Kuzco (David Spade) is a selfish, bratty South American emperor, who lives the high life and punishes those who offend him. He summons Pacha (John Goodman), the leader of a local village, and tells him he intends to build a lavish resort called Kuzcotopia for himself, destroying the village. Pacha attempts to protest but is dismissed. Meanwhile, Yzma (Eartha Kitt), Kuzco's aged adviser, who is angry about him firing her, decides to get revenge on the emperor so she can take over the throne. She and her muscle-bound but dimwitted lackey Kronk (Patrick Warburton), organize a dinner for Kuzco, where they plan to poison him, but the plan goes awry when the emperor is transformed into a llama.