lia :3

Whilst I believe he would definitely be aware that something's up with her, i would argue he would not force anything out of Judy, nor demand an answer... yet (as we'll see later in this answer).

Whilst the events of Z2 do show they promised to communicate better, this type of change doesn't happen overnight! i believe Judy is the type to need some sort of harsh reality check; she is more of a learn-from-your-mistakes-and-improve type of person due to her throw caution to the wind approach. Thus, by realising that her mistakes not only impact Nick, but also the rest of the mammals around her, and undoubtably her job, she would recognise the importance communication and burn out.

So how would she handle burnout? personally, i see her as a puzzle book lover- she can get wrapped up in something but in the sake of leisure instead. i also think she'd like to do long runs in the park listening to Gazelle.

But mainly, i think she'd spend her time with Nick (obv) hanging out at his place, going out to dinner, or just doing other stuff other than work. I'd like to think one of the ways they'd cope together is just exploring the city, since Judy is still relatively new to Zootopia.

2. Nick!

I think it's easy to write off Nick as someone who isn't stressed easily- which is to a certain extent true, he's a very laid back character - however i also believe he is, or was, quite prone to burnout too.

Let me explain.

We know that Nick was on his own for most of his life. This meant that he had to think, plan and carry out his hustles, all whilst avoiding the law and putting food on the table. That's quite a lot for a young fox! so he definitely had moments of burnout trying to juggle all these things at once.

At some point though, things probably settled a little with the purchase of his apartment and he had some level of stability in his life. Especially with the addition of Finnick, who i headcanon that he met in his 20s, bc then at least he had someone to lean on. Plus he was making 200 bucks a day, so financially he was doing alright.

Emotionally however? probably not so good. Whilst before his burnout was mainly economically concerned and hustle based- he now probably suffers from the fact that for over 20 years, he's never had anyone to truly confide in. He's became a master at masking his emotions, but at what cost?

In concern with how i think he'd cope with his burnout, unfortunately i think he'd turn to alcohol (not an alcoholic per se, but definitely overdoing it more than once in the week), mainly because it's something quick and easy to access. Additionally he wouldn't be doing it totally alone- he would have Finnick and they'd probably make a night out of it. But most importantly, he'd be able to pour his heart and soul out to drunken ears, without facing the consequences afterwards or admitting he was vulnerable.

Life for Nick just became a matter of cruising through life, detached, emotionless, stable- but never truly happy...

until Judy comes along.

Now Nick feels lighter than he's ever felt in over 20 years- he's reached a new level of stability he didn't know existed. Thus, he's the least burnt out ever.

As well as this, Nick realises the importance of staying balanced because, deep down, he knows Judy depends on him between the two of them. Thus, he makes jokes, says comments, and riles up Bogo to distract her for a moment, because he knows she needs it. Nick takes on the unbothered, laid-back, and unstressed Fox out of personal choice this time, rather than it being forced upon him.

Furthermore, he grows more confident in himself (not just in ego!); he's aware that Judy depends on him, thus he's aware of how he needs to be the voice of reason and step up when needed. Nick would learn to trust his gut instinct and not trust Judy when her actions and character are clearly off.

Altogether i think they'd have another long talk about trusting each other, being truthful, hug, make up, and promise to never shut each other out.

okay picture this, it’s the end credits of the most amazing zootopia film in the history of disney. the banter was there, the plot was there, the flirtation was there.

we see the end credits rolling in normal fashion: the gazelle concert. everyone’s jamming around, Gazelle is performing, the vibes are immaculate.

we get the little zoom of Nick and Judy for their voice actor credits, they’re dancing around having a great time…. when…

woah!

Judy all of a sudden pulls Nick down by the tie so he’s tilting slightly and presses a kiss to his cheek.

yeah you heard me CHEEK not lips (😾).

Nick pulls the 😳🫣🤭

and then the camera cuts away to the next main character and their credits.

why? because if Disney is so reluctant to confirm anything, this is the easiest way to “confirm” to the fans, whilst also keeping it vague enough for the wider audience.

2. The Middle Ground

this next potential scene would ideally follow the “realistic” version, or could stand alone, depending on how brave Disney is feeling.

it would be an end of credits scene.

why? It would follow the formula that we saw in z2 with Judy and the carrot pen- it was an announcement to the fans.

this would be a short scene involving Nick and Judy going home after the concert- it’s nighttime, we see the glowing city lights and the atmosphere is calm.

Nick and Judy are walking together back to their apartments. they stop at the place where they part, right under the glowing light of a streetlight.

the camera is set at a far away distance so just their silhouettes are visible: Judy leans in, Nick leans in. you get the picture.

screen fades to black.

this is a nice, lowkey version, made for the fans for that warm comfy end of a movie feeling.

personally i would rather this scene NOT act as a standalone and would rather it follow on the from the realistic version. just because it would give some closure to the film and would seem sort of random. but hey, if disney is reluctant to pair them in the actual film this may be the next best confirmation.

3. The Ideal

okay THIS is the one we’ve all been waiting for, where my little fanfic heart can pour out her endless hopes and dreams for a canon wildehopps moment. i admit, this part took me the longest to think of which is why this post is so late, my apologies!

this is the most realistic and ideal way i can think of disney confirming their relationship.

It's the Gazelle concert (again) and ending to the third movie. the whole film is FILED with will-they-won't-they moments and we're on the edge of our seats on whether they will confirm it or not. most notably, i feel like there would be a moment of very very close confession, like in the weatherwall scene, but somehow it's interrupted or unresolved perhaps just to keep us on our toes.

for this, there are two gazelle songs released for this film: one upbeat and classic pop tune, the other? a little more softer and romantic? which we find out only WHEN we're watching it. (they kept it a secret for max effect) picture "sky full of stars" type song.

we zoom into both of them giving each other those wide-lovey eyes. they smile. discuss their unresolved moment. the chorus builds. the lights strobe. the camera cuts to slow-motion

then WHAM chorus hit and they KISS.

and yeah.

OR we get another heat of the moment confession, which ends in a kiss- cue orchestra and screaming.

either way i'm sat!

i LOVE the contest in angles: we go from live footage of gazelle that is shown on the screens at a tall mammal height, straight down to the smaller fox and bunny height. it really shows just how MASSIVE this concert really is, as well as how intimate it is for them.

Judy is just ADORABLE here, she’s clearly having a good time. the camera actually focuses the slightest bit more on this interaction so we can see their expressions more clearly.

judging from her reaction, and Nick’s lack of reaction, she seems to be:

a. proving to Nick that she in fact is loving it and

b. waiting for a sign of his emotional state,

which makes me wonder if the tickets were a surprise from Nick or something, because she really seems to want to outwardly show her excitement.

her smile widens and she’s clearly waiting for Nick’s response.

her little bounces up and down are just so ADORABLE and ughh i love her sm.

Nick turns to look and her, slightly amused.

and HERE IT IS!

it’s so clear she’s waiting for Nick’s approval to confirm to her “yes Judy, it is really wonderful isn’t it? and i am having a good time, everything is okay.”

AHHH.

and then Nick’s little smile back to her is just EVERYTHING. he seems to be saying “you’re having a good time, aren’t you?”

i hope u liked my analysis! lmk by leaving a comment or shoot me a message id love mutuals.

a WildeHopps movie night - collectively as a fandom we all agree that these two do movie nights. so it would be so cute to see it irl.

a Nick pov scene from Judy - that short little snippet of Judy through Nick’s eyes was just AMAZING. PLEASE i beg 🙏. also the height difference was just so cute.

a tail wagging scene - this would be ADORABLE to just quickly include and would demonstrate Nick genuinely catching feelings. bonus points if we does the “🤔😳🫣🤭” (in that exact order) trope

Nick’s family - memories or flashbacks of his parents and to give some more info on his mother and father. personally, i feel like she’s alive however Nick’s father left very early on.

Nick and Judy high school flashback - i just really wanna see a teenage Nick and Judy.

following on from that, meeting a character from either of their pasts - an old friend or even an enemy. bonus points if they start bringing up embarrassing high school moments please.

“and i’m not the liar, he is!” scene - they scrapped this for z2 but it would fit so well for the action-climax part

A soft Judy reaction - where she observes Nick doing something quite impressive or when they’re playing dress up again, and she pulls the “wow he’s so stunning” face (echoing Nick during the gala)

a WILDEHOPPS DANCE SCENE - okay this is pushing it but some sort of dance (or even little snippet) of something similar the Tangled dance scene.

okay scrap that, i need the entire Tangled dance scene for Wildehopps bc it includes all THREE of my previous points: a soft judy, a tail wagging scene (YK WHEN EUGENE LOOKS AT RAPS LIKE 🤭 WITH HER HAIR BRAIDED) and the dance scene is just 🤌

the whole vibe just gives off a hard days work.

Nick’s shirt just stands out so well here and compliments the lighting/atmosphere too. plus gawd damn does he look fine 😽

we see their differences in personality visually and outspokenly: Judy holds a bunch of case files and on top her partnerships for dummies book, showing the pressure she feels and is carrying. Yet on the top is her partnership book, demonstrating she finds that her relationship with Nick to be the most important.

contrastingly, Nick carries nothing and has his typical laissez faire attitude, paws in pockets.

they discuss proving themselves outwardly.

we get this ADORABLE shot of Nick’s pov and a little glimpse in how he sees her and omg she’s just adorable. the lighting really compliments her eyes.

plus, this scene highlights their height difference like geez Nick really has to look down.

Wildehopps banter ofc.

but just admire the golden sunlight, the acacia tree, the camera blurs and focuses on Nick.

this shot is so amazing.

the hustle and bustle of everyday life in Zootopia- contrasted with Judy studying her files already (characterisation yipee!)

as well as that, the glowing gold lighting framing her is so beautiful. i feel like it kinda highlights how she’s still a smalltown bunny in a busy city.

ofc contrasted by Nick and this shot. like look how cool he looks hitching a ride on this garbage truck. it’s so playful and cool i love it.

it shows he’s at home in the city. he knows it inside and out.

and hello we finally get to see Nick’s apartment?? i love how the lighting turns quite cool and dark, contrasting the previous scenes, maybe portraying how Nick feels “better” with Judy?

and ofc we finish the sequence with the SHRINE. the carrot pen. the newspaper.

Judy occupies his space and has her own dedicated place in his home, how cute 🤭

speech!

when creating dialogue, try and make the conversation sound as natural as possible to the character! re-read/re-watch scenes and study how they talk. for example, do they use a lot of rhetorical questions? do they use any catchphrases? do they use certain words? if so, put them in! capture the “mood” of their speech. study whether they swear or not, this reveals a lot about the character!

speak out loud! read the dialogue to yourself. this is superrr helpful for punctuation, as you naturally take pauses in sentences. additionally, you can see which words take stress in certain conversations.

when finished, read through each line of dialogue and really consider: would they say this? would they react this way? would they NOTICE this?

characterisation!

study body language, movements or gestures, link these to moods. find anything unique to the character, and use this to show, not tell! for example, Judy’s ears lower when she’s negatively surprised, sad, vulernable or emotional. this can also be applied to help break up dialogue heavy scenes. for example, break up sentences with movement that implies how they’re thinking. (“I don’t know…” her gaze lowered, “we’re stuck?”)

think of how they would describe things, how would they perceive things? are they a pessimist or an optimist? skeptical or open minded?

look at how they move. confident? shy? incorporate this into their gestures etc. (he flicked his hair, she tucked her hair behind her ear, he fidgeted with his hands)

roleplay!

try and get someone to act out the scene, or art out the scene yourself. take notes of your own facial expressions, movement, tone of voice etc.

music!

listen to music and find lyrics that resonate with the character. or find music that you think that character would listen to. are they a pop lover? or do they not listen to music much? why do they connect with this song?

mood boards!

create Pinterest boards of what the character would wear or do etc. what’s their style? what are their aspirations?

instagram!

additionally think of what they would post publicly on instagram, what would their social media look like? would it be empty? organised? or even public? this reveals so much about the character!

inspiration!

if you’re struggling to write emotional scenes, look into similar situations the character has canonically been in, and take inspiration. for example, you’re unsure how they’d face in a life threatening situation, look at scenes where they’ve had to do something urgently etc

outside sources!

find other characters who are similar and take inspiration!

lastly, research!

if you’re still struggling, i’d recommend looking up acting techniques of getting into character.