THE SILVER SURFER
"RADICAL JUSTICE"
(1875-10)
TELEPLAY BY
LARRY BRODY AND BROOKS WACHTAL
STORY BY
LARRY BRODY
FINAL DRAFT
JULY 10, 1997
BRODY/WACHTEL 1875-10 SILVER SURFER FINAL DRAFT 7/10/97
2.
THE SILVER SURFER
RADICAL JUSTICE
TEASER
FADE IN:
EXT. ALIEN PLANET - DAY
PANNING an exotic landscape featuring a MULTI-COLORED sky and
land formations that float in it, over a FIERY sea, as:
SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
Am I destined to forever be alone...?
CONTINUING TO PAN, we FIND:
A GROUP OF PRIMITIVE ALIENS
Thin and translucent, they are vaguely humanoid in shape,
beautiful in an ethereal way, and not only can we SEE their
shadowy organs, we can also OBSERVE the lightning-like
synapses within their brains.
SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
Just as Galactus predicted, the power
he bestowed upon me has become a
curse...
The Aliens interact like any primitive tribe, searching for
food and speaking in grunts so high-pitched that they sound
MUSICAL. Still we PAN TO:
THE SILVER SURFER
His board at his side, he stands on the highest of the
floating islands, looking down at the rest of the terrain.
SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
Only on a planet such as this, with
its newly-evolved sentients, can I go
unrecognized...
As he talks, we TILT UP beyond him, TIGHTENING through the
atmosphere and
CUT TO:
BRODY/WACHTEL 1875-10 SILVER SURFER FINAL DRAFT 7/10/97
3.
EXT. SPACE OVER THE ALIEN PLANET - A METEOR
Behaving like no meteor should. Instead of plunging down to
the planet, it's in orbit around it, and as we LOOK on its
rocky interior opens outward, and we SEE the complex
mechanisms and protruberances of the now-familiar DRACONIAN
technology.
LIGHTS FLASH, and OPTIC BEAMS sweep downward, at the planet.
TIGHTENING ON the source of the beams, we SEE, reflected
there, the IMAGE of the Surfer, as:
SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
-- and unfeared.
The spy drone BEEPS, and the IMAGE of the Silver Surfer
enlarges as the beam locks on. We WIDEN as, on the far side
of the drone, another panel opens, and a COMMUNICATION BEAM
pierces the darkness of space. We ANGLE WITH the beam as it
stabs outward, vanishing into the depths of space, and
CUT TO:
EXT. ALIEN PLANET - DAY - AN ALIEN FAMILY
A Father, Mother, and several children communicate via AD LIB
MUSICAL GRUNTS, and one of the children runs off playfully --
not seeing a cliff and falling over it with a CRY! The
others rush after it as:
THE SILVER SURFER
Spots the activity from his vantage point.
SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
No! There is no need for these
beautiful beings to experience a
tragedy like this!
And, without thinking about it twice, the Surfer leaps onto
his board, sweeping toward:
THE ALIEN CHILD
Is barely off the island when the Surfer reaches it, takes
the little being into his arms. Suddenly, from above them,
o.s., we hear more CRIES, an angry, DISSONANT SHOUTING.
BRODY/WACHTEL 1875-10 SILVER SURFER FINAL DRAFT 7/10/97
4.
WIDER
The Surfer looks up to find the other members of the
family -- and other aliens as well -- leaping down at him
angrily. As each one hits the empty air, the same thing
happens: They fall a few feet, and then they raise their
arms, the atmosphere catching their wispy bodies and buoying
them up so they float, looking like wingless angels.
The aliens shake their fists threateningly, and the Surfer
realizes what's going on.
SILVER SURFER
Can it be? Can you all fly? And
instead of helping have I interfered
with the young one's first flight?
The Child squirms in the Surfer's arms, and the others grow
more agitated. They strike out at the Surfer, trying to pull
the Child from him.
SILVER SURFER
(continuing)
Do you truly believe I intended not
to aid your child but to harm him?
He loosens his grip, letting the Mother take the Child. She
holds it close for a beat, then lets it go. Again, the Child
falls -- and then the atmosphere catches its body, and it too
floats in the air.
SILVER SURFER
(continuing)
You have my apologies, all of you.
Once again have I intended the
best -- and done wrong instead.
ANOTHER ANGLE
The Surfer soars upward, leaving the aliens behind.
SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
I was mistaken about this world.
Even here, the Silver Surfer brings
only trouble...!
He goes higher and higher as we
CUT TO:
BRODY/WACHTEL 1875-10 SILVER SURFER FINAL DRAFT 7/10/97
5.
EXT. SPACE OVER THE ALIEN PLANET - THE SILVER SURFER
Turning his attention outward, to space as:
SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
Still is there but one place for me
in the universe -- the impossible
dream of a planet known as Zenn-La!
He increases his speed, soaring out past:
THE DRACONIAN DRONE
In its meteor guise once more. As soon as the Surfer has
passed it, all panels open again -- and more BEAMS lance out
from it.
WIDER
The BEAMS move past the Surfer, and he sees them, slowing
curiously. At first, it looks as though they have no
particular target, but then, all around the Surfer, more
drones WARP IN.
The BEAMS hit the drones, and as they do so, each one FLARES
UP, the BEAMS becoming TENDRILS OF ENERGY that link with each
other, forming a pulsating net!
THE SILVER SURFER
Picks up speed.
SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
I am under attack! But mine is the
power cosmic! Nothing can stop me
from seeking my home!
He zigs around the nearest of the TENDRILS, zags around the
next one. But more and more of them are emerging from the
drones, and the Surfer winces and GROANS as first one hits
him, then another. The attacking ENERGY CRACKLES all around
him.
CLOSER ON THE SILVER SURFER
In spite of himself, he slows, and another TENDRIL hits his
board, rocking it so that the Surfer almost falls off. In
fact, the only thing that keeps him on it is another TENDRIL!
BRODY/WACHTEL 1875-10 SILVER SURFER FINAL DRAFT 7/10/97
6.
All the TENDRILS that have touched him and his board cling to
them, and although the Surfer twists and writhes, trying to
pick up speed, he's literally stuck where he is, trapped like
a fly in a spiderweb as we
FADE OUT:
END OF TEASER
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
EXT. SPACE OVER THE ALIEN PLANET - THE SILVER SURFER
Still CRACKLING with the ENERGY from the TENDRILS as he
struggles to escape from the web. His hands GLOW, and he
FIRES TWIN COSMIC POWER BLASTS at the TENDRILS that hold him.
The net matches the GLOW, absorbing the BLASTS, the only sign
that they've been fired the fact that now the TENDRILS are
thicker than before.
SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
How can this be?
ANOTHER ANGLE
The Surfer FIRES again, and the same thing happens.
SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
Never before have I encountered
energy that could withstand the power
cosmic.
(powering up again)
My only hope is to keep firing until
this web is weakened!
Again and again, the Surfer FIRES, and each time the web
simply absorbs the power, his BLASTS growing weaker and
weaker until:
SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
(continuing)
I do not understand! Who could be
responsible for this?
He looks around, sees:
BRODY/WACHTEL 1875-10 SILVER SURFER FINAL DRAFT 7/10/97
7.
THE SILVER SURFER'S POV - THE DRACONIAN DRONES
As seen through the TENDRILS of the net.
SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
Those drone ships look strangely
familiar...
BACK TO THE SILVER SURFER
As he tries to puzzle this out:
SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
I have seen vessels of similar
configuration before --
He breaks off as a COMMUNICATION BEAM strikes him, followed
by:
GAMORA (O.S.)
(filtered)
You look upset, Silver Surfer. I
thought you might welcome something
new and different. Mainly, defeat.
WIDER
The Surfer turns his head, sees the original meteor drone
flying toward him. From it comes the HOLOGRAPHIC IMAGE of
GAMORA! Her beautiful face regards him appraisingly.
SILVER SURFER
Who are you? What is the meaning of
this?
GAMORA
(filtered)
I am called Gamora. And the meaning
of this is simple -- the capture of
the Silver Surfer, lackey of
Galactus --
SILVER SURFER
No more!
GAMORA
(filtered; surprised)
Really? Then why did we see you with
him -- and the woman known as Nova --
just a short while ago?
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8.
CLOSER ON THE SILVER SURFER AND GAMORA
The Surfer makes one last attempt to FIRE at the web. His
power cosmic merely FIZZLES. Gamora smiles.
GAMORA
(filtered)
Keep at it if you want. But you're
fighting your own power cosmic. Our
webbing takes its energy directly
from you.
SILVER SURFER
"Our webbing?" These drones appear
to be Draconian, but you obviously
are of organic, not robotic, origin.
GAMORA
(filtered)
The Draconians have partners now,
Surfer. The hearts, minds, and
technology of a thousand different
races, all dedicated to the
destruction of the Devourer of Worlds.
(ironic)
Which isn't meant to take anything
away from you -- our greatly
appreciated consolation prize!
NEW ANGLE
Gamora's IMAGE FLARES UP, vanishing. Behind it, a new vessel
WARPS IN: The Draconian Mother Ship. A huge hatch opens in
its side, and as the weakened Surfer renews his thrashing
struggle, the drones pull him in.
We TIGHTEN ON the Surfer. The web CRACKLES, and he sags.
Spent, energyless, he is held up only by the web that holds
him, as he vanishes into the hold of the ship. The hatch
SLAMS shut behind him, enveloping everything in darkness as we
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. ANOTHER SOLAR SYSTEM - DOUBLE STAR
A fat blue giant and small red dwarf star, moving around each
other in space. We WIDEN TO SEE that nearby is the ragtag
fleet we associate with the WANDERERS, spread out like a
chain.
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9.
ANOTHER ANGLE
As the Draconian Mother Ship WARPS IN to join the waiting
fleet. We TIGHTEN TO:
INT. DRACONIAN MOTHER SHIP - HOLD
Still dark. With a HYDRAULIC WHINE, an interior hatch opens,
letting in enough light so that we can SEE the Silver Surfer
drooping within the web -- and about a dozen guards
cautiously entering his presence, energy weapons trained on
him.
About half the guards are Draconian. The others are from
various races, including one warrior woman who resembles a
two-legged shark, her head encased in a helmet that provides
her the water-like fluid she breathes.
The guards part as Gamora, in the flesh this time, moves
through them, regards the Surfer closely.
GAMORA
In a sense, Surfer, you've defeated
yourself. I know good and well,
Surfer, that if not for the energy
web, all our fine weapons would be
useless.
Slowly, the Surfer raises his head, looks Gamora in the eyes.
SILVER SURFER
I must admit, Gamora, that I do not
find your words as flattering as I
could.
Gamora laughs appreciatively.
GAMORA
I'm afraid the rest of our attentions
won't meet with your approval either.
SILVER SURFER
What is it you intend to do with me?
GAMORA
That'd be telling -- and I wouldn't
want to spoil the surprise.
(looking back at the
guards)
Ivar?
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10.
ANOTHER ANGLE
As FIRST MINISTER IVAR of the Draconians steps forward. The
panel in his chest opens, and he pushes a control.
Immediately, the drones break up into two groups, one holding
the Surfer, the other his board. The web holding the board
DISSOLVES INTO SPARKS, and it CLATTERS to the deck, where
it's picked up by a guard.
IVAR
Our research labs have long desired
to study this strange method of
locomotion.
(beat)
Pity that will mean disassembling it.
SILVER SURFER
No! Not my board!
Crying out, the Surfer lunges after the board -- and his
pulled away helplessly by the drones creating the energy web.
The guards fall in beside him, and with Gamora and Ivar
bringing up the rear, they leave the hold, heading for:
INT. DRACONIAN MOTHER SHIP - ASSEMBLY HALL
As the Surfer and the others enter the huge hall, which is
lined with a gallery of aliens of all sizes, shapes, ages,
and sexes. In its center is a raised platform, where LORD
GLENN and several other Wanderer officials stand.
At the sight of the Surfer, the various members of the
Wanderers react sharply. We hear HISSING, BOOING, ELECTRONIC
BEEPING -- every negative SOUND we can think of!
FIRST WANDERER SECOND WANDERER
He's here! The Silver Surfer -- at
last he'll pay!
THE SILVER SURFER
Caught sharply by the sounds. Objects of all shapes and
sizes come raining at him from the gallery: Food, utensils,
you-name-it. None of the objects strikes him; they're all
stopped by the web.
THE PLATFORM
As the HOOTING and pelting continue. Lord Glenn holds up his
hand for quiet.
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11.
LORD GLENN
Wanderers!
(when nothing happens)
Wanderers!
THE GALLERY
PANNING the crowd as, slowly, they come to order.
LORD GLENN (O.S.)
We are rational, civilized beings,
and we must act accordingly...!
THE PLATFORM
Lord Glenn nods approvingly.
LORD GLENN
In this way we will prove our
superiority over the forces that have
tormented us!
The gallery becomes completely quiet. Lord Glenn turns
toward the Surfer.
LORD GLENN
(continuing)
Silver Surfer, I am Lord Glenn,
presiding officer of this tribunal.
Are you able to step forward?
THE SILVER SURFER
Hesitates, then tries to take a slow step on his own. The
drones move with him, allowing him to approach the platform.
SILVER SURFER
Able, yes. Although until I know the
reason for my presence here it seems
a meaningless act.
WIDER
Lord Glenn laughs without mirth.
LORD GLENN
Know then, former Herald of
Galactus -- as we are told you
insist -- that you stand accused of
crimes against life itself.
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12.
SILVER SURFER
By what right do you judge me?
LORD GLENN
By the right of survivorship. We are
the Wanderers, refugees from the
countless worlds to which you led
Galactus so he might feed!
The Surfer stands there, stunned by Lord Glenn's words.
Suddenly, from the gallery:
THIRD WANDERER FOURTH WANDERER
Execute him! Put an end to the Silver
Surfer -- now!
THE GALLERY
The rest of the Wanderers pick up the last word, and it
becomes a cruel chant: "NOW NOW NOW NOW NOW NOW." Fists are
waved. More objects are thrown, and Draconian guards move
into the crowd, taking previously concealed weapons from the
onlookers.
THE PLATFORM
Again, Lord Glenn holds up his hand, and the COMMOTION DIES
DOWN. He turns to the Surfer:
LORD GLENN
Do not fear, Silver Surfer. You
shall be given a fair hearing --
which is more than your master gave
any of us.
THE SILVER SURFER
Greatly disturbed. His head lowers at the truth of those
words. But then:
SILVER SURFER
On my homeworld of Zenn-La, we were
taught there could be no justice
without both defense and prosecution.
Will you provide me with counsel?
WIDER
Lord Glenn looks beyond the Surfer, to Gamora, who nods. She
moves to the Surfer.
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13.
GAMORA
Virtually every being here has spent
its life dedicated to your
destruction, Silver Surfer.
(hard)
But counsel you shall have.
Otherwise it is not execution, but
murder.
And, as she says it, TOR-KAY, a thin, wasp-like alien female
steps to them, all brisk efficiency.
TOR-KAY
(to the Surfer)
I am Tor-Kay, your representative in
this trial.
INT. DRACONIAN MOTHER SHIP - LABORATORY - THE SILVER
SURFER'S BOARD
On a lab table, a SHIMMERING STASIS FIELD around it, as,
continuing:
SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
You are a Vergilian, are you not?
We WIDEN TO SEE the complex, hi-tech lab, manned by three
scientists -- one Draconian, and two of other races. The
Draconian reaches into his open chest panel, pushes a button,
and an ENERGY SAW lowers from the ceiling, entering the
STASIS FIELD. It BUZZES ominously, getting closer and closer
to the board.
TOR-KAY (V.O.)
I'm surprised that you remember my
race. I thought we were all just
faceless "edibles" to you and
Galactus.
SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
No living creature is "faceless" to
me. To Galactus, that empathy was a
weakness to be eradicated.
(beat)
By failing to do so, he left me my
greatest strength.
As the Surfer finishes, the ENERGY SAW makes contact with the
board, its SOUND RISING TO A HIGH-PITCHED WHINE. For a short
beat, nothing happens. Then, with an EXPLOSION the STASIS
FIELD can barely contain, the ENERGY SAW vanishes...and we
HOLD ON the very much intact board...
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14.
INT. DRACONIAN MOTHER SHIP - ASSEMBLY HALL - THE SILVER
SURFER AND TOR-KAY
The Surfer reacts as though he too has been attacked by the
saw. He reels, and in spite of herself Tor-Kay reaches out
to steady him. Their eyes meet in surprise.
TOR-KAY
You're not what I expected. You led
Galactus to my world. And I am one
of the few who are left.
SILVER SURFER
Yet you are willing to defend me.
Why?
TOR-KAY
I've devoted my life to justice, and
I won't betray its ideals. There is,
however, something you should know.
(at his look)
I'd much rather prosecute.
And, as she says it, Tor-Kay looks over at:
GAMORA
Making her way to one side of the platform. She looks all
around the hall.
GAMORA
Lord Glenn, members of the court, I
come before you to prove the
responsibility of the Silver Surfer
for the destruction of uncountable
worlds --
As Gamora speaks, we WIDEN TO INCLUDE the Surfer and Tor-Kay,
who raises one of her many arms.
TOR-KAY
Objection. The Silver Surfer was not
the prime mover in the tragedies we
all know so well. He was, in his own
way, a victim of Galactus' inexorable
force.
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15.
INT. DRACONIAN MOTHER SHIP - LABORATORY
Where the scientists are trying again. This time, an EBONY
bar about the same size and shape as the board is being
bombarded by MULTI-COLORED RADIATION PARTICLES from a multi-
nozzled source, while a VIEWSCREEN shows that atomic make-up
of the bar, which DISSOLVES as the PARTICLES strike, all this
occurring as:
GAMORA (V.O.)
A "victim"? You, Tor-Kay, as much as
anyone, should know the true measure
of that word!
While Gamora speaks, the RADIATION is re-directed at the
Surfer's board. The PARTICLES strike through the STASIS
FIELD -- and immediately bounce back, caroming through the
field and at the scientists themselves, who dive for whatever
cover they can find, while:
INT. DRACONIAN MOTHER SHIP - ASSEMBLY HALL - THE SILVER
SURFER
Shuddering as again he reacts empathetically to what's
happening to the board. Tor-Kay's gaze goes from the
Surfer's reaction to:
THE DOMED CEILING
A giant VIEWSCREEN on which we SEE a beautiful green and blue
planet. The Surfer soars toward it, observing the planet.
He turns toward space, sending out the signal that summons
Galactus.
GAMORA (O.S.)
The planet Vergilia. Home to over
two billion citizens. These images,
Tor-Kay, taken from one of Vergilia's
own moons, show what happened the day
your client found your world.
We LOOK ON as, in a series of QUICK CUTS, Galactus' ship
arrives, its cables of destruction smashing down. ENERGY
SIZZLES from them, and the ground shudders, cities collapsing
and wasp-like inhabitants fleeing. Soon, however, all that's
left of the planet is a lifeless gray shell.
GAMORA (O.S.)
(continuing)
And Vergilia was only one planet
among many...
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16.
In more QUICK CUTS, more worlds are shown: An underwater
city erupting in FIRE; a pastoral field shriveling to
nothing; a hi-tech world where spaceships rise up to fight
Galactus' -- and are turned from POSITIVE TO NEGATIVE TO
NOTHING as:
THE SILVER SURFER - INTERCUT WITH THE ABOVE AS NEEDED
TIGHTENING ON HIM MORE AND MORE WITH EACH INTERCUT as the
Surfer's face shows all the pain we know he is capable of
feeling, tears trickling down his cheeks, while:
GAMORA (O.S.)
Some worlds tried to fight back, but
the outcome was -- and is -- always
the same.
WIDER
The VIEWSCREEN fragments into a series of images of dead
planets, and then they FADE AWAY.
GAMORA
The rollcall of victims would fill
whole galaxies. All share one
unhappy distinction -- they were
alive until the Silver Surfer visited
their worlds.
(beat)
The prosecution rests.
Gamora turns to look at the Surfer, reacts with surprise as
she sees the tears in his eyes. Tor-Kay too sees the them,
doesn't quite know what to do.
TOR-KAY
Silver Surfer, can you go on? I can
ask for a recess...
SILVER SURFER
I ask for nothing. Except a chance
to speak.
(to Lord Glenn)
Hear me, Lord Glenn, and all you
Wanderers. I cannot dispute the
facts. But they are not the whole
story...
ANOTHER ANGLE
As the Surfer continues, we PAN ACROSS all those assembled
here.
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17.
SILVER SURFER (O.S.)
When I joined Galactus, it was to pay
a debt -- the life of my own world.
My plan was to spare other beings by
leading him only to planets without
sentient inhabitants...
We CONTINUE PANNING, SEEING the reactions of Lord Glenn,
Gamora, and Tor-Kay. All three are surprised -- and Gamora's
human face shows that she is moved.
SILVER SURFER (O.S.)
(continuing)
But Galactus reached into my mind and
cleansed the memories -- of my life,
my planet, my promise -- and I, to my
eternal regret, was too weak to
resist him.
THE SILVER SURFER
Raises his arms, with his palms open.
SILVER SURFER
Everything within me tells me to
fight for my life. Yet those
vanished worlds crush me with a
weight that is almost unbearable.
(beat)
How can I ask you to forgive
me...when I cannot forgive myself?
GAMORA
Stares at the Surfer openly.
GAMORA
Surfer! Think of what you say! Your
own words condemn you.
WIDER
The Surfer nods nobly.
SILVER SURFER
So be it.
(to Lord Glenn and
the others)
I await your decision.
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18.
Lord Glenn turns to the other members of the tribunal. One
by one, they too nod their heads. He turns back to the
Surfer.
LORD GLENN
Silver Surfer, this tribunal has no
alternative but to sentence you to
the same fate visited upon the
homeworlds of those who sit in
judgment...
INT. DRACONIAN MOTHER SHIP - LABORATORY - A TIGHT-BEAM
ENERGY WEAPON
Like a laser but far more advanced. We WIDEN as from it a
STREAM OF ENERGY courses at the Surfer's board. The board
takes on the same glow as the ENERGY STREAM, the GLOW
PULSATING FASTER AND FASTER, GROWING BRIGHTER AND BRIGHTER
until it fills the entire room. There's no way we can see
what's happened to the board -- or anything else -- as:
LORD GLENN (V.O.)
The sentence is death!
INT. DRACONIAN MOTHER SHIP - ASSEMBLY HALL - THE SILVER
SURFER
Collapses, only the webbing keeping him from falling, as we
FADE OUT:
END OF ACT ONE
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19.
ACT TWO
FADE IN:
EXT. ANOTHER SOLAR SYSTEM - DOUBLE STAR
The odd couple of the blue giant and red dwarf. We ANGLE TO
the Wanderers and the Draconian mother ship. Stationed amid
them is what looks like an enormous satellite dish.
LORD GLENN (V.O.)
(filtered)
You chose your fate when you chose to
serve Galactus, Surfer...
From the center of the "dish," a BEAM OF LIGHT stabs out at
the system's twin suns. Their fiery surfaces SIZZLE, and
great gouts of ENERGY are sucked back to the dish, which is,
in fact, a solar energy converter.
LORD GLENN (V.O.)
(continuing; filtered)
And, at the hearing, you reaffirmed
that choice...
From the opposite side of the converter, another BEAM stabs
out, this one shooting down to:
A PLANET
The sole world in this system, half of it GLOWING a cold
BLUE, the other half hot RED. Even from this distance
there's something ominous about it. ANGLING WITH the BEAM,
we TIGHTEN ON the planet, as:
GAMORA (V.O.)
(filtered)
I don't know why you want it to end
this way...
EXT. PLANET'S SURFACE - DAY - THE BEAM
Stopping at the top of a mountain, on the red half of the
planet. We WIDEN TO SEE that the Surfer stands on the blue
side, in his ENERGY WEB prison, the IMAGES of Gamora, Lord
Glenn, and Ivar before him. Gamora gestures to the rocky
ground (much like that of Earth's moon) all around them.
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20.
GAMORA
(filtered)
But, all things considered, this is
a fitting resting place.
LORD GLENN
(filtered)
Indeed. This world bears a great
resemblance to the husks left by the
appetite of Galactus.
SILVER SURFER
Is that why you've chosen it? Out of
a sense of cosmic irony?
GAMORA
(filtered)
Hardly. Our reason is much more
practical.
Lord Glenn nods to Ivar, and the First Minister's chest panel
opens. He reaches inside, pressing a stud.
IVAR
(filtered)
Our technique is untested, but the
database confirms that the theory and
calculations are sound...
THE SILVER SURFER
Forces himself to stand straight and tall, facing his
destiny. For a beat, nothing happens. Then:
THE MOUNTAIN
From the top FLARES A MULTI-COLORED disturbance that ERUPTS
like a geyser of ENERGY, showering over the entire planet!
GAMORA (O.S.)
(filtered)
Powered by this system's double sun,
the storm we've created should be
interacting with unique elements in
the planet's atmosphere...
THE SILVER SURFER AND THE OTHERS
As the MULTI-COLORED ENERGY rains down on him and the images.
Wherever the ENERGY RAIN hits him, the Surfer's body HISSES
like escaping steam. He CRIES OUT wordlessly.
BRODY/WACHTEL 1875-10 SILVER SURFER FINAL DRAFT 7/10/97
21.
SILVER SURFER
What is happening? I am made of the
very essence of Galactus...how can I
be feeling such pain?
LORD GLENN
(filtered)
Perhaps because that very essence
is -- no more.
The Surfer twists and writhes from the pelting ENERGY RAIN,
and, as we TIGHTEN ON him we SEE that the very color of his
skin is changing, the silvery sheen vanishing. The Surfer
stares at his own hand.
SILVER SURFER
The power cosmic...it is --
GAMORA (O.S.)
(filtered)
Gone.
ANOTHER ANGLE
The ENERGY WEB holding him DISSOLVES, the Draconian drones
flying away, and not the Silver Surfer but NORRIN RADD falls
to his knees in the continuing ENERGY RAIN. The images of
the others exchange looks.
NORRIN RADD
(shocked)
Once more am I myself -- Norrin Radd!
IVAR
(filtered)
We've created a barrier between you
and the source of the power cosmic --
dread Galactus himself.
LORD GLENN
(filtered)
For all practical purposes, you're
just another organic being...weak and
vulnerable.
GAMORA
(filtered)
This world is seeded with traps. If
you're luckier than you deserve, your
end will come quickly.
BRODY/WACHTEL 1875-10 SILVER SURFER FINAL DRAFT 7/10/97
22.
WIDER
FLARING UP, all three images vanish, leaving the Norrin Radd
weak, human, and alone. From between him and the mountain
comes the WHIRRING of machinery, and Norrin Radd pulls
himself to his feet as:
A GROUP OF TALL BOULDERS
With a GRINDING SOUND, the outer covering falls away from
them, revealing glittering metal weapons towers. From the
weapons located along the length of each tower comes a series
of CLICKS, and then they begin FIRING ENERGY BOLTS at:
NORRIN RADD
He has no choice but to run like hell, zigging and zagging as
the ENERGY BOLTS BURN into the ground around him, creating
small craters.
NORRIN RADD (V.O.)
Everything is so different, now that
I am mere flesh and blood...
Desperately trying to avoid one of the craters, Norrin Radd
trips, goes sprawling onto the hard blue ground.
AN ENERGY BOLT
HITS near Norrin Radd's leg. YELPING, he rolls out of the
way.
NORRIN RADD (V.O.)
Once I would have celebrated the
return of the man I once was...
(dodging another BOLT)
Now I realize how much easier it was
for the Silver Surfer to traverse the
spaceways than for Norrin Radd to
make his way across this ground -- !
But he doesn't give up, keeps rolling and sliding, until at
last he sees:
NORRIN RADD'S POV - A JAGGED OUTCROPPING OF BOULDERS
So close and yet so far.
NORRIN RADD (V.O.)
Must reach a place of safety so I can
gather myself...formulate a plan...
BRODY/WACHTEL 1875-10 SILVER SURFER FINAL DRAFT 7/10/97
23.
BACK TO NORRIN RADD
Launching himself at the outcropping, where he drops on his
belly, hands over his head. The ENERGY RAIN continues to
fall, and ENERGY BOLTS smash against the rocks and ZAP
through the air above him, but Norrin Radd is safe where he
is -- so far.
NORRIN RADD (V.O.)
I understand the Wanderers' purpose.
They wish to make me suffer, to feel
what they have felt.
(beat)
Little do they understand my own
emotions, the horror and regret that
have dogged me for so long --
He breaks off as an EXPLOSION SOUNDS behind him, and he
whirls to find:
NORRIN RADD'S POV - THE GROUND BEFORE HIM
Erupting in all directions as from beneath it rises a
whirling dervish of an ATTACK DRONE. Blasters snap out of
its sides and FIRE directly at Norrin Radd!
BACK TO NORRIN RADD
Leaping up and over the attack drone -- and again running for
all he's worth! We HOLD ON Norrin Radd's fleeing form and
CUT TO:
EXT. ANOTHER SOLAR SYSTEM - DOUBLE STAR
ANGLING WITH THE GOUTS OF SOLAR ENERGY as they are sucked
into the solar converter. There, they flare up, seeming
almost like living creatures fighting against their
confinement.
GAMORA (V.O.)
Despite the odds, the Surfer keeps
trying. It may be that he's more of
a man than any of us thought...
We TIGHTEN ON the converter. Parts of it begin to SPARK and
smoulder.
TOR-KAY (V.O.)
Do I detect pity for the condemned
man?
BRODY/WACHTEL 1875-10 SILVER SURFER FINAL DRAFT 7/10/97
24.
INT. DRACONIAN MOTHER SHIP - BRIDGE - MATCHING SHOT - THE
ATTACK DRONE
Continuing to FIRE its blasters. We WIDEN TO SEE Norrin Radd
leap into a ravine and keep running as:
GAMORA (O.S.)
I'd rather call it respect. The
Surfer has proven himself a worthy
adversary.
WIDENING MORE, we SEE that the action is taking place on a
viewscreen watched by Gamora, Lord Glenn, Ivar, and Tor-Kay.
More Draconians -- and other Wanderers as well -- man various
consoles.
LORD GLENN
You organics! Always allowing
yourselves to be ruled by your hearts
instead of your minds!
TOR-KAY
Lord Glenn, can you really say that
convicting the Silver Surfer was
purely a rational decision?
Lord Glenn looks as sheepish as a robot can. But, before he
can reply:
IVAR
(alarmed)
My Lord!
ANOTHER ANGLE
Ivar has moved to another console, is studying the data there
worriedly.
IVAR
We are drawing more power than
anticipated from these suns. The
situation bears watching.
LORD GLENN
Then watch it, First Minister.
Attend to your duty, while we attend
to ours.
Lord Glenn turns back to the viewscreen. We TIGHTEN ON it and
CUT TO:
BRODY/WACHTEL 1875-10 SILVER SURFER FINAL DRAFT 7/10/97
25.
EXT. PLANET'S SURFACE - DAY - THE RAVINE
As Norrin Radd races through the RAIN. Suddenly, a spear-
like ENERGY SPIKE thrusts out of the side of the ravine,
zapping from one side of it to the other.
Instinctively, Norrin Radd leaps over it -- and finds himself
amid a gauntlet of such ENERGY SPIKES. He runs like a
hurdler, going over one after another, until he reaches:
THE END OF THE RAVINE
The rock wall ERUPTS, and from it emerges a flying, almost
birdlike, mechanical weapon. Its eyes GLOW RED, and blasters
in its wings swivel to aim at Norrin Radd.
ANOTHER ANGLE
Desperately, Norrin Radd drops to his knees, grabbing the
stilt-like, metallic legs of the "bird" as the blasters FIRE,
missing him. The blasters continue FIRING and swiveling,
trying to to nail Norrin Radd, but he's in the one place
that's inaccessible to them.
SHRIEKING like a mechanical banshee, the fake bird rises,
flying higher and higher, as:
NORRIN RADD (V.O.)
Can scarcely hang on...My cause seems
hopeless...Can this truly be my doom?
The bird zigs and zags, trying to shake off Norrin Radd. He
holds on for dear life.
NORRIN RADD (V.O.)
(continuing)
And yet, is it not a doom I sought?
One I have earned...?
WIDER
The power of the ENERGY RAIN INCREASES, and, in the sky, the
blue and red suns FLARE more brightly, then start to dim.
Norrin Radd looks up at the sky.
NORRIN RADD (V.O.)
Odd...as the energy rain that
deprives me of the power cosmic
increases, the suns of this system
appear to grow weaker...
BRODY/WACHTEL 1875-10 SILVER SURFER FINAL DRAFT 7/10/97
26.
THE GROUND BEFORE HIM
Norrin Radd trails off as a line of weapons towers like the
first one break out of the boulders that have disguised them,
ENERGY BOLTS FIRING.
NORRIN RADD
Can do nothing but look on as the bird flies into the BOLTS.
It seems inevitable that at least one of them will strike
him, but:
WIDER
Again, the ENERGY RAIN INCREASES, becoming so strong that it
deflects the BOLTS FIRED by the towers. In the sky, the two
suns FLARE once more, then dim still further. We TIGHTEN ON
them and
CUT TO:
EXT. ANOTHER SOLAR SYSTEM - MATCHING SHOT - DOUBLE STAR
Both of them are flickering, the gouts of ENERGY that move
into the solar energy converter becoming THICKER, WILDER.
IVAR (V.O.)
Lord Glenn! The suns are in danger
of burning out! We must stop the
energy drain!
INT. DRACONIAN MOTHER SHIP - BRIDGE
Where the others turn to Ivar.
GAMORA
But that'll also stop the Surfer's
punishment!
IVAR
He's no longer the only one in
danger -- all of us are!
TOR-KAY
What are you talking about?
Ivar indicates the various read-outs and instruments before
him.
BRODY/WACHTEL 1875-10 SILVER SURFER FINAL DRAFT 7/10/97
27.
IVAR
The suns are about to implode -- and
if that happens, a massive black hole
is sure to follow. We'll all be
pulled into it --
LORD GLENN
And crushed by the gravitational
forces.
(to one of the other
Draconians on the
bridge)
Turn off the converter!
The Draconian officer hits a series of switches as:
EXT. ANOTHER SOLAR SYSTEM - THE SOLAR ENERGY CONVERTER
No longer merely SPARKING and smoulder. It BURSTS into
flamelike ENERGY!
IVAR (V.O.)
The converter's malfunctioning! We
can't stop the drain! In condemning
the Silver Surfer, we have condemned
ourselves!
ALARMS SOUND, o.s., and, as even more gouts of ENERGY are
pulled from the double star, we
CUT TO:
EXT. PLANET'S SURFACE - DAY - NORRIN RADD
Still hanging onto the "bird." The ENERGY RAIN pours down
still harder, completely wiping out the ENERGY BOLTS from the
towers. It's much darker now, like an Earth day when black
clouds hide our sun.
NORRIN RADD (V.O.)
I have seen this sort of thing
before. Everything in this system is
destined for annihilation!
(beat)
The Wanderers will have carried out
their sentence against me -- but they
too will be destroyed.
He lifts his gaze, looking out at:
BRODY/WACHTEL 1875-10 SILVER SURFER FINAL DRAFT 7/10/97
28.
NORRIN RADD'S POV - THE MOUNTAIN
Where the original solar beam struck to start the RAIN.
NORRIN RADD (V.O.)
All of the Wanderers weapons seem
designed to herd me away from that
mountain. Could I get there and stop
the rain, I might be able to save
them...
BACK TO NORRIN RADD
As he realizes the meaning of what he's saying:
NORRIN RADD (V.O.)
No! I must not think that way. Let
it end now! If I cannot find Zenn-
La, then at least let me find the
ultimate peace!
NORRIN RADD'S POV - A VISION OF ZENN-LA
SUPERIMPOSED, SHIMMERING, over the rocky landscape below. We
SEE the Academy and its grounds, the MASTER and his students,
and, looking at CAMERA lovingly, SHALLA BAL.
NORRIN RADD (V.O.)
And yet...to do that would be to
betray all my homeworld stands for,
all that has made me worthy of Shalla-
Bal's love!
BACK TO NORRIN RADD
As he realizes:
NORRIN RADD (V.O.)
I must look beyond the demons in my
soul. Only by using the power cosmic
for right can I atone for what I have
done wrong!
And, using every bit of strength he has left, Norrin Radd
swings and climbs and clambers upward, onto the back of the
mechanical bird.
NORRIN RADD (V.O.)
(continuing)
I must hurry! Every instant brings
the system nearer to disaster!
BRODY/WACHTEL 1875-10 SILVER SURFER FINAL DRAFT 7/10/97
29.
GRUNTING with exertion, he pulls on the bird's wings, forcing
it to gain altitude, flying toward:
THE MOUNTAIN TOP
In its center is a smaller version of the solar energy
converter out in space, and from it, spewing like a fountain,
comes the multi-colored ENERGY RAIN.
NORRIN RADD
Forces the mechanical bird closer and closer to the fountain,
and, with sheer muscle, aims its BLASTERS.
WIDER
As the BLASTERS FIRE, the converter EXPLODING!
NORRIN RADD
The shockwave from the explosion hits him hard, and the
mechanical bird goes one way, Norrin Radd the other. He arcs
through the air, past the mountaintop --
ANOTHER ANGLE
As the ENERGY RAIN stops! Norrin Radd starts to fall toward
the foot of the mountain, but then, as he gets closer to the
ground, we TIGHTEN ON him and see not flesh but a gleaming
silvery skin.
Norrin Radd is gone, and in his place is the SILVER SURFER!
SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
Still am I not complete. One element
is missing, and I do not know if I
shall find it again!
The Surfer holds out his arm, shouts for all that he's worth:
SILVER SURFER
TO ME, MY BOARD!!!
CUT TO:
EXT. ANOTHER SOLAR SYSTEM - DOUBLE STAR
Both the blue and the red star are DIMMING and shrinking, and
no longer is ENERGY being sucked from them. Instead, the
converter is being pulled to the two stars -- and so is the
Draconian mother ship, and the ships of the other Wanderers
as well.
BRODY/WACHTEL 1875-10 SILVER SURFER FINAL DRAFT 7/10/97
30.
FIRST WANDERER (V.O.) SECOND WANDERER (V.O.)
Evacuate! Evacuate! We're caught in the stars'
gravitational pull!
THIRD WANDERER (V.O.) FOURTH WANDERER (V.O.)
It's all the fault of the The Silver Surfer has
Silver Surfer! brought destruction to us
once again!
Then the SHOUTING VOICES are lost, as more and more o.s.
ALARMS BLARE!
INT. DRACONIAN MOTHER SHIP - LABORATORY - TIGHT ON A
SCIENTIST
On the deck, moaning weakly. We PAN FROM HIM TO the other
scientists, sprawled as though from a gigantic explosion,
CONTINUE PANNING PAST the broken shards of the STASIS FIELD
TO:
THE SURFER'S BOARD
Intact after all! It spirals up from the laboratory bench,
and we WIDEN TO SEE the groggy scientists staring.
ALIEN SCIENTIST
Everyone! Get out!
He flees the room, the others following. We HOLD ON the
board as it streaks across the lab to the bulkhead and:
EXT. ANOTHER SOLAR SYSTEM - THE DRACONIAN MOTHER SHIP
As the board CRASHES out of it, soaring through space to:
EXT. PLANET'S SURFACE - DAY
As the Surfer nears the ground. Suddenly, his board is
there, zooming in beneath him. With a quick flip, the Surfer
finds his balance, standing with bent knees as the board
soars back upward, toward:
EXT. ANOTHER SOLAR SYSTEM - DOUBLE STAR
Much smaller than before, the centers of each of its twins as
BLACK as nothingness. Nearby space debris is being pulled
toward those centers -- and so are the Wanderers' ships!
THE SILVER SURFER
Flies toward the twin stars, his fears about the situation
confirmed as the BLACKNESS at their centers continues to grow!
BRODY/WACHTEL 1875-10 SILVER SURFER FINAL DRAFT 7/10/97
31.
SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
The Wanderers have but seconds left.
I must do what only the Silver Surfer
can!
And he begins FIRING MASSIVE BURSTS OF THE POWER COSMIC into
the space between the growing black holes and the fleet.
INT. DRACONIAN MOTHER SHIP - BRIDGE
Where Gamora, Lord Glenn, Ivar, Tor-Kay, and the others watch
the Surfer on the viewscreen, bewildered.
LORD GLENN
Is the Silver Surfer mad? What does
he not flee? What is he doing?
EXT. ANOTHER SOLAR SYSTEM - THE SILVER SURFER
His eyes GLOW, and we WIDEN as from them comes an ENERGY
BUBBLE that swoops down at the BLASTS, enveloping and
containing them.
THE ENERGY BUBBLE
Within it, the BLASTS start to swirl around each other,
slowly at first, then faster and faster. The BUBBLE too
begins to revolve as:
THE SILVER SURFER
Hits the ENERGY BUBBLE with a series of controlled BLASTS
that propel it at:
THE BLACK HOLES
The ENERGY BUBBLE heads straight into the nearer of the
twins, and instead of being swallowed up, it combines with
the BLACKNESS, creating a swirling, multicolored tunnel
(NOTE: As seen in #1875-06)!
TOR-KAY (V.O.)
A Plasma Jump! The Silver Surfer is
turning one of the black holes into
a giant shortcut through space!
Tor-Kay's voice shows her astonishment. Lord Glenn is no
less shocked.
LORD GLENN (V.O.)
But for what purpose?
BRODY/WACHTEL 1875-10 SILVER SURFER FINAL DRAFT 7/10/97
32.
ANOTHER ANGLE
We SEE the answer as the Plasma Jump expands, swallowing
first the Draconian mother ship, and then the rest of the
Wanderers' fleet!
INT. DRACONIAN MOTHER SHIP - BRIDGE
It SHAKES frantically, and the fabric of the ship GROANS with
strain. Everyone is being tossed all around, saving
themselves from injury only by grabbing onto consoles and
equipment.
IVAR
The black holes would have crushed us
all, but a Plasma Jump will transport
us out of the danger area.
LORD GLENN
But to where?
TOR-KAY
Does it matter?
GAMORA
What matters is that we owe our lives
to a man we condemned, when he
could've left us to our fate.
(beat)
I have a lot to think about.
SILVER SURFER
All of us do.
We HOLD the moment. Then they're tossing and turning and
scrabbling for handholds once again, as:
INT. PLASMA JUMP
Its BANDED interior WHIRLING as mother ship and the rest of
the Wanderers' fleet barrel through it like cars on a thrill
ride. One after another, they slide past us, vanishing into
a distance that resembles nothing short of infinity, until we
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. ANOTHER SOLAR SYSTEM - THE SILVER SURFER
On his board, suspended in space before the Plasma Jump and
the black hole just beyond it. Fighting against the pull of
the hole, he flies farther from the action, just as:
BRODY/WACHTEL 1875-10 SILVER SURFER FINAL DRAFT 7/10/97
33.
THE PLANET
Is pulled equi-distant between the two forces. It hangs
suspended for a beat -- and then the black hole wins the tug-
of-war, the planet falling into it, crumbling into heavy dust
as it vanishes into the blackness.
SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
The Wanderers are my sworn enemies,
yet through my efforts still do they
survive...
THE SILVER SURFER
With a last look behind him, he soars toward the outskirts of
what remains of this solar system, as:
SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
And, regardless of my own wishes and
desires, still must I remain the
Silver Surfer, searching for my place
in the universe...
He goes faster, faster.
SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
(continuing)
Within me, the power of Galactus
combines with the spirit of Zenn-La.
Am I cursed? Or am I blessed?
(beat)
And will I ever be wise enough to
know?
And, as he FORESHORTENS INTO WARP, we
FADE OUT:
THE END
BRODY/WACHTEL 1875-10 SILVER SURFER FINAL DRAFT 7/10/97
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