Piper Curda Scores Lead Role in Pixar's New Movie "Hoppers"

Piper Curda, a former Disney actor, certainly has reasons to celebrate as she landed the lead role in Pixar's upcoming animated film, “Hoppers”. The exciting news reached her while she was in her Chicago apartment and the moments that followed were filled with pure joy and a humble celebration with her best friend. Curda finds the simplicity of this moment a stark contrast to how immense the rest of the experience has been.

Currently situated in the U.K., Curda is wrapping up a rigorous press tour before the movie hits the screens. In “Hoppers”, Curda breathes life into the character of 19-year-old Mabel Tanaka, an ardent animal lover. Mabel embarks on an adventurous journey undercover in the animal kingdom, courtesy of a technology that can transfer human consciousness into lifelike robots. For the 28-year-old Curda, it’s a monumental role she had been waiting for.

Curda’s acting career dates back to her childhood, with “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” being one of her earliest gigs. She acted in a variety of mid-2010s Disney projects as a teenager, including TV shows and movies such as “I Didn’t Do It,” “A.N.T Farm,” “Liv and Maddie” “Teen Beach 2,” and in the Disney XD animated series, “Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade Ninja.” Her career progressed steadily with varied roles in “The Wretched,” “Youth & Consequences,” and “May December.”

The pandemic and the actors strike affected Curda's regular acting work, which led her to seek refuge in TikTok, a space for her to share the insights and intricacies of her career. Her honest interaction with followers, sharing even her stint in retail work, resonated with her audience and fortuitously caught the attention of “Hoppers” director Daniel Chong, leading to her audition and ultimately landing the role.

Though accustomed to the spotlight, being featured as a lead in a full-length film is a novel experience for Curda. She acknowledges how unique and empowering the role of Mabel is, especially for young women, given her defiant and resilient character that never backs down.

Looking back at her run in the industry, Curda becomes emotional. She acknowledges that her journey has been everything she ever wanted to do, despite witnessing many of her peers walking away from acting. Her unwavering determination is paying off, and she is more than grateful that she persisted.