D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event had its fair share of sequel news. Yet Pixar shared a look at a new original film coming in 2026, and it looks absolutely bonkers. The film titled Hoppers is about Mabel, an animal lover who seizes an opportunity to use new technology to ‘hop’ her consciousness into a life-like robotic animal: an adorable beaver and she will face off with an antagonistic mayor who hates beaver.
The story has a strong hook. Haven’t we all wanted to know what it’s like to be an animal for a day? The footage we saw at D23 looked different than the Pixar style which is a good thing. I think Pixar has more than earned the right to play with style.
The film is directed by Daniel Chong, who is best known for his work on the Cartoon Network series We Bare Bears. Chong was also a storyboard artist on Cars 2 and Inside Out. Chong has also worked for Blue Sky Studios, Walt Disney Animation Studios, and Illumination Entertainment.
Piper Curda will be the voice of Mabel. Curda actually has some solid ties to Disney. She has starred in Disney Channel series and films like A.N.T. Farm, I Didn’t Do It, Liv and Maddie, Teen Beach 2, and Raven’s Home. Curda’s sister Saylor also had a role in Disney+’s High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. Curda has also had roles outside the Mouse House like in May December and The Flash.
Bobby Moynihan, who is best known for his time on Saturday Night Live, will also be in the film. Moynihan has some Disney ties and ties to Chong as well. Moynihan had a main voice role in Chong’s We Bare Bears. Moynihan has also done voice work for several Disney films and shows including; Monsters University, Inside Out, Flora & Ulysses, Inside Out 2, Descendants 2, Descendants 3, DuckTales, Monsters at Work, and LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy.
Pixar CCO Pete Docter then teased the role of the antagonistic beaver-hating mayor and he put up a picture of Toy Story’s Ham. Members in the crowd at the Honda Center said, “Ratzenberger?” (Jon Ratzenberger is the voice of Ham and several other Pixar characters). However, Docter quickly noted it was Jon Hamm as the voice.
Hoppers sounds bonkers in the best way. I’m excited to see what the team at Pixar has in store for us come March 2026.
Hoppers hops into theaters on March 6, 2026
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Zach Perilstein is the Editor-in-Chief of the Boardwalk Times
