The One and Only Ivan's 3 Post-Credits Scenes Explained
The One and Only Ivan concludes with three post-credits scenes featuring both the real and fictional versions of Ivan. The first reveals the real-life story that inspired the movie, the second sees Ivan reunited with some old friends, and the third captures the playful spirit of the film. Based on Katherine Applegate's 2012 novel and directed by Thea Sharrock, The One and Only Ivan released in August 2020.
The One and Only Ivan marks the ninth original film to be released on Disney+. It was originally meant to be released in theaters, but moved to streaming due to the coronavirus pandemic. The story follows the owner of the Big Top Mall, Mack (Bryan Cranston), who makes a living by displaying wildlife to curious locals. Silverback gorilla Ivan (Sam Rockwell) is the main attraction in the show, though even he is struggling to draw the crowds that the mall once had. On the human side of things, light technician George (Ramón Rodríguez) and his daughter Julia (Ariana Greenblatt) help to care for the animals. The One and Only Ivan co-stars Angelina Jolie as the elephant Stella, Danny DeVito as a stray dog called Bob, and Helen Mirren as a fluffy poodle named Snickers.
At 95 minutes in length, The One and Only Ivan is the shortest Disney+ original movie. There are some heavy moments that will have subscribers tearing up, but the overall tone is mostly light and fun - especially whenever Bob offers his commentaries on events inside the Big Top Mall. Here are the three post-movie sequences that add a little more substance to The One and Only Ivan.
The One and Only Ivan ends with a two-minute sequence that explains the real Ivan's life story. The western lowland gorilla was born in 1962, in central Africa, and then brought to America when poachers threatened his safety. Real photographs mirror tender moments from the movie, such as Ivan laying in bed with his owners and admiring a flower in his new zoo habitat. At the age of five, Ivan was re-located to a mall in Tacoma, Washington, where he would stay for the next 27 years, and where he was taught how to paint as an enrichment activity. In real life, Ivan was relocated to Zoo Atlanta in 1994 and allowed to roam outside with his own kind in the large gorilla enclosure.
During the final credits of the Disney+ film, the scruffy dog Bob shows up to visit Ivan and brags that he can sneak in "anywhere." It's revealed that Bob was adopted by George and Julia, who also visit Ivan and observe that he looks happy. Cranston's character, Mack, then appears and smiles at his gorilla friend, who now enjoys a much better life. Bob, with his growly voice, reminds Ivan exactly who he is: "Never forget, pal. You're the one and only Ivan." The sequence ends with Ivan breaking the fourth wall and saying, "That's me. The mighty silverback."
After the credits, a 20-second sequence shows a young Ivan playing with his twin sister Tag in the wild. Early in the film, Ivan recalls when he was separated from his natural habitat and taken to America. He remembers that he once used mud to draw, and would "get lost" in his thoughts. Ivan then reveals that the only thing he loved as much as drawing was playing with his sister, Tag. The final moment in The One and Only Ivan shows a truly joyous moment in Ivan's life, and also captures the spirit of the Disney movie.
The One & Only Ivan True Story: What Happened To The Real Gorilla