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Hey, Judy, I-I'd just like to say I'm sorry for the way I-I-I behaved in my youth. I-I had lot of self-doubt, and it manifested itself in the form of unchecked rage and aggression. I was a major jerk.
―Gideon apologizing to Judy for his behavior when they were children

Gideon Grey is a male red fox and a minor antagonist-turned-supporting character in Zootopia.

Personality[]

Gideon Grey embodies the worst parts of bad children. He's a bully, probably mean to bugs and carries around a solid stick for breaking stuff.
Cory Loftis

Gideon Grey appears to be a very rude and mean character at the beginning of the film. On top of this, it is possible that he was less educated than other children his age, seeing as how he pronounced 'DNA' as 'dunnuh'. He appears to be fairly insecure, but a commanding physical presence and an entourage, mainly consisting of Travis, gives him a certain personal security common in bullying types. At least to Bonnie and Stu Hopps, he reinforces the stereotype that foxes are vile and untrustworthy.

However, later in the film it appears that Gideon has really straightened out, being cited as one of the best pastry chefs in the region, and becoming genuinely apologetic, courteous and respectful.

Role in the Film[]

Young Gideon is first seen heckling Judy during her play when she announces her dream of becoming a police officer. Hearing this, Judy does acknowledge to the audience that her dream may seem impossible to small minds and specifically calls out Gideon which quiets him down for the remainder of her play.

Gideon1

"Bunny cop! That is the most stupidest thing I've ever heard."

After the performance, during a county fair event in Bunnyburrow, Gideon and his black-footed ferret friend, Travis, bully Sharla, her brother, Gareth and a bunny child to take their fair tickets when Judy shows up and calmly demands Gideon returns the tickets to her friends. Gideon simply mocks the young rabbit and pushes her to the ground, to which Judy retaliates by kicking him in the face.

Gideon16

"I want you to remember this moment the next time you think you will ever be anything more than just a stupid, carrot-farming, dumb bunny!"

Angered, Gideon scratches Judy's cheek with his claws, drawing blood, and derides her, snarling that she will never be anything more than "just a stupid, carrot farming dumb bunny". Gideon then leaves with Travis, feeling satisfied, completely unaware that Judy managed to slip the tickets out of his pocket and return them to her friends.

Fifteen years later, an adult Gideon arrives at the Hopps family farm in his delivery van, which shows he has become a successful pastry chef, and (after being convinced by their daughter) a business partner to Bonnie and Stu Hopps.

Gideon5

Judy and Gideon make amends

Seeing Judy, Gideon awkwardly, but sincerely apologizes for his bullying from when they were kids, admitting he was a "major jerk." Judy accepts his apology by admitting she knows something about being a jerk herself.

Gideon8

"I thought she was speakin' in tongues or somethin'!"

They then hear Bonnie and Stu tell some of Judy's younger siblings to stay away from some violet flowers growing around their crops, which Gideon then casually mentions are nicknamed "night howlers." Judy asks about the night howlers and learns they are capable of turning any mammal, including rabbits, aggressive and has a realization. She frantically rattles off on what she had missed and takes her father's truck to drive back to Zootopia, leaving her perplexed parents and Gideon wondering what got her so excited.

Role in Literature[]

The Official Zootopia Handbook[]

Gideon is featured on an ad for his bakery that he has placed in the Handbook. He is seen holding two pies.

Relationships[]

Judy Hopps[]

As a kid, Gideon was a bully to whom Judy tried to stand up for her friends, which led to a conflict between them in which Judy was physically and verbally assaulted by Gideon. This unpleasant confrontation left Judy with a slight fear of foxes.

Fifteen years later, they met up again, where Gideon (having matured into a much kinder person) sincerely apologized to Judy for his bullying when they were kids, which she accepts. Gideon unknowingly gives Judy the key evidence she had been missing by mentioning "Night howlers' as the nickname of a mind-altering flower."

Bonnie and Stu Hopps[]

While we see very little interaction between Gideon and Judy's parents when he was younger, Gideon is confirmed to have matured at an older age, them sharing what is assumed to be a fairly good relationship. Having become a pastry chef, he works in quite close company with them and delivers pies to them regularly. After Judy starts ranting about the night howlers, they share a brief moment of disbelief and mutual lack of understanding.

See Also[]

Trivia[]

  • Gideon is a nod to the antagonists Honest John and Gideon from Pinocchio, taking the former’s species and the latter’s name.
  • Disney animators looked to Disney's film Robin Hood when designing Gideon.
  • As a kid, Gideon's tail tip is white, but when he is an adult it is a deep red-brown, like Nick Wilde's.
  • With the exception of Nick Wilde and a cameo of Mrs. Wilde, Gideon is the only other red fox seen in the film.
  • Gideon's hair resembles Byron Howard's hair.
  • Gideon is one of the few characters in Disney Animation to be voiced by the same actor when the character is a child and when the character is an adult.
  • Gideon was a late addition to the movie and initially was only intended to be a childhood bully that attacks Judy. However, Phil Johnston was always fascinated by bullies and why they behave the way they do. He pushed to give Gideon a redemptive arc and include him in the Bunnyburrow scene to apologize to Judy, give a reason for his poor behavior, and show that Gideon had grown into a matured adult.[1]

References[]

Gallery[]

Wiki-wordmark
Zootopia Wiki has a collection of images and media related to Gideon Grey which can be found at
Gideon Grey/Gallery.


v - e - dCharacters
Main Characters
Judy HoppsNick WildeChief Bogo
Supporting Characters
Bonnie HoppsFinnickGazelleBenjamin ClawhauserLeodore LionheartMr. BigMrs. OttertonStu HoppsYax
Antagonists
Dawn BellwetherDoug RamsesDuke WeaseltonJesseKevinRaymondSheep copsSheep thugWoolter
Minor Characters
Bucky Oryx-AntlersonDavid KoalabellDr. Madge Honey BadgerEmmitt OttertonFlash SlothmoreFrantic pigFru FruGarethGaryGideon GreyJaguarJerry Jumbeaux Jr.KoslovLarryMajor FriedkinMr. Big's mafiaNews reportersOfficer McHornOnçardo Boi CháPronk Oryx-AntlersonPeter MoosebridgeRenato ManchasSharlaTravis
Incidental Characters
Barry DiCaprioBobby CatmullDharma ArmadilloDMV slothsFrancine PenningtonJeremyMarvinMouse foremanMrs. WildeMissing mammalsMuzzled wolfOfficer DelgatoOfficer FangmeyerOfficer WolfordPig wardenPriscilla TripletoePop-PopRabbit girlTiger Dancers
Unseen Characters
JudyJerry VoleOtterton kidsStephanie StalkinewTerry
Cut Characters
Bat eyewitnessGerbil jerksHoney BadgerHugoJack SavageJack Savage's bossKitty CowlickMayor SwintonMorrisMr. WildeOfficer BrieOfficer MabelRazorbacksSkyeWooly
Book Characters
AlexisAmosArmadillo guestBeatrixBella HacklesBongoCarlaCarsonCheetah delivery boyColbyDandyDinahDinah's familyDorothyDr. Frank CunninghamEarl HacklesElderly wolfElephant waiterErnieGeorge LionelGoat guestGoldie GnuHaroldHedyHyena customerInezJaguar wardenJennyLanaLion TeethfestLloydKameelaKristyMabelMel B.Miss BabbageMomof36Mr. and Mrs. EarsleyMrs. NibblesOfficer CharlesPaulaPennyPeter OinkawitzPolar bear janitorPorcupine protesterRaulRoom4FoodSheep touristsSheep boySheilaSingcor SwimSpencerSpiderSquirrel babySquirrel motherStone KoleStoutheart familySusieTiger boy Tiger conductorTonyVernVince MousawitzVioletWulfricDr. Zander Orshack
Game Characters
AliceAntonioBridgetCarlaChucklesClaraClarenceCleoCliveColbyDetective OatesDinksDinoDonnaDribsEarlEveFinnick's lady friendFlowerGertieGiaGlennGrantHerbertHerveHurrietIlanaIrvJanineJustineKarlKateeKevinKrisLanceLeonard (antelope)Leonard (camel)Le RougeLouiseLuciusMarianMarieMartinMerleMitchMontyNeilNeroNoltePamelaPhernPhil (groundhog)Phil (raccoon)PhyllisRamonaReubenRodneyRolfinaSebastianSecretarySir IanTonyTwo-Ton TeddyVictorWandaWayneWilfredWillYolanda
Toy Characters
Law Breaking MouseSafety Squirrel


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