Kubo and the Two Strings Page #12

BEETLE:

You know something, Kubo? Back when *

you just told stories...Before you *

went on this great adventure, you *

were still very much a hero.

Kubo looks up at Beetle, liking the sound of that. Monkey

does too. She gives Beetle an approving nod.

They go back to eating. Sitting a bit closer together now. We

hold on the moment, savoring it, until...

...it’s interrupted by the distant sound of THUNDER.

Monkey turns sharply and leaps onto the mast. She clambers to

the top where she sits like a silent sentinel.

Mountainous thunderclouds roll across the distant horizon; a *

black smudge beneath a vast fiery sky. A storm is coming and

the sun is sinking into the ocean.

MONKEY:

We’re going to have to head for *

shore. Find a hiding place. And...

Monkey has now switched focus to the bow of the ship. *

Monkey drops down to the deck as Kubo and Beetle turn to see *

Hanzo Origami standing on the very end of the ship pointing

into the dark waters.

Kubo and Beetle walk towards Hanzo. *

KUBO:

The second piece of armor! *

MONKEY:

The breastplate - it’s down there?

BEETLE *

Okay, I got it. *

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KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

57/92

Immediately, Beetle turns, about to leap into the ocean.

KUBO:

Beetle, wait!

BEETLE:

Don’t worry, beetles can hold their

breath underwater for a very long

time.

MONKEY:

What?! Since when? *

BEETLE *

It’s a well known fact, Monkey. *

MONKEY *

You don’t remember anything at all,

but beetles swimming... that’s what

sticks in there? *

KUBO:

No, Beetle. My mother told me a *

story about the Long Lake. There’s *

something under the water. *

BEETLE:

Oh, yeah? What kind of something?

KUBO:

She said there was a Garden of

Eyes. Eyes that stare into you.

Into your soul. They show you

secrets, things to keep you down

there with them... forever!

Beetle and Monkey stare at him a moment. Beetle resumes his

swagger, a little hesitantly.

BEETLE:

Okay. Well, I won’t look directly

into anyone’s eyes. Even if I’m

being incredibly sincere.

Before he leaps in, he looks at Monkey and winks.

BEETLE (CONT’D)

You’re gonna miss me, Monkey. *

And then he’s gone, disappearing under the waves with a

SPLASH. *

DRAFT:
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58/92

MONKEY:

(quietly)

Be careful.

(2350 HSU) HUNTERS SPLIT UP

EXT. SNOW-COVERED TERRAIN - DUSK

A tiny fragment of cloth flutters in the wind, obscured by a *

squall of snow. We ANGLE DOWN to follow its erratic path, *

revealing where we are -

It’s the same spot where Kubo and Monkey first crash-landed.

The scrap of cloth is abruptly speared by a metal spike

attached to a long chain. At the other end of it are the

sisters, drifting through the blizzard.

A Sister winds in the scrap of Kubo’s robe and nods.

SISTER 1

He’s searching for the armor. Just *

like his insolent father.

SISTER 2

Yes, sister. Then we must ensure he

does not find what remains.

They nod to each other and turn away, lifting off into the

shadows in opposite directions.

(2400 ABB) ABOVE/BELOW

EXT. KUBO’S SAIL BOAT - THE LONG LAKE - NIGHT

Rain is pouring down now, building into a full blown storm.

Kubo stares down at the water while Monkey stares up at the

moon, barely visible behind the RUMBLING clouds. Both are

clearly concerned.

KUBO:

(shouting)

MONKEY, I THINK HE’S IN TROUBLE. WE *

SHOULD HELP HIM. *

Monkey stares upwards as lightning CRACKLES far above them.

MONKEY:

KUBO, YOUR AUNTS ARE STILL OUT

THERE. I’M SORRY, BUT WE HAVE TO *

HEAD FOR SHORE.

DRAFT:
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There’s a SPLASH of water behind her, and when she turns

around Kubo has vanished.

MONKEY (CONT’D) *

Kubo! *

Monkey grabs the Sword Unbreakable, then she too moves to *

dive off the boat.

As she jumps something snags her ankle and yanks her

violently back across the deck. Her leg is ensnared in a

chain, and a flash of lightning reveals the grim silhouette

of a masked Sister, holding the other end of it as she floats

above the boat.

The Sister stares down at Monkey, her WHISPERS inexplicably

audible over the sounds of the storm.

SISTER *

Look at this. I come fishing and *

all I reel in is a stinking ape. *

She glides closer. *

SISTER (CONT’D)

How pathetic that this filthy *

creature is all that’s left of my *

sister’s magic. *

MONKEY *

This filthy creature will tear you *

apart! *

She suddenly springs forward, attacking with the Sword *

Unbreakable. *

UNDERWATER *

Kubo swims through columns of kelp and schools of flitting *

fish. They scatter as lightning FLASHES far above. *

An unnatural light, glowing between the inky strands, beckons *

Kubo deeper. *

He pushes his way through the kelp and there, suspended in *

the sea, is the second piece of armor! A golden, shimmering *

breastplate, unmoved by the current; a white hot beacon in *

the black abyss. *

Kubo swims faster, reaching out for the breastplate. He then *

slides his body into it, the armor magically shrinking to fit *

him. *

DRAFT:
01.05.16

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

60/92

He turns to swim back to the surface, but as he does, a *

second, more sinister glow glints off the breastplate. *

It’s a giant, luminous eye atop a serpentine stalk that *

undulates with a thousand legs. *

Before he can stop himself, Kubo is staring directly into it. *

His eye widens. His limbs fall limp by his side. He is *

transfixed. *

The sea creature’s body slithers closer and its dreadful arms *

open to embrace him. *

WATER’S SURFACE *

The storm RAGES. As does the battle on the boat between *

Monkey and the Sister. Lightning and THUNDER tear apart the *

sky as Monkey dodges blow after blow of The Sister’s terrible *

chain. *

Beneath their feet the boat’s deck is beginning to crack and *

unfold, the magic binding it together starting to fade. *

MONKEY *

Kubo! *

The Sister’s chain flies out and wraps around Monkey. The *

Sister reels her in. *

SISTER:

I have crushed creatures who could *

fit this world on their fingernail. *

This victory brings me no honor. *

As the Sister moves to strike, Monkey kicks her and frees *

herself from the chain. *

MONKEY *

Imagine how you’re going to feel *

when you lose. *

Monkey “parkours” herself onto the mast, flipping over the *

Sister’s head and landing right beside the Sword Unbreakable. *

SISTER:

I felt loss only once. *

Monkey grabs the Sword and immediately launches into a *

frenzied assault of her own. *

SISTER (CONT’D)

Eleven years ago, I lost my sister. *

DRAFT:
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KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

61/92

The Sister is now the one dodging the blows, desperately *

trying to regain the offensive. *

SISTER (CONT’D)

She fell in love with a fool and *

betrayed our father. *

They remain locked in combat, the boat’s slow disintegration *

forcing them to become increasingly acrobatic. *

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