The Boxtrolls

EXT. CHEESEBRIDGE ALLEY - NIGHT

Lightning strikes, illuminating a vine covered wall as the

camera moves across a dark alley filled with CARDBOARD BOXES

and CRATES. They boxes have stylized LABELS; the box in

front is labeled FOCUS FEATURES.

SFX:
FOOTSTEPS running on cobblestones and LABORED BREATHING.

HERBERT (O.S.)

No. Not my boy!

Lightning strikes again, highlighting the boxes and rubbish

in the alley. Something is coming. Whatever it is, its

breath is hurried and animalistic.

SFX:
A BABY CRIES out.

Stumpy CLAWED FEET wrapped in rag run past a boxed labeled

LAIKA. The camera follows the shadowed figure as it runs

along cobblestones to the end of the lane. The creature

pauses under an arched entryway and turns, revealing GLOWING

EYES, a large mouth full of wonky teeth, and a BABY SHAPED

BUNDLE in its arms.

LIGHTING CRASHES as the BABY wriggles and cries.

CUT TO:

EXT. CHEESE GUILD - ENTRANCE HALL - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS

CLOSE ON:
A FIST pounds a door.

SNATCHER:

(wheezing)

Wake his lordship.

SFX:
A SERIES OF LOCKS being unlatched on the door.

A BUTLER opens the double doors, frowns. He starts to close

the doors but Snatcher pushes against the effort.

SNATCHER (CONT’D)

The unspeakable has happened.

(GASP) We must speak of it

immediately!

A voice calls out from behind them.

2.

LORD PORTLEY-RIND (O.S.)

(tired)

What is it, Snatcher?

The butler moves aside, revealing a regal man with a white

hat at the top of an ornate marble staircase.

INT. CHEESE GUILD - ENTRANCE HALL - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS

LORD PORTLEY-RIND looks on from the mezzanine. The man in

the red hat casts a long shadow across the gleaming checkered

floors of the Cheese Guild.

SNATCHER:

(gesturing theatrically)

Boxtroll monsters have stolen a

child.

CLOSE ON:
Lord Portley-Rind, perfectly groomed and perfectly

horrified.

LORD PORTLEY-RIND

(aghast)

No.

CLOSE ON:
ARCHIBALD SNATCHER in the door, backlit by

streetlights, sheets of rain falling behind him. He’s a big

man, but out of shape (all belly and no butt), with long

shreds of greasy hair sprouting from beneath his crooked hat.

SNATCHER:

(nods)

They're no doubt picking their

teeth with his adorable baby bones

by now!

LORD PORTLEY-RIND

A horrible tragedy.

(beat, flippant)

Let’s deal with it in the morning!

Portley-Rind turns to go.

SNATCHER (O.S.)

STOP!

The Butler closes the door, but Snatcher shoves his foot in

the way.

SNATCHER (CONT’D)

(struggling)

Oh, oof! That's not the worst of

it! Next they'll come after...

3.

The Butler shoves at the door, slapping and shoving

Snatcher’s face until the door slams shut. Snatcher opens the

mail slot and yells through it.

SNATCHER (CONT'D)

...OUR CHEESES!

LORD PORTLEY-RIND

(gasp)

My Gouda!?

SNATCHER:

(low)

They’ll stop at nothing.

Portley-Rind suddenly flings open the doors, stares wide eyed

at Snatcher. He is crouched on the ground near the mail

slot.

LORD PORTLEY-RIND

You’re the town exterminator. I’ll

pay whatever it takes.

Snatcher stands slowly.

SNATCHER:

Oh, I don’t want money.

He steps into the house and into the light, REVEALING his

greedy face for the first time. He smiles an oily smile.

SNATCHER (CONT’D)

I want one of those.

Snatcher points to the WHITE HAT on Portley-Rind’s head. Lord

Portley-Rind grabs his hat protectively.

LORD PORTLEY-RIND

A White Hat? You?! Absurd!

Snatcher turns to leave, moving towards the damp Market

Square.

SNATCHER:

Alright then. But prepare to say

bye bye to your Brie. Cheerio to

your Cheddar. Goodbye to your...

Portley-Rind’s resolve disappears. He raises his hand as if

to stop Snatcher from leaving.

4.

LORD PORTLEY-RIND

(desperate)

Very well. Every boxtroll gone.

With proof!

Snatcher stops halfway down the stairs in the pouring rain,

his back still turned to Portley-Rind.

SNATCHER:

(low purr)

For a white hat?

CLOSE ON:
Snatcher’s grinning face as he turns back toward

Portley-Rind.

SNATCHER (CONT’D)

I will destroy every last boxtroll

in this town!

LIGHTNING CRASHES as Snatcher laughs maniacally.

SMASH CUT TO:

TITLES:
“THE BOXTROLLS”

(0100 MON) MONSTERS

EXT. CHEESEBRIDGE - WORLD VIEW - SUNSET

WIDE VIEW OF CHEESEBRIDGE, a steep hill-town that looms over

the countryside. A jumble of roofs, a tangle of twisting

alleys, and perched at the summit, the imposing Cheese Guild

Hall. The last rays of the setting sun disappear.

EXT. CHEESEBRIDGE STREETS

--a deep voice echoes out of a scratchy MEGAPHONE.

SNATCHER (O.S.)

Hear ye! Hear ye! Good citizens of

Cheesebridge, the curfew is in

force. Don’t dawdle or the beasts

will tear you limb from limb!

CLOSE ON:
A FABRIC BANNER reading “BOXTROLL EXTERMINATORS”.

The banner hangs on a strange rattletrap TRUCK that winds its

way up the city streets. Sinister looking men in BLOOD RED

TOP HATS hang onto the running boards. The most sinister of

them all, Snatcher, rides on the roof.

5.

SNATCHER (O.S.) (CONT'D)

They will add your flesh to their

rivers of blood and mountains of

bones.

As the truck passes, PEDESTRIANS gasp and hurry into their

houses, heeding the amplified warning. A CHEESEMONGER at The

Cheesery pulls his FOLDING SIGN from the sidewalk and hurries

inside. A COUPLE stops mid-conversation and heads indoors. A

MAN CARRYING A CRATE brings his load into his shop,

abandoning the crate sitting at the curb. Two FEMALE

TOWNSFOLK head off down the street.

CLOSE ON:
Archibald Snatcher as the truck rounds a corner.

He holds a MEGAPHONE TUBE to his mouth and orates as he zeros

in on a BOY playing ball in the street.

SNATCHER (CONT’D)

Child! Do you want to end up like

the Trubshaw Baby?

The boy watches the truck as it passes, curiosity changing to

horror.

SNATCHER (CONT’D)

Dragged underground and feasted

upon one year ago this very night?!

The terrified boy shakes his head and GASPS as he is yanked

inside by his MOTHER. His BALL bounces out of his hands and

rolls across the cobbles.

SNATCHER (CONT’D)

Lock your windows! Bolt your doors!

Hide anything that is not bolted

down.

One man grabs his DOOR KNOCKER and bolts inside.

Another man grabs his MAILBOX.

Another a BARBER POLE.

With a terrified look the last man peers out of the peep hole

in his door, then slams it shut.

SNATCHER (O.S.) (CONT’D)

Hide your cheese. Hide your tender

and delicious babies!

6.

EXT CHEESEBRIDGE STREETS - CONTINUOUS - NIGHT

The wind blows trash down the empty streets. Snatcher’s

vehicle, rattling from its boiler, prowls past with Snatcher

still calling out his warning until the sound fades in the

distance.

SNATCHER (O.S.)

Beware the bloodthirsty monsters!

They'll fry your eyes, gnaw on your

knees, gobble your gizzards...

Beware! BEWARE!

After Snatcher’s truck has passed the CAMERA lands on: A

MANHOLE. Carved in the heavy iron cover is a warning: “HERE

BE MONSTERS”.

A LONG BEAT OF SILENCE. The manhole cover slowly twists and

lifts, a pudgy blue hand emerges. Two pairs of yellow,

glowing eyes peer out. The creatures talk in expressive but

unintelligible GURGLES. Down the street, two more manhole

covers lift.

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