Character Concept History[]
Creation
Bruce's creation is intended to convey a relaxed vibe of him being freed from his past, or at least he hopes to. This is related to how his inspiration is based on surfer dudes from the 80's and 90's.
It should be noted that during one stage of development, Bruce and Clay's roles of the "heartthrob" and "fun one" were swapped with each other.
Design
Bruce has been one of the more consistent during different stages of designs, regarding his body shape, attire, and hairstyle. Although at one point of the development, his hair was considered to be blonde, rather than deep purple.
3D Story[]
Past[]
Bruce was the second oldest member of BroZone and was known as "the heart throb" because of his good looks and perfect abs. He found it difficult and exhausting to maintain his image and only did so because of John Dory's insistence. In the moments before the last Concert, Bruce and Clay tried to voice their concerns but John Dory pushed them to maintain their perfection as he needed that for perfect family harmony.
When the concert went wrong, caused by a mere moment of hesitation to follow John Dory's led, the attempt to achieve family harmony caused the brothers to loose their formation. After the concept was a flop, both Bruce and Clay finally spoke up and had a row with John Dory. They quit the band, but John Dory in his anger left first. Though Floyd tried to plea with Bruce and Clay, they ignored him and left.
Bruce left the Troll Tree and found himself at Vacay Island. There he met his wife Brandy, opened up a restaurant and began to unwind from his days of BroZone. The result is he lost his perfect abs, but now was free to spend time doing the things he enjoyed and he began to run Vacay Island. However, Bruce gave up on performing and would only sing when he is surfing. Bruce and Brandy eventually became husband and wife, and despite their difference, had many children together. He often reflected on his days of BroZone to his kids, who didn't always believe him, but ultimately put that life far behind him and even took on the name "Bruce". Bruce had no interest in ever returning to the rest of the Pop Trolls and continued to run things at Vacay Island. However, deep down, Bruce not only missed his brothers but also miss seeing other Trolls around.
Wanting to see other Trolls again and missing his brothers, Bruce sent a postcard to John Dory in an attempt to work things out between them and to reconnect with his species, but his older sibling never showed up. Bruce was led to believe that John Dory doesn't care about him and their younger brothers. However, little did Bruce know, John Dory wasn't visiting him wasn't because he didn't care is because he was trying to protect him, due to believing that their youngest brother Branch was gone, as he tried to go back home to look for him but didn't find him because of the Last Trollstice. Also, Bruce seems to be unaware that a species called the Bergens have locked his old home and they are enemies of his species.
Trolls Band Together[]
Years later, Bruce was surfing, but didn't notice that two of his brothers John Dory and Branch have arrived looking for him with their friends Poppy and Tiny Diamond. Bruce was taking orders for the customers until he heard John Dory trying to get his attention as he showed frustration and tried to ignore him, not wanting to be reminded of his boyband past. However, after hearing John Dory say brothers, Bruce realized that his older sibling didn't come alone and the rest of their family are with him. Thinking all of his brothers are here, Bruce turned around in the groups direction in excitement. Although he was secretly sad that Clay and Floyd wasn't with John Dory, Bruce nevertheless was happy and is quick to realize that the young blue Troll that looked similar to him and his older sibling, except for the hair color, is his youngest brother Branch. Bruce ran past John Dory to see Branch as he tossed him into the air and teased him, which he kept trying to do. However, Bruce stop teasing Branch when a female Troll got his intention by introducing herself as Poppy. Bruce was surprised to see a fellow Troll again after a long time but became pleased and is impressed with how good looking Poppy is. When Poppy tries to introduce Tiny Diamond to him, Bruce and her don't see him but found him going to eat some nachos, which he tells him that they were amazing. Seeing the young Troll, Bruce not only finds Tiny Diamond adorable, but also realize that the two Trolls with John Dory and Branch are their friends.
When John Dory tried to explain their reasons for being here, Bruce interrupted him then introduced his two brothers and new friends to his family, wife and kids. After taking care of a couple of things with his kids and discovering that one of them has pink eye, Bruce was informed by John Dory their reasons for coming, but wasn't interested in hearing what his older brother had to say when he mention the perfect family harmony then turned away. However, hearing that Floyd had been taken captive through John Dory, Bruce turned back to the groups direction in shock that one of his little brothers is in trouble and figured out that his older sibling tried mentioning the latter to him before as he felt guilty about it. Fearing the same thing for Clay and worried about Floyd, Bruce panicked and suggested to John Dory that they call the authorities about their brother's capture. Although, Bruce settle down when John Dory gives him a smile of assurances as it put him at ease with Clay but is still concern for their remaining little brothers. Also, hearing John Dory tell him that Floyd was in a diamond prison and looked him in the eyes, Bruce understood the situation then ask his older brother as to how they could pull off the perfect family harmony because of what happen the last time they attempted to do so.
Bruce was then suggested by John Dory that if they practice they could nail the perfect family harmony as his older brother goes up on stage. Although a little impressed with John Dory's optimism, Bruce nicely tells his older brother his uncertainties because of his age, although it is also because he doesn't sing anymore, except when he is surfing. However, hearing two of his kids doubting him being in a band, Bruce gets upset as he tells them that he was in a band then ask their mother if he was in the band with Brandy backing him up. Bruce then watched Poppy encouraging his kids as they chant prove it to him. Seeing that they are motivating him into going up on stage, Bruce not only decided to prove everyone on Vacay Island wrong about him being in a band but also to do a song with John Dory. After getting up on stage, Bruce happily accepts a hug from John Dory and shared a laughed with him as he starts to warm up to his older brother but feels conflicted about his feelings. Before the performance, Bruce was informed by John Dory of Branch giving off sour expressions. Hearing this and having seen it for himself, Bruce decided to team up with John Dory to help Branch as they want to see their youngest brother smile.
During the song, Bruce and John Dory put their plan into motion by dragging Branch, who was convinced to perform with them by Poppy, on stage with them as they attempted to get their younger brother to smile. Fortunately, Bruce and John Dory's plan works as Branch gives them a smile then sing with them. Also, Bruce and John Dory didn't mind that Branch invited Poppy to join in. Bruce seemed to have figured out that Poppy is Branch's girlfriend. After the song, Bruce and John Dory did a side hug as they expressed excitement in singing together after being apart for many years. Bruce's interest in singing outside of surfing was restored as he was secretly grateful to Poppy for her help. Convinced that they could pull off the perfect family harmony to save Floyd and not only wants to save his captured brother but also to see Clay again and make sure he wasn't in danger as well, Bruce decided to go on the mission to help his siblings rescue one of their own.
Bruce then goes to ask Brandy if it would be okay with her if he temporarily leaves her to mange the restaurant and the kids while he goes with his brothers to rescue Floyd. Fortunately, Bruce was encouraged by Brandy to go as she knows that he would never forgive himself if he didn't go help Floyd and he can return a favor by covering for her while she is on a yoga retreat that she is going to all month, much to his shock. However, Bruce was told by Brandy that he should leave before he gets pink eye as she shows him that she caught it and tells him to save himself. After seeing more of their kids with pink eye, Bruce freaks out but John Dory comes to his rescue by grabbing his hand so they could leave and to prevent him from getting sick. Bruce gets into Rhonda as he tells Brandy that she got this then heads out with his brothers and friends for the mission.
While on the road, Bruce was driving with Tiny Diamond on his lap listening to Velvet and Veneer as he tells them that his kids love them. However, Bruce was disappointed to find out that they're the ones who have Floyd through John Dory. Bruce and Branch then become concern when they realize that Floyd might not make it through the a show that Velvet and Veneer were doing. Also, Bruce didn't mind John Dory persuading Tiny Diamond into pressing a button in Rhonda as he knew what his older brother was up to. After a trip to the hustle dimension, Bruce and the group arrived at Hole N' Fun, which was where Clay lives. Upon arriving, Bruce and the group became scare of a talking clown until it was revealed to be a Troll named Viva talking to it. Bruce and the group were provided food by the group of Trolls called the Putt Putt Trolls as he commented on how good it was. However, Bruce asked for some burgers, but unintentionally frightened the Putt Putt Trolls so Viva explained to him that burgers reminded them of Bergens, leaving him confused as to what the species is, due to being unaware of what happen to his old home and how they locked it up.
When Clay appeared, Bruce recognized his younger brother and was relived that he is okay. Bruce then goes to greet Clay and did a hand shake together, while ignoring John Dory deliberately. Also, Bruce explained to Clay that he changed his name, which he liked, and commented on how fancy his brother has gotten. When Clay sees Branch, Bruce smiles in delight that he gives him a hug and plays with his face. Bruce and the group then explains to Clay, who asked about Floyd, that their brother had been taken prisoner and need his help to rescue him, which he said yes. Although, seeing Viva grab Poppy and did hug time with her, Bruce happily looks at the girls and became pleased to see one of their Troll customs after so long. However, when John Dory tries to join in by asking to do hug time with him, Bruce looked confused at first but decided to decline to do one with his older brother with their two younger siblings and Tiny Diamond agreeing. Although, Bruce and his remaining brothers go over to the girls as he sees Viva taking an interest in Poppy. Hearing that Poppy's father is King Peppy, Bruce realizes that his first Troll friend is royalty and seemed to have figured out that she had succeeded him as queen of their people.
Bruce and the group, except Clay, who was more excited, find out that Viva is Poppy's older sister as they realize that King Peppy is not the father of one daughter but two. Although suspired by the revelation, Bruce didn't have the same shock reaction that John Dory and Branch have. While the two sister get to know each other, Bruce went to spend time with his brothers and enjoyed being together after being apart for so many years. Later, Bruce, John Dory and Branch were explained by Clay of Viva's past and how this group made it to Hole N' Fun. Also, through Clay, Bruce realizes as to what happened to the Troll tree and learns more about the Bergens that Viva told him about earlier. Bruce then figurers out that the Bergens are his species enemy and the reason was because they wanted to eat them.
However, when the group attempt to leave, Bruce, John Dory, Branch and Tiny Diamond found out through Clay that Viva wasn't gonna let Poppy go. Unfortunately, they were caught and locked in as Viva and the group of Putt Putt Trolls tried to stop them from leaving. Bruce was surprised that Branch and John Dory were defending Poppy about the Bergen's, but was convinced that they're not enemies with his species anymore. When Branch, who had been trying to tell him and their brothers the life he had growing up and feelings, tried to relate to Viva, Bruce and his two brothers became confused as to what their youngest sibling was talking about. Fortunately, the group was able to escape when Clay opened the door as he explained to Viva that he doesn't want to lose Floyd. Hearing this, Bruce and John Dory smile with delight in Clay for prioritizing Floyd's safety first. With Clay joining them, Bruce and the group head to Mount Rageous to rescue Floyd.
Later, during a rehearsal in Rhonda, Bruce and Clay once again got into an argument with John Dory about his perfectionism, with Bruce complaining how his older brother had always been forcing him to be the attractive one. After John Dory explained his reasons for leaving, Bruce tells his brothers why he left the band so he won't be pushed by anyone else like his older sibling did to him. Bruce and Clay even accused John Dory of not caring about their family, which hurt their older bothers feelings. Although, during the argument, Bruce was surprised that Clay would stand up for him and Branch as he appreciated his little brother in having their backs. When Branch breaks them up and tells them that they can't forget about Floyd, Bruce calms down and shows a remorse expression for not thinking about his captured sibling. Also, Bruce was surprised that John Dory agreed with Branch and backed him up, even agreeing with his intentions to leave once the mission was over. However, when Branch question it, Bruce doesn't say anything but does give John Dory an unimproved look of him teasing their younger brother. Also, Bruce realized that Branch's feelings were hurt and gets further unhappy with his older brother but understood that it was unintentional.
After Branch tells Tiny Diamond to pull over and seeing his attempt to leave with a broken heart, Bruce looks on with a sad expression but gets annoyed then told him to not be a baby. Through his words, Bruce made things worse as Branch angrily called out him and Clay that they may have been mad John Dory and treated him as the same bossy older brother they remember but they do the same thing to him by treating him like a baby. During Branch's snapping at them as well, Bruce and two of his brothers find out that Grandma Rosiepuff had been eaten and their youngest sibling had to spend the rest of life growing up alone with no one to take care of him, which greatly shocked them. When Branch left, Bruce and his two brothers became filled with regret in hurting their siblings feelings as they realize how much he cared about them, after Poppy showed them the drawing of his bunker that he built for them. Bruce also began to have second thoughts about leaving his brothers again as he realized that they, including his wife and kids, are the only remaining relatives he has left in his life and wants to be a family with his siblings once more. In addition, Bruce realized that his selfish actions exposed Branch and Floyd to danger. However, the three agreed to wait on working things out between them in order to focus on saving Floyd and had decided to meet back up with Branch so they could apologize to him, after realizing that their youngest sibling with their friends went to save their brother by themselves.
Unfortunately, the three older brothers would still fail to cooperate, and Bruce and John Dory ended up being placed in Veneer's shoulder pads. Soon, Bruce and his three captured brothers were drained during the car chase, but he and John Dory were saved by Viva. After being rescued, Bruce and John Dory use their prisons to their advantage by getting Velvet to trip so they could give Branch, Poppy and Viva a chance to save their remaining brothers, but they could only get Clay back. Unfortunately, he and his other brothers could only watch Floyd being taken away and drained by Velvet onstage. Despite being trapped in a bottle himself, Bruce comes to terms that Branch has grown up and recoiled with his brothers. He also mustered up his energy to perform with Branch, Clay and John Dory, and their family harmony was completed after Floyd sacrificed himself for them. Bruce and his remaining brothers mourned for Floyd, but their life essences and love for him revived their sibling as they embraced him, which resorted the rest of his life essences.
After Veneer confessed as a sincere apology to the Trolls and accepted arrest to own up to he and his sister's charges, which effectively led to Velvet's downfall, sometime later Bruce and his family and friends got to hang out at Vacay Island for a performance, joined by Branch's other former boyband Kismet as special guest stars. From then on, Bruce and his brothers finally get to have a better and reconnected relationship together.