Synopsis

Arrogant Incan emperor Kuzco is transformed into a llama after his scheming adviser Yzma tries to poison him. Stranded far from his palace, he must rely on kindhearted villager Pacha to find his way home and regain his human form. Their dangerous journey gradually forces Kuzco to reconsider his selfish behavior and learn the value of friendship.

Factoids & Trivia

• The film began development in 1994 under the title Kingdom of the Sun, conceived as a dramatic musical adventure inspired partly by The Prince and the Pauper. The story was substantially reworked during production and eventually became a fast-paced comedy.

• Singer Sting was originally hired to write six songs for the earlier version. Most of that material was discarded after the overhaul, although "My Funny Friend and Me" remained and received an Academy Award nomination.

• The troubled production was documented in The Sweatbox, filmed by Trudie Styler. The documentary captured the project's major creative changes and the reactions of artists and performers to the new direction.

• Patrick Warburton improvised Kronk's humming theme while carrying Kuzco in a bag. The moment became one of the film's most recognizable comic bits.

• Pacha's pregnant wife, Chicha, was noted in the DVD commentary as the first pregnant woman shown in a Disney animated feature.

• The film was released theatrically on December 15, 2000. It later inspired the television series The Emperor's New School and the direct-to-video sequel Kronk's New Groove (2005).