THE SILVER SURFER
DOWN TO EARTH: PART ONE
(FORMERLY "HOME ALONE: PART ONE")
(#2147-19)
WRITTEN BY
LARRY BRODY
FIRST DRAFT
APRIL 24, 1998
THE SILVER SURFER
"DOWN TO EARTH: PART ONE"
TEASER
FADE IN:
EXT. DEEP SPACE - CLOSE ON A GOLDEN STAR
BLAZING brightly against the blackness of space. Suddenly,
part of the star moves, and we SEE that it is in fact NOVA,
literally swimming through the heart of this sun. She LAUGHS
gleefully, having a great time, as:
NOVA
Surfer! C'mon in, the water's
fine!
THE SILVER SURFER
On his board, circling nearby. TENDRIL-LIKE sunspots cling
to him and then vanish as they are absorbed.
SILVER SURFER
I have no need to immerse myself.
I can absorb all the energy I need
from right here.
WIDER
Nova dives into the star, comes back up with flame streaming
from her the way water would on Earth.
NOVA
I'm not talking about nutrition,
Silverado, I'm talking about fun!
The Surfer soars closer to her, and Nova "splashes" him with
FLAME. With a backhanded BOLT OF THE POWER COSMIC, the
Surfer EXPLODES THE FIRE before it comes near him.
SILVER SURFER
How can I think about enjoyment?
This very universe is my creation,
yet is it filled with injustice!
(hard)
Why can I not make it perfect?
Why?!
Frustrated, the Surfer FIRES ANOTHER BOLT. We ANGLE WITH it
as the BOLT passes Nova and goes into the star, which ERUPTS
like a volcano with coronal energy.
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2.
ANOTHER ANGLE
The ENERGY SWEEPS OUT at the Surfer and Nova, and they ride
along with it.
NOVA
Where I come from there's an old
saying -- "You deserve a break
today."
(beat)
How 'bout you take some time off
your blamestorming and come with
me?
SILVER SURFER
You have decided where you are
going now that you no longer serve
Galactus?
NOVA
Only one place I want to go -- a
sweet little mudball called Earth!
The Surfer considers for a short beat and then nods. The two
of them are soar away together, speeding up and
FORESHORTENING INTO WARP as we
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. SOLAR SYSTEM OF EARTH - THE SILVER SURFER AND NOVA
WARPING IN together just beyond Earth's moon. Nova CLAPS HER
HANDS like an appreciative audience.
NOVA
Check it out, my friend, Pink
Floyd territory...
The Surfer follows Nova's gaze to:
THEIR POV - THE MOON
Its far side facing us as:
NOVA (O.S.)
The dark side of the moon. And
beyond it --
We TIGHTEN PAST the moon to the surface of the Earth, and the
familiar outline of North America beneath swirling clouds.
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3.
NOVA (O.S.)
(continuing)
Home sweet home!
BACK TO THE SILVER SURFER AND NOVA
As the young woman streaks toward Earth.
SILVER SURFER
Nova, wait! You are not who you
once were -- and just as I found
when I returned to Zenn-La, your
world may be also be much changed!
ANOTHER ANGLE
Nova isn't listening. She continues downward, and we HOLD ON
the Surfer's look of concern. Quickly, he soars after her,
and we ANGLE FROM THE TWO OF THEM TO:
A SATELLITE
In orbit beneath the moon. We TIGHTEN ON it as various
SENSORS RESPOND to the passing of the Surfer and Nova:
LIGHTS FLASH, antennae whirl. On the satellite are the
markings: "USA." We HOLD ON the letters as:
INT. STRATEGIC AIR COMMAND HQ - READY ROOM - DAY
PANNING ACROSS the instrument-filled room, where personnel
hurry to and from their computers and video monitors. A
SIREN BLARES THE ALERT as:
GENERAL CLAIRE (O.S.)
He's back? You're sure?
As he talks we FIND:
GENERAL CLAIRE
Graying and distinguished, he stands at a computer terminal
with CAPTAIN CORCORAN. On the terminal, we SEE a pair of
fast-moving BLIPS.
CORCORAN
Spectrographic analysis confirms
it, General. This is the same
E.T. that spearheaded last year's
invasion.
GENERAL CLAIRE
What about its friend?
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4.
CORCORAN
That's a new one.
General Claire nods. He reaches for the closest phone.
GENERAL CLAIRE
Good thing we've got some new
allies too.
The General picks up the phone as we TIGHTEN ON the two blips
on the terminal screen and:
EXT. SPACE OVER EARTH - MATCHING SHOT - THE SILVER SURFER
AND NOVA
Entering the upper atmosphere and Earth's night. Suddenly,
a FIREBALL comes up at them. The Surfer and Nova move apart,
and the FIREBALL zips past them.
SILVER SURFER
We are attacked by -- fireballs?
Another FIREBALL comes at them, and a THIRD. The two former
heralds evade them also, as:
SILVER SURFER
(continuing)
This is not the kind of weapon I
saw when Galactus and I were here.
Your world had no such
technology --
NOVA
(pointing)
It's coming from -- him?
Nova's tone goes from wariness to bewilderment, and as we
ANGLE WITH HER GAZE WE SEE why:
THE HUMAN TORCH
A FIERY human, the Torch, AKA JOHNNY STORM, comes flying
toward them. Looking over to the side, he speaks into a
small headset:
JOHNNY
(filtered)
Reed! My fireballs're doing zilch!
WIDENING, we SEE that flying beside Johnny is the
"Fantasticar," and that within its canopied dome are the rest
of the humans in what we will learn is THE FANTASTIC FOUR:
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5.
MR. FANTASTIC, AKA REED RICHARDS; THE INVISIBLE WOMAN, AKA
SUE STORM; and THE THING, AKA BEN GRIMM (whose rock-like form
doesn't appear human at all).
While Ben pilots the ship, Reed speaks into his own RADIO:
REED
(filtered)
Don't worry, Johnny, we'll handle
it from here.
(to Sue)
Honey...
SUE
Got you...
She presses a button on the control console before her and:
CLOSER ON THE FANTASTICAR
As a pair of rockets ROAR from their launchers at the front
of the car.
THE SILVER SURFER AND NOVA
Are lost in the EXPLOSION as the rockets hit them dead on!
All we can SEE is EXPLODING ENERGY as:
INT. THE FANTASTICAR - NIGHT
Rocking from the shockwave. Ben grins and gives a thumbs-up.
BEN
It's clobberin' time!
We TIGHTEN ON the Thing's craggy face and
FADE OUT:
END OF TEASER
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6.
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
EXT. UPPER ATMOSPHERE OF EARTH - NIGHT - THE EXPLOSION
AREA
As the ENERGY DISSIPATES -- and we SEE the Silver Surfer and
Nova standing in space, unharmed. Nova shakes her head.
NOVA
Looks like you were right, Surfer.
Mama Earth has changed.
SILVER SURFER
Still are your homeworld's weapons
no match for the power cosmic!
NOVA
Maybe we'd better clue in those
overachievers so they don't keep
wasting their time!
The Surfer turns in the direction of their attackers.
SILVER SURFER
It would appear we are too late --
We ANGLE WITH the Surfer's gaze, TO:
THE FANTASTIC FOUR
As the Fantasticar FIRES another pair of rockets, different
from those that were used before. From within, we HEAR:
REED
(filtered)
Stay back, Johnny. Let's see how
the Molecular Binders fare!
BEN
(filtered; sarcastic)
Uh-oh, the boss's talkin' nasty
again...
THE SILVER SURFER AND NOVA
As the new rockets near their marks -- and EXPLODE directly
before their targets! Nova laughs like a child:
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7.
NOVA
Missed us --
She breaks off as from each EXPLOSION comes a SPARKLING
SERIES OF CHAIN-LIKE ENERGY! The CHAINS attach themselves to
the Surfer and Nova, steadily shortening and pulling their
two victims until they CRASH right into each other.
SILVER SURFER
(wryly)
Not quite...
They try to pull away from each other -- but everywhere
they've touched they are stuck tight by the SPARKLING CHAINS!
NOVA
What is this, Super Glue Central?
ANOTHER ANGLE
The Surfer tries to FIRE A COSMIC BOLT with his one free
hand. But just as the BOLT BEGINS -- the nearest CHAIN
spreads to it, and the BOLT FIZZLES.
SILVER SURFER
The substance adheres not only to
matter but to energy. But how
much energy can it truly endure?
(quickly)
Just as we are bound together, so
must we work together, using our
combined might -- Now!
Again the Surfer's hand GLOWS -- and this time Nova's FLAME
FLARES as well, until, with a WHOOSH! a COSMIC BOLT FLOWS
between the two of them! The CRACKLING CHAINS SIZZLE AND
BURN -- and disappear!
INT. THE FANTASTICAR - NIGHT
Where Reed and the others watch the whole thing. Ben's fist
comes down on the panel in front of him with a CRASH that
caves in that section of it!
BEN
(to Reed)
Enough with the brainy stuff.
Time for body beautiful here ta
pull yer fat outta the fire!
Reaching up, Ben throws back the canopy that covers him and
the rest of the passengers --
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8.
EXT. UPPER ATMOSPHERE OF EARTH - NIGHT
Reed takes over the controls as the car flies at the Surfer
and Nova, Ben leaps out, wrapping one arm around the Surfer.
Beside the Fantasticar, the Johnny frowns.
JOHNNY
Hey, you can't have all the fun!
And he surges ahead, shooting a stream of FIREBALLS at Nova!
THE SILVER SURFER
Stands on his board as Ben hangs onto him with one arm and
winds up for huge punch with the other.
NOVA
BLASTS her flame right back at the Torch.
THE SILVER SURFER
The Thing connects with a CLANG of tremendous strength -- but
the Surfer is unfazed. Bending low on his board, the Surfer
shoots downward, wrenching from Ben's grip --
NOVA
Her BLASTS take out Johnny's FIREBALLS and EXPLODE at him --
KNOCKING OUT HIS FLAME! He's just a normal-looking human
teenager now, and on Nova's horrified look we WIDEN TO SEE
both Johnny and the Thing falling toward the ground below!
THE FANTASTICAR
Swings into action, diving after the two men, as:
SUE
Johnny! Ben!
Sue holds out her hand, and from it a STREAM OF FORCE SHOOTS
out to the Torch, forming a FORCEFIELD around him, while:
MR. FANTASTIC
Reaches toward Ben -- and his arm stretches like a rubber
band until, fifty feet away, it wraps around his rocky
friend --
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9.
INT. THE FANTASTICAR - NIGHT
Reed's arm snaps back, yanking the Thing into the car, while
at the same time Sue's FORCEFIELD pulls Johnny into the
vehicle as well.
REED
If you two are finished playing,
we've still got a job to do.
BEN
(looking around)
Not necessarily, stretch.
He gestures outside, and the others follow his gaze to:
THEIR POV - THE NIGHT SKY
Empty. Far, far below them we SEE a FLASH of RED and SILVER.
Then even these last glimpses are so far away that they're
gone, and we
CUT TO:
EXT. LOS ANGELES - MELROSE AVENUE - NIGHT
ANGLING WITH a TV NEWS VAN (bearing CLEARED CALL LETTERS on
the side) as it drives down the street of hip eateries and
boutiques. The hour is late, and just about everything is
closed. From inside the van we HEAR:
YOUNG (O.S.)
Possible alien invasion! Rumors
of the Fantastic Four hot on the
scene -- and I'm stuck in the
middle with you...!
INT. TV NEWS VAN - NIGHT
At the wheel is SIDNEY YOUNG, an ambitious roving reporter,
and beside him is his cameraman, BOB. Bob opens his mouth to
reply, but Young beats him to it:
YOUNG
"The Neighborhood Beat's your kind
of thing," they said. "Take Bob
and do some local color!"
(disgusted)
How in the world's that gonna get
me an anchor job?
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10.
Young SNORTS derisively. Again Bob starts to reply, is
stopped as, stomping on the brakes:
YOUNG
(continuing)
What's that?
Bob tumbles forward. We ANGLE WITH Young's gaze TO:
A HIP AND TRENDY CLOTHING STORE
Dark for the night. In the shadows are two figures who can't
help but light up the area around them: The Silver Surfer
(holding his board upright with one arm) and Nova. The young
woman speaks in an aggravated WHISPER.
NOVA
Some homecoming this is! I can't
believe I have to sneak around on
my own planet!
SILVER SURFER
Well do I understand your people's
mistrust of beings such as we. If
we are to remain here for any
period of time, we must try to
appear as though we belong.
NOVA
(looking at window)
Then this'd definitely be the
place.
Nodding, the Surfer FIRES A NARROW BOLT OF THE POWER COSMIC
at the wall, cutting a steaming hole into:
INT. HIP AND TRENDY CLOTHING STORE - NIGHT
As the Surfer and Nova move through the hole, looking around.
NOVA
Bare midriff! Now we're talking!
SILVER SURFER
Nova -- our purpose is to conceal.
Nova makes a face but gets the point. She moves to another
rack. The Surfer reaches out to a display of women's
clothes. Seeing it, Nova deftly leads him to some menswear
instead --
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11.
EXT. LOS ANGELES - MELROSE AVENUE - NIGHT
Where Young moves stealthily to the clothing store, followed
by a video camera-toting Bob. Crouching down by the window,
the newsmen peak in at:
THEIR POV - INSIDE THE HIP AND TRENDY CLOTHING STORE
The Surfer has thrown on a trenchcoat and fedora, hiding his
silver skin. (NOTE: See early issues of his comic for the
outfit.) Nova, though, is having problems: Everything she
touches goes up in flames!
BACK TO SCENE
Nervous, Young starts to back away -- and hits Bob, who's
frozen in place. Stopping himself, Young peers inside once
more.
INT. HIP AND TRENDY CLOTHING STORE - NIGHT
Where, her flame subdued, Nova pulls on a baggy outfit.
SILVER SURFER
The secret to having great power,
Nova, is to control it. Not to
let it control you.
Nova looks at herself in a mirror, isn't pleased.
NOVA
Why don't I just wear a giant oven
mitt? What'll Amber think?
The Surfer doesn't answer. He's turning toward the counter.
SILVER SURFER
We must follow local custom and
pay for what we use...
His TRANSMUTATION BEAM shoots to:
A SPINDLED PILE OF RECEIPTS
The TRANSMUTATION BEAM hits it --
SILVER SURFER (O.S.)
What did you say was the medium of
exchange? Atomic Number 79 -- ?
And the receipts turn to a BAR OF GOLD!
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12.
YOUNG (O.S.)
You kidding me...?
THE SILVER SURFER AND NOVA
React to the voice, whirling, as we WIDEN TO INCLUDE an
excited Young and the cameraman, standing in the opening in
the wall. Bob keeps SHOOTING everything as:
NOVA
Great! Leave it to the paparazzi
to catch a lady at her worst!
YOUNG
Babe, right now nothing in the
world could look better to me than
the both of you!
SILVER SURFER
"Babe?" You know this man?
NOVA
No, but it's an Earth tradition --
immediate intimacy.
YOUNG
(to the Surfer)
You're one of the alien attackers
from the last picture --
(to Nova)
And you're the beautiful sidekick.
Man, the Network News is mine!
Young is ecstatic. The Surfer isn't pleased at all.
SILVER SURFER
I neither know nor care anything
for your "Network." Let us pass --
EXT. LOS ANGELES - MELROSE AVENUE - NIGHT - THE CLOTHING
STORE
Young and Bob back away, the cameraman still SHOOTING, as the
Surfer heads through the opening.
YOUNG
I just need a few sound bites --
The Surfer ignores him, and turns to the emerging Nova. His
tone becomes more imploring.
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13.
YOUNG
(continuing)
Can't you talk to Mr. Chrome Jeans
here?
(pointedly)
No reason we can't all be stars.
ANOTHER ANGLE
Nova considers. She reaches out to the Surfer.
NOVA
Ah, Surfer...remember what you
were saying about following the
"local customs"?
Her voice is like that of a child asking for a puppy. As the
Surfer turns back to her, we TIGHTEN ON his face and
CUT TO:
SERIES OF SCENES - THE SILVER SURFER AND NOVA'S
"INTERVIEW"
QUICK SHOTS OF THE FOLLOWING:
INT. LOCAL TV STATION - CONTROL ROOM - NIGHT
As a YOUNG WOMAN PRODUCER and her ENGINEER look at a monitor
where Young talks to the Surfer and Nova.
YOUNG
This is Sidney Young, reporting
live from Los Angeles, where I'm
with two genuine extra-terrestrial
beings...
The Producer nods, and the Engineer flicks a toggle --
INT. MIDDLE CLASS HOME - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Where a "SPECIAL REPORT" BUMPER CARD appears on a television
set watched by a HUSBAND and WIFE.
YOUNG (O.S.)
The Silver Surfer and Nova...
The BUMPER CARD VANISHES, replaced by the scene in L.A. Nova
looks out at the camera.
NOVA
Actually, I'm from Venice Beach...
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14.
INT. ANOTHER HOME - NIGHT
In their kitchen, a younger MAN and WOMAN lean forward,
watching their portable TV eagerly as:
NOVA
But my body chemistry kinda got
altered by this guy named
Galactus...
INT. AMBER'S APARTMENT - BEDROOM - NIGHT
AMBER, Nova's old friend, is sitting up in bed, madly
CLICKING from channel to channel with her remote. She sees
the Surfer and Nova, stops as:
NOVA
He's the one who tried to eat
Earth awhile ago...
AMBER
Frankie...?
INT. STRATEGIC AIR COMMAND HQ - READY ROOM - DAY
General Clarke is looking over some read-outs when:
NOVA (O.S.)
Of course, Silverado here got us
out of that one. Saved the whole
planet...!
The General whirls, and we WIDEN TO SEE some of his staff
watching the Surfer and the others on a TV monitor. On his
angry reaction we END SERIES OF SCENES AND
CUT TO:
EXT. NEW YORK CITY - THE BAXTER BUILDING - NIGHT
TIGHTENING ON the top of the skyscraper as the Fantasticar
lands on a special pad on its roof.
INT. THE BAXTER BUILDING - FANTASTIC FOUR HQ - NIGHT
As an elevator opens, and Reed, Sue, Johnny, and Ben enter a
large, comfortable living room. The Thing throws himself
into a steel reinforced easy chair, which shudders but holds
under his weight.
BEN
Sheesh! Am I beat!
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15.
O.S., a telephone RINGS, and in b.g. Sue takes out a cell
phone, speaks into it too softly to hear.
JOHNNY
Some group of world-savers the
Fantastic Four turned out to be.
We all got beat.
Reed indicates the ANALYZER, a complex mechanism he holds in
his hand.
REED
It wasn't a total loss, Johnny.
Once I've analyzed this data we'll
have a much better chance against
our foes.
ANOTHER ANGLE
Sue looks up from her phone conversation. She speaks tightly:
SUE
Reed, it's General Claire. You'd
better analyze that data fast.
And, as the others turn to her, we
CUT TO:
EXT. LOS ANGELES - MELROSE AVENUE - NIGHT - BUMPER TO
BUMPER TRAFFIC
The street is completely packed, and the sidewalks are lined
with people as well -- many of them wearing the robes and
pajamas that show they've just gotten out of bed. In the
distance, we hear APPROACHING SIRENS.
YOUNG (O.S.)
What an amazing sight! Folks have
been gathering for the past hour
to see the man who saved the
Earth...
As Young talks, we ANGLE TO:
THE HIP AND TRENDY CLOTHING STORE
Surrounded by an excited CROWD so thick that we can't even
see the Surfer, Nova, or the news team as:
YOUNG (O.S.)
The Silver Surfer!
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16.
FIRST CROWD MEMBER SECOND CROWD MEMBER
(calling out) (calling out)
Surfer! Way to go, dude! Surfer! Good to have you
back!
A YOUNG WOMAN SCREAMS as though she's just seen a rock star,
and we TIGHTEN THROUGH the crowd TO:
THE SILVER SURFER AND THE OTHERS
The Surfer's totally thrown. He looks around uncomfortably.
NOVA
Whoa! Last time I saw a crush
like this I was in line for
Chumbawamba tickets!
SILVER SURFER
But why are all these people here?
What are they doing?
YOUNG
(covering the mike)
You're a hero, Surfer. Everyone
wants to be part of this event.
(smiling)
My event.
ANOTHER ANGLE
Young turns back to Bob's camera, resumes his "reporter"
voice:
YOUNG
The world wants to know, Silver
Surfer -- what are you doing back
on Earth?
SILVER SURFER
When last I was here, this planet
struck a chord within me, its
people filled with potential --
for justice and peace --
WIDER
As the Surfer's words are cut off by a new SOUND: POLICE
HELICOPTERS WHIRLING overhead. From them comes a POLICE
OFFICER'S AMPLIFIED VOICE:
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17.
FIRST POLICEMAN
(filtered)
This is the Police. Silver Surfer
and Nova, surrender yourselves!
The rest of you -- return to your
homes!
SECOND CROWD MEMBER THIRD CROWD MEMBER
Go home? No way! What're they arresting the
guy who saved the Earth for?
NEW ANGLE
More POLICE arrive, in black-and-whites and on foot, and
they're greeted with LOUD BOOS. Several members of the crowd
step toward the cops, and one of the officers FIRES A WARNING
SHOT into the air. The result is immediate: Although some
of the crowd drops back, just as many people swarm forward,
at the police!
THE SILVER SURFER AND THE OTHERS
As BEDLAM breaks loose all around them. The crowd is both
pulling and pushing, with no one sure which way to go!
NOVA
Surfer! Innocent people're gonna
get hurt!
SILVER SURFER
No -- that is something I will not
allow!
(louder)
To me, my board!
THE SURFER'S BOARD
Comes soaring out of the store. Throwing off his hat and
coat, the Surfer leaps onto it, and Nova FLARES UP, BURNING
OFF her outfit as well. But just as they start taking to the
air, the crazed crowd engulfs them. They're lost in the
swarm, unable to do anything for anyone, as more SHOTS RING
OUT and we
FADE OUT:
END OF ACT ONE
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18.
ACT TWO
FADE IN:
EXT. LOS ANGELES - MELROSE AVENUE - NIGHT
Where a genuine riot has started, the crowd surging at the
police, and the police stepping back, as, in a CHANT
reminiscent of an old freedom march:
CROWD
Save-the-Surfer! Save-the-Surfer!
THE HIP AND TRENDY CLOTHING STORE
The CHANT CONTINUES as the Surfer and Nova emerge from the
mass of people, over the heads of the rioters. The Surfer's
voice reminds us of a drowning man at last tasting air:
SILVER SURFER
It is the Silver Surfer who shall
save you --
WIDER
But even as the Surfer says it we hear the SOUND OF BREAKING
GLASS as a shop window is smashed -- followed by ANOTHER
SHOT! One of the members of the crowd slumps down.
SILVER SURFER
No!!!
The Surfer starts to FIRE A COSMIC BOLT -- and Nova reaches
out, hits his arm with her own, jarring it upward, so that
the BOLT stabs out harmlessly into the sky.
NOVA
Surfer! You can't do that!
SILVER SURFER
I am responsible for what is
happening! These people are here
because of me!
ANOTHER ANGLE - FEATURING YOUNG
Peering out at the Surfer and Nova from where he's been
knocked down by the rampaging crowd. He thrusts his
microphone upward, trying to get the rest of what's being
said:
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19.
NOVA (O.S.)
Look around! Who you gonna zap...?
THE SILVER SURFER AND NOVA
She's still holding his arm as, continuing:
NOVA (O.S.)
Both sides are right -- and
both're wrong!
The Surfer meets Nova's steady gaze, nods, lowers his hand.
SILVER SURFER
ENOUGH!!!
WIDER
He's thundering at the crowd, another BEAM coming from his
forehead at the same time. It sweeps down along the street,
at what in a war zone would be called the "perimeter." We do
not, however, SEE the BEAM's effect. Instead, we ANGLE PAST
IT TO:
THE FANTASTICAR
Speeding through the sky to the scene.
SUE (O.S.)
Reed! The Silver Surfer's
attacking!
INT. THE FANTASTICAR - NIGHT
Carrying all four members of the Fantastic Four now, looking
out at what's happening below.
BEN
Lemme at 'im!
JOHNNY
Flame on!
Johnny starts to BURST INTO FLAME. Reed motions for him to
stop.
REED
Wait, Johnny! Look...!
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20.
THEIR POV - THE STREET
Now we SEE what the Silver Surfer's been up to: He has
created an ENERGY BUBBLE that completely separates the crowd
from the police.
Outside the BUBBLE, the police probe and pound on it, getting
nowhere. Inside, the members of the crowd do the same.
REED (O.S.)
That's an energy barrier, like
Sue's own forcefields.
BACK TO SCENE
Johnny's FLAME GOES OUT as, wonderingly:
SUE
It looks like he's trying to keep
everyone apart.
And, as they continue forward:
NOVA
Flies toward a YOUNG MAN who lies fallen and GROANING.
NOVA
Silverado! This guy's in
trouble...!
Nearby, a YOUNG WOMAN MOANS.
NOVA
(continuing)
And so's she...
THE SILVER SURFER
Arcs to the two victims, his board stopping in mid-air. This
time the Surfer's HEALING BEAM that comes from his forehead.
We ANGLE WITH THE HEALING BEAM as it COVERS the Young Man.
He opens their eyes, sitting up and looking around, shocked.
From O.S. comes a sharp intake of breath from the crowd, and
we hear:
FOURTH CROWD MEMBER FIRST CROWD MEMBER
Look! The Surfer healed them!
As the others talk, the Surfer's HEALING BEAM takes in the
Young Woman, and she sits up with a start.
BRODY THE SILVER SURFER 2147-19 FIRST DRAFT 04/24/98
21.
CLOSE ON YOUNG
Watching, amazed.
YOUNG
This is great stuff! You get
that, Bob...?
Bob doesn't reply. Young turns, and we WIDEN TO INCLUDE the
cameraman, who's down on his side. Young jumps to his feet.
YOUNG
(continuing)
Surfer! Over here!
THE SILVER SURFER AND NOVA
Soar over to Bob. Once more, the Surfer uses his HEALING
BEAM -- while, without missing a beat, Young picks up the
video camera and SHOOTS the whole thing. Bob stirs, opens
his mouth to speak, but we still don't get to hear him as:
BEN (O.S.)
Watch it, bub -- the AMA ain't
gonna like you practicing medicine
without license!
We WIDEN TO SEE the Fantastic Four standing just outside the
ENERGY BARRIER. Above them, in the air overhead, the
Fantasticar hovers.
NOVA
You guys again?!
SILVER SURFER
(starting toward them)
If you seek another battle --
REED
We would've already begun...
Reed's limbs stretch, and he grows taller, so that he's on
the same level with the Surfer as:
REED
(continuing)
The government of our country has
asked us to help defend it, but
now that I see what you've done,
I'm not sure you're someone it
needs defending from.
BRODY THE SILVER SURFER 2147-19 FIRST DRAFT 04/24/98
22.
SILVER SURFER
And just who are you to be put in
this position? Where were you
when last I came here?
REED
When you visited Earth before I
was Reed Richards...
We TIGHTEN ON Reed and the other members of the Fantastic
four below him and
SMASH CUT TO:
INT. REED RICHARDS' LAB - DAY - (FLASHBACK)
Where, in a lab coat, he's peering into an electron
microscope.
REED (O.S.)
An independent researcher...
EXT. A FRENCH RESTAURANT - DAY
Where Reed and Sue, whose very fashionably and elegantly
dressed, have lunch at a little table on the patio.
SUE (O.S.)
And I was Sue Storm, his fiancee...
EXT. DESERT SKY - DAY
Where an experimental jet WHINES TOWARD us. When we can SEE
in the windshield at the very human, totally un-rocklike man
flying the craft, we HOLD ON him as:
BEN (O.S.)
I was Ben Grimm, test pilot...
EXT. SMALL TOWN STREET - DAY
Where Johnny PEELS RUBBER in a homemade hotrod.
JOHNNY (O.S.)
I was Johnny Storm, Sue's brother
and one crazy street racer...
EXT. LAUNCHING PAD - DAY
Where a large rocket sits upright, held in place by a gantry,
as four spacesuited figures -- Reed, Sue, Ben, and Johnny --
climb up and get inside.
BRODY THE SILVER SURFER 2147-19 FIRST DRAFT 04/24/98
23.
REED (O.S.)
After Earth's near-disaster with
the being you call Galactus, I
built my own rocket to take humans
into space...
(as the rocket takes
off!)
To prove that non-military flights
were possible, we four civilians
took off together...!
EXT. SPACE OVER EARTH
As the rocket streaks out to it, ENGINES CUTTING OFF.
REED (O.S.)
At first, everything went
according to my calculations...
INT. PRIVATE ROCKET
With Ben at the controls. Johnny unbuckles his seatbelt and
floats joyfully in freefall. Suddenly, tiny particles of
what look like the power cosmic ZING in through the walls,
and the ship shakes, jarring Johnny up against a bulkhead.
REED (O.S.)
Then we passed through a layer of
cosmic energy that should not have
been there...
More particles ZING into the ship, passing through
everything -- including the four astronauts!
REED (O.S.)
(continuing)
And that caused events to take a
fateful turn.
The ship shakes still more, seatbelts SNAPPING as Reed, Sue,
and Ben are thrown all around the compartment!
EXT. SPACE OVER EARTH
The rocket spins, losing altitude and plummeting back down to:
EXT. FORESTED AREA - DAY
As Reed's ship comes out of the sky at an oblique angle,
skidding through trees, until at last it comes to rest
against a huge boulder.
BRODY THE SILVER SURFER 2147-19 FIRST DRAFT 04/24/98
24.
CLOSER ON THE ROCKET
Reed emerges from a gaping hole in the hull, pulling Sue to
safety. Behind him comes Ben, carrying Johnny. Quickly, the
two men remove their helmets and those of the others.
JOHNNY
Takes a deep breath.
JOHNNY
Feel like I'm...burning up --
And, as he says it, his entire body BURSTS INTO FLAME and
shoots upward, flying in the air!
REED/SUE/BEN
(horrified)
Johnny!
REED
Reaches out for the youth -- and his arm stretches to him,
the rest of Reed's body uncoiling as well.
SUE
Reed, what's happening to you
two -- ?
SUE
Breaks off -- because as she speaks she's becoming invisible!
Ben stares at his friends.
BEN
I knew we shouldn'ta gone up!
Furious, Ben lashes out, punching the nearest tree -- and his
body changes into the giant, craggy thing it is now, tearing
out of his clothes -- while his blow fells the giant oak!
WIDER
Johnny's FLAME subsides, and he tumbles back to the ground,
Reed snaps back into shape, and Sue reappears. The only one
who stays as he was is Ben. The four of them look at each
other closely. Johnny puts his hand down on the side of
Ben's uprooted tree.
JOHNNY
I'm not just Johnny Storm anymore.
I'm a -- Human Torch!
BRODY THE SILVER SURFER 2147-19 FIRST DRAFT 04/24/98
25.
Reed puts his hand down atop Johnny's.
REED
And I'm -- Mr. Fantastic!
Sue's hand goes on top of Reed's.
SUE
I've become -- the Invisible Woman.
Ben hesitates. Reluctantly, his hand covers the others'.
BEN
I'm not even human. I'm -- the
Thing.
REED
And together -- we're the
Fantastic Four...!
SMASH CUT TO:
EXT. LOS ANGELES - MELROSE AVENUE - NIGHT - (END OF
FLASHBACK)
The Surfer and the Fantastic Four look at each other through
the ENERGY BUBBLE, and the Surfer nods with understanding.
SILVER SURFER
The layer of cosmic energy of
which you speak -- I believe I
know what it was...
Nova flies closer to the Surfer. From b.g. we hear as yet
indecipherable MURMURING from the crowd.
SILVER SURFER
(continuing)
Residue of the power cosmic --
from the battle between Galactus
and myself.
NOVA
(to the Surfer;
amazed)
That makes you the one behind
their powers. The Silver Surfer
created the Fantastic Four!
SUE
That's not all he's started --
look!
BRODY THE SILVER SURFER 2147-19 FIRST DRAFT 04/24/98
26.
NEW ANGLE
The members of the crowd have gathered around Bob and the
others healed by the Surfer. Now they start moving toward
the Surfer, calling out:
FIRST CROWD MEMBER SECOND CROWD MEMBER
Silver Surfer! I've got a My eyes aren't what they
bad back! Heal me! used to be, Surfer!
Outside the BUBBLE, the police are getting into this too:
SECOND POLICEMAN THIRD POLICEMAN
Heal my asthma, Surfer! The doctors've given up on
my wife! Isn't there
something you can do?
Both the crowd and the police push as close to the Surfer
they can get, calling out as one:
CROWD/POLICE OFFICERS
Heal me! Heal me!
THE SILVER SURFER AND NOVA
The crowd reaches up to them, shoving at each other.
SILVER SURFER
I want to help you all! But even
I have not the power for such a
group --
THIRD CROWD MEMBER FIRST CROWD MEMBER
Sure you do! Heal us! You have to!
SILVER SURFER
(to Nova)
They do not understand --
NOVA
But I understand people -- and the
longer we stay here the worse it's
gonna get. Time to say a big
hasta la vista for now!
THE FANTASTIC FOUR
More cops are jostling. Reed calls to the Surfer.
REED
Better listen to the young lady,
Surfer. We'll keep the peace here.
BRODY THE SILVER SURFER 2147-19 FIRST DRAFT 04/24/98
27.
SILVER SURFER
Very well. Reed Richards -- Mr.
Fantastic -- consider me in your
debt.
WIDER
The Surfer and Nova start upward, and below them Young calls
out above the rest of the crowd:
YOUNG
Waitaminnit! I've got an
exclusive here. You can't go
without me!
(piteously)
Please!
The Surfer hesitates, and Young doesn't miss a beat.
Abandoning his gear, he leaps upward, hanging down from the
back of the Surfer's board as the Surfer heads upward again.
The newsman CRIES OUT WORDLESSLY as they reach the top of the
ENERGY BUBBLE -- and then continue right through it as the
BUBBLE DISSOLVES!
ANOTHER ANGLE
Immediately, the police choppers give chase -- and are left
behind as the Surfer, Nova, and their "hitchhiker" soar into
the night.
THE STREET BELOW
Where the police, the crowd, and the Fantastic Four all
tumble together. The Thing looks up just in time to see a
couple of people step over his huge form.
BEN
Wotta revoltin' development this
is!
He pushes to his feet, and around him a group of police go
flying backward.
REED
Easy, Ben. Our job's to make sure
no more people get hurt.
JOHNNY
Gotcha, Reed!
It's a study in teamwork as:
BRODY THE SILVER SURFER 2147-19 FIRST DRAFT 04/24/98
28.
REED
Stretches out, keeping as many people as he can back with his
expanding body.
BEN
Does the same with his strength, sending people bouncing off
him as though they've walked into a stone wall.
JOHNNY
FLAMES ON, flying a zigzag pattern through the crowd that
forces everyone back.
SUE
Shoots out more forcefields, which gently separate the
members of the crowd.
WIDER
People are starting to slow down, the SHOUTING STOPPING.
Everything is definitely coming under control as:
INT. AMBER'S APARTMENT - BEDROOM - NIGHT - MATCHING SHOT
Of the Fantastic Four continuing in action on Amber's
portable TV. OVER it:
NOVA (O.S.)
Amber! I missed you so much!
We WIDEN TO SEE the Surfer, Nova, and Young soar into the
room through an open skylight. Amber stares:
AMBER
Frankie! It is you!
Young drops from beneath the Surfer's board, and the Surfer
lands. Nova rushes to her old friend, who comes popping out
of her bed to embrace her -- the two of them stopping short
as they realize what could happen if they touch.
AMBER
(continuing)
Love your hair, girl.
NOVA
There's so much to tell you, I
hardly know where to start...
BRODY THE SILVER SURFER 2147-19 FIRST DRAFT 04/24/98
29.
ANOTHER ANGLE
It's as though the Surfer and Young have ceased to exist for
the two young women head from the room.
AMBER
I always knew you'd make good!
NOVA
I saw a whole solar system being
born! And I've been in a space
war --
We HOLD ON the Surfer and Young, alone now.
YOUNG
I better let the station know
what's going on --
Young reaches for the phone on the nightstand. The Surfer
aims a small COSMIC BEAM at it, and the phone is knocked
across the room, out of reach.
SILVER SURFER
You have "invited" yourself to a
private gathering. It must remain
private.
YOUNG
The public's got a right to
know -- !
SILVER SURFER
To know what? That the Silver
Surfer is here, body tired and
mind adrift...?
NEW ANGLE
The Surfer leaps back on his board.
SILVER SURFER
I have come nowhere near to the
respite I seek.
(beat)
Great potential your world may
have, but for now it is too
chaotic, its people too
unreasoning...
He starts to rise toward the skylight.
BRODY THE SILVER SURFER 2147-19 FIRST DRAFT 04/24/98
30.
SILVER SURFER
(continuing)
I should return to the spaceways,
where I have lived for so long --
YOUNG
You would abandon us? Talk about
potential --
Young points. The Surfer follows his gaze to:
THEIR POV - AMBER'S TV SCREEN
Where the Fantastic Four continue to restore order on Melrose
Avenue.
YOUNG (O.S.)
There're things wrong with Earth
that you haven't even seen yet,
Surfer. Not just violence, but
pollution, disease.
(beat)
You have the potential to save
us -- to change this place into a
paradise...!
BACK TO SCENE
Young moves as close to the circling Surfer as he can get,
really pushing this idea:
YOUNG
Those people love you! Combine
that with your good intentions,
and your power cosmic --
(beat)
And you can lead us to a greatness
that would set an example for the
rest of the universe to follow!
In spite of himself, the Surfer is intrigued. He looks from
the TV set to Young.
SILVER SURFER
What you say may indeed be true.
Long have I sought my proper place
in creation...
(realizing)
But how can I lead a civilization
about which I know so little?
BRODY THE SILVER SURFER 2147-19 FIRST DRAFT 04/24/98
31.
YOUNG
Surfer, I've been reporting the
news for years, and I've learned
more than most people do in a
lifetime.
(beat)
With me to guide you -- how can
you miss?
And, as the Surfer considers, we TIGHTEN ON him and
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. NEW YORK CITY - THE BAXTER BUILDING - DAY
TIGHTENING ON the Fantastic Four's penthouse hq as:
BEN (O.S.)
The Silver Surfer wants to what?!
INT. THE BAXTER BUILDING - FANTASTIC FOUR HQ - DAY
With Reed, Sue, Ben, and Johnny is a very upset General
Claire. He paces through the room:
GENERAL CLAIRE
His press representative has
announced that the Surfer is going
to address the U.N. Security
Council in one hour --
SUE
"Press representative?" Sounds
like he learns fast.
JOHNNY
So what does the Pentagon want us
to do about it, General?
EXT. THE EARTH'S SKY - DAY
As an object flies toward us: The Silver Surfer on his
board, with Young protected in an ENERGY BUBBLE behind him.
GENERAL CLAIRE (O.S.)
Why, stop him, of course. The
Silver Surfer is a very dangerous
being.
We ANGLE WITH the Surfer as he soars across the country,
passing over the Grand Canyon as:
BRODY THE SILVER SURFER 2147-19 FIRST DRAFT 04/24/98
32.
REED (O.S.)
The Silver Surfer I saw actually
showed a great deal of restraint.
(beat)
As a kind of emissary from
civilization beyond our Earth, why
shouldn't he address the U.N.?
Now the Surfer's flying over the mighty Mississippi River!
SUE (O.S.)
Reed's right, General Claire.
Think what we might learn!
The Surfer and Young pass over the Great Lakes, continue on.
GENERAL CLAIRE (O.S.)
That's your final word on the
subject? You refuse to co-
operate...?
INT. THE BAXTER BUILDING - FANTASTIC FOUR HQ - DAY
Livid with anger, the General heads for the door, turns back
to them for one last comment:
GENERAL CLAIRE
You're not our only line of
defense against extra-terrestrial
invasion. Now just might be the
time to test one of the weapons
we've been developing.
(meaningfully)
A weapon designed as a fail-safe
against any cosmic powered foe!
He leaves with a SLAM!
CUT TO:
EXT. NEW YORK CITY - THE UNITED NATIONS BUILDING - DAY
Where myriad NEWSPEOPLE and a CROWD that makes the one in
L.A. look like an unsuccessful Tupperware party has gathered,
and it isn't a quiet one:
CROWD
Silver Surfer! Silver Surfer...!
The CRY IS REPEATED OVER AND OVER as we ANGLE UP THE STREET
TO SEE:
BRODY THE SILVER SURFER 2147-19 FIRST DRAFT 04/24/98
33.
A MILITARY CONVOY
Infantry, Hummers, even tanks, all making their way to the
U.N. Building. In the center of the convoy is a massive,
extra-long load military cargo truck, covered with a khaki
tarp.
CLOSER ON THE UNITED NATIONS BUILDING
The Surfer stands at the entrance, Young at his side.
Between them and the door are a U.N. FUNCTIONARY and a squad
of U.N. troops, weapons at the ready. And behind them, of
course, is the still NOISY crowd.
YOUNG
(indignant)
What do you mean, we can't go in
there? The Silver Surfer's a duly
authorized representative from --
from the Great Beyond!
The Functionary stands his ground:
FUNCTIONARY
I don't care if he's from the
Garden of Eden. No one has the
right to come here and impose his
views on our world.
SILVER SURFER
Very well then. I will speak here.
ANOTHER ANGLE
The Surfer soars upward, stands over the crowd.
SILVER SURFER
Brothers and sisters of Earth! I
come today to save your planet --
not from Galactus but from itself.
(beat)
I will lead you from the mindless
violence and misuse of technology
that characterize this world --
THE MILITARY CONVOY
Stopping just up the street. General Claire emerges from the
lead Hummer just in time to hear the Surfer's words. He
shouts out:
BRODY THE SILVER SURFER 2147-19 FIRST DRAFT 04/24/98
34.
GENERAL CLAIRE
You will lead?! Never! Earth
must remain free!
He signals to the soldiers surrounding the cargo truck, and
they yank off the tarp. We TIGHTEN ON what's beneath it: A
weapon we will learn is called the ENERVATOR -- like an
atomic cannon but a thousand times more complex. The
Enervator starts to GLOW -- and then it FIRES!
THE SILVER SURFER
As a BLACK BEAM from the Enervator strikes him right in the
chest. His eyes open with shock, and he reels backward on
his board.
WIDER
The Surfer raises his hand to FIRE A COSMIC BOLT, but the
BLACK BEAM WIDENS, taking in his whole body. More quickly
than we would have imagined, the very color of the Surfer is
drained, and he gets duller and duller, going from SILVER TO
GRAY and falling from his board. Still the BLACK BEAM stays
on him, the Surfer's entire body turning BLACK as well, as we
FADE OUT:
THE END
BRODY THE SILVER SURFER 2147-19 FIRST DRAFT 04/24/98
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