Why This Disney Classic Is Actually Its Secret Shame

Today, The Emperor's New Groove is seen as an underrated comedic classic in the
Disney vault. But to Disney, The Emperor's New
Groove will always be remembered as just a deeply troubled production. So much so, Disney tried to erase an entire behind the scenes documentary about the making of The Emperor's New Groove from existence.
#theemperorsnewgroove #disney #nerdstalgic
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[@jordanloux3883]

Kronk was originally a sentient rock? Well I'm glad to see they kept his character the same in spirit.

[@kylewood2715]

This made me laugh! Thanks

[@marcospisanis739]

I don't think so. Cause they were different characterizations of minions to Yzma. The rock minion was originally voiced by Harvey Firestein, of La Cage aux Folles fame. Mainly it was the rock minion was a spiritual guide to the original Emperor then tired of his arrogant bs went to Yzma to do evil.

[@krisynthiagomez5883]

Thank god they changed it. Kronk is literally one of the best henchmen ever!

[@igfrcd]

Ironically, the rock was a lot smarter hahaha

[@jessehcreative]

There’s a cut guard character who kept talking about his workout routine that I think was reworked into Kronk

[@SairajRKamath]

This movie is the reason why "pull the lever, Kronk" is heard at the top of waterslides to this day.

[@alenasenie6928]

I say it all the time while playing with friends.

[@Zero_Point_Energy1]

Why do we even HAVE that lever?

[@detaaditya6237]

Hopefully they don't pull the wrong lever

[@mariachingona]

TO THIS DAY

[@PoisonelleMisty4311]

"The Emperor's New Groove" is an animated comedy film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and released in 2000. The movie follows the story of Emperor Kuzco, a selfish and arrogant ruler of an Incan empire who is transformed into a llama by his power-hungry advisor, Yzma. With the help of a humble peasant named Pacha, Kuzco must learn the value of humility and selflessness in order to reclaim his throne. The film is known for its colorful animation, witty humor, and memorable characters, including the villainous Yzma and her bumbling sidekick, Kronk. "The Emperor's New Groove" received positive reviews from critics and has since become a cult classic among Disney fans. It also spawned a direct-to-video sequel and a spin-off animated series.

[@zenquantum1246]

While I’m sympathetic to Aller losing the chance to direct and would like to see his intended vision, The Emperor’s New Groove is a standout comedy among Disney’s catalog and we’re lucky to have it. It’s so funny and wild that it’s constantly inches from turning into a Bugs Bunny cartoon but somehow never loses sight of its heart 🎉

[@AKen_Films]

Much agreed I do feel like if it was just another Disney, musical, epic with romance it would’ve failed to stand out in a meaningful way. Especially in the 2000’s as Pixar and Dreamworks 3d animation was beating Disney at their own game. Would’ve felt like old hat.

[@patrickiamonfire965]

Me too but to see someone else’s passion project being ripped away and the fact they can’t do it anywhere else is disheartening.

[@jamesa.romano8500]

TENG is like the Monty Python of Disney

[@seen921]

Agreed… keep the singing and the faux romance and nonsense… this is classic and even more so as it ages

[@jasonblalock4429]

Yeah. And having seen SweatBox, this video kind of glosses over how troubled Kingdom Of The Sun already was under Aller. Four years of work, and they hadn't even managed to make a usable story reel that anyone wanted to take into full production. By comparison, Aladdin for example went from first concept to theatrical release in about the same amount of time.

[@NotOldGreyWolf]

To me, Emperors New Groove has aged like fine wine. The older I get the funnier it becomes as they had so many adult themed jokes that were missed as a kid. It was brilliantly written. Yet, to this day, I still feel like Disney wishes it didn’t exist or acts like it doesn’t because you never see any signs of the movie in the theme parks no matter how popular it maybe

[@SoBor911]

Sure, but it also led to the downfall of 2D animation in both America and Europe as a whole. Movie goers didn't show up, thereby reinforcing the justification that 2D animation no longer has the same appeal it used to. That's why there's no more big budget 2D animation in America or Europe. Only Japan keeps it alive with The Boy and Heron being the latest example.

[@jaredcaines6688]

@@SoBor911 I’m usually not an optimist (at all), but another way to look at it is this movie is still loved by many and is a great way for 2D animation to have gone out and, ironically, to also live on. 😌

[@nomercyinc6783]

most kids movies and shows have adult themes. modern animation has gone down hill. not disney but look at what they did the teen titans. teen titans go is TRASH compared to the animation we got 15-20 years ago. how have professional artists gotten worse while demanding more pay

[@srose3129]

It doesn't make the Disney adults feel warm and fuzzy

[@Jackson-qi4rw]

​@SoBor911 that was done by Disney on propose. And they did it with a few movies. Because cgi is cheaper to make. Disney wanted them to fail. But absolutely no one who has seen them thinks they failed

[@ItsTheGuy77]

I didn't even grow up with this movie. I watched it as an adult. And it's hands down of the best comedies I've ever watched. It's for all ages & laugh out loud funny.

[@ludwigvan3649]

This scene when the villainess is lifting up her skirt and everyone screams in Terror. Than she grabs a dagger, tied ro her leg and everyone gasps in relief 😂.

[@doomrider7]

​@@ludwigvan3649 That scene lives rent free in my head along with the attempt at explaining how they got there first.

[@Harv72b]

My roommate & I, both in our twenties, rented it when his 2 year-old daughter was staying with us for the weekend. Figured we could put it on for in the afternoon while we did adult stuff. He & I wound up watching it three times on the first day. She slept through it each time.

[@WoodworkingforAnyone]

Same for me

[@christinasharp1230]

Same!

[@fireaza]

I think in the end, it was for the best. The movie we got is one of the funniest and most un-Disneylike movies they've ever made.

[@DawnDavidson]

Its so un-Disneylike I genuinely thought it was one of the other studios. Great movie. 😊

[@LilyApus]

So movies are good when they're not Disney movies, lmao

[@gelchert]

@@LilyApusAt the time, the Disney formula (Broadway-style musical numbers, princesses or literary figures as main characters) was wearing thin, and other studios had started copying it. _The Emperor’s New Groove_ broke away from that formula, and was probably better for it.

[@SoBor911]

Sure, but it also led to the downfall of 2D animation in both America and Europe as a whole. Movie goers didn't show up, thereby reinforcing the justification that 2D animation no longer has the same appeal it used to. That's why there's no more big budget 2D animation in America or Europe. Only Japan keeps it alive with The Boy and Heron being the latest example.

[@BrokensoulRider]

You do realize the only reason it's 'out' right now is because Disney said so, right? Klaus is a 2d movie on Netflix, and it fuckin' SLAPS. Disney purposefully made their 2d animations fail. The last was Princess and the Frog from them. Why? BEcause fuck us. @@SoBor911

[@TheDreadedZero]

I loved this movie. Still can’t believe how much it’s been buried, same with Atlantis

[@owl4522]

Could not agree more, especially regarding Atlantis. What a spectacular movie

[@TheDreadedZero]

@@owl4522 I like to own good movies and Atlantis is only available on a blu ray (no digital) bundled with Atlantis 2. -_-

[@SoBor911]

While the studio deserves blame, movie goers can't be excused either. They didn't show up, thereby reinforcing the justification that 2D animation no longer has the same appeal it used to. That's why there's no more big budget 2D animation in America or Europe. Only Japan keeps it alive with The Boy and Heron being the latest example.

[@waksukka]

Or treasure planet

[@Beanzoboy]

@@SoBor911 It's not the movie goers that choose when companies release their films. It's not our fault they release them at bad times of the year intentionally, and put them against intense competition. They wanted the medium to die, and they wanted to blame everyone else for it.

[@eduardomarquezbarrios1315]

Here in Latin America has always been loved, and Kronk is still a meme referent. Love a lot of the quotes and some iconic scenes

[@SergioLeonardoCornejo]

I'm glad someone mentioned this.

[@ErickSoares3]

And in Brazil (since most people believe that Brazil and L.A. are different things) the movie is highly loved, specially for its superb Portuguese-language dubbing.

[@extr3mev0id19]

I’d be interested to know what the dubbing is like in Spanish/portuguese

[@igualn0mas]

​@@extr3mev0id19in LATAM dub plz, not spanish (awful dub)

[@ErickSoares3]

@@extr3mev0id19 In Brazilian Portuguese, it is among one of the most wonderful dubs ever - but I don't know how it is in Portugal.

[@absolutelynobody28]

This was the Disney animated movie that I watched the most as a kid, I have so much nostalgia for the movie, I don't think any other Disney animated movie will ever compare to this film for me

[@topher2113]

My all time favorite Disney animated movie, hands down, no question. It's one of those movies that I try to play as I'm doing work but always end up just watching it instead. "I've been turned into a cow, can I go home?"

[@BL4K_B4BIES]

You play movies when you. work?

[@ben_hell4437]

You aren't a true fan if you can't quote it word for word, which I'm sure you can Oh, and "you're excused"

[@ukaszd5543]

@@BL4K_B4BIES Many people do. Background noise when cleaning, or just doing anything in the house. I personally put on either some sitcom, or VODs of my favourite streamer on YT.

[@hharden4969]

LOVE that part!! It’s so hilarious how random it is and yet Yzma still lets him go, as if she were a respectful employer to her minions outside of Kronk who had betrayed her beforehand it’s just so perfectly comical in every aspect of it!

[@BL4K_B4BIES]

@@ukaszd5543 i suppose i see how it could be comforting

[@Opus313]

I still quote, "A llama! He's supposed to be dead!"

[@CanaldoDaniloQueiroz]

This movie became a hit here in Brazil, mostly due to a solid voice acting by some high-caliber Brazilian actors. MANY of the so-called Disney failures became very popular here in my country, like Home On The Range and Chicken Little, for "similar reasons".

[@dani13800]

same in mexico lol

[@SlapstickGenius23]

@@dani13800 great voice acting works!

[@RPIXELN]

AH MULEQUE!

[@salmasabry402]

In Egypt as well, the dubbed version was done by great famous actors .

[@schris3]

​​@@dani13800And funnily, I never knew the movie had a startalent interpreting Yzma in the Mexican dub, quite the distinct and iconic voice she has. Although for many mexican guys the star was the voice actor for Kuzco, who voiced Seiya from Knights of the Zodiac (Los Caballeros del Zodiaco).

[@Bazzookie]

I like the quote that one of the writers gave about why Emperor's new groove was as out there as it was. It was more or less "You had a writers room full of people with nothing left to lose." I think what make's Emperor's New Groove so special is that it's kid friendly, but Adult funny, and the jokes are actually well written, clever, jokes. Part of why it's gained a sort of "resurgence" in popularity is because it's actually aged like a fine wine as we've all grown up and are really able to better understanding the jokes a lot more.

[@PoisonelleMisty4311]

"The Emperor's New Groove" is a Disney animated comedy film released in 2000. The movie follows the story of Kuzco, a young and arrogant Incan emperor who is transformed into a llama by his power-hungry advisor, Yzma. Kuzco must then team up with a kind-hearted peasant named Pacha to regain his throne and defeat Yzma. The film is known for its humor, colorful animation, and quirky characters, including the hilarious villain Yzma and the lovable sidekick Kronk. "The Emperor's New Groove" received positive reviews for its wit and originality, and has since gained a cult following among Disney fans.

[@Styrophoamicus]

My wife and I quote this movie to this day ("Pull the lever, Kronk") and even though our kids are too young to "get" a lot of its sharp humour, they still enjoy it, especially when Cat Yzma shows up. It's a Disney classic on its own merit.

[@Olderaccount17]

The couple that quotes "The Emperor's New Groove" together stays together.

[@dystanysam9896]

same here

[@jpriley100]

Me and my wife prefer the "why do we even have that lever?"

[@marymauntz5805]

I remember when I was about six years old watching that scene for the first time and was laughing so hard I started cryin/rolling on the ground lmao

[@paigelamar7658]

My grandpa was not a fan of animated movies, but he always said this one was his favorite. Speaks volumes as to how fantastic this movie really is.

[@PoisonelleMisty4311]

I agree! The Emperor's New Groove is a hilarious and entertaining animated film with great characters and a fun story. It's definitely a classic in the world of animated movies.

[@pjcollects]

I don't know who it was for, but as a teenager, my buddy and I went to the movies one Friday night and it was literally the only film playing that wasn't rated R or just completely uninteresting to us. So we walked into the theater with a bunch of little kids--and then proceeded to bust a gut the whole film. We loved it and were shocked by how great it was, having gone in with zero expectations.

[@evandropba90]

Dude, The Emperor's New Groove it's one of the GREATEST Disney movies here in Brazil because of the voice cast assembled to voice the movie. Nothing againt the original voices but, man... Selton Melo and Guilherme Briggs voices are UNBELIVABLE!! They use so much brazilian slangs that you gotta have a pretty good knowledge of brazilian portuguese to get it, but you'll crack from your chair on every scene!

[@mechajay3358]

I personally feel that Emperor's New Groove is a solid, fun, underrated film that deserves more recognition. But a part of me also wondered a completed version of "Kingdom of the Sun" would've looked like.

[@skx444]

The production is tragic but it’s nice how many people (including me) love this movie all things considered

[@sramspoker]

The Sweat Box is a fascinating Rorschach test. It can be seen a triumphant tale of a great movie being created or a tragedy of passionate artist getting screwed over. Personally I didn’t get the vibes that Kingdom of the Sun would have been that great. I also like how the studio execs aren’t monsters. They can be callus, but you do get the sense they genuinely want to make a good movie, and are even capable of of humbleness when Sting expresses his disapproval of the original ending (that clip of him reading the letter was a bit out of context by the way) If anything the Sweatbox shows the importance of a clear vision that’s needed to tell a story.

[@theadaptationstationmaster]

Yeah, I don't think Kingdom in the Sun sounded that great either. Maybe not terrible but nothing worth grieving over unless you were one of the ones making it (which most people aren't.)

[@wayIess]

It's hard to say how good it would have been given the small test clips we're shown. We're also just given a rough story outline without most storybeats. I'd also argue in Aller's favor however because here Nerdstalgic even points out the guy had a big influence on Lion King. I think the vision he initially had could have been amazing.

[@theadaptationstationmaster]

@@wayIess That's fair enough, I guess. But FWIW, The Lion King is not the only thing that Roger Allers has directed. He also did Open Season which maybe you like but I can't say looks that good to me. (On the other hand, another thing he directed was the short, The Little Match Girl, which I love.) It sounds like the main reason the executives clamped down on Kingdom of the Sun was because test audiences weren't enjoying it. And it's not like they had a vendetta against Allers. From what I understand, they held back on interfering with his vision for a long time, saying, "remember The Lion King."

[@gigicolada]

Came here for this comment 👍🏻

[@cloudedjourney]

My kids regularly ask to watch this again. They’ve never asked to rewatch a modern Disney or Pixar movie

[@VBrinkV]

I almost never rewatch Hunchback of Notre Dame. I rewatch Emperor's New Groove more frequently than most classic Disney films. Sad to see that director's vision lost, but for me and a lot of people it was a different kind of masterpiece.

[@tylermccurry403]

Patrick Warburton is a national treasure. Good luck finding another voice like his when he's gone.

[@nomad1517]

I saw it in theaters when I was 4 with my dad (also saw the incredibles when it came out as well). I remember vividly people clapped after it was over. It was one of the best animated films I ever saw. It's humor was so fresh and real. The visual aspect was fun and warm. Every line was memorable.

[@aidanw9378]

It's crazy how such a crazy process with no direction ended up making such a great film

[@vimy1455]

I remember bringing my then 4 year old son to the theatre watching this and the two of us laughing our hearts out. I bought the DVD as well as the sequel so my youngest son and the whole family could also enjoy the movie. Even my wife loved this movie and our sons, both in their 2O’s now, still speak fondly of this movie.

[@erichall1]

This just goes to show that you can have two totally different visions on a project and perhaps both were completely valid. I'd also like to see a reimagining of what was originally proposed, however, The Emporer's New Groove is still one of my favorite Disney movies.

[@dr.braxygilkeycruises1460]

*The Emperor's New Groove* remains in the top five of my favorite movies (not just animated; ALL movies), and the amazing *Eartha Kitt* is still the character that makes me laugh the most. It's interesting how the terrible things behind the scenes that almost wrecked a movie turns into some of the most masterful films that became classics. *Home Alone* had similar issues. And, of course, *the greatest Christmas Movie ever created, DIE HARD,* also had terrible issues that ended in brilliance. Thanks for another wonderful video!!! 🤗

[@dystanysam9896]

it was Eartha lasted movie she will ever made

[@micaiahclark]

You know, if Disney didn’t absolutely suck in the areas of creativity right now, it was actually be a really cool idea to go and turn the original idea into a full animated movie. Bring the original crew back, let the original vision shine through, maybe make a few references to New Groove, but create something cool and new that audiences already have a soft spot for. Like, fr, if it was good, I think people would watch it, and the studio would win both ways; making something that’s familiar enough to brand as a kind of “remake” that they obviously love to do so much of, but also giving the audience something cool, new, and creative, which is actually what’s wanted by people nowadays. Plus, if they make the entire cast of Southern American descent, and really try to tie in the historical mythology and stuff like that, I think they might also expand their audience of people who are interested too…

[@kimdastorytellr]

Yes a reimagining would be a cool idea if only executed correctly.

[@NovaMaster375]

​@@kimdastorytellr Right now the only thing they can execute is creative integrity

[@andrewchung2940]

Right, that would be infinitely better than any of the live-action remakes😂 Just scrap - or indefinitely delay - Snow White and just reimagine a scrapped movie like Kingdom of the Sun!

[@christiantwist3360]

@@andrewchung2940is it bad I really want Snow White to happen just so I can watch people on the internet complain about it😂

[@jtmm5957]

Crazy how they would never do this despite having the resources to

[@bluesman9832]

It is heartbreaking when a movie underperforms in the box office due to terrible marketing. I am glad it did so well on disk and depending on the contract the creators may have had a better payout. I was working at a multimedia store when it hit DVD and it was insanely popular to rent and for purchase.

[@JKJ1900]

I think the original story still can and should be made into a film 🎥

[@roberttreacy8271]

I think that Kingdom of the Sun could have worked as prequel about Kuzco’s parents.

[@JKJ1900]

@@roberttreacy8271 cool idea

[@TayoEXE]

​@@roberttreacy8271I think it would be ironic and hilarious if Yzma remained the same just to emphasize how old she is. Lol Pacha could legit be a younger Pacha too.

[@viddork]

@@TayoEXE While I definitely think Yzma would work, it's hard to imagine how Pacha could have failed to mention encountering her before at any time during _Groove._ It would be too inconsistent with the movie as it exists.

[@viridiantheforest1037]

I don't think I can imagine her with any other voice though R.I.P. Eartha Kitt

[@305Independent]

The Emperor's New Groove is unquestionably the greatest production Disney has ever released and (at this point) will ever release.

[@FatAlbert1020]

7:43 “It’s called a cruel irony, like my dependence on you”

[@ArchOfWinter]

With all the 'live action' remake Disney is doing, the original concept sounds like a good story for live action.

[@akshayparmar5760]

It’s crazy I just literally re watched this, Kronos new groove, and the show emperors new school. honestly some of my favourite Disney content and something I look back very fondly of

[@mermaidtingzzz]

emperors new groove is one of the few movies I distinctly remember laughing out loud at the entire time in the theaters as a kid, and it still holds up today! I had no clue what tumultuous history it had!

[@ludwigvan3649]

Unbeliebable how this movie with this production story managed to become such a masterpiece.

[@PortalFPV]

My favorite traditional aninimated Disney movie to this day. I even have the birthday song from the movie sung at my birthdays 😁

[@PalmTreeDayDreams]

This was one of my favorite movies growing up and I'm shocked I never knew the history behind it. Thanks for sharing!

[@sandrasnow3569]

This is one of my absolute favorite movies. I wish they would make more like it, honestly.

[@zacheray]

It’s amazing how much they pushed the humor, without losing the heart, and every single joke hit

[@bricelory9534]

It all genuinely has a feeling of not being forced humor at all, or what some Disney feels like in "talking down" to kids in its humor. I don't know how to describe it, but it feels like writers, voice actors, and animators were able to do the things they found funny not what they think kids would find funny - and thus created something that has far more lasting humor.

[@jimbeaux89]

One of my favorite movies ever. Had no idea it had such a troubled production. Makes it all the more impressive

[@gushamborg6690]

That scene with the cook quoting has to be poking fun at the og director. Savage.

[@ilovepupy]

As a Peruvian, I love the emperor’s new groove, but I would have loved to see what that original film was about! Truer to the history of my country

[@PHAZ3_THE_R3APER]

I recently rewatched this, and I was really surprised how much I still enjoyed it 😊😊😊

[@nefariouswatcher]

"Kind of like a family home being demolished and replaced by a gaudy water park." That final comment went hard, damn.

[@roberttreacy8271]

When I was a kid, I wondered why some of the songs on the movie’s soundtrack weren’t in the movie. I found out years later that they were originally intended for Kingdom of the Sun.

[@derfdilla]

I remember seeing it in theaters at like 12 yrs old. I loved it so much, my grandma bought me the dvd, which was my first

[@khloud75]

I grew up watching the movie and the series later on. And again as an adult I still love it and find to be one of Disney’s best movies. Hilarious and heartwarming

[@davidalan6701]

I took my first girlfriend to see it in theaters the weekend it came out it. She was even more of a Disney fan than I am, but neither of us really had any idea what to expect and we left the theater when it was over feeling like we had no idea what we just saw. That summer, I worked at Suncoast video, and it was one of the videos we’d play in store. After one slow day when it was on in the middle of my shift, it became one of my favorites. It was hard to sort of get past your own expectations of what a Disney movie is/should be when you grew up during the golden age, even after how disappointing hunchback and Pocahontas were, so it was hard to wrap my head around it on first viewing. But I still have my gold edition dvd somewhere. It was the first Disney movie I ever bought, and I used my discount.

[@bricelory9534]

I think this is a massive part why it didn't do well in theaters. *Especially* after the very dramatic Hunchback and Pocahontas, we weren't expecting something so intentionally absurd and ridiculous. And looking back, I don't remember much marketing that gave a feel for what the movie would be like, so no one knew what to expect.

[@dannykent6190]

I'm not sure why this video is even talking about pocahontas and hunchback as if they were contemporaries of this film. They came out 5 years earlier. In between then, they had Hercules, Tarzan, Mulan, Toy Story 2... all massively successful films. They weren't still reeling from any losses by any means. That said, I won't speak for pocahontas, which was okay at best.... but hunchback is possibly the most underappreciated Disney animated film out there. The music is some of the best they've ever done.

[@erickmaverick3128]

I wonder how different it would've been if they've just kept the original idea. I mean New Groove was fun in it's own merits, but Kingdom of the Sun sounded awesome.

[@ghostbusterindisguise7623]

Emperors New Groove was perfection. My family loved it from day one.

[@jjfecik]

SO good!! I should have known you were a What Went Wrong podcast fan!!! 👀😂 Such a great breakdown & you never cease to amaze how thorough you are while still being very concise 👌

[@RealBradMiller]

This movie was made for ME! Was hooked on it from the moment I saw it at my Grandma's. The documentary is a crazy watch, wish we had both movies!

[@IISheireenII]

1:01 why can I hear a "no touchy" in that scene xD

[@alysal2568]

Let’s see … a hard working father and devoted mother who love each other, obedient and intelligent children, making friends in hard times, a selfish leader willing to change (eventually 😅) and help the average person, villains who get punished, and so on. Good morals and no agenda so of course Disney buries it

[@jamesa.romano8500]

Was it ever determined if corporate espionage had anything to do with the original Kingdom of the Sun being scrapped? It came out the same year as Road to El Dorado, and given what had happened with Bugs Life/Antz where the two films were blatantly pitted against each other could they have just opted to completely retool Kingdom as a satirical buddy comedy to save face and prevent the same thing happening again? Not 100% sure if there's anything to this, but Katzenberg did lure Elton John over to do the soundtrack when the competing project had one of the Lion King's directors attached to it....

[@abrahamaytemo]

Is it really though? One's Aztec the other's Inca, but Emperor was retooled to be a buddy comedy which El Dorado already was... (I read somewhere on El Dorado they were going for the feel of the old Crosby/Hope buddy comedies of the 40s and 50s?)

[@jamesa.romano8500]

I have no way of knowing for sure it just seemed like a weird 180 to pull seemingly out of nowhere unless they had good reason to. Katzenberg was clearly trying to mold El Dorado into a Renaissance style property similar to Prince of Egypt - and has some minimal success at it but seemed like he lost interest in even trying when he struck gold with Shrek and realized he could get more mileage out of lampooning Disney than trying to beat them at their own game @@abrahamaytemo

[@triadwarfare]

​@@abrahamaytemothey're probably similar enough as a "twin film". Considering the Kingdom of the Sun/Emperor's new Groove had a troubled production, they'll never be able to copy it 1:1.

[@jaredwonnacott9732]

This is not as likely a case of corporate espionage as a case of two studios getting in on a good idea and both following the popular trends of the time. Both films started more serious. Both eventually became more comedic, but only one started as a buddy film and the other was more a prince and the pauper story. They both had people associated with The Lion King, but every major animation studio was fighting for those guys in the late '90s. They both were early films in the self-aware, tongue in cheek, pop-culture heavy comedy that only continued to grow from there, but one is more slapstick and the other is more grounded. There's a lot the same, but there's no reason to think there was anything too underhanded. The only really devious thing would be if one bumped up their release date to steal the other's thunder, but that's just good business.

[@gelchert]

@@jaredwonnacott9732 In fact, if _New Groove_ hadn’t been delayed, it would have come out while _El Dorado_ was still in theaters.

[@nucreation4484]

2:48 "~screening the movies this way is like having someone chop your hands off and pull your pants down in front of a crowd, and you stand there incapable of pulling your pants back up.~" It took me forever to finish watching this video because I kept going back to hear this man say that line over and over. It's so freaking funny. like imagine having your hands all of a sudden chopped off but your chief concern - the thing that is causing you loads of stress - is not the fact that you're losing blood and need to go to the hospital and are about to die but that you can't grasp your pants.

[@taylorgayhart9497]

This is still one of my top movies of all time! Loved it as a kid, and love it as an adult!

[@AM2PMReviews]

I love how it broke the 4th wall at times, was imperfect feeling, and not too focused on teaching a lesson or trying to sell cute merch.

[@Viper1Zero]

Easily in my top 5 Disney movies ever. Such a banger.

[@ninarenee3956]

Our dear family friend is the famed and incredible artist Roger Allers. I appreciate you making such a wonderful piece on this little know fact of Disney history. My name is Nina and Roger named the princess/love interest after me! So you could understand my sadness over not being a Disney princess LOL This was to be the crown jewel on Roger’s long list accolades but sadly was ripped away because of deadlines. Roger left Disney after this and he has gone beyond his stepping stone and produced his own beautiful classic The Prophet which is a book him and my mother would read in highschool. His talented daughter is making a documentary on him and his career so be on the look out for that in the near future!

[@amanda-uw3un]

That's so sad, this is one of my favorite disney films and here in Brazil is a super hit (mostly because of the Brazilian dub that is awesome). I wish I could see the original version too.

[@DinDagaw]

2023 Disney's remake: Emperor turns to a female black girl, realizes how much cruel is the world for women, falls in love with another girl and together (as gay couple) destroy patriarchy

[@GambitsEnd]

It would have been interesting to see the original vision of the movie realized, although I think the project mismanagement and undisciplined creative direction played a big part as to why it didn't happen. In other words, this is probably one of those few instances where the worse idea lost and was salvaged into something better.

[@XFallenFreakX]

I find it ironic but also enjoy it that you and cinema therapy [two of my fav channels] both made vids on New Groove but also looked at different aspects of it.

[@samedz3966]

Hands down the funniest ever Disney film

[@TitanSix]

Everyone on the internet seems to deride executive decisions as always being made from bad, out-of-touch people who wouldn’t know a good idea if it bit them in the face, but in this case, I think changing the movie was justified. The final product of The Emperor’s New Groove is great. It’s a breath of fresh air compared to a lot of the Disney stuff made around this time. And I honestly think that if they went with the original idea, nobody would have held it in high regard. It probably would have been a generic Disney musical adventure. Nobody would be making retrospectives of it. You can lament the original idea being lost to history all you want, but we’d be lacking the movie we got, which is a greater shame.

[@jordandomingue9310]

No other childhood film tops this movie.

[@austinrhoads]

I saw this in a massive theater as a kid and I will always remember how the entire audience was gut laughing continuously from start to finish. I still love this movie.

[@dominiquepowell3158]

I'm still happy with the film and it was one of my childhood favorites.

[@froggybug]

It was absolutely HILARIOUS! It had so many great lines. Eeezma: What? A lama? He’s supposed to be DEAD!!😂😂😂 Also Eeezma: I put that box in another box and that box in an another box and sMash it with a HAmmaaaa!😂😂😂 Kronk: squeak squeak…squeak squeakin! Also Kronk: Everytime he spoke😂😂😂😂

[@CMFrey-ii5tx]

Hm, it’s almost like they’re sitting on raw material for an interesting remake that people would actually want to check out…. Too bad they’re too dumb to see it. And Atlantis. And Treasure Planet.

[@abrahamaytemo]

Lol THIS. Cosigned 100%

[@martabachynsky8545]

I would have _loved_ to watch Kingdom of the Sun. I did like Emperor's New Groove though. My husband and I still quote parts from the movie.

[@mariaclaudiafeitosa3136]

In Brazil this movie is an absolute hit! The actors who voiced the characters were so good that most people my age actually still use a lot of the lines from the movie to make jokes or just references in our daily conversations. I didn't know any of this behind the scenes drama, but I do hope that we get to see the empire of the sun someday. Maybe as time goes by, he'll see an opportunity to show the world his vision

[@defenstrator4660]

My kids were shocked at how good this movie was. It's a genuinely funny film and probably the best comedy Disney has ever done.

[@CJRealHoops1]

Emperor's New Groove is stylistically fantastic! The 4th wall breaks, the surreal humor, humorous anachronisms, and chaotic buddy-comedy plot is VASTLY superior to the self-important run-of-the-mill story that it started out trying to be

[@bricelory9534]

I agree. I feel bad for the artists who were unable to see their vision come to life, but I have to admit, this is a superior result for an audience - especially if the original was going to be along the lines of another Hunchback/Pocahontas. I'm very glad this didn't end up being "Disney but in a new setting" - it was truly fresh and remains the movie I want to rewatch most of this era of Disney.

[@thorr18BEM]

Saw it in the theater, not even knowing what it was, and laughed the whole way through.

[@TheHEROFamily]

This is an absolutely hilarious and fun movie. It's hard to imagine that anyone can dislike it

[@Durwood71]

_The Emperor's New Groove_ is easily one of my all time favorite animated films.

[@LeonardoKlotz]

When Disney wants us to watch something, they'll smother us with marketing But when they don't want us to watch something They won't won't even bother to promote it

[@ChuyChuy]

Watched as an adult with my kids for the first time and was surprised at how much i laughed!

[@jasonguinn6075]

I appreciate the journey and evolution of how this story started and the final product seen by the public. I saw it in theaters, loved it then and I watch it frequently and love it now. I'm sorry to hear about the original version being demolished and I wonder what that original idea would have turned out to be.

[@ignorethis214]

Your use of the movie clips were all absolutely perfect.

[@ernestobesto9990]

Secret shame? Da hell you smokin dawg. This shit an instant hood classic.

[@crisdoesitall]

man this movie was a peak moment in child hood it’s great to know the backstory crazy to see that it could have been an entirely new movie but disney had their hands all over it

[@AleksandrPapeko]

This was my favorite movie as a kid!

[@TheDunbelievable]

Great video, one of the best you have done in months!

[@MrSiriusAB]

This and Hercules are my favorite classic Disney movies. This for Kronk and Hercules for Hades.

[@kylewood2715]

Hades (James Woods) was outstanding

[@NoName-ik2du]

I adore The Emperor's New Groove; it is quite possibly my favorite animated film of all time. It was played many _many_ times in our house when I was a child. I had no idea it had such a rocky development. I do feel for Roger Allers, though. Working on your own project for four years only to have the direction completely changed at the end (but not enough to leave room for your project to make a different debut some time in the future) would be crushing.

[@General_reader]

Me. The answer is me.

[@VongolaXZax]

Its always like that in movies, we think we're watching the actual idea of the movie, when it's actually the second vision of it that came through lol. While the original plot doesn't seem so bad, I'm glad we got the version we grew up with.

[@Zombiesnyder13]

Back when Disney gave a damn about traditional animation

[@KeithGrant]

This movie is one of Disney’s absolute best. It lives on the short, distinguished list of movies where you can choose literally any line from the movie, quote it out if context, and get a laugh (others on the list are Monty Python and Princess Bride)

[@tylerhackner9731]

I love this movie

[@catherinerosa644]

My siblings and I were obsessed with The Emperors New Groove as kids. I don't even know how many times we watched it. Haven't seen it as an adult, but can't see why I wouldn't love it just as much.

[@Luciphell]

It's a family film. Intended to keep kids occupied and not bore parents to tears.

[@ZaydaFleming]

The Emperor’s new groove is my favorite movie. I can quote most lines the dialogue as they are being spoken on screen. That being said I wish The Kingdom of the Sun had been able to be created as well, the concept sounds so incredible.

[@essieblanco625]

I think Aller should still try to make his movie but not have the emperor turn into a lama so it’s not so similar. Also change the names. It can still take place in South America. We have many Disney films that take place in Europe and North America so it’s okay to make another South American film. I like the idea of a more serious South American Disney film. I still love emperors new groove and glad it was made.

[@weltallelite]

This was my favorite Disney movie. I’m glad they went this route. I’d like to have seen the other version, but very happy this is the one that came out.