Hoppers director Daniel Chong on using humor to build connections

Director Daniel Chong crafted Pixar’s Hoppers to explore environmental themes and empathy through comedy; the film took six years to develop and has earned a 97% Rotten Tomatoes rating.

Daniel Chong set out to make Hoppers as a film that addresses the environment and the search for utopia, and he brought the idea to Pixar after early pitches about climate-themed stories. The movie follows Mabel, a teen environmentalist who uses animal transference technology to inhabit a robotic beaver and try to save the forest glade she loves from a highway plan. Chong’s research into beavers influenced the film’s view of nature, and he leaned on fast-paced, somewhat dark comedy to help audiences connect with characters. The project took six years to develop and reunites Chong with Pixar after his time creating We Bare Bears. Key details: - Daniel Chong aimed to explore environmental themes and questions about coexistence and utopia. - The story centers on Mabel transferring her consciousness into a robotic beaver to persuade animals to protect a glade from development. - Chong was inspired by beavers’ ecosystem roles and described them as architects that can restore landscapes. - Hoppers took six years to develop and has a 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, noted as Pixar’s best-reviewed film since Coco (2017). - Screenwriter Jesse Andrews added a backstory about Mabel’s grandmother to ground her activism in grief and deepen audience empathy. Summary: The film emphasizes themes of connection, coexistence, and stewardship while using humor to build emotional ties between characters and viewers. Hoppers is now in theaters and has received strong critical response. Undetermined at this time.