Swinton

Background

Development

In earlier drafts of the movie, Swinton was the mayor of Zootopia and the film's main antagonist. She led the conspiracy involving predators mysteriously disappearing, as she harbored a secret hatred towards that portion of Zootopia's population. She was portrayed as a calculated and highly intelligent leader, while animatics also imply her to be fairly vain.

Having a pig serve as the film's villain was partially inspired by the filmmakers' research; they discovered that pigs are amongst the most intelligent animals, which would make sense for a character leading a villainous operation while simultaneously fooling their people. The mayor was initially conceived as a pig not just to fit her intelligence, but also so that her appearance (a pink and soft animal) could be easily juxtaposed with her murderous, cold-blooded nature.^[1]

Eventually, Swinton's role as Zootopia's mayor was scrapped in favor of the generally well-intentioned Mayor Lionheart. The switch from Swinton to Lionheart was based on the common conception that lions are "king of the jungle", making it seem logical to cast a lion as the leader of an all-animal city. Bellwether, meanwhile, was given Swinton's role as the main antagonist whose plans stemmed from a hatred of carnivores. Lionheart also became Bellwether's primary target.

Role in the film

According to directors Byron Howard and Rich Moore, Swinton remained in the final version of the movie, but was reworked to appear in a cameo role as a police warden watching over the arrested Bellwether during the Gazelle concert end credits.

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References

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Media Film: Zootopia Soundtrack: Zootopia Video Games: Disney INFINITY: 3.0 Edition • Disney Crossy Road • Zootopia: Crime Files • Disney Emoji Blitz • Disney Heroes: Battle Mode Books: The Big Case • Big Trouble in Little Rodentia • It's a Hustle! • Judy's Dream Files • Judy Hopps and the Missing Jumbo-Pop • Spirit and Strength • The Stinky Cheese Caper • Super Animals! • Zootopia Big Golden Book • Zootopia Little Golden Book • Zootopia Junior Novelization • Zootopia Magical Story Book • Zootopia: The Official Handbook • Disney Zootropolis Padded Classic Picture Story Book • Disney Zootropolis Heroic Colouring Book • The Art of Zootopia • Zootopia: Friends to the Rescue Disney Parks City of Zootopia • Disney Animation Building • Happy Circle Entertainment: "A Whole New World" A Magical Disney Songbook • Hakuna Matata Time Dance Party • Max LIVE: Gettin’ Goofy With It • Summer Blast Parade: Disney Friends Springtime Processional • Move It! Shake It! Dance and Play It! Street Party • Mickey's Storybook Express • Usatama on the Run! Firework: Happily Ever After • Wonderful World of Animation Websites: Meet the Citizens of Zootopia Characters Judy Hopps • Nick Wilde • Finnick • Chief Bogo • Mayor Lionheart • Clawhauser • Bellwether • Yax • Flash • Mr. Big • Koslov • Fru Fru • Mr. Otterton • Mrs. Otterton • Duke Weaselton • Bonnie and Stu Hopps • Mr. Manchas • Gazelle • Peter Moosebridge • Jerry Jumbeaux Jr. • Gideon Grey • Nangi • Doug • Dr. Badger • Priscilla • Bucky and Pronk Oryx-Antlerson • Zootopia Police Officers • Swinton • Major Friedkin • Fabienne Growley Locations Zootopia • Sahara Square • Savanna Central • Tundratown • Bunnyburrow • Little Rodentia • Rainforest District • Zootopia Police Department • Department of Mammal Vehicles • Jumbeaux's Café • Zootopia Police Academy • Mystic Springs Oasis • Cliffside Asylum • Wild Times Songs Try Everything Objects Pawpsicle • Jumbo-pop • Night howlers • Carrot Pen See Also As Told by Emoji • List of species seen in Zootopia