Actor Ke Huy Quan has starred in major movies like The Goonies and won an Oscar for his performance in Everything Everywhere All at Once. Quan’s latest project sees him taking on the role of Gary De’Snake in the highly anticipated animated film Zootopia 2.
Zootopia 2 hits theaters on Nov. 25, and ahead of the premiere, Quan sat down with CBR’s Grae Drake to dish on another one of his famous movies, 1984’s Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. Chatting about famous Disney sidekicks, Quan touched on who his favorite sidekick was, and it should come as no surprise.
“I did it already. I’m in one,” Quan laughed. “I love Short Round,” he said of his famous Temple of Doom character. “You know, to Indiana Jones,” he said about teaming up with Harrison Ford’s iconic character. “I love that movie so much. Yeah, and I think Short Round is…I think it’s Indy’s best sidekick – if I’m being biased,” Quan said.
Quan’s Short Round character appeared in only one Indiana Jones movie, The Temple of Doom, which was a prequel film set in 1935, a year before the events of Raiders of the Lost Ark. He was introduced in the film as an 11-year-old taxi driver in Shanghai. Short Round plays a key role in rescuing Indiana Jones from the movie’s main villain. After his successful career as a child actor, Quan took a break from acting and focused on more behind-the-scenes movie roles. He made a major comeback in 2022’s sci-fi comedy-drama Everything Everywhere All at Once, which nabbed him an Oscar.
Quan Joins an All-Star Cast in Zootopia 2
Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones and Ke Huy Quan as Short Round from Indiana Jones and the Temple of DoomImage via Lucasfilm
In his newest movie, Zootopia 2, Quan voices Gary De’Snake alongside Ginnifer Goodwin’s Judy Hopps and Jason Bateman’s Nick Wilde, who are reprising their roles from the original Zootopia. The sequel film also features the voices of Andy Samberg, Fortune Feimster, David Strathairn, Idris Elba, Shakira, Quinta Brunson, Patrick Warburton, Danny Trejo, Bonnie Hunt, Alan Tudyk, John Leguizamo, Brenda Song, Jean Reno, Macaulay Culkin, Brenda Song, and Josh Dallas.
Zootopia 2 is already Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes with a 93% critic score based on 82 reviews. CBR’s Caralynn Matassa said in her review that the sequel, which comes nine years after the original film, is “almost flawless.”
“The dialogue is witty, fast, and layered slapstick for kids, clever asides for adults, and pun-filled to the max (from place names like ‘Gnu Jersey’ and ‘Moleholland Tunnel’ to a caterer called ‘Amoose Bouche’). The Disney Easter eggs tucked in throughout feel authentic and genuinely funny rather than like shoe-horned marketing synergy moments (keep your eyes peeled for ‘The Pandalorian’ and a hilarious Ratatouille moment).
Matassa continued, “The emotional core of the film remains steady as well: Judy and Nick feel like instantly recognizable people we really know, their arcs continuing in ways that feel authentic rather than forced. Judy’s unwavering drive to prove herself and succeed remains her core trait — sometimes overly sunny, sometimes a bit grating, but always grounded by Ginnifer Goodwin’s earnest performance. Jason Bateman’s Nick Wilde is Judy’s perfect counterpoint once again, with his world-weary, lone wolf fox attitude acting as a nice counterbalance to Judy’s chipper, always-helpful demeanor.”
Zootopia 2 is currently playing in movie theaters.
Release Date
May 8, 1984
Runtime
118 Minutes
Director
Steven Spielberg
Writers
Willard Huyck, Gloria Katz
