy.
MRS. OTTERTON
Please. There's got to be somebody
to find my Em.
BOGO
Mrs. Otterton--
HOPPS (O.S.)
I will find him.
Mrs. Otterton races over to Hopps and gives her a big hug of
relief. Bogo looks to Hopps, ready to explode.
MRS. OTTERTON
Oh, thank you!  Find my Emmitt. Bring
him home to me and my babies.
Please?
Bogo grunts and ushers Mrs. Otterton back outside.
BOGO
Mrs. Otterton? Please wait out
here.
MRS. OTTERTON
Of course. Oh, thank you both so
much.
BOGO
One second.
He closes the door and turns to Hopps, furious.
BOGO (CONT'D)
You're fired.
HOPPS
What? Why?!
BOGO
Insubordination. Now, I'm going to
open this door and you're going to
tell that otter you're a former
meter maid with delusions of
grandeur who will not be taking the
case.
37.
Bogo opens the door, to find... Bellwether, hugging Mrs.
Otterton.
BELLWETHER
I just heard Officer Hopps is
taking the case!
BOGO
Assistant Mayor Bellwether...
BELLWETHER
(texting)
The Mammal Inclusion Initiative is
really starting to pay off! Mayor
Lionheart is just gonna be so
jazzed!
BOGO
No! No, let's not tell the mayor
just yet--
BELLWETHER
And I sent it, and it is done, so I
did do that. All right, well I'd
say the case is in good hands! Us
little guys really need to stick
together! Right?
HOPPS
Like glue!
BELLWETHER
(amused laughter)
Good one! Just call me if you ever
need anything, okay? You've always
got a friend at City Hall, Judy.
Alright, bye bye!
HOPPS
Thank you, ma'am.
Bogo forces a smile and closes the door, even more pissed.
BOGO
I will give you 48 hours.
HOPPS
YES!
BOGO
That's two days to find Emmitt
Otterton.
38.
HOPPS
Okay.
BOGO
But, you strike out-- you resign.
Hopps is taken aback by that for a moment... then nods.
HOPPS
Oh, uh... okay... deal.
BOGO
Splendid. Clawhauser will give you
the complete case file.
INT. ZPD - DESK AREA - A LITTLE LATER
Clawhauser places the Otterton file on his desk for Hopps.
CLAWHAUSER
Here ya go! One missing otter!
Hopps opens the file. It's a single piece of paper. What?
HOPPS
That's it?!
CLAWHAUSER
Yikes! That is the smallest case
file I've ever seen! Leads: none,
witnesses: none-- and you're not in
the computer system yet, so
resources: none.
(chuckles)
I hope you didn't stake your career
on cracking this one.
Clawhauser takes a bite of his donut and the crumbs land on a
picture in the file, drawing Hopps's attention to it.
HOPPS
Okay.
(deep breath)
"Last known sighting..."
Hopps brushes away the crumbs, revealing a picture of Mr.
Otterton on the street. Clawhauser annoyingly slurps from a
soda bottle. Hopps squints at the picture, intrigued.
HOPPS (CONT'D)
Can I just borrow--
(grabbing soda bottle)
Thank you.
39.
Hopps uses Clawhauser's bottle to enlarge the picture. She
sees Mr. Otterton holding a PAWPSICLE.
HOPPS (CONT'D)
Pawpsicle.
CLAWHAUSER
The murder weapon!
HOPPS
Get your pawpsicle...
CLAWHAUSER
Yeah, `cause that... What does that
mean?
HOPPS
It means I... have a lead.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. DOWNTOWN STREET - LATER
We find Nick pushing a BABY STROLLER. HOPPS zooms up in her
traffic cart, smiling.
HOPPS
Hi! Hello? It's me again!
NICK
Hey, it's Officer Toot Toot.
HOPPS
(fake laugh, humoring him)
Ha-ha-ho, no actually it's Officer
Hopps, and I'm here to ask you some
questions about a case.
NICK
What happened, meter maid? Did
someone steal a traffic cone? It
wasn't me.
Hopps looks ahead, Nick has gone around the corner.
NICK (CONT'D)
Hey, Carrots, you're gonna wake the
baby, I gotta get to work.
40.
HOPPS
This is important, sir. I think
your ten dollars worth of popsicles
can wait.
NICK
I make 200 bucks a day, fluff. 365
days a year, since I was 12, and
time is money, hop along.
HOPPS
Please, just look at the picture.
Hopps holds up the traffic cam picture of the Otter.
HOPPS (CONT'D)
You sold Mr. Otterton that popsicle
right? Do you know him?
NICK
I know everybody. And I also know
that somewhere there's a toy store
missing its stuffed animal, so why
don't you get back to your box.
Hopps' ears droop.
HOPPS
Fine. Then we'll have to do this
the hard way.
She puts a boot on the stroller.
NICK
Did you just boot my stroller?
HOPPS
Nicholas Wilde, you are under
arrest.
NICK
For what? Howting your feewings?
HOPPS
Felony tax evasion.
Nick smile drops a bit.
HOPPS (CONT'D)
Yeah. 200 dollars a day... 365 days
a year... since you were 12, that's
two decades, so times twenty...
(calculating)
(MORE)
41.
HOPPS (CONT'D)
...which is one million four-
hundred sixty thousand-- I think, I
mean I am just a dumb bunny, but we
are good at multiplying-- anyway,
according to your tax forms...
(presenting the forms)
...you reported let me see here:
zero. Unfortunately, lying on a
federal form is a punishable
offense. Five years jail time.
NICK
Well, it's my word against yours.
Hopps clicks a button on her CARROT PEN, which SPEAKS!
NICK (ON CARROT PEN RECORDER) (CONT'D)
"200 bucks a day, fluff. 365 days a
year, since I was 12."
HOPPS
Actually, it's your word against
yours.
Nick is utterly speechless.
  Have fun working with the
fuzz!
THWAP! Finnick slaps his JUNIOR OFFICER STICKER on Nick.
HOPPS
Start talking.
NICK
I don't know where he is.
I only saw where he went.
HOPPS
Great, let's go.
42.
NICK
It's not exactly a place for a cute
little bunny.

NICK
Okay. You're the boss.
INT. THE MYSTIC SPRING OASIS - LATER
The Mystic Spring Oasis is new agey, full of incense, etc. A
meditating HIPPIE YAK sits with flies buzzing around his
head, matching the tone of his ohm. Hopps enters with Nick
and they approach the yak (still with his eyes closed).
YAX THE HIPPIE YAK
Oooooooooohmmmmmmmm.
Oooooooooooohmmmmmm.
HOPPS
Hi, hello.
The yak continues his incessant chanting.
HOPPS (CONT'D)
Um, hello? Hello? HELLO?!
The yak finally shakes out of his trance and notices Hopps.
HOPPS (CONT'D)
Hello! My name is--
YAX THE HIPPIE YAK
Ooo, you know, I'm gonna hit the
pause button right there, `cause
we're all good on Bunny Scout
Cookies.
HOPPS
Uh, no... I'm Officer Hopps, ZPD.
I'm looking for a missing mammal,
Emmitt Otterton. Right here--
(shows photo)
--who may have frequented this
establishment.
The Yak looks at Hopps' picture. His eyes go wide, as if he's
about to say something really important, and then:
43.
YAX THE HIPPIE YAK
AH-CHOO!
(flies go everywhere)
Yeah, Ol' Emmitt! Haven't seen him
in a couple weeks. But hey, you
should talk to his yoga instructor,
I'd be happy to take you back.
HOPPS
Oh, thank you so much, I'd
appreciate that more than you can
imagine. It would be such a big--
(scream)
You are naked!
The Yak comes around the counter and he IS naked.
YAX THE HIPPIE YAK
Huh? Oh for sure, we're a
naturalist club.
NICK
Yeah, in Zootopia anyone can be
anything. These guys... they be
naked.
Nick grins, Hopps isn't pleased.
YAX THE HIPPIE YAK
Nangi's just on the other side of
the pleasure pool.
The Yak opens the doors to a POOL AREA, with tons of naked
animals sunning themselves, playing in the pool, etc. Hopps'
eyes nearly pop out of her head. Nick leans in.
NICK
Does this make you uncomfortable?
Because, if so, there's no shame in
calling it quits.
HOPPS
Yes there is.
NICK
Boy, that's the spirit.
EXT. NATURALIST CLUB - COURTYARD - MOMENTS LATER
Nick revels in Hopps' discomfort over the nude animals
everywhere. Lots of nude animals. Yax leads them, oblivious.
44.
YAX THE HIPPIE YAK
Yeah, some mammals say the
naturalist life is weird, but you
know what I say is weird? Clothes
on animals! Here we go.
Nangi's engaging in a string of fairly evocative yoga poses.
YAX THE HIPPIE YAK (CONT'D)
As you can see, Nangi's an
elephant, so she'll totally
remember everything. Hey Nangi,
these dudes have some questions
about Emmitt the Otter.
NANGI
Who?
YAX
Uh, Emmitt Otterton? Been coming to
your yoga class for like 6 years?
NANGI
I have no memory of this beaver.
JUDY
He's an otter actually.
YAX
He was here a couple Wednesdays
ago. `Member?
NANGI
Nope.
YAX
Yeah, he was wearing a green cable-
knit sweater vest, and new pair of
corduroy slacks. Oh, and a paisley
tie. Sweet Windsor knot. Real
tight. Remember that Nangi?
NANGI
No.
Nangi doesn't want to be bothered.  Yax is
a gold mine, though! Hopps writes down everything he says.
YAX
Yeah, and we both walked him out
and he got into this big ol' white
car with a silver trim? Needed a
tune up. The third cylinder wasn't
firing. `Member that, Nangi?
45.
NANGI
Nope.
HOPPS
You didn't happen to catch the
license plate number, did you?
YAX
Oh, for sure. It was 29THD03.
HOPPS
0, 3... Wow, this is a lot of great
info, thank you.
YAX
Told ya Nangi has a mind like a
steel trap. I wish I had a memory
like an elephant.
EXT. SAHARA SQUARE - MOMENTS LATER
Nick and Hopps emerge.
NICK
Well, I had a ball. You are welcome
for the clue. And seeing as how any
moron can run a plate, I will take
that pen and bid you adieu.
As Nick reaches to take it, Hopps realizes something and
leaves him hanging.
HOPPS
The plate... I can't run a plate...
(frustrated grunt)
I'm not in the system yet.
NICK
Give me the pen please.
Hopps gets an idea...
HOPPS
(still withholding pen)
What was it you said?
NICK
Rabbit, I did what you asked, you
can't keep me on the hook forever.
46.
HOPPS
Not forever. Why, I only have 36
hours left to solve this case. So
can you run the plate or not?
NICK
Actually, I just remembered I have
a pal at the DMV...
EXT. DMV - LATER
They arrive at the DMV, the "Department of Mammal Vehicles."
NICK
Flash is the fastest guy in there,
you need something done, he's on
it.
HOPPS
I hope so, we are really fighting
the clock and every minute counts.
(suddenly stops, alarmed)
Wait. They're all sloths?!
Unfortunately, every mammal working there is a... SLOTH.
INSERT: SLOTH EMPLOYEES taking extraordinary amounts of time
to do the simplest of tasks-- stapling, stamping, etc.
HOPPS (CONT'D)
You said this was going to be
quick!
NICK
(faux innocence)
What? Are you saying that because
he's a sloth, he can't be fast? I
thought in Zootopia anyone could be
anything.
Nick smiles. Hopps doesn't. They head to Flash's station.
NICK (CONT'D)
Flash, Flash, hundred yard dash!
Buddy, it's nice to see ya.
Flash doesn't respond. Beat.
FLASH
Nice to...
(beat) (beat)
see you...
(beat) (beat)
too.
47.
Hopps looks like she's going to die.
NICK
Hey Flash, I'd love ya to meet my
friend-- uh, darlin' I've forgotten
your name.
HOPPS
(fake smile, to Nick)
Officer Judy Hopps, ZPD.
(shows badge)
How are ya?
Flash doesn't respond... then...
FLASH
I am... doing... just...
HOPPS
Fine?
FLASH
...as well... as... I can... be.
What...
NICK
(to an impatient Hopps)
Hang in there.
FLASH
...can I... do...
HOPPS
Well, I was hoping you could run a
plate--
FLASH
For you...
HOPPS
Well, I was hoping you could--
FLASH
...today.
Hopps pauses-- cautiously optimistic that he's finished.
HOPPS
Well, I was hoping you could run a
plate for us. We are in a really
big hurry.
Beat. Beat.
48.
FLASH
Sure. What's the... plate...
HOPPS
2, 9, T--
FLASH
...Number?
Hopps takes a breath.
HOPPS
29THD03.
FLASH
(several beats)
2... 9...
HOPPS
THD03.
FLASH
T.
HOPPS
HD03.
FLASH
H.
HOPPS
D03.
FLASH
D.
HOPPS
Mmhmm. 0, 3.
FLASH
0.
HOPPS
3!
Flash is just about to say three, but...
NICK
Hey Flash, wanna hear a joke?
HOPPS
No!
49.
FLASH
Sure.
NICK
What do you call a three humped
camel?
FLASH
I don't... know...
(beat)
What... do... you call... a...
HOPPS
Three humped camel.
FLASH
Three humped... camel?
NICK
Pregnant.
Nick laughs at his own joke.
FLASH
Ha... ha... ha... ha...
HOPPS
Ha, ha, yes very funny, very funny,
can we please just focus on the
task--
Flash slowly reaches over to the sloth next to him.
FLASH
Hey... Priscilla...
HOPPS
Oh no!
PRISCILLA
Yes... Flash?
FLASH
What... do...
HOPPS
No!
FLASH
You call... a...
50.
HOPPS
A three humped camel? Pregnant!
Okay, great, we got it, please just-
-
FLASH
Three... humped...
HOPPS
Aggggggghhhhhhh--
INT. DMV - LATER
A slow DOT-MATRIX printer spits out the address for CAR
LICENSE PLATE NUMBER: 29THD03.
FLASH
Here...
HOPPS
Yeah, yeah, yeah... thank you!
FLASH
You... go.
HOPPS
(frantically reads)
29THD03-- it's registered to...
Tundratown Limo Service? A limo
took Otterton, and the limo's in
Tundratown-- it's in Tundratown!
NICK
Way to hustle, bud. I love ya. I
owe ya.
HOPPS
Hurry, we gotta beat the rush hour
and--
EXT. DMV - CONTINUOUS
They go outside. It's night.
HOPPS
IT'S NIGHT?!
EXT. SNOWY LOT - MOMENTS LATER
Nick and Hopps reach LEGITIMATE ENTERPRISE CAR SERVICE. Hopps
tries to open the lock.
51.
HOPPS
Closed. Great.
NICK
Mm. And I will betcha you don't
have a warrant to get in. Hm? Darn
it. It's a bummer.
There's a big gated parking lot which is chained shut... but
they can see a few limos parking inside, covered in snow.
HOPPS
You wasted the day on purpose.
NICK
Madam, I have a fake badge. I would
never impede your pretend
investigation.
HOPPS
It's not a pretend investigation!
Look, see--
(showing picture of
Otterton)
See him? This otter is missing.
NICK
Well then they should have gotten a
real cop to find him.
HOPPS
What is your problem? Does seeing
me fail somehow make you feel
better about your own sad,
miserable life?
Nick considers this for a moment.
NICK
It does. One hundred percent.
(then)
Now... since you're sans warrant, I
guess we're done?
Hopps considers this and sighs, defeated.
HOPPS
Fine. We are done. Here's your pen.
Hopps then casually throws it over the fence behind her.
NICK
Hey!
(staring at the pen)
(MORE)
52.

Nick jumps down onto the other side, but just as he reaches
for the pen, Hopps is suddenly right there and snatches it.
HOPPS
The thing is, you don't need a
warrant if you have probable cause,
and I'm pretty sure I saw a shifty
low-life climbing the fence, so
you're helping plenty. Come on.
Hopps cheerfully heads off. Nick watches her, not quite
smiling, but he's starting to respect his opponent.
EXT. PARKING LOT - MOMENTS LATER
Hopps wipes snow off a back bumper: LICENSE PLATE 29THD03.
HOPPS
29THD03... this is it.
INT. REFRIGOUSINE - MOMENTS LATER
They open the big door, which looks like it belongs on a
refrigerator. As they snoop around, Hopps uses tweezers to
pick up a clump of fur.
HOPPS
Polar bear fur.
NICK
(opening glove box)
OH MY GOD!
HOPPS
What? What?!
Hopps looks up, only to see Nick holding some JERRY VOLE CDs.
NICK
The Velvety Pipes of Jerry Vole!
But on CD? Who still uses CDs?

53.
NICK (CONT'D)
Carrots...? If your otter was
here... he had a very bad day.
Hopps' flashlight reveals CLAW MARKS covering the back seat.
HOPPS
Those are... claw marks. You ever
seen anything like this?
NICK
No.
Through the fog on the floor Hopps spots a wallet.
HOPPS
Oh, wait. Look.
They slink back into the back seat. Hopps opens up the wallet
to find a drivers license for Mr. Otterton.
HOPPS (CONT'D)
This is him. Emmitt Otterton. He
was definitely here. What do you
think happened?
Nick spots a cocktail glass... it's etched with a "B."
NICK
Well, now wait a minute...
(then, suspicious)
Polar bear fur... Rat Pack music...
fancy cup...
(suddenly terrified)
I know whose car this is. We gotta
go!
HOPPS
Why? Whose car is it?
Nick tries to put everything back the way he found it.
NICK
The most feared crime boss in
Tundratown. They call him Mr. Big
and he does not like me, so we
gotta go!
HOPPS
I'm not leaving, this is a crime
scene.
54.
NICK
Well, it's gonna be an even bigger
crime scene if Mr. Big finds me
here, so we're leaving right now!
Nick ushers Hopps to the door, but opens it to find two big
POLAR BEARS.
NICK (CONT'D)
(faux excitement)
Raymond! And, is that Kevin?! Long
time no see. And speaking of no
see, how about you forget you saw
me? Huh? For old time's sake?
The polar bears grab Nick and Hopps by their throats...
NICK (CONT'D)
That's a no.
...and yank them off screen.
INT. POLAR BEAR CAR - MOMENTS LATER
VROOM! A car whizzes by. Inside, Nick and Hopps sit nervously
in the back seat, sandwiched between the polar bears-- one of
whom casually scrolls through Zoogle Photos on his phone.
HOPPS
What did you do that made Mr. Big
so mad at you?
NICK
(sotto)
I uh, I may have sold him a very
expensive wool rug... that was made
from the fur of a... skunk's butt.
HOPPS
(pissed at Nick)
Oh, sweet cheese and crackers.
Pull out to reveal the car passing through the security gate
of a residential compound. A POLAR BEAR GUARD lets them in.
INT. MR. BIG'S RESIDENCE - MOMENTS LATER
Nick and Hopps are shoved into a room that's right out of The
Godfather. A POLAR BEAR enters...
55.
HOPPS
(sotto)
Is that Mr. Big?
NICK
(sotto)
No.
Now an even BIGGER POLAR BEAR enters...
HOPPS
What about him? Is that him?
NICK
(sotto, frustrated)
No.
...and then another. The BIGGEST POLAR BEAR yet...
HOPPS
That's gotta be him.
 He sounds like Marlon Brando sped up to 78 rpm.
NICK (CONT'D)
Mr. Big, sir, this is a simple
misunder-
Mr. Big holds out a TINY FINGER for NICK to KISS HIS RING.
Nick painstakingly does so.
NICK (CONT'D)
This is a simple misunderstanding.
Mr. Big motions for Nick to shut up.
MR. BIG
You come here unannounced... on the
day my daughter is to be married?
NICK
Well actually we were brought here
against our will, so...
(Mr. Big is not impressed)
Point is, I did not know it was
your car, and I certainly did not
know about your daughter's wedding.
56.
MR. BIG
I trusted you, Nicky... I welcomed
you into my home... we broke bread
together... Gram-mama made you her
cannoli. And how did you repay my
generosity?   You disrespected me.   Hopps)
What are you, a performer? What's
with the costume?
HOPPS
Sir, I am a c--
NICK
Mime! She is a mime. This mime,
cannot speak.
HOPPS
No. I am a cop. And I'm on the
Emmitt Otterton case, and my
evidence puts him in your car, so
intimidate me all you want, I'm
going to find out what you did to
that otter if it's the last thing I
do.
Mr. Big considers this and makes that little grunt.
MR. BIG
Then I have only one request: say
hello to Gram-mama. Ice `em!
The Polar Bears snatch Nick and Hopps.
NICK
Whoa-- I didn't see nothing-- I'm
not saying nothing--
MR. BIG
And you never will--
The polar bears open a hidden door on the floor, revealing an
icy pool beneath.
57.
NICK
Please! No no no! If you're mad at
me about the rug I've got more
rugs!
Nick and Hopps are about to be dumped in, when--
FRU FRU SHREW
Oh, Daddy, it's time for our dance.
(sees them trying to kill
Nick)
What did we say? No icing anyone at
my wedding!
MR. BIG
I have to, baby. Daddy has to.
(to Thugs)
Ice `em.
Nick and Hopps scream and--
FRU FRU SHREW
Wait. WAIT! She's the bunny that
saved my life yesterday. From that
giant donut.
MR. BIG
This bunny?
FRU FRU SHREW
Yeah. Hi!
HOPPS
Hi.
(warm, whisper)
I love your dress.
FRU FRU SHREW
Aw, thank you.
Mr. Big motions for the Polar Bears to put Hopps down.
MR. BIG
Put `em down.
(then, to Hopps)
You have done me a great service.
I will help you find the otter. I
will take your kindness... and pay
it forward.
Hopps and Mr. Big kiss on the cheeks. Nick stares at them...
What is happening?
58.
INT.  We find
Nick and Hopps at the head table, next to Mr. Big. They all
eat TINY pieces of WEDDING CAKE.
MR. BIG
Otterton is my florist. He's like a
part of the family. He had
something important he wanted to
discuss. That's why I sent that car
to pick him up. But he never
arrived.
HOPPS
Because he was attacked.
MR. BIG
No... he attacked.
HOPPS
Otterton?
MR. BIG
Otterton. He went crazy. Ripped up
the car, scared my driver half to
death and disappeared into the
night.

MR. BIG
My child, we may be evolved... but
deep down we are still animals.
Nick and Hopps trade a worried glance. OVER THE FOLLOWING WE
CROSS-DISSOLVE TO NICK AND HOPPS WALKING IN THE RAINFOREST:
MR. BIG (V.O.)(CONT'D)
You want to find Otterton... talk
to the driver of the car. His
name's Manchas, lives in the
Rainforest District. Only he can
tell you more.
EXT. "RAINFOREST DISTRICT" - LATER THAT NIGHT
Nick and Hopps make their way across a mossy rope bridge high
above the forest floor. It leads to a moss-covered apartment.
59.
EXT. "THE CANOPY" - MOMENTS LATER
At the door of the DRIVER'S APARTMENT, they ring the bell.
HOPPS
Mr. Manchas? Judy Hopps, ZPD. We
just want to know what happened to
Emmitt Otterton.
Beat. The door creaks open.
MANCHAS (MUFFLED INSIDE)
You should be asking... what
happened to me.
The door opens to the chain, revealing...  He has a black
eye, and a scratches. Nick and Hopps are taken aback.
NICK
Whoa. A teensy otter... did that?
HOPPS
What... happened?
Off Manchas's look, we
CUT TO:
A FLASHBACK --
Manchas is driving when he's attacked from the back seat.
MANCHAS (THROUGH DOOR GAP)
He was an animal... down on all
fours... he was a savage.
The car spins out. Emmitt growls at Manchas then runs off.
BACK TO:
THE CANOPY --
MANCHAS
(haunted)
There was no warning, he just kept
yelling about the "night howlers."
Over and over, "the night
howlers..."
Nick and Hopps share a subtle look-- they have no idea what
"night howlers" are.
60.
NICK
Oh. So you know about the night
howlers too? Good, good, good.
Because the night howlers are
exactly what we are here to talk
about.
(to Judy)
Right?
HOPPS
Yep. So, uh, you just open the door
and tell us what you know and we
will tell you what we know. Okay?
MANCHAS
(considering)
Okay.
Manchas closes the door and starts to unlock a series of
deadbolts. Judy gives Nick an impressed look.
HOPPS
Clever fox.
There's a commotion inside, followed by a scream.
HOPPS (CONT'D)
Mr. Manchas?
The door creaks open just an inch. Nick and Hopps seem
startled... Hopps slowly pushes the door open, revealing
Manchas in the center of the room, hunched over and grunting.
NICK
Buddy?
HOPPS
Are you... okay?
Hopps looks at Manchas.
RAAAGH!!! Manchas turns, right at them.  He's poised to pounce on Nick and Hopps.
HOPPS (CONT'D)
Run. RUN!
The Jaguar tears after them, he's deranged, primal. Nick and
Hopps run! The jaguar is closing in.
NICK
What is wrong with him?!
61.
HOPPS
I don't know!!
Nick and Hopps run across the bridge. Manchas closes in.
HOPPS (CONT'D)
Jump!
They jump off the bridge to a lower branch. They duck into a
hollow log and Manchas follows them.
HOPPS (CONT'D)
(to Nick)
Head down!
Hopps frantically picks up her police radio.
HOPPS (CONT'D)
Officer Hopps to dispatch!
INT. POLICE STATION - DISPATCH - SAME
We find Clawhauser showing a handcuffed PERP a video on his
phone of pop star Gazelle singing and dancing. A RED LIGHT
blinks on the desk phone, but Clawhauser ignores it.
CLAWHAUSER
Are you familiar with Gazelle?
Greatest singer of our lifetime--
angel with horns-- okay, hold on,
keep watching. Who's that beside
her? Who is it?
Reveal: Clawhauser is dancing on stage with Gazelle.
GAZELLE (ON PHONE)
Wow, you are one hot dancer...
(digitized robo-voice)
...BENJAMIN CLAWHAUSER.
CLAWHAUSER
(joyous laughter)
It's me! Did you think it was real?
It looks so real! It's not. It's
just a new app.
(finally notices ringing
phone)
Hold on a second--
Clawhauser clicks the speaker button and--
HOPPS (V.O.)
CLAWHAUSER!
Blue Rev. (mm/dd/yy) 62.
EXT. THE CANOPY - SAME
RAAGH! Manchas takes a swipe at Nick.
HOPPS
Clawhauser, listen to me! We have a
10-91! Jaguar gone savage! Vine and
Tu-junja!
NICK
It's Tujunga!
As they emerge from the log, Hopps slips, dropping her radio.
CLAWHAUSER (ON RADIO)
Okay, we're sending back up! Hopps?
HOPPS?!
Nick and Hopps run, sliding around a corner. Ahead is a
gondola station.
HOPPS
There! Head to the skytrams!
They run to the gondolas. Hopps darts out of Manchas' way,
but slips and is headed off the platform when she manages to
grab on-- dangling from the edge. Nick searches for her...
NICK
Get in! Carrots? Carrots!
He tries to hold on to the gondola for Hopps, who is
struggling to pull herself back onto the platform.
HOPPS
Go!
As the gondola pulls away, Nick tries to stop it to no avail.
NICK
No, no, no!
Nick backs up... the jaguar stalks him.
NICK (CONT'D)
Buddy, one predator to another-- *
The jaguar charges, but before it gets Nick-- clank! It's *
yanked back in place. We see a HANDCUFF on its back paw,
attached to a metal post. Hopps cuffed him!
63.

Hopps barely grabs a vine, but struggles to hold Nick in the
other hand. As Manchas growls at them from above, Nick looks
at the abyss below. Hopps looks around, her mind racing.
NICK (CONT'D)
Rabbit, whatever you do, do not let
go!
HOPPS
I'm gonna let go!
NICK
No, you what? No, I said-- listen--
noooo!
HOPPS
One, two--
Hopps lets go, swinging them over to a netting of vines, kind
of on top of each other. They can't believe they're alive.
They look at each other, stunned, relieved...
NICK
Carrots.
HOPPS
Well. That's what we do at the
ZP...
(the branch snaps)
Deeeeeeeeeeeee.....
Nick and Hopps plummet. They are about to hit the ground, but
a vine attached to their legs stops them right before impact.
Woo!
Out steps... Bogo. Hopps smiles, the cavalry has arrived.
BOGO
Well, this should be good.
MOMENTS LATER --
Hopps leads the cops up to the canopy, full of confidence.
HOPPS
I thought this was just a missing
mammal case, but it's way bigger.
(MORE)
64.
HOPPS (CONT'D)
Mr. Otterton did not just
disappear. I believe he and this
jaguar, they... went savage, Sir.
BOGO
(scoffing)
Savage? This isn't the Stone Age,
Hopps. Animals don't go savage.
HOPPS
I thought so too, `til I saw this:
Hopps pulls back some leaves to reveal: the jaguar is gone.
There is no sign of him... or his handcuffs. It's like it
never happened. Hopps' eyes go wide.
HOPPS (CONT'D)
What? He was right here...
BOGO
(not buying it)
The "savage" jaguar.
HOPPS
Sir, I know what I saw-- he almost
killed us.
BOGO
Or maybe any aggressive predator
looks savage to you rabbits.
(calls out, to cops)
Let's go.
HOPPS
Wait-- Sir, I'm not the only one
who saw him!
(to Nick)
Nick!
Hopps turns to Nick, but before he can explain:
BOGO
(incredulous)
You think I'm going to believe a
fox?
HOPPS
Well he was a key witness and I
enlisted--
BOGO
(the last straw)
Two days to find the otter...
(MORE)
65.
BOGO (CONT'D)
or you quit... that was the deal.
Badge.
Bogo extends his arm, waiting for Hopps to hand it over.
HOPPS
But, Sir, we...
BOGO
Badge.
Hopps looks at Bogo, then looks at her badge, she's about to
reach for it, when...
NICK (O.S.)
Uh, no.
Bogo stops, and glares at Nick.
BOGO
What did you say, fox?
NICK
Sorry, what I said was, "no." She
will not be giving you that badge.
Look, you gave her a clown vest and
a three-wheel joke-mobile and two
days to solve a case you guys
haven't cracked in two weeks? Yeah,
no wonder she needed to get help
from a fox, none of you guys were
gonna help her, were you?
Hopps looks at Nick, stunned he's sticking up for her.
NICK (CONT'D)
Here's the thing Chief, you gave
her the 48 hours, so technically we
still have 10 left to find our Mr.
Otterton... and that's exactly what
we're gonna do, so if you'll excuse
us... we have a very big lead to
follow and a case to crack. Good
day.
Nick guides Hopps to a PASSING GONDOLA, motioning her in.
NICK (CONT'D)
Officer Hopps?
The gondola pulls away, leaving Bogo and the rest of the
police watching, flabbergasted.
66.
INT./EXT. GONDOLA - CONTINUOUS
Hopps and Nick both stare straight ahead.
HOPPS
Thank you.
NICK
Never let `em see that they get to
you.
Hopps looks at Nick, a little surprised. Nick looks out.
HOPPS
So, things do get to you...
NICK
No... I mean, not anymore. But I
was small and emotionally
unbalanced like you once.
HOPPS
Har-har.
NICK
(retreating into the
memory)
No, it's true. I think was 8, or
maybe 9, and all I wanted to do was
join the Junior Ranger Scouts.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. YOUNG NICK'S BEDROOM - DUSK (FLASHBACK)
YOUNG NICK, tiny and cherubic, looks in the mirror. We see
MOTHER's paws tying the scout kerchief around his neck.
NICK (V.O.)
...so, my mom scraped together
enough money to buy me a brand new
uniform because, by God, I was
gonna fit in.
EXT. SCOUT BUILDING - NIGHT (FLASHBACK)
Young Nick bounds down the sidewalk and up the stairs.
NICK (V.O.)
Even if I was the only predator in
the troop--
67.
INT. SCOUT MEETING - MOMENTS LATER (FLASHBACK)
Young Nick enters a church basement, spots a GROUP OF PREY
KIDS, all in scout uniforms. They wave him over.
NICK (V.O.)(CONT'D)
...the only fox.
MEAN KID ANIMAL (O.S.)
Okay, Nick!
NICK (V.O.)
I was gonna be part of a pack.
MEAN KID ANIMAL
Ready for initiation?
YOUNG NICK
Yeah! Pretty much born ready.
They high five Nick. It looks promising and fun.
NICK (V.O.)
I was so proud.
Suddenly, a BIG KID turns off the lights. Other KIDS switch
on FLASHLIGHTS, shining them on Nick like gestapo spotlights.
MEAN KID ANIMAL
Okay. Now raise your right hand and
deliver the oath.
YOUNG NICK
I, Nicholas Wilde, promise to be
brave, loyal, helpful, and
trustworthy.

YOUNG NICK
What?
 Soon, all of the
animals pile on, kicking and shoving him.
YOUNG NICK (CONT'D)
No! What did I do wrong, you guys?!
No! Please tell me, what did I do
wrong?!
With Nick pinned, the primary mean kid straddles him. Someone
hands him a MUZZLE. The mean kid snaps it on Nick's snout.
68.
YOUNG NICK (CONT'D)
(muzzled)
What did I do?!
MEAN KID ANIMAL
If you thought we would ever trust
a fox without a muzzle, you're even
dumber than you look.
Nick breaks free from the kids. Scrambles away from them in
fright. As they laugh, he races out the door.

Once out sight, Nick panics as he struggles to remove the
muzzle. It won't come off. Finally-- painfully-- he pulls it
off and throws it to the ground. He collapses, weeping.
THE GONDOLA --
NICK
I learned two things that day. One,
I was never gonna let anyone see
that they got to me.
Hopps looks at Nick, who avoids eye contact.
HOPPS
...And two?
NICK
If the world's only gonna see a fox
as shifty and untrustworthy,
there's no point in trying to be
anything else.
HOPPS
Nick, you are so much more than
that...
Hopps touches Nick's arm as the gondola pierces the clouds.
The city at dawn comes into view. It's gotten too real for
Nick. He abruptly changes the subject.
NICK
Boy, look at that traffic down
there.
(putting on radio voice)
How about we go out to Chuck in
Traffic Central-- Chuck, how are
things looking on the Jam Cams?
69.
HOPPS
Nick, I'm glad you told me...
NICK
(lightbulb moment!)
The Jam Cams...!
HOPPS
Seriously, it's okay...
NICK
No-n-shh-shush! There are traffic
cameras everywhere. All over the
canopy. Whatever happened to that
jaguar--
HOPPS
The traffic cams would have caught
it!
NICK
Bingo!
Hopps gives him a chuck on the arm, impressed.
HOPPS
Pretty sneaky, Slick.
NICK
However. If you didn't have access
to the system before, I doubt Chief
Buffalo Butt is gonna let you into
it now.
HOPPS
(beat, then)
No... But I have a friend at City
Hall who might.
INT. CITY HALL - LATER THAT MORNING
We find BELLWETHER trying to balance a stack of binders while
struggling to keep pace with Mayor Lionheart, who is walking
quickly in front of her.
BELLWETHER
Sir? If we could just review these
very important--
(almost drops binders)
Sir?
She almost steps on a LITTLE MOUSE LADY.
70.
BELLWETHER (CONT'D)
Ooo, I'm so sorry... sir?!
LIONHEART
Okay. I heard you, Bellwether. Just
take care of it!
(setting another binder
atop her stack)
Please. And clear my afternoon, I'm
going out.
BELLWETHER
No, no! But, sir, you do have a
meeting with Herds and Grazing...
sir, if I could just--
He continues through a door. Bellwether tries to follow, but
the door shuts on her, spilling the binders to the floor.
BELLWETHER (CONT'D)
Oh, mutton chops.
As Bellwether picks up her mess, Hopps and Nick appear.
HOPPS
Assistant Mayor Bellwether? We need
your help.
INT. BELLWETHER'S OFFICE - LATER
We're in Bellwether's cramped little office. Nick and Hopps
hover over her while she sits at her computer.
HOPPS
We just need to get into the
traffic cam database.
Nick subtly touches Bellwether's wool puff.
NICK
(mouths, to Hopps)
So fluffy!
HOPPS
Hey!
NICK
Sheep never let me this close.
HOPPS
You can't just touch a sheep's
wool...
71.
NICK HOPPS (CONT'D)
It's like cotton candy. Stop it!
Judy swats Nick, but accidentally hits Bellwether's puff.
BELLWETHER
Where to?
HOPPS
Rainforest District, Vine and
Tujunga.
ANGLE ON the computer screen.
BELLWETHER
There! Traffic cams for the whole
city. This is so exciting,
actually. Well, you know, I never
get to do anything this important.
HOPPS
But you're the Assistant Mayor of
Zootopia.
BELLWETHER
Oh, I'm more of a glorified
secretary. I think Mayor Lionheart
just wanted the sheep vote...
(then, cheerily)
But he did give me that nice mug.
She motions to a mug that reads World's Greatest Dad
Assistant Mayor.
BELLWETHER (CONT'D)
Feels good to be appreciated.
LIONHEART (INTERCOM)
Smellwether?!
Bellwether cringes.
BELLWETHER
That's a fun little name he likes
to use. I called him Lionfart once.
He did not care for that, let me
tell you. It was not a good day for
me.
(pressing intercom button)
Yes, sir?
LIONHEART (INTERCOM)
I thought you were going to cancel
my afternoon?!
72.
BELLWETHER
Oh, dear. I better go --
(to Hopps, while leaving)
Let me know what you find. It was
really nice for me to be--
LIONHEART (INTERCOM)
While we're young, Smellwether!
Bellwether finally opens her big heavy door and leaves.
NICK
You think when she goes to sleep
she counts herself?
HOPPS
Shush. Okay, traffic cams...
(looking at computer)
Tujunga, Tujunga... we're in.
Nick and Hopps watch the footage from the night before. We
can see the jaguar going nuts. Then a BLACK VAN skids up, and
some WOLVES hop out.
HOPPS (CONT'D)
Who are these guys?
NICK
Timberwolves. Look at these
dumdums.
The Wolves suddenly capture the jaguar with a net. Judy
GASPS, shocked. Nick is unfazed.
NICK (CONT'D)
Betcha a nickel one of em's gonna
howl.
The wolves howl...
NICK (CONT'D)
And there it is. What is it with
wolves and the howling? It's like--
HOPPS
(light-bulb moment)
Howlers! Night howlers! That's what
Manchas was afraid of... wolves!
The wolves are the night howlers.
If they took Manchas...
NICK
...I bet they took Otterton too.
73.
HOPPS
All we gotta do is find out where
they went.
She clicks the monitor... but as the wolves drive off, they
disappear through a tunnel and don't come out the other side.
HOPPS (CONT'D)
Wait. Where'd they go?
NICK
You know, if I wanted to avoid
surveillance because I was doing
something illegal-- which I never
have-- I would use the maintenance
tunnel 6B... which would put them
out...
He clicks on another camera. Nothing... then... the wolves
emerge in the van.
NICK (CONT'D)
...right there.
Hopps looks at Nick, impressed.
HOPPS
Well, look at you, Junior
Detective. You know, I think you'd
actually make a pretty good cop.
NICK
How dare you.
Hopps goes back to clicking... we track the wolves through
alleys and back roads.
NICK (CONT'D)
Acacia alley... Ficus underpass...
South Canyon...
HOPPS
They're heading out of town...
Where does that road go?
EXT. CLIFFSIDE ASYLUM - GOLDEN HOUR
The imposing CLIFFSIDE ASYLUM sits on the edge of a
waterfall. Nick and Hopps, hidden on the side of the road,
spy from a hundred yards away.
Nick and Hopps sneak up to the guard gate, where TWO WOLVES
are stationed.
74.
Using elaborate hand signals, Nick motions he's going to
sneak past first. He gets around the gate, but as he gets
close... a wolf sniffs the air... he's onto him.
Nick reaches around and grabs a piece of wood to use as a
weapon. The wolf moves toward Nick... but before he reaches
him... Ooooooooooo!
A distant howl grabs his attention. It's Hopps, cupping her
mouth to make the howl sound distant. The wolf hears it and
can't help but howl as well. Another guard approaches.
WOLF GUARD
Gary, quit it, you're gonna start a
howl.
GARY THE WOLF GUARD
I didn't start it.
(more howling off-screen)
Oooooooo!
WOLF GUARD
Oooooooooo!
More wolves start to howl. Nick looks at Hopps, impressed.
HOPPS
Come on!
Nick and Hopps use the distraction to jump the fence and
sneak into the complex.

Above, they notice a drainage pipe leading into the building.
INT. CLIFFSIDE ASYLUM - LARGE ROOM - MOMENTS LATER
Nick and Hopps emerge from the drain pipe into the creepy
asylum. They're in a large, cavernous room, full of old
MEDICAL EQUIPMENT. It's like a combination of an old hospital
and a turn-of-the-century zoo.
HOPPS
It looks like this was a hospital.
Judy shines her light down a corridor, at the end of which is
a metal door with a blue light shining within. Nick nears the
door, about to open it... the tension builds and then...
75.
NICK
(turns to Hopps)
You know, after you, you're the
cop.
INT. CLIFFSIDE ASYLUM - MEDICAL WARD - MOMENTS LATER
Hopps cautiously pushes the door open to reveal: a room with
modern medical equipment. Nick pops up behind her.
NICK
Okay. All clear.
Hopps rolls her eyes and cautiously enters and looks around.
HOPPS
All this equipment is brand new...
NICK (O.S.)
Carrots...?
Nick points to the ground, which is scuffed with CLAW MARKS.
HOPPS
Claw marks...
NICK
Yeah. Huge, huge, claw marks.  A SAVAGE TIGER emerges behind the glass of a nearby
cage, startling Nick and sending him running to Hopps.
Hopps swivels her flashlight to reveal: dozens of reflective
eyes. Nick and Hopps make their way down a long corridor of
cages, looking for the jaguar.
HOPPS
Mr. Manchas.
He's still feral, on all fours and pacing in a cell. They
continue on, passing three, four, five, cages until finally,
in the last cage: a FERAL OTTER. It's EMMITT OTTERTON.
HOPPS (CONT'D)
It's him. We found our otter.
(to the otter, gently)
Mr. Otterton, my name is Officer
Judy Hopps. Your wife sent me to
find you. We're gonna get you out
of here now.
Otterton screeches at her and lunges toward the glass.
76.
NICK
Or not. Guess he's in no rush to
get home to the Missus.
Hopps looks back down the corridor of cells, counting.
HOPPS
...11, 12, 13, 14. Not including
Manchas it's 14...
(lightbulb)
Chief Bogo handed out 14 Missing
Mammal files... They're all here.
All the missing mammals are right
here.
Before she can respond-- CLICK! A door starts to open, Nick
and Hopps retreat, stuck next to a DARK CELL.
LIONHEART (O.S.)
Enough! I don't want excuses,
Doctor, I want answers.
Reveal: Mayor Lionheart berating the BADGER DOCTOR by his
side. He looks serious, intense, tired.
BADGER DOCTOR
Mayor Lionheart, please, we're
doing everything we can.
Hopps whips out her phone, starts recording.
LIONHEART
Really? Cuz I got a dozen and a
half animals here who've gone off
the rails crazy-- and you can't
tell me why. Now, I'd call that
awfully far from doing everything.
BADGER DOCTOR
Sir, it may be time to consider
their biology.
LIONHEART
What? What do you mean biology?
BADGER DOCTOR
The only animals going savage are
predators. We cannot keep it a
secret. We need to come forward.
77.
LIONHEART
Hmm... Great idea. Tell the public.
And how do you think they're gonna
feel about their mayor, who is a
lion?! I'll be ruined!
BADGER DOCTOR
Well, what does Chief Bogo say?
LIONHEART
Chief Bogo doesn't know. And we are
going to keep it that way.
Beep-beep-beep-- Hopps' parents call in. She frantically
tries to silence her phone.
LIONHEART (CONT'D)
Someone's here!
BADGER DOCTOR
Sir, you need to go, now!
(calls out)
Security! Sweep the area!
AN ALARM SOUNDS. The door to the cell Hopps and Nick are in
triggers shut. They notice WOLVES approaching.
NICK
Great! We're dead. We're dead.
That's it. I'm dead. You're dead.
Everybody's dead.
This gives Hopps an idea. She looks at the HUGE TOILET.
HOPPS
Can you swim?
NICK
What? Can I swim? Yes, I can swim.
Why?
The Wolves storm in, searching for the intruders... and see
the swirling water of a toilet disappearing down the drain.
Hopps and Nick fly through the water slide like tubes of the
sewer system, cascading over a waterfall. Both scream. They
land in the river below. Nick pop up first. He looks
desperately for Judy.
NICK (CONT'D)
Carrots?! Hopps?! Judy?!
She emerges, gasping for breath, holding up the bagged phone.
78.
HOPPS
We gotta tell Bogo!
INT. BOGO'S OFFICE - DAY
CLOSE ON BOGO'S PHONE: Gazelle and Bogo dance on stage. It's
the same app Clawhauser used earlier.
GAZELLE (ON PHONE)
Wow, you are one hot dancer...
(robo-voice)
...CHIEF BOGO.
Bogo is dancing along when, suddenly, Clawhauser bursts in.
CLAWHAUSER
Chief Bogo!
BOGO
(guilty)
Not now!
CLAWHAUSER
Wait, is that Gazelle?
BOGO
(struggling to silence his
phone)
No!
GAZELLE (ON PHONE)
I am Gazelle, and you are one hot
dancer.
CLAWHAUSER
You have the app too?!
(ecstatic)
Oh, jeeeeez!
BOGO
Clawhauser, can't you see I'm
working on the missing mammal
cases?!
CLAWHAUSER
Oh, yes of course! About that,
sir... Officer Hopps just called...
She found all of `em.
Bogo's eyes widen.
GAZELLE (ON PHONE)
Wow! I'm impressed.
79.
EXT. ASYLUM - DAY
Cop cars and helicopters surround the asylum. Hopps, flanked
by Bogo and other COPS, leads Lionheart out of the building.
HOPPS
Mayor Lionheart, you have the right
to remain silent. Anything--
LIONHEART
You don't understand. I was trying
to protect the city.
HOPPS
You were just trying to protect
your job.
LIONHEART
No. Listen, we still don't know why
this is happening. It could destroy
Zootopia.
HOPPS
You have the right to remain
silent. Anything you say can and
will be used against you in a court
of law...

INT. ZPD - LOBBY
Bogo addresses the press. Behind him, POSTERS of the Savage
Animals-- each one MUZZLED.
BOGO
Ladies and Gentlemammals... 14
mammals went missing and all 14
have been found by our newest
recruit, who will speak to you in a
moment. But first, let me remind
you--
Bogo's voice trails off in the background as Nick and Hopps
watch from the side. Hopps bites her nails, nervous.
HOPPS
Rrrgh. I am so nervous...
NICK
Okay, press conference 101: You
wanna look smart?
(MORE)
80.
NICK (CONT'D)
Answer their question with your own
question and then answer that
question. Like this, "Excuse me.
Officer Hopps, what can you tell us
about the case?"
(pretending to be Hopps)
"Well, was this a tough case? Yes.
Yes it was." You see?
HOPPS
You should be there with me. We did
this together.
NICK
Well, am I a cop? No. No, I am not.
HOPPS
Funny you should say that, because
I've been thinking... it would be
nice to have a partner.
She hands Nick an APPLICATION. Then-- click-- she holds out
the carrot pen to him.
HOPPS (CONT'D)
Here. In case you need something to
write with.
BOGO (O.S.)
At twenty-two hundred hours, we
found all these missing animals...
Bellwether gestures to Judy to come up.
BELLWETHER
Officer Hopps, it's time.
As Hopps goes, Nick smiles. He's touched...
BOGO
So now, I'll turn things over to
the officer who cracked the case.
Officer Judy Hopps.
Hopps takes a deep breath and steps up to the dais.
PRESS
Officer Hopps! / Over here! / Here!
HOPPS
(pointing to a REPORTER)
Yes?
81.
REPORTER
What can you tell us about the
animals that went savage?
HOPPS
Well, the animals in question...
(glances at Nick)
Are they all different species?
Yes. Yes they are.

REPORTER 2
Okay, so what is the connection?
HOPPS
Well, all we know is that they are
all members of the predator family.
ANOTHER REPORTER
So, predators are the only ones
going savage?
HOPPS
That is accu-- Yes, that is
accurate. Yes...
REPORTER 3
Wow. Why is that happening?
HOPPS
We still don't know--
More disappointed rumbling.
HOPPS (CONT'D)
(trying to appease)
Ah, it may have something to do
with biology.
On Nick-- huh? The press reacts, too... big time.
REPORTER (O.S.)
What do you mean by that?
HOPPS
A biological component. You know,
something in their DNA...
REPORTER 4
(more aggressive)
In their DNA? Can you elaborate on
that, please?
82.
HOPPS
Yes. What I mean is, thousands of
years ago... um... predators
survived through their aggressive
hunting instincts. For whatever
reason, they seem to be reverting
back to their primitive, savage
ways.
Nick doesn't like what he's hearing.
REPORTER (O.S.)
Of course they did.
Nick looks at the posters of the muzzled animals and shakes
his head, disbelieving. FLASH BACK to his memory of being
muzzled as a child.

REPORTER (O.S.)
(on Nick, as flashback
ends)
Officer Hopps, could it happen
again?
HOPPS
It is possible. So we must be
vigilant. And we at the ZPD are
prepared and are here to protect
you...
This sends the Press into an absolute frenzy.
PRESS
Will more mammals go savage? / What
is being done to protect us? / Have
you considered a mandatory
quarantine on predators?
Bellwether steps in, eager to put an end to the questions.
BELLWETHER
Okay, thank you Officer Hopps, uh,
that's all the time that we have.
No more questions...
Bellwether ushers Hopps off stage.
HOPPS
Was I okay?
83.
BELLWETHER
Oh, you did fine.
Hopps walks across the lobby to Nick, completely unaware that
she just started a controversy.
HOPPS
(excited)
That went so fast! I didn't get a
chance to mention you or say
anything about how we--
NICK
(upset)
Oh, I think you said plenty.
HOPPS
What do you mean?
NICK
(sarcastic, hard)
Clearly, there's a biological
component? These predators may be
reverting back to their primitive,
savage ways.
HOPPS
I just stated the facts of the
case.
NICK
Right. But a fox could? Huh?
HOPPS
Nick, stop it. You're not like
them.
NICK
Oh, there's a them now?
HOPPS
You know what I mean. You're not
that kind of predator.
NICK
The kind that needs to be muzzled?
The kind that makes you think you
need to carry around Fox Repellent?
Hopps sighs guiltily.
84.
NICK (CONT'D)
Yeah, don't think I didn't notice
that little item the first time we
met.
(escalating anger)
So let me ask you a question. Are
you afraid of me?
(Hopps looks heartbroken)
Do you think I might go nuts? Do
you think I might go savage? Do you
think I might try to... EAT YOU?!
He lunges, like he's going to bite her. She flinches and
unthinkingly puts her hand on the repellent.
NICK (CONT'D)
(calm, hurt)
...I knew it. Just when I thought
somebody actually believed in me...
He shoves the application at her.
NICK (CONT'D)
Probably best if you don't have a
predator as a partner.
As he walks away, he takes off the sticker badge, crumples it
and tosses it away.
HOPPS
No. Nick. Nick!
REPORTER 5
Officer Hopps! Were you just
threatened by that predator?
HOPPS
No. He's my friend.
REPORTER 6
We can't even trust our own
friends?
HOPPS
That is not what I said! Please!
REPORTERS
Are we safe? / Have any other foxes
gone savage?
But no one will listen. Not anymore.
85.
INT.
FEMALE BOBCAT NEWS ANCHOR
More bad news in this city gripped
by fear.
News footage shows a CARIBOU being loaded into an ambulance.
Another shot shows a POLAR BEAR in a muzzle.
FEMALE BOBCAT NEWS ANCHOR (CONT'D)
A caribou is in critical condition,
the victim of a mauling by a savage
polar bear. This-- the 27th such
attack-- comes just one week after
ZPD Officer Judy Hopps connected
the violence to traditionally
predatory animals.
MALE MOOSE NEWS ANCHOR
Meanwhile, a peace rally organized
by pop star, Gazelle, was marred by
protest.
The news story cuts to footage of
THE PROTEST: Hopps is caught in the middle of the PROTESTERS,
trying to separate them.

LEOPARD
I'm from the savannah!
GAZELLE gives a sound bite to a NEWS REPORTER.
GAZELLE
Zootopia is a unique place. It's a
crazy, beautiful, diverse city
where we celebrate our differences.
(gestures to PROTESTERS in
background)
This is not the Zootopia I know.
Gazelle's interview plays as VO over a series of shots:
ON A SUBWAY: Hopps watches a MOTHER RABBIT bring her CHILD
close as a LION gets on the train.
GAZELLE (V.O.)
The Zootopia I know is better than
this.
(MORE)
86.
GAZELLE (V.O.) (CONT'D)
We don't just blindly assign blame.
We don't know why these attacks
keep happening...
IN THE HOSPITAL:
Mrs. Otterton watches her husband flail like a madman in a
padded room. Judy approaches her.
GAZELLE (V.O.)
...but it is irresponsible to label
all predators as savages.
MRS. OTTERTON
That's not my Emmitt.
On Hopps-- a look of exhaustion and distress. BACK ON
Gazzelle's interview--
GAZELLE
We cannot let fear divide us.
Please-- give me back the Zootopia
I love...
INT. ZPD OFFICE - DAY
The broadcast plays from Hopps' desk computer. As she
watches, Bogo walks up behind her.
BOGO
Come on Hopps. The new Mayor wants
to see us.
HOPPS
The Mayor? Why?
BOGO
It would seem you've arrived.
INT. ZPD LOBBY - DAY
Clawhauser sighs and closes his laptop. He loads it into a
box of his desk items. Hopps enters.
HOPPS
Clawhauser? What're you doing?
CLAWHAUSER
Um, they thought it would be better
if a predator such as myself wasn't
the first face you that you see
when you walk into the ZPD.
87.
HOPPS
What?
CLAWHAUSER
They're gonna move me to Records.
It's downstairs. By the boiler.
Hopps' face falls. Bogo waits for her in the background.
BOGO
Hopps!
Off Hopps' heartbroken look, we
MATCH CUT TO:
CLOSE ON:
A PHOTO of a SMILING HOPPS. Wider to reveal: The photo is on
a PAMPHLET that reads, ZPD: Integrity. Honesty. Bravery.
INT. BELLWETHER'S OFFICE - DAY
Hopps looks at the pamphlet. Bellwether sits across from her
at her desk.
HOPPS
Um... I don't understand.
BELLWETHER
Our city is 90% prey, Judy. And
right now they're just really
scared.  They
trust you. And so that's why Chief
Bogo and I want you to be the
public face of the ZPD.
Bogo sits next to Hopps. She looks at the pamphlet again.
HOPPS
(struggling to find words)
I'm not... I'm not a hero. I came
here to make the world a better
place, but I think I broke it.
BOGO
Don't give yourself so much credit,
Hopps. The world has always been
broken. That's why we need good
cops-- like you.
88.
HOPPS
With all due respect, sir, a good
cop is supposed to serve and
protect-- help the city. Not tear
it apart.
(deep sigh)
I don't deserve this badge.
She removes her badge...
BOGO
Hopps.
BELLWETHER
Judy, you've worked so hard to get
here. It's what you've wanted since
you were a kid. You can't quit...
HOPPS
Thank you for the opportunity.
Hopps sets her badge on the desk and walks out. Bellwether
and Bogo look at one another in shock and concern.
FADE OUT.
EXT. HOPPS' FARMS VEGETABLE STAND - DAY
Hopps, with a thousand yard stare, works the carrot stand.
She wraps some carrots in a newspaper-- Headline: GROWING
UNREST DIVIDES CITY-- and hands them to a RABBIT FAMILY.
HOPPS
A dozen carrots.
RABBIT MOM
Thanks!
HOPPS
Have a nice day.
RABBIT MOM
(to daughter)
Come on.
Hopps reads the paper as Stu and Bonnie approach, concerned.
STU HOPPS
Hey there, Jude-- Jude the dude,
remember that one? How we doin?
HOPPS.
I'm fine.
89.
BONNIE HOPPS
You are not fine. Your ears are
droopy.
Hopps remains fixed on the newspaper and lets out a sigh.
HOPPS
Why did I think I could make a
difference?

BONNIE HOPPS
You've always been a trier.
HOPPS
Oh, I tried. And it made life so
much worse for so many innocent
predators.
Off-screen, BEEP-BEEP.
STU HOPPS
Oh, not all of them, though. Speak
of the devil. Right on time.
 Its sign reads: GIDEON GREY'S GOOD BAKED
STUFF... With Fresh Produce From Hopps Family Farms.
HOPPS
Is that... Gideon Grey?
STU HOPPS
Yep. It sure is. We work with him
now.
BONNIE HOPPS
He's our partner. And we never
would have considered it had you
not opened our minds.
STU HOPPS
That's right. I mean, Gid's turned
into one of the top pastry chefs in
the tri-burrows.
HOPPS
That's really cool, you guys.
GIDEON GREY, now paunchy, climbs out his truck.
HOPPS (CONT'D)
Gideon Grey. I'll be darned.
90.
ADULT GIDEON GREY
Hey Judy-- I'd like to say I'm
sorry for the way I behaved in my
youth. I had a lotta self-doubt
that manifested itself in the form
of unchecked rage and aggression. I
was a major jerk.
HOPPS
Well, I know a thing or two about
being a jerk...
ADULT GIDEON GREY
Anyhow-- I brought you all these
pies.
He holds out some pies. KID BUNNIES come tearing across the
field, bee-lining for the pies. Stu shouts at the kids.
STU HOPPS
Hey kids!
RABBIT KID
(holding back the others)
Whoa, whoa, whoa!
ADULT GIDEON GREY
Now there's a 4-dollar word, Mr. H.
My family always just called them
night howlers.
Wait. What?
HOPPS
I'm sorry, what did you say?
Stu gestures to the flowers growing on the edge of the crops.
STU HOPPS
Oh, Gid's talking about those
flowers, Judy. I use `em to keep
bugs off the produce. But I don't
like the little ones going near `em
on account of what happened to your
Uncle Terry.
BONNIE HOPPS
Yeah, Terry ate one whole when we
were kids and went completely nuts.
STU HOPPS
He bit the dickens out of your
mother.
91.
HOPPS
(a dawning realization)
A bunny can go savage...
We stay on Hopps as she pieces it together.
BONNIE HOPPS
Savage? Well, that's a strong word.
But it did hurt like the devil.
STU HOPPS
Well sure it did. There's a sizable
divot in your arm. I'd call that
savage.
HOPPS
(as if doing an equation)
Night howlers aren't wolves.
They're flowers. The flowers are
making the predators go savage.
That's it! That's what I've been
missing!
Hopps races away, then turns back.
HOPPS (CONT'D)
Oh, keys! Keys! Keys! Keys! Hurry!
Come on! Thank you, I love you bye!
Stu tosses her the keys to his pick-up. Hopps jumps into the
truck, peels out, leaving Stu and Bonnie in the dust.
STU HOPPS
You catch any of that, Bon?
BONNIE HOPPS
Not one bit.
GIDEON GREY
Well, that makes me feel a little
better. I thought she was talking
in tongues or something.
EXT. ZOOTOPIA - SAHARA SQUARE - STREET
Hopps drives the farm truck to Finnick's van. She knocks.
FINNICK
Who is it?
HOPPS
I need to find Nick. Please.
92.
Finnick gives her a reluctant look, then softens.
EXT. BRIDGE - LATER
Hopps arrives at an underpass. She looks around, it's a
desolate, sad place.
HOPPS
Nick? Nick!
There's Nick, sitting on a lawn chair under the bridge.
HOPPS (CONT'D)
Oh, Nick! Night howlers aren't
wolves. They're toxic flowers. I
think someone is targeting
predators on purpose and making
them go savage.
NICK
Wow. Isn't that interesting.
He gets up, walks under the bridge. She follows.
HOPPS
Wait! Wait, please-- I know you'll
never forgive me. And I don't blame
you. I wouldn't forgive me either.
 But predators
shouldn't suffer because of my
mistakes. I have to fix this, but I
can't do it without you.
He sighs, but still won't look at her.

It seems she lost him, then:
HOPPS (ON RECORDER) (CONT'D)
I really am just a dumb bunny.
Hopps cocks her head. Huh? Nick turns to her... holding her
recording pen.
93.
NICK
Don't worry, Carrots, I'll let you
erase it... in 48 hours.
Hopps sniffles and wipes a tear from her eye.
NICK (CONT'D)
Alright, get in here.
Hopps leans her head on Nick's chest. He gives her a hug.
NICK (CONT'D)
Okay. Oh, you bunnies... You're so
emotional. There we go. Deep
breath.
(then)
Are you just trying to steal the
pen.
HOPPS
I'm sorry.
INT. HOPPS' FAMILY TRUCK - MOMENTS LATER
Hopps drives as Nick sits shotgun-- eating blueberries.
NICK
I thought you guys only grew
carrots.
(then, eats)
What's the plan?
HOPPS
We are gonna follow the night
howlers.
NICK
Okay. How?
HOPPS
(shows picture of weasel)
Know this guy?
NICK
Uh-huh. I told you, I know
everybody.
94.
EXT. ZOOTOPIA STREET - LATER
We find the weasel selling crappy knock-off merchandise on a
street corner.
DUKE WEASELTON
Well, hello, step right up!
Anything you need... I got it. All
your favorite movies! I got movies
that haven't even been released
yet!
An ARMADILLO CUSTOMER scans an array of blatant knock-off
movies like "Wreck-it Rhino," "Wrangled," and "Pig Hero 6."
DUKE WEASELTON (CONT'D)
Hey, 15% off! 20! Make me an offer!
Come on!
NICK
(suddenly appearing)
Well, well, look who it is. The
duke of bootleg.
DUKE WEASELTON
What's it to you, Wilde? Shouldn't
you be melting down a popsicle or
something?
(sees Hopps)
Hey, if it isn't Flopsy the Copsy.
HOPPS
We both know those weren't moldy
onions I caught you stealing. What
were you gonna do with those night
howlers, Wessleton?
DUKE WEASELTON
It's Weaselton. Duke Weaselton. And
I ain't talking, rabbit. And ain't
nothing you can do to make me.
Weaselton flicks a toothpick in her face. Hopps smiles at
Nick.
INT. MR. BIG'S PLACE - A LITTLE LATER
We find polar bears holding the weasel over the ice pit.
MR. BIG
Ice `em.
95.
DUKE WEASELTON
Aaagh! Agh!
(to Nick)
Ya dirty rat! Why ya helping her?!
She's a cop!
MR. BIG
And the godmother to my future
granddaughter.
Reveal: FRU FRU is pregnant.
FRU FRU SHREW
I'm gonna name her Judy.
HOPPS
Aw.
MR. BIG
(to polar bears)
Ice this weasel.
DUKE WEASELTON
All right, all right, please! I'll
talk! I'll talk. I stole them night
howlers so I could sell `em. They
offered me what I couldn't
refuse... Money.
HOPPS
And to whom did you sell them?
DUKE WEASELTON (PRE-LAP)
A ram named Doug. We got a drop
spot underground...
EXT. SUBWAY STATION - A LITTLE LATER
Nick and Hopps approach an abandoned subway station.
DUKE WEASELTON (V.O.)
...Just watch it. Doug is the
opposite of friendly. He's
unfriendly...
They arrive at the entrance and quickly sneak under the gate.
INT. ABANDONED SUBWAY STATION - MOMENTS LATER
They emerge on a platform and spot an abandoned subway car.
96.
HOPPS
Come on!
As they sneak up to it... Hopps pulls open the window and
looks inside the car. They both jump into...
INT. THE GREENHOUSE CAR - CONTINUOUS
They both see the rows of night howlers.
HOPPS
The weasel wasn't lying.
NICK
Yeah, looks like old Doug's
cornered the market on night
howlers...
Click! A door opens off screen! They quickly hide under a
desk as a TOUGH SHEEP LABWORKER enters.
He goes through the process of harvesting the pollen,
eventually producing a small, blue paint ball pellet of night
howler toxin. Nick and Hopps watch it all.
The Sheep's phone RINGS.
DOUG
(into phone)
You got Doug here. What's the mark?
Cheetah in Sahara Square. Got it.
The Sheep loads a gun, cocks it. We see a MAP with pictures
of a various animal targets.
DOUG (CONT'D)
(into phone)
Serious? Yeah, I know they're fast.
I can hit him. Listen, I hit a tiny
little otter through the open
window of a moving car.
Hearing this, the pieces of the puzzle start falling into
place for Hopps. She looks up at the picture of Otterton-- we
FLASHBACK to see Doug hitting him with a serum pellet. Then
Hopps looks at Manchas's picture-- we FLASHBACK to that.
DOUG (CONT'D)
(into phone)
Yeah I'll buzz you when it's done.
Or you'll see it on the news. Ya
know, whichever comes first.
97.
BAM, BAM, BAM! The goons have returned.
WOOLTER (O.S.)
Hey Doug, open up! We've got your
latte.
DOUG
(into phone)
Alright, Woolter and Jesse are
back, so I'm leaving now.
(then)
Out.
Hopps looks around, what is she going to do. As Doug goes to
the door to unlock it, Hopps creeps out of their hiding spot.
NICK
Hey. Hey! Where are you going? Get
back here! What are you doing?!
He's gonna see you! What are you
looking at? Hey! Whatever you're
thinking, stop thinking it.
Carrots! Carrots!
DOUG
It better have the extra foam this
time--
BAM! Hopps kicks Woolter in the back, knocking him into the
other two Thugs. Hopps locks the door.
WOOLTER (O.S.)
Hey, open up!
The Thugs start banging on the doors.
NICK
What are you doing?! You just
trapped us in here!
HOPPS
We need to get this evidence to the
ZPD.
Nick picks up the case.
NICK
Okay. Great. Here it is. Got it.
HOPPS
No. All of it!
NICK
Wait, what?
98.
Hopps rushes to the control room, tries to start the engine.
 Hey,
listen-- It would take a miracle to
get this rust-bucket going.
The train starts moving.
NICK (CONT'D)
Well... Hallelujah!
INT. TRAIN TRACKS - SAME
DOUG
(on the phone)
We kinda got a situation at the
lab...
(noticing train)
Oh! It just got worse!
Doug and his minions race after the train.
BACK TO:
INT. SUBWAY CAR - SAME
Nick and Hopps race away, feeling fairly confident.
NICK
Mission accomplished. Would it be
premature for me to do a little
victory toot-toot?
HOPPS
All right. One toot-toot.
Nick blows the train whistle.
NICK
Well, I can cross that off the
bucket list.
Things are looking up, when:
BAM! Woolter just busted into the car. Nick slams the door
closed right before Woolter gets to them.
NICK (CONT'D)
I may have to rescind that victory
toot-toot.
99.
Noise from the roof above them... BAM! BAM! BAM!
NICK (CONT'D)
Maybe that's just hail?
Uh-oh. Jesse busts through the window. He's stuck, but
flailing at Hopps. Nick tries to pull him away.
NICK (CONT'D)
Back off!
Nick gets punched backward and notices Woolter charging
toward the door at full speed. Right before Woolter arrives,
Nick pulls the door open.
NICK (CONT'D)
Incoming!
Woolter's momentum carries him into Jesse-- dislodging him
onto the tracks. Hopps is knocked out the window, but grabs
onto Woolter's horn. Hopps tries to hang on as the subway car
hurtles down the tunnel.
NICK (CONT'D)
Carrots?!
HOPPS
(to Nick)
Don't stop! Keep going!
JESSE
(about to get run over)
No! No! Please stop!
HOPPS
Do not stop this car!
Jesse dives to safety and Hopps gets bucked up onto the top
of the train. Nick takes the wheel as the train emerges above
ground. Hopps looks up to see... Another train coming toward
them... on the same track! She sees a turn-off switch ahead.
HOPPS (CONT'D)
Speed up, Nick! Speed up!
NICK
(staving off Woolter)
There's another train coming!
HOPPS
Trust me! SPEED! UP!
Woolter sees the train coming and tries to get unstuck, but
he can't. He struggles like crazy.
100.
WOOLTER
Stop the train! Hey!
Then, at the last second, Hopps appears next to him:
HOPPS
Hey. Need some help?
Hopps kicks Woolter off the train and he lands perfectly on
the turn-off switch on the tracks below. At the last possible
second, their train switches tracks-- just avoiding the
oncoming car.
Except...
NICK
Oh no! Oh no, no, no! Too fast!
Hold on!
The train derails as it takes the curve. The night howlers
catch fire.
NICK (CONT'D)
I think this is our stop!
Hopps and Nick dive out of the car and onto a subway
platform... Just as the lab car EXPLODES.
HOPPS
Okay... Maybe some of the evidence
survived.
A second loud EXPLOSION. The train is destroyed.
HOPPS (CONT'D)
Everything is gone. We've lost it
all.
NICK
(shaking head)
Yeah. Oh, except for this.
Nick holds up a case-- containing a gun and a pellet.
HOPPS
Oh, Nick! Yes!
Judy SMACKS him on the arm. Hard. Nick grimaces.
NICK
Ow.
101.
HOPPS
Come on! We gotta get to the ZPD.
Cut through the Natural History
Museum!
INT. NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM - NIGHT
Nick and Hopps race through the empty museum. The ZPD
entrance is just ahead.
HOPPS
Oh! There it is!
They're going to make it.
BELLWETHER (O.S.)
Judy! Judy!
Judy and Nick stop and turn. There's Bellwether, standing
behind them with TWO RAM COPS.
HOPPS
Mayor Bellwether!
(out of breath, rapidly)
We found out what's happening.
Someone's darting predators with a
serum-- that's what's making them
go savage.
BELLWETHER
(applauding)
I am so proud of you, Judy. You did
just a super job.
HOPPS
Thank you, ma'am.
(troubling realization)
How did you know where to find us?
BELLWETHER
I'll go ahead and I'll take that
case now.
HOPPS
You know what... I think Nick and I
will just take this to the ZPD...
Hopps turns toward the ZPD. Uh oh. One of Bellwether's RAMS
is blocking the way. Nick just now gets what's going on.
HOPPS (CONT'D) NICK
Run! Run!
102.
They take off-- away from the ZPD-- down a dark corridor.

Hopps looks over her shoulder as she runs-- not seeing a
sharp WOOLY MAMMOTH TUSK sticking out. It slashes her leg,
knocking her off her feet.
HOPPS
Ach!
NICK
Ah Carrots!
Nick goes to her. Her leg is bleeding badly.
NICK (CONT'D)
I got ya, come here, come here.
He carries her behind a pillar.
NICK (CONT'D)
Okay, now just relax.
Nick digs a handkerchief from his pocket. A few BLUEBERRIES
fall out with it.
NICK (CONT'D)
Whoops... Blueberry?
HOPPS
Pass.
BELLWETHER (O.S.)
Come on out, Judy!
HOPPS
Take the case. Get it to Bogo.

That's not happening.
HOPPS
I can't walk.
NICK
Just, we'll think of something.
Bellwether finally appears, flanked by the Rams.
BELLWETHER
We're on the same team, Judy!
103.
WITH BELLWETHER & THUGS --
Bellwether talks as they look for Hopps and Nick...
BELLWETHER
Underestimated. Under-appreciated.
 Predators.
They may be strong and loud, but
prey out-number predators 10 to
one.
Bellwether sees a SHADOW-- RABBIT EARS. She gestures to the
RAMS-- there they are.
BELLWETHER (CONT'D)
Think of it-- 90 percent of the
population, united against a common
enemy. We'll be unstoppable.
The Rams are about to pounce on Hopps and Nick... only to
find the shadow is coming from a MUMMIFIED JACKALOPE being
illuminated by a shop light.
BELLWETHER (CONT'D)
(to Goons)
Over there!
Hopps and Nick are making a run for it. They're going to make
it to the ZPD! When suddenly...
BAM! A RAM tackles them both, knocking the case out of Nick's
paws. Both of them fall into a sunken diorama. Bellwether,
with case in hand, looks over the edge.
BELLWETHER (CONT'D)
Well, you should have stayed on the
carrot farm, huh? It really is too
bad; I really did like you.
HOPPS
What are you going to do? Kill me?
BELLWETHER
No! Of course not... he is.
Bellwether takes the dart gun out of the case, aims at Nick
and... THWICK! She darts him.
HOPPS
No! Nick?!
Nick starts to shake and crouch. Bellwether dials her phone.
104.
BELLWETHER
Yes, police! There's a savage fox
in the natural history museum.
Officer Hopps is down! Please
hurry!
Nick is starting to turn.
HOPPS
No. Nick, don't do this. Fight it.
BELLWETHER
Oh, but he can't help it, can he?
Since preds are just biologically
predisposed to be savages.
Nick stalks Hopps, who tries to limp away.
BELLWETHER (CONT'D)
Gosh, think of the headline: "Hero
Cop Killed By Savage Fox..."
HOPPS
So that's it, prey fears predator,
and you stay in power?
BELLWETHER
Yeah, pretty much.
HOPPS
It won't work.
BELLWETHER
Fear always works. And I'll dart
every predator in Zootopia to keep
it that way.
HOPPS
(as Nick stalks her)
Oh, Nick! No!
BELLWETHER
Bye-Bye, Bunny.
Nick lunges. He attacks. Hopps screams. Bellwether smiles.
HOPPS
Blood, blood, blood! And death.
Bellwether looks confused. Nick stands up.
105.
NICK
All right, you're milking it.
Besides, I think we got it, I think
we got it. We got it up there,
thank you yakkety-yak-- you laid it
all out beautifully.
BELLWETHER
What?
Bellwether looks at her gun, in disbelief.
NICK
Yea, oh, are you looking for the
serum?
(holds it up)
Well, it's right here.
HOPPS
What you've got in the weapon there-
- those are blueberries. From my
family's farm.
Livid, Bellwether sees a blueberry in the gun's chamber.
NICK
They are delicious.
(licking fingers)
You should try some.
BELLWETHER
I framed Lionheart, I can frame you
too! It's my word against yours!
HOPPS
Oooo, actually--
Hopps holds up the carrot pen.
BELLWETHER (ON CARROT PEN RECORDER)
And I'll dart every predator in
Zootopia to keep it that way...
HOPPS
--It's your word against yours.
It's called a hustle, sweetheart.
Boom.
Bogo and a TEAM OF COPS burst onto the scene. Bellwether
looks to run but there's nowhere to go. She's nailed.
CUT TO:
106.
INT. NEWS STUDIO - DAY
A PREDATOR-PREY news team reads the headlines. FOOTAGE shows
Bellwether being led to jail in cuffs and an orange jumpsuit.
PREDATOR ANCHOR (V.O.)
Former Mayor Dawn Bellwether is
behind bars today, guilty of
masterminding the savage attacks
that have plagued Zootopia of late.
PREY ANCHOR
Her predecessor, Leodore Lionheart,
denies any knowledge of her plot,
claiming he was just trying to
protect the city.
A FELINE REPORTER, KITTY COWLICK, interviews Lionheart.
LIONHEART
Did I falsely imprison those
animals? Well, yes. Yes I did. It
was a classic "doing the wrong
thing for the right reason" kind of
a deal.
BACK TO THE NEWS DESK --
PRED ANCHOR
In related news, doctors say the
night howler antidote is proving
effective in rehabilitating the
afflicted predators...
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY
Mr. Otterton, who wakes up into the arms of his wife.
MRS. OTTERTON
Emmitt? Oh... Emmitt...
She hugs him and he holds her tight. We pull back to reveal
Hopps in the room, watching their reunion.
MRS. OTTERTON (CONT'D)
(to Hopps)
Thank you.
107.
EXT. ZOOTOPIA CENTRAL PLAZA - DAY
Hopps walks through the CENTRAL PLAZA of ZOOTOPIA. She looks
around to see animals coming back together. She focuses on
two KIDS: one pred, one prey playing soccer.
HOPPS (V.O.)
When I was a kid, I thought
Zootopia was this perfect place
where everyone got along and anyone
could be anything...
Hopps kicks the soccer ball with the kids.
HOPPS (V.O.)
Turns out, real life's a little bit
more complicated than a slogan on a
bumper sticker. Real life is messy.
AT THE ZPD: Hopps enters to find Clawhauser back at his desk,
unpacking. What's more-- TWO COPS approach him with donuts.
HOPPS (V.O.)
We all have limitations. We all
make mistakes. Which means-- hey,
glass half full!-- we all have a
lot in common. And the more we try
to understand one another, the more
exceptional each of us will be. But
we have to try.
EXT. CADET TRAINING GROUNDS - DAY
Reveal: Hopps is giving a commencement address to the
GRADUATES of the Police Academy.
HOPPS
So, no matter what type of animal
you are, from the biggest elephant
to our first fox...
Reveal: Nick is a cadet. He removes his shades, winks at
Hopps.
HOPPS (CONT'D)
I implore you... try. Try to make
the world a better place.
On stage, Hopps readies to pin a BADGE on Nick. As she
approaches, they exchange a nod-- a small, sincere gesture.
She places the badge, then gives Nick an official salute.
108.
HOPPS (CONT'D)
Look inside yourself, and recognize
that change starts with you. It
starts with me. It starts with all
of us.
Caps are thrown in the air. The music fades out, leaving just
the APPLAUSE, which is interrupted by:
BOGO (PRE-LAP)
All right! All right...
CUT TO:
INT. ZPD BULLPEN - DAY
Hopps and Nick (now in uniform) sit together among ZPD's
finest. Bogo stands at the podium.
BOGO
...Enough!  We have some
new recruits with us this morning,
including our first fox. Who cares.
NICK
Ha! You should have your own line
of inspirational greeting cards,
sir.

Assignments! Officers Grizzoli,
Fangmeyer, Delgato: Tundratown
Swat. Snarlov, Higgins, Wolfard:
Undercover. Hopps, Wilde...
(beat of anticipation)
Parking duty. Dismissed.
(beat)
Just kidding! We have reports of a
street racer tearing up Savannah
Central. Find him, shut him down.
INT. / EXT. COP CAR (DRIVING SHOTS) - DAY
Hopps drives. Nick rides shotgun, eating a Pawpsickle.
NICK
So are all rabbits bad drivers or
is it just you?
She slams on the brakes. He lurches forward, accidentally
jamming the Pawpsickle into his face.
109.
HOPPS
Oops. Sorry.
NICK
(as he wipes off his face)
Sly bunny.
HOPPS
Dumb fox.
NICK
You know you love me.
HOPPS
Do I know that? Yes. Yes, I do.
They smile wide. They're stopped at a red light, when
suddenly-- a TRICKED OUT RED SPORTS CAR blasts through the
light! They look at each other and smile even wider.
Hopps stomps on the gas. Nick hits the siren. The patrol car
takes off...
EXT. STREETS OF ZOOTOPIA - MOMENTS LATER
The fleeing sports car comes to a screeching halt. ANGLE ON
the license plate: FST NML. Hopps and Nick exit their car and
approach the driver.
HOPPS
Sir, you were going 115 miles per
hour. I hope you have a good
explanation.
But when they get to the driver's window...
NICK
Flash? Flash? Hundred yard dash?!
Yep. It's Flash the sloth.
FLASH
(several beats)
Nick.
CUT TO BLACK:
THE END
|