The One and Only Ivan

## Watch on Disney+

***The One and Only Ivan*** is an original film on Disney+. It was released on August 21, 2020. It is based on the 2012 children's novel *The One and Only Ivan* by K. A. Applegate.

## Plot

n 1973, Ivan the gorilla lives with an African elephant named Stella, Mack's spoiled pet poodle named Snickers, a spunky baseball-playing chicken named Henrietta, a toy fire truck-riding rabbit named Murphy, a paranoid sea lion named Frankie and a loquacious parrot named Thelma. Ivan's main friend is a stray mutt named Bob who secretly lives in his enclosure unless Mack has the security guard Castello drive him out. Mack's janitorial employee George brings his daughter Julia who frequently interacts with Ivan. One day, Julia leaves her old crayons with Ivan who suddenly begins taking an interest in drawing with them. Julia is apparently the only one who can decipher his drawings and what they mean.

The Big Top Mall begins losing business much to Mack's concern, but becomes excited when he purchases a baby elephant named Ruby from a bankrupt circus who begins to draw in a crowd and is placed in Stella's enclosure. Ivan is initially hesitant over accepting Ruby, especially when she begins to pry into his personal life. When Stella suddenly becomes weaker and unable to perform, Ivan gives Ruby encouragement to embrace the crowd on her own. Afterwards, Ruby asks Ivan to tell her a story and Ivan reveals how Mack and his wife Helen adopted him when he was just a baby. As Ivan got bigger, Mack became forgiving of his animalistic behavior, but Helen left them out of frustration. Mack eventually purchased the mall and turned it into a circus. Stella asks Ivan to look after Ruby and make sure she is free before passing away.

Mack begins to train Ruby for the circus, which displeases Ivan, and he decides to find a way to free her. Ivan's drawings are discovered by Mack and he decides to make it the next big act, but despite the publicity in the news, Ivan refuses to cooperate. At night, Ivan and Bob trick Castello and free themselves and Ruby. At Ruby's urging, Henrietta, Murphy, Frankie, and Thelma are also released and the animals flee the Big Top Mall to escape to the forest on the other side of the highway. To their disappointment, the "forest" is just an intersection and they are surrounded by more city. Alerted by Castello, Mack manages to bring the animals back while stating to Ivan that he is putting Ruby at risk and tries to keep their escape a secret.

Ruby asks Ivan to tell her another story, and at Bob's urging, Ivan finally explains how he used to live in the jungle with other gorillas. Ivan, then known as Mud, loved to make drawings in the mud and play with his sister Tag who loved playing tag. Ivan was separated by his family when poachers came and he had not seen any other gorillas since. Julia sympathetically gives Ivan some finger paints, enabling Ivan to paint a mural. The next day, visitors come in, along with the reporter Candace Taylor who has heard about the possible escape and decide to film the show. Ivan's mural, a recreation of a forest and lake, is seen by the crowd who responds positively to it. Julia believes that Ivan wants to be free and informs Candace. Soon, protesters arrive demanding the release of the animals. Mack finally gives in and decides to shut down the mall.

As Henrietta, Murphy, Thelma, and Frankie are taken away, Mack has one final moment with Ivan, thanking him for his time while allowing Bob to have one final moment with Ivan. Ivan is then taken to a big gorilla enclosure at the Zoo Atlanta by Dr. Maya Wilson where he is reunited with his kind. To his astonishment, it is situated right next to the elephant enclosure where Ruby is with her kind. Ivan assures Stella's spirit that Ruby is safe under his watch.

During the credits, photos and footage of the real Ivan is shown along with a summary of his life. In a mid-credits scene, Ivan is greeted by Bob who has been adopted by Julia and George who come visit the enclosure along with Mack to check in on Ivan.

## Cast

* Sam Rockwell as Ivan (voice)
* Bryan Cranston as Mack
* Phillipa Soo as Thelma (voice)
* Chaka Khan as Henrietta (voice)
* Mike White as Frankie (voice)/Passing Driver
* Ron Funches as Murphy (voice)
* Angelina Jolie as Stella (voice)
* Helen Mirren as Snickers (voice)
* Danny DeVito as Bob (voice)
* Ariana Greenblatt as Julia
* Ramon Rodriguez as George (as Ramón Rodríguez)
* Owain Arthur as Castello
* Kevin Mathurin as Mike
* Brooklynn Prince as Ruby (voice)
* Hannah Bourne as Helen
* Betsy Graver as Mother in Park
* Beckett Handley as Boy in Photo
* Larry Ridley as Male Reporter
* Eleanor Matsuura as Canface Taylor
* Kriss Dillon as Male Animal Handler 1
* Max Dowler as Male Animal Handler 2
* Indira Varma as Dr. Maya Wilson
* Gary Greenham as Cage Guy

### Uncredited

* Roy Beck as Dad at Circus
* Izzy Billingham as Daughter
* Ben Bishop as Ivan
* Michael A. Blank as 1990's Protester
* Bobby Bonev as Extra
* Sean Casey as Driver
* Alexandria Chester as Extra
* Albert Clark as Janitor
* Jeffrey Crisp as Man Driving Car
* Ruby Donovan as Child
* Filiz Fairweather as Mother with Stroller
* Haley Flanagan as Jennifer
* Jacoline Frank as Mall Protester
* Brennen Frost as Protester
* Ireland Frost as Mall Protester
* Rod Grant as Mall Protester
* Justin Hidy as Protester/Shopper
* Darcey Hogan as Circus Girl
* Jeremy Holder as Mall Protester
* Jessica Hyde as Mall Patron
* Bryson JonSteele as Playground Kid
* Danny La Placa as Neighbor
* Kevin Lapham as Mall Protester
* Tyrone Love as Mall Cop
* Larry Lytel as 90's Protester
* Dennis Mallen as 80's Protester
* Jeremy Oliver as Circus Visitor
* Austin Peer as Zoo Patron
* Dean Phillippi Sr. as RV Camper Driver
* Charles Privette as Truck Driver
* Jacqueline Ramnarine as Audience Watching the Show
* Jude Allenby-dos Santos as Kev (Boy in Mall with His Mom)
* Robyn Scaletta as Mall Protester
* Louie Sherlock as Extra
* Davina Sitaram as Passerby
* Chloe Stannage as Child
* Richard J. Valentine as Mall Protester
* Roberto Vivancos as Richard Moore
* Jake Wallin as Mall Protester
* Megan Welch as Extra