Original Screenplay byJared Bush, Phil JohnstonStory byByron Howard, Rich Moore, Jared Bush, Jim Reardon, Josie Trinidad, Phil Johnston and Jennifer LeeZOOTOPIANO REPRODUCTION OF ANY PORTION OF THIS SCRIPT CAN BE MADE WITHOUT THE EXPRESS WRITTEN CONSENT OF WALT DISNEY STUDIOS MOTION PICTURES
IN BLACK --We hear the feral, primeval sounds of a jungle at night. A timpani bangs an ominous beat.FADE IN ON:A JUNGLE - NIGHTA BUNNY nervously walks through the dark, foreboding forest, frightened by every shadow and moving leaf. YOUNG JUDY (V.O.)Fear. Treachery. Bloodlust! Thousands of years ago, these were the forces that ruled our world. A world where prey were scared of predators. And predators had an uncontrollable biological urge to maim and maul and...The timpani crescendos. A JAGUAR leaps out of the shadows, attacks the bunny, who screams--CUT TO:INSIDE A BARN - A JUNGLE (SET) - NIGHTThe action continues-- as imagined by an amateur stage production.YOUNG JUDYBlood, blood, blood! Reams of red papier mâché entrails ooze from the bunny. And when those run out-- projectile ketchup.Reveal: These are ANIMAL KID ACTORS. The bunny, JUDY HOPPS, 10, is our hero. And this is her play being staged. A banner reads: CARROT DAYS TALENT SHOW!YOUNG JUDY (CONT’D)And death.The CROWD looks on, confused. The music goes discordant as BOBBY CATMULL, a bobcat, bangs a drum. YOUNG JUDY (CONT’D)Back then, the world was divided in two. Vicious predator or Meek prey.