Directed by Mark Dindal

David Spade .... Kuzco (Emperor) (voice)
John Goodman .... Pacha (Llama Herder) (voice)
Eartha Kitt .... Yzma (voice)
Patrick Warburton .... Kronk (voice)
Wendie Malick .... Pacha's wife (voice)
Tom Jones .... Kuzco's Singer

Produced by Randy Fullmer, Don Hahn (executive)
Original music by John Debney Sting (songs)
Film Editing by Tom Finan

Rated G

1. Perfect World - Tom Jones 2. My Funny Friend And Me - Sting 3. Snuff Out The Light (Yzums's Song) - Eartha Kitt 4. Walk The Llama Llama - Rascal Flatts 5. Perfect World - Tom Jones (reprise) 6. Run Llama Run 7. One Day She'll Love Me - Sting/Shawn Colvin (bonus track) 8. New Hope, A 9. Beware The Groove 10. Jungle Rescue, The 11. Pacha's Homecoming / Blue Plate Special, The 12. Great Battle, The / Friends Forever

THE STORY BEHIND THE FILM

The development process for a Disney animated feature is a long and arduous one that is always measured in years and frequently has its share of false starts or dead ends. "Aladdin," "The Lion King," and "Tarzan" are just three examples of recent films that ended up dramatically different from the original concepts. As with all filmmaking endeavors, finding the right combination of characters and story is a delicate balance that requires lots of determination, persistence and creativity.

The origins of "The Emperor's New Groove" date back to 1994, when the creative team began developing a very different version of the story. Originally titled "Kingdom in the Sun," the first approach was a dramatic story inspired by pre-Columbian legend and prominently featured an ambitious song score by Sting. As a normal part of the development process, the story took many unexpected turns along the way. Ultimately, it was decided to take the film in a whole new direction. In 1998, the story was completely revamped with only two of the main comedic characters and a few elements from the original treatment retained. Dindal and Fullmer oversaw the creation of a new concept, storyboards and screenplay.

Fullmer recalls, "For the first two years, the film was a more serious epic film. But we reached a point where we realized we weren't having much fun and we really wanted to go on a different path."

"We were trying desperately to figure out what to do with the story and how to give it a new spin," adds Dindal, "when one of our story guys, Chris Williams, came up with a much kookier, wackier, crazier version that was also very charming. He had the idea of making Pacha an older character as opposed to the teenager that he was in the original story. This spun things in a completely new direction for us and sparked a whole new approach. Peter Schneider (chairman of The Walt Disney Studios) encouraged us to 'think outside the box.' He wanted us to turn things upside down and think differently. Along with Randy and our writer Dave Reynolds, we began to kick things around and it gave us a new sense of spirit, enthusiasm, and fun. Kuzco is not your typical Disney lead character - a sympathetic, vulnerable character who has a desire but somebody is holding him back. He's completely the opposite of that and winds up in a predicament needing the help of somebody who is very good.

"I have always felt that the more absurd the characters are in a given situation, the more fun you can have with them," notes Dindal. "One of the things that really intrigued us was finding a way to mix absurdity with emotion. When you do that you get the best of both worlds because it doesn't get too sentimental. In this film, we have a real odd couple - a young guy who only thinks of himself and a common peasant who always thinks of others. The humor emerges from their extreme personalities."

KRONK CARRIED THE GROOVE
Subject: The_Emperors_New_Groove
Date: Mon, 31 Dec 2001
From: Stefanie

Enjoyed this movie mainly because of Patrick Warburton's voice, his delivery for Kronk. Kronk should have his own movie!

BEWARE THE GROOVE
Subject: The_Emperors_New_Groove
Date: Tue, 25 Sep 2001
From: Patricia Pascua

I love this movie! In fact I've watched it more than a dozen times since I own an original video CD. I find the voices so apt for all the characters and my sister and I quote lines from the move to each other. I do believe the movie presents lessons on how to be less judgmental, more kind to others, and to value friends and friendship. Also, I believe it illustrates the power of transformation, literally, to change from bad to good, from bratty llama to benevolent emperor.
Patricia Pascua

COOL!
Subject:The_Emperors_New_Groove
Date: Tue, 31 Jul 2001
From: Spencer

This movie made me laugh out loud 50,00000 times over!

GROOVY BABY
Subject: The_Emperors_New_Groove
Date: Mon, 19 Mar 2001
From: Grim Reaper

When I watched this show, it reminds me of God and Man. I see Kuzco's character very much like Man; arrogant and self centered. And Pacha's character is very much like the Good Shepherd; forgiving, understanding and caring. In one scene, it reminded me fo King Nebuchadnazzer when he turn in to a bull and was made to eat grass. This is one animated movie with lotsa reference to the Bible

EAT GRASS
Subject: Related
Date: Fri, 02 Feb 2001
From: Terry

Hello there, I told my wife that this movie reminded me of the King in the book of Daniel who refused to admitt that God not him was the absolute creator of everything and He is the Highest Authority on the Earth. So God reduced him in his mind to that of an animal who ate grass like the cattle of the field. What do YOU think. Am I right or way off base.
Terry

Response: Sure, I like it. -David

A NEW SIDE
Date: Fri, 22 Dec 2000
From: Stars

This movie has a few ups and downs! The family is a great aspect to the movie, because it shows how families should be. The emperor himself did not go well with me!