Kubo and the Two Strings Page #3

The crowd cheers.

KAMEYO:

Whoa! Ha Ha Ha!

Kubo launches into a dizzying display, playing his shamisen

like a demon. He’s good!

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10/92

MONTAGE:

In a series of quick cuts we catch various glimpses of Kubo’s

story... one fantastical battle after another, an incredibly

violent display of origami theatrics, with paper body parts

raining like confetti around the square.

-A FEROCIOUS SHARK swallows Hanzo whole, until he slices it

open from inside, shredding it into ribbons.

-An over-excited samurai grasps the shoulders of two women.

HASHI:

Oh yes!

-A FIRE-BREATHING CHICKEN forms and belches paper flames at

Hanzo.

-The Beggar Woman CLAPS and CACKLES uncontrollably.

KAMEYO:

HA HA! Kill the chicken! Rip it to

pieces!

-Hanzo runs and turns into a flat piece of paper again

shooting under the chicken’s legs to escape. The paper folds

back into Hanzo to the cheers of the crowd.

-Hanzo gets hit by a flying paper egg shot at him by the

chicken. Hanzo turns, runs, and back-flips over the chicken,

lopping off its head with one swipe of his sword.

-The patient dad covers the eyes of his young daughter, who

moves his hands, not wishing to miss a beat. *

HOSATO:

Oh my!

-The day grows later. Hashi cheers wildly and another man

gags as Kubo continues to entertain the crowd with his

performance with Hanzo.

KUBO:

Hanzo was filled with rage, his

soul tormented by the grief of a

family stolen from him...

Kubo begins playing a more ominous tune and paper creeps out

of his pack, folding as it rises into the air, forming the

dark silhouette of the Moon King.

There’s a gravitas to Kubo as he continues.

DRAFT:
01.05.16

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

11/92

KUBO (CONT’D)

At last, our hero was face to face

with his nemesis, The Moon King!

The two paper figures fly up in the air at each other poised *

for battle, then as they reach fighting distance...

BONG! BONG!

Kubo turns and sees the ringing bell. He lowers his hand and

the origami figures instantly unfold and glide back into his

pack.

KUBO (CONT’D)

(smiling brightly)

So be sure to come back tomorrow!

He hurriedly gathers up his belongings and collected coins as

the crowd behind him realize that’s all they’re going to get

today. They give a MURMUR of disappointment.

HASHI:

What? Oh come on! People like an

ending, please! Where are you

going? No....You can’t leave!

(0600 FDM) FADED MEMORY

INT. ENTRANCE KUBO’S CAVE - EVENING

Just as the bell finishes chiming, Kubo arrives breathlessly

at the entrance to the cave, to find his mother still sitting

there like she hasn’t moved at all.

He smiles gently and sits next to her. They both stare out

at the setting sun, sinking down behind the ocean. The last

rays creep down their faces until shadow covers them

completely. Then, Mother slowly blinks awake.

MOTHER:

(whispers)

Kubo.

Kubo’s Mother looks around the cave.

MOTHER (CONT’D)

Kubo.

KUBO:

Yes, Mother, I’m here.

Kubo smiles softly and takes her by the hand. She smiles at

him.

DRAFT:
01.05.16

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

12/92

KUBO (CONT’D)

Hungry?

She smiles and nods.

INT. DINING AREA KUBO’S CAVE - EVENING

CLOSE ON A BOWL.

MOTHER (V.O.)

And even though he could barely see

his own hand in front of his face,

Hanzo and his army of loyal samurai

pressed on through the blizzard.

They’ve finished dinner and Kubo, the monkey, and little

paper samurai sit next to each other watching his mother. She

moves freely now, reminding us of Kubo during his story time.

We can see where Kubo inherited his talents as she pretends

to step through the deep snow, her arm in front of her face

protecting her from imaginary winds.

Kubo stares intently like a child watching his favorite show.

MOTHER:

And suddenly, as quickly as it had

started, the storm cleared before

him. Hanzo breathed a sigh of

relief, for he was home!

KUBO:

His fortress?! The Beetle Clan

Castle?!!

MOTHER:

Yes! At the very edge of the

Farlands, hidden from the Moon King

by powerful magic...

KUBO:

And then what happened? When he got

to the castle?

MOTHER:

When who got to the castle?

KUBO:

Hanzo, my father.

She is genuinely confused.

DRAFT:
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KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

13/92

MOTHER:

Hanzo... Hanzo was at the castle?

He... Just give me a

second...I’m...no, no...its gone. I

can’t...I’m sorry, Kubo. Perhaps I

could recall a different story?

This obviously happens a lot... her memory is deteriorating.

Kubo tries to play it down.

KUBO:

Mother, what was father like?

MOTHER:

(smiles)

Oh, this one is easy. Hanzo was a

mighty warrior, skilled with sword

and bow...

KUBO:

No. What was he really like? When

he wasn’t fighting... when he was

with us.

She pauses, caught off guard, then smiles softly. For the

first time, she seems really lucid.

MOTHER:

He was just like you.

Kubo smiles.

KUBO:

Like me?

MOTHER:

Strong and clever and funny. And oh

so handsome!

She leans over and playfully grabs his cheek. Embarrassed,

Kubo squirms and GIGGLES and pushes her away.

KUBO:

Ugh, Moth-er!

MOTHER:

Aw, Come on!

She gets more serious.

MOTHER (CONT’D)

Never forget how much he loved you, *

Kubo. He died protecting us.

DRAFT:
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KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

14/92

Kubo hesitates, wondering if he should ask the next question.

KUBO:

Did the Moon King--

MOTHER:

Your Grandfather.

KUBO:

Did Grandfather and your sisters

really kill my father? It can’t be

true, can it? They’re family!

His mother is now deadly serious and grabs Kubo’s shoulders.

MOTHER *

No, they are monsters! Grandfather

and my sisters stole your eye,

Kubo! They must never find you

again! NEVER! You must always stay

hidden from the night sky, or they

will find you and they’ll take you

away from me! Promise me you will

never let this happen. Promise me

Kubo!

Kubo looks into Mother’s eyes and nods timidly. She realizes

she has gone too far and calms a little, backing away.

She has a thought and reaches down to the ground, grabbing

the little monkey statue.

She holds it up to Kubo and speaks in a funny voice.

MOTHER (CONT’D)

Don’t be sad Kubo. Kubooo...

Kubo looks up with the hint of a grin. Sariatu continues with

the voice.

MOTHER (CONT’D)

Remember what you must do, Kubo? Re-*

mem-ber?

KUBO:

Keep you with me at all times, Mr.

Monkey.

MOTHER:

Aaand...?

KUBO:

And keep father’s robe on my back

at all times.

DRAFT:
01.05.16

KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS

15/92

MOTHER:

Yes Kubo. And there’s one more

thing. Never, EVER, stay out after

dark.

She leans across and tickles Kubo with the netsuke.

MOTHER (CONT’D)

(in monkey voice)

Re-mem-ber?

KUBO:

Yes, Mr. Monkey

MOTHER:

Good boy.

They LAUGH together, until his mother’s brow suddenly creases

and she stops and yawns. It’s clear whatever lucidity was

there before has gone. Kubo sees this every night, but it

never gets easier.

Rate this script:4.5 / 2 votes