'Zootopia 2' invites ABC7's George Pennacchio to join cast of new Disney sequel
HOLLYWOOD, LOS ANGELES -- Earlier this year, a friend at Disney Animation asked if Eyewitness News Entertainment Reporter George Pennacchio could join in a Zoom meeting. He knew if Amy Astley was asking, it had to be important.
What he didn't know was why. And when he found out, he was both very surprised and beyond excited.
As it turned out, the meeting was with the directors of "Zootopia 2," Jared Bush and Byron Howard.
"Over the years, anytime we see you at a press junket, we are always so happy to see your smiling face. And you've been doing this for over 30 years," said Byron Howard. "And because of that, George, what do we want to ask him, Jared?"
"Well, we want to know whether you might be interested in playing the role of an entertainment reporter in 'Zootopia 2' as a lion?" answered Bush. "What do you think?"
Obviously, he said yes in a minute! He'll be a small part of "Zootopia 2," but it's a big deal! The reporter in George had to pray to get something out of the directors about the movie.
WATCH | Inside the recording studio with George Pennacchio, 'Zootopia 2' directors
"This is a new mystery for Nick and Judy," said Bush. "Our story is focusing on the continuation of their relationship and what that means now that they're actually true partners. We always talk about the first movie as sort of the honeymoon phase for them, and this is what moving in feels like."
So, who is George in this mix of colorful characters? Meet George Purrrnachleo!
"Well, you have great hair, so I gotta say the mane, it's a perfect fit," said Howard.
"It's a very fun, wild ride that I think is going to surprise a lot of people," said Bush.
"Yeah, it's a huge movie and it just got one lion reporter bigger," said Howard. "You! That's you, George!"
"Zootopia 2" will be in theaters Nov. 26, the day before Thanksgiving.
The Walt Disney Company is the parent company of this ABC station.
