J.K. Simmons, Tommy Chong get run of 'Zootopia' 

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Disney rolls out more major characters for its animated film about an animal city.

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Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY 5:47 p.m. EDT October 25, 2015

Disney's 'Zootopia' explores a world where animals live, work and play on two feet and in clothes. VPC

Oscar winner J.K. Simmons ('Whiplash') voices Mayor Leodore Lionheart, the noble leader of "Zootopia." The mayor coined the city’s mantra: “In Zootopia, anyone can be anything.”

What do filmmakers call the virtual herd of voice actors in Disney\'s animal-filled

"This is a stampede — no, make that a menagerie — of voice talent," says Rich Moore, who directed

(in theaters March 4) with Byron Howard and reveals the cast of animated characters to USA TODAY.

This includes the proud head of the mammal metropolis Zootopia, Mayor Leodore Lionheart (voice of J.K. Simmons), who coined the animal-harmonious city mantra: “In Zootopia, anyone can be anything.”

Sneak peek: Idris Elba goes into 'Zootopia' beast mode

"J.K. is so commanding. We needed Lionheart to be a very typical politician. He\'s very good with the crowd, he has a lot of charisma," says Howard. "And he\'s so full of himself and blustery."

cast is headed by Ginnifer Goodwin, voicing rabbit police officer Judy Hopps, and Jason Bateman, as Hopps\' unlikely fox partner, Nick Wilde.

Tommy Chong voices Yax the Yak, the most enlightened, laid-back bovine in Zootopia.

star portrays the trippy yak who gives life advice from the front desk of the local Zen retreat.

"Yax is into a naturalist lifestyle, holistic living and getting back to nature," says Howard.

"He\'s an emotional life coach," adds Moore. "And I would want Tommy Chong as my life coach!"

Tommy Lister voices Finnick, a fennec fox with a big chip on his adorable shoulder.

Listser, who towers at 6-foot-5, voices Finnick, a fennec fox and one of the tiniest characters in

"We like that Finnick is played by one of the world\'s most enormous men," says Howard. "So he has this huge, booming voice. It surprises people."

Jenny Slate voices Assistant Mayor Bellwether, a sweet sheep with a little voice and a lot of wool.

"She’s the harried, put-upon assistant to Mayor Lionheart. She’s a very sweet sheep," says Moore. "Jenny was perfect. She has a crazy, kinetic energy in her characters, all in her voice."

Alan Tudyk returns to Disney’s recording studio as the voice of Duke Weaselton, a small-time weasel crook with a big-time mouth.

Weaselton is a small-time crook not to be trusted. He\'s appropriately named, given that Tudyk voiced the Duke of Weselton in

"Alan thought the name was very funny and loved the meta-nature of the joke," says Howard.

Bonnie Hunt provides the voice of Bonnie Hopps. Judy's mother. Don Lake voices Judy’s father, Stu Hopps, a carrot farmer from Bunnyburrow.

Bonnie Hunt and Don Lake as Bonnie and Stu Hopps

The longtime comedy team voice Judy Hopps\' rabbit parents.

"We recorded them together to get the real chemistry. They are so funny together," says Moore. "It sells this idea of a couple married for so long who have 275 rabbit children."

Raymond Persi voices Flash, the fastest sloth working at Zootopia's DMV — the Department of Mammal Vehicles.

Persi, a Disney story artist, performed early voice tests for the fastest sloth working at Zootopia\'s DMV (Department of Mammal Vehicles).

"But sometimes the test dialogue is so good, you fall in love with it," says Moore. "Why change perfection?"

Idris Elba provides the voice of Chief Bogo, head of the Zootopia Police Department, in "Zootopia." In this exclusive first look of the animated film\'s extended cast, Elba says he took the part by the horns. "I\'ve definitely got some shoulder envy," says Elba. "Zootopia" opens March 4, 2016. 

Octavia Spencer voices Mrs. Otterton in "Zootopia." The search for the otter\'s missing husband spurs the action on in the animated film featuring a city entirely of mammals. 

Oscar winner J.K. Simmons (\'Whiplash\') voices Mayor Leodore Lionheart, the noble leader of "Zootopia." The mayor coined the city’s mantra: “In Zootopia, anyone can be anything.” 

Tommy Chong voices Yax the Yak, the most enlightened, laid-back bovine in Zootopia. 

Nate Torrence lends his voice to the Zootopia Police Department’s most charming cheetah, Benjamin Clawhauser. He loves his doughnuts and his pop-stars. 

Jenny Slate voices Assistant Mayor Bellwether, a sweet sheep with a little voice and a lot of wool. 

Alan Tudyk returns to Disney’s recording studio as the voice of Duke Weaselton, a small-time weasel crook with a big-time mouth. 

Raymond Persi voices Flash, the fastest sloth working at Zootopia\'s DMV — the Department of Mammal Vehicles. 

Judy Hopps (voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin) is a ground-breaking rabbit trying to make it as a cop on the Zootopia Police Department. 

Bonnie Hunt provides the voice of Bonnie Hopps. Judy\'s mother. Don Lake voices Judy’s father, Stu Hopps, a carrot farmer from Bunnyburrow. 

Foxy Nick Wilde (voiced by Jason Bateman) is working with a rabbit partner to solve a "Zootopia" crime. 

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