In a rare and deeply respectful move, Disney chose remembrance over replacement.
Tommy “Tiny” Lister Jr.—beloved actor, former wrestler, and the unmistakable voice behind Finnick in Zootopia—passed away in 2020 at age 62, before production began on Zootopia 2. Rather than recast the role, Disney worked with his family’s permission to use archival audio from Lister’s original recording sessions, carefully editing unused and alternate takes to bring Finnick back one final time.
The sequel is also dedicated to Lister in the end credits, making Zootopia 2 not just a continuation of the story—but a posthumous tribute to a voice and presence that left a lasting mark on film, animation, and fans worldwide.
Source: @pubity
