Core Concepts
The author delves into the tumultuous journey of creating The Emperor's New Groove, highlighting the transformation from Kingdom of the Sun to a comedic masterpiece, shedding light on the challenges faced and decisions made.
Abstract
The article narrates the intricate tale behind The Emperor’s New Groove, originally conceived as The Kingdom of the Sun. It explores the transition from an epic Incan myth-based story to a zany buddy comedy. Amid production snafus and creative differences, two versions of the film emerged, ultimately leading to a drastic shift in tone and narrative. The documentary "The Sweatbox" captures this turbulent process, offering a candid look at Disney's animation-making struggles. Despite setbacks and internal conflicts, The Emperor’s New Groove defied traditional Disney norms with its irreverent humor and quirky characters like Kronk. Through an oral history lens, the article unveils how this animated gem came to be against all odds.
Stats
"2000 movie The Emperor’s New Groove"
"Sting wrote five or six songs"
"Premiering at festivals in 2002"
Quotes
"I think Sting taught math in school at one point; he kept a notebook that looked like a mathematician’s notebook." - Randy Fullmer
"We were writing in real time... They had to leave us alone. It was the greatest thing in the world." - David Reynolds