Hideo Kojima, the renowned video game director and creator of Death Stranding, has made a surprising appearance in the Japanese dub of Disney's animated sequel, Zootopia 2. Kojima lends his voice to the character of Paul Moledebrandt, a grumpy mole who heads up the Zootopia Police Department's IT team. This unexpected collaboration showcases Kojima's versatility as an artist and his willingness to explore new mediums.
In the English version, Moledebrandt is voiced by American actor Josh Gad, known for his role as Olaf in Disney's Frozen franchise. However, in the Japanese dub, Kojima takes on this role, adding a unique twist to the film. Famitsu reports that director Jared Bush personally offered the voice role to Kojima, who accepted it with enthusiasm, citing his love for the original Zootopia and his experience with cameo appearances in live-action films and games.
Kojima's first experience recording a dub for an animated film proved to be quite educational. He shared that the production was impressive, and the pre-made animation made the recording process smooth. As a director, this was a new experience for Kojima, and he found it fascinating to learn about the attention voice actors give to even the smallest details, such as turning pages and minimizing noise.
The director of the original Zootopia, Byron Howard, along with Rich Moore and Jared Bush, is known for seamlessly weaving social themes into their animations, making them enjoyable for both adults and children. Kojima praised the original film, which he saw in theaters with one of his children, for its ability to leave a positive impact and a sense of hope.
Kojima's involvement in Zootopia 2 has generated excitement among fans, and the film is already breaking box-office records in China. This unexpected collaboration between a renowned video game director and a beloved animated franchise is a testament to the power of creative exploration and the appeal of diverse storytelling.
