THE SILVER SURFER
DOWN TO EARTH: PART TWO
(formerly HOME ALONE: PART TWO)
(#2147-20)
WRITTEN BY
LARRY BRODY
FIRST DRAFT
MAY 4, 1998
THE SILVER SURFER
"DOWN TO EARTH: PART TWO"
TEASER
FADE IN:
EXT. DEEP SPACE
As THE OUTLINE OF THE WATCHER RIPPLES INTO EXISTENCE against
the velvety background of space. He regards US gravely.
THE WATCHER
I am the Watcher, observer of all
events of import in the cosmos...
As he talks, the Watcher turns his head to look at something,
O.S. We ANGLE WITH his gaze.
THE WATCHER
(continuing)
Now must I take notice of what
transpires on a small planet in
what its inhabitants call the
Milky Way galaxy...
Now we FIND:
EXT. SPACE OVER THE PLANET EARTH - (BEGINNING RECAP)
As the SILVER SURFER and NOVA reach it. (NOTE: All SHOTS in
this sequence are all-new animation of events in #2147-19.)
THE WATCHER (O.S.)
When the Silver Surfer agreed to
accompany Nova, the former herald
of Galactus, to this world, known
as Earth...
The Surfer and Nova start downward, into the atmosphere.
THE WATCHER (O.S.)
(continuing)
He hoped to gain a respite from
the burden of responsibility he
felt for the universe he truly had
created...
EXT. EARTH - HIGH IN THE SKY - NIGHT
As the FANTASTIC FOUR wing to the attack, the HUMAN TORCH
flying alone, MR. FANTASTIC, THE THING, and THE INVISIBLE
WOMAN in the FANTASTICAR.
BRODY SILVER SURFER 2147-20 FIRST DRAFT 05/04/98
2.
THE WATCHER (O.S.)
Instead, however, he and Nova
found themselves under attack...
The battle begins!
THE WATCHER (O.S.)
(continuing)
By a group of cosmic-powered Earth
beings called the Fantastic
Four...!
EXT. LOS ANGELES - MELROSE AVENUE - NIGHT
Where the Surfer and Nova are interviewed by SIDNEY YOUNG,
while a crowd of civilians gathers.
THE WATCHER (O.S.)
Evading these defenders of the
planet, the Silver Surfer and Nova
found themselves the center of
attention on its surface...
The Army shows up, and a riot begins!
THE WATCHER (O.S.)
(continuing)
But while some of the inhabitants
thought them heroes, the
authorities interpreted the
situation a different way...
The Surfer creates an ENERGY BUBBLE to separate the factions
and uses his HEALING BEAM on the injured, the members of the
Fantastic Four looking on.
THE WATCHER (O.S.)
(continuing)
Events indicated to the Silver
Surfer that Earth desperately
needed leadership to end the
mindless violence of its people...
Both the civilians and the military CHEER the Surfer and CALL
OUT to him for further help.
THE WATCHER (O.S.)
(continuing)
And growing approval convinced him
that he was the one to assume the
task...
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3.
EXT. NEW YORK CITY - UNITED NATIONS BUILDING - DAY
With Young as his advisor, the Surfer addresses the crowd
gathered outside.
THE WATCHER (O.S.)
The governments of the planet,
however, misunderstood the Silver
Surfer's good intentions...
UP THE STREET
As a military convoy led by GENERAL CLAIRE approaches.
THE WATCHER (O.S.)
And when the Fantastic Four
refused to act against him, the
military utilized its own top
secret weaponry instead --
WIDER
The ENERVATOR FIRES A BLACK BEAM, hitting the Surfer in the
chest and knocking him from his board as we END RECAP and
CUT TO:
EXT. NEW YORK CITY - UNITED NATIONS BUILDING - DAY - THE
SILVER SURFER
His face shows both his shock and pain as he hits the
pavement, his body a DULL GRAY. The BLACK BEAM continues to
hit him as:
SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
Can this truly be? My power
cosmic flows from me like water
from a dam that has burst...!
We WIDEN as he thrashes around, looking for help. He turns
to Young.
SILVER SURFER
Help me --
Young hesitates. He looks around, sees:
YOUNG'S POV - INFANTRY
Leaping from the troop transports in the convoy and rushing
at the Surfer -- and Young.
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4.
BACK TO SCENE
Young makes a decision -- and backs away.
YOUNG
I can't get involved in this,
Surfer. My job's to report the
news -- not make it...
SILVER SURFER
(weakly; reaching out
to him)
You guided me -- here --
ANOTHER ANGLE
The infantrymen have arrived -- and with them General Claire.
Young looks terrified.
YOUNG
A microphone! Where's my
microphone -- ?
And, as Young backpedals:
INT. AMBER'S APARTMENT - BEDROOM - DAY - MATCHING SHOT -
YOUNG
WIDENING TO TAKE IN the entire tableau of what's happening at
U.N. Headquarters as:
NOVA (O.S.)
Lipstick! Toenail polish! Amber,
you don't know how I've missed
'em --
WIDENING MORE, we SEE that the tableau is on the TV, and that
Nova and Amber are entering the room, Amber carrying an
armful of girlish cosmetics and things.
AMBER
Try "Growling Garden Green." It's
your color.
Amber holds out a bottle of nail polish, and Nova reaches
out. But before she can even touch it, the bottle melts to
nothingness! Amber lets out a SCREECH and:
NOVA
Sorry about that. Guess the old
power cosmic doesn't lend itself
to beauty aids --
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5.
They're in front of the TV now, and Nova breaks off as she
sees:
NOVA'S POV - TV SET
Where the Surfer has become completely BLACK as the BEAM of
the Enervator WIDENS, SOLIDIFYING around him.
NOVA (O.S.)
Silverado!
BACK TO SCENE
Nova takes to the air.
NOVA
Hate to flame and run, I've got a
stress puppy to save -- !
(beat; V.O.)
Though how I'm gonna take on
something that could do that to
the Surfer, I don't know --
And she's out the skylight, Amber staring behind her as we
CUT TO:
EXT. SPACE OVER THE PLANET EARTH - FEATURING THE MOON
Space above it FLASHES in a series of arcs like the sweep of
an axe blade -- and that's just what it is! WARPING IN is an
object similar to the ENERGY AXE we've seen before...except
that it's bigger, BRIGHTER -- and NOISIER: A COSMIC AXE!
ANOTHER ANGLE - FEATURING THE EARTH
Behind the COSMIC AXE a humanoid figure appears: TERRAX. He
looks much as he did the last time we SAW him -- except that
his entire body GLOWS, FLARING every now and then just like
the AXE. Looking down at the planet below, he starts to
LAUGH, stops as:
GALACTUS (O.S.)
My herald...!
An IMAGE appears before Terrax: GALACTUS. He looks at the
herald with his pupil-less eyes.
GALACTUS
The hunger within me grows! Have
you located a world with the
energy I need?
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6.
Terrax lifts his AXE high.
TERRAX
Mighty Galactus, according to the
powers you've given me -- this
place has more than you could ever
have dreamed!
Galactus' IMAGE VANISHES, and ENERGY FLARES OUTWARD from both
the AXE and Terrax' body. As Terrax SUMMONS the Devourer of
Worlds we TIGHTEN PAST HIM AT the threatened Earth and
FADE OUT:
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7.
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
EXT. NEW YORK CITY - UNITED NATIONS BUILDING - DAY - THE
SILVER SURFER
Like an EBONY statue encased in a BLACK BASALT box. (Think
of Han Solo at the beginning of the third STAR WARS film.)
His eyes and mouth are open, his arms stretching out, but
he's completely immobile, an object, not a man.
GENERAL CLAIRE (O.S.)
Get him in there, and we'll take
him to the lab.
We WIDEN TO SEE that the Enervator is no longer SHOOTING ITS
BEAM, while the infantrymen carry the Surfer to a waiting
military truck. Onlookers CALL OUT:
FIRST CROWD MEMBER SECOND CROWD MEMBER
They got the Surfer! What're they gonna do with
him?
FIRST CROWD MEMBER
(continuing) SECOND CROWD MEMBER
How can he heal me now? (continuing)
How can he save the planet
if he can't save himself?
ANOTHER ANGLE
The General ignores them, watches as another infantryman
passes by carrying the Surfer's board. General Claire turns
to Young, who's trying to edge away, grabs him by the shirt.
GENERAL CLAIRE
Just what's your part in all
this --
General Claire pauses for a name. Young speaks quickly:
YOUNG
Sidney Young, K___. I was
covering the Surfer for my
station, and --
(thinking fast)
And he kidnapped me!
The General looks doubtful. He nods to two nearby soldiers,
each of whom grabs Young by one of his arms and marches him
away.
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8.
YOUNG
(continuing)
Hey! You can't do this! I'm a
victim!
(when that doesn't
work)
Freedom of the press! Freedom of
the press!
NEW ANGLE
The soldiers push Young into one of the cars. CAPTAIN
CORCORAN comes running with an Army phone.
CORCORAN
General! We've sighted the other
E.T.
And, as he hands General Claire the phone:
EXT. MONUMENT VALLEY - DAY
An area of strangely shaped natural formations (NOTE: See
every film John Wayne ever made with John Ford.) Right now,
the normally clear, empty sky is teeming with life: Nova,
and a squad of jet fighter planes, coming to meet her.
NOVA (V.O.)
Uh-oh, it's our boys in blue. And
I don't think they're here to
invite me to the prom.
ANOTHER ANGLE
Nova's proven right as the jets FIRE half a dozen rockets
directly at her.
NOVA
C'mon, guys, I race with comets.
These things can't catch me!
And, with a burst of speed she outdistances them -- but the
rockets keep coming. Realizing:
NOVA (V.O.)
I'll bet they're heat-seeking
whatchamacallits, like Tom Cruise
used in that movie...
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9.
NEW ANGLE
Testing her theory, Nova does a series of fancy figure
eights -- and the rockets all follow.
NOVA (V.O.)
Yep, that's what they are. If I
leave 'em in my dust, they might
latch onto some other target --
one that can really be hurt...
She does a quick 180 degree turn, heading right back at the
objects that have been pursuing her.
NOVA (V.O.)
(continuing)
The land down there's so
beautiful, I'll try not to make a
mess --
WIDER
Suddenly, Nova stops -- and FLARES UP like a miniature
version of her namesake -- a genuine NOVA! The EXPANDING
FIREBALL that she has become ENGULFS the rockets, and with a
SOUND LIKE A SERIES OF GIANT FIRECRACKERS the rockets START
TO EXPLODE -- and then MELT instead!
NOVA
CLAPS her hands and takes a mock bow.
NOVA
Perfecto! Like the gas company
used to say -- nothing beats the
heat of a nice clean flame!
She arcs through the air, turning back to:
THE JET FIGHTERS
As their pilots survey the scene.
SQUAD LEADER
(filtered)
You see that?
(a command decision)
Alpha Flight -- we are outta here!
Staying in perfect formation, the jets bank around and head
back where they came from! We TIGHTEN ON Nova as she watches
them go.
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10.
NOVA
Sorry, guys. Maybe we can grab a
pizza together some time!
(unhappily; V.O.)
And all I wanted was to get a
life. That guy who said "You
can't go home again" was right!
She flies over a flat mesa -- and a FLARE OF ENERGY swings
down at her:
TERRAX' COSMIC AXE
Nova veers off just in time. The COSMIC AXE continues down,
slicing right through the mesa and leaving a SMOKING TRAIL.
The COSMIC ENERGY from the AXE CRACKLES back upward to:
TERRAX
Stands in the sky, holding the other end of his amazing
expandable weapon. He LAUGHS again as:
TERRAX
Nova! What a pleasure to see you
again, my dear.
We WIDEN TO INCLUDE Nova as she soars up closer to him --
then stops warily.
NOVA
Terrax? How'd you get here? The
Surfer and I took your axe, and
the Surfer teleported you --
TERRAX
(finishing her
sentence)
Far, far away, yes...
He shakes his head with mock sadness, and we TIGHTEN ON
Terrax' face and
SMASH CUT TO:
EXT. A FAR "CORNER" OF THE UNIVERSE - (FLASHBACK)
Devoid of stars, planets, comets -- anything at all. The
only thing here is Terrax as he looked in #2147-18, WARPING
IN, surrounded, floundering helplessly amid the BLACKNESS of
space.
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11.
TERRAX (O.S.)
But while most of the power I
"borrowed" from you and the Surfer
was in my lost weapon, I still had
enough to survive...
The Terrax before US forces himself to calm down. He takes
a quick look around himself, then closes his eyes and
concentrates -- and FORESHORTENS INTO WARP, heading to:
EXT. ANOTHER PART OF SPACE
Where Galactus' huge ship moves toward a huge sun. The
ship's ENERGY WEAPONS FIRE, and the sun EXPLODES into FIERY
FRAGMENTS which have no effect whatsoever on the vessel,
which simply continues through them calmly.
TERRAX (O.S.)
I found Galactus as he moved
through space...
TIGHTENING ON the ship, we SEE Terrax WARP IN near its top,
and we ANGLE WITH him as he tumbles down to:
EXT. GALACTUS' SHIP - CONTROL CENTER
Terrax CRASHES into a bank of machinery, crying out:
TERRAX
Mighty Galactus --
GALACTUS' EYES
Galactus' head turns, his eyes focusing on:
TERRAX
Clambers to his feet, looking up at the Devourer, as:
TERRAX (O.S.)
And I told him the "truth..."
GALACTUS' FINGER
Hits a button on his command chair.
TERRAX (O.S.)
That you and your silver friend,
acting out of envy and bitterness,
had viciously attacked me...
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12.
A BOLT OF THE POWER COSMIC
ANGLING WITH it as the BOLT strikes Terrax, encasing him in
an ENERGY BUBBLE.
TERRAX (O.S.)
Moved by my plight, your former
master decided I was the right man
for a certain job opening...
ANOTHER ANGLE
As a SERIES OF BOLTS SHOOT into Terrax' BUBBLE. Terrax
collapses from the strain, and we SEE the BOLTS literally
coating him with layer after layer of the POWER COSMIC,
creating the GLOWING, FLARING FORM he now has.
TERRAX (O.S.)
And he gave me the power necessary
to perform my duties...
CLOSER ON TERRAX
Beside his transformed body, the COSMIC AXE appears!
TERRAX (O.S.)
As well as a weapon to replace the
one you stole!
The new Terrax opens his eyes, sees the AXE. Picking it up,
he gets to his feet and holds the weapon out in salute to his
creator. The AXE FLARES, ITS BRILLIANT LIGHT FILLING SCREEN,
as we END FLASHBACK and
SMASH CUT TO:
EXT. MONUMENT VALLEY - DAY - NOVA AND TERRAX
As Terrax finishes his tale. Nova looks shocked.
NOVA
You didn't tell Big G the truth!
You lied to him -- !
And she FIRES A COSMIC BOLT! Terrax moves quickly, holding
out his AXE. It FLARES UP, catching the bolt and SUCKING IT
inside itself! Terrax LAUGHS.
TERRAX
Very good, Nova. I can always use
more power. And my new axe can
absorb much more than my old.
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13.
ANOTHER ANGLE
Nova soars wide of her foe, does a bank and roll to fake him
out of knowing what direction she's really going to fly in.
NOVA
That's only if the axe catches
what I'm throwing, and I've got a
pretty mean curveball --
Staying in motion, Nova arches herself into a flying
pinwheel, and FIRES ANOTHER COSMIC BOLT that twists through
the air like a corkscrew.
NEW ANGLE
Terrax' AXE just manages to catch the BOLT. He smiles.
TERRAX
I knew I was going to enjoy this.
Please -- try again.
He flies toward her. Nova circles away.
NOVA
You bet I will! Somebody's gotta
keep you from running all around
the universe with that funky
cosmic blackmail scheme --
WIDER
Nova FIRES again, and this time the BOLT is a deceptively
gentle curve that breaks just as Terrax' AXE is about to get
it. The AXE misses, but Terrax gets out of the BOLT's way.
TERRAX
I didn't come here to take over
this planet, child. I came
because I found both your energy
and that of the Surfer...
Now Terrax swings the AXE, and it BLOSSOMS awesomely, jabbing
straight at Nova, who dives down, out of its way. We ANGLE
WITH the AXE'S POWER COSMIC as it ZAPS INTO the ground below,
opening up a huge crater!
NOVA AND TERRAX
Nova looks down at the ground, grimaces. Terrax simply looks
pleased, as the AXE FLARE ABATES, the entire AXE once again
of a manageable size, and all in his hand.
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14.
TERRAX
And, because, in addition to
serving my master, I'm human
enough to want a little -- revenge!
Increasing his speed, Terrax flies at her again, swinging the
AXE. So quickly does it move upward and downward and side to
side, that ITS FLARING ENERGY FORMS ONE WIDE "CURTAIN" OF THE
POWER COSMIC all around Nova!
The ENERGY IS STARTING TO CONSTRICT AND TRAP NOVA WITHIN IT
when:
AN ELONGATED ARM
Like a stretched-out rubberband, the arm extends through the
air, to:
NOVA
Letting out a WORDLESS HOLLER as the arm wraps around her
FLAMING FORM, yanking the young woman back, out of the way,
as:
THE ENERGY CURTAIN
CONSTRICTS ON itself emptily and IMPLODES!
TERRAX
Looks around, startled.
TERRAX
What -- ?
A NEARBY BUTTE
Where Reed Richards loosens his arm, releasing Nova to stand
atop the mountain-like formation with him, Sue Storm, Ben
Grimm, and Johnny Storm, whose FLAME now is on. In b.g., the
Fantasticar sits. Nova turns to Reed.
NOVA
How'd you do that? I mean,
without getting burned?
REED
Our suits are made of unstable
molecules. They can adapt to
virtually any shape, condition, or
extreme.
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15.
Reed's arm snaps back to its normal length as Ben turns in
Terrax' direction, calls out loudly:
BEN
Not "what," pal -- who! And the
answer, for a night on the town
courtesy of the New Dating Game,
is --
As he says it, Ben makes a prodigious leap. We ANGLE WITH it
as he jumps upward and outward, directly at:
TERRAX
Watches wonderingly as Ben sails through the air at him.
TERRAX
What kind of abomination is this?
BEN
Not the Abomination, Hairy -- but
the ever-lovin', blue-eyed Thing!
Ben CRASHES into Terrax, and we ANGLE WITH them as they
plummet back down to the desert floor, disappearing into the
ground below with a CRASH!
THE BUTTE
Nova's lip starts to tremble.
NOVA
Whoa! Your bumpy buddy just
sacrificed himself for -- me...?
SUE
Ben knows what he's doing.
JOHNNY
Besides, you saw what he looks
like. It's only a sacrifice if
you've got something to lose --
THE DESERT FLOOR
Starts to RUMBLE and TREMBLE AND CRACK, as though from an
earthquake deep underground. Suddenly, the earth itself
ERUPTS, water and dirt flying everywhere, as Ben leaps from
the hole. He brushes himself off, his tone indignant:
BEN
I heard that, Matchhead --
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16.
He's cut off by more RUMBLING, TREMBLING, and CRACKING -- and
Terrax flies up to face him, no longer smiling.
TERRAX
Say goodbye, Nova -- to the first
of your allies --
He swings the AXE, and it starts to FLARE --
THE BUTTE
Nova takes to the air, calling out:
NOVA
Thing -- I mean Mr. Grimm -- I
mean Ben! Don't let that axe hit
you. It'll steal all your power!
THE DESERT FLOOR
Ben looks over at the butte.
BEN
Long as it leaves my good looks --
He stomps down on the ground with a WHAM, and Terrax is
jarred backward, butt-over-teakettle, missing the Thing by a
mile. Before he can recover, Nova swoops down on him, hits
him with one COSMIC BOLT, ANOTHER.
THE BUTTE
Where Reed, Sue, and Johnny look on.
JOHNNY
Y'know, she's quite a gal. What
do you say we help 'em mop up?
And even as he says it, the Human Torch is already taking
off. Reed turns to Sue.
REED
We're going to need a little
teamwork here.
SUE
I know just what you mean...
THE DESERT FLOOR
Where Terrax is getting no time to recover, as Nova and
Johnny BLAST him with COSMIC BOLTS and FIREBALLS.
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17.
Ben grabs onto the arm with which Terrax holds the AXE, using
his great strength to keep the herald from swinging it into
position.
Suddenly, Mr. Fantastic is there, telescoping down from the
butte on elongated legs. He forms his arm into a lasso, lets
it fly --
WITH THE "LASSO"
As it encircles the handle of the AXE, tightening -- and
yanking the weapon away! We WIDEN TO INCLUDE all the
combatants as:
TERRAX
No!!!
Wrenching from Ben's grip, Terrax throws himself at the
COSMIC AXE -- and the AXE disappears! Terrax stares --
TERRAX
(continuing)
You'll regret this. You have my
unconditional guarantee...
And he takes to the sky, flying away at the kind of speed
that only the power cosmic can supply!
NOVA AND THE OTHERS
Watching him go. On the ground before them, the AXE
reappears -- in the REAPPEARING HAND OF THE PREVIOUSLY
INVISIBLE SUE! Reed, Ben, and Johnny LAUGH.
NOVA
(wryly)
Not bad, as far as saving damsels
in distress goes. Now how about
we work a little Houdini on my pal
Silverado?
INT. MILITARY TRUCK - DAY - THE SILVER SURFER
Blackened and immobile, just as we saw him before. The truck
is moving, and the Surfer is jostled -- but feels and shows
nothing as we
FADE OUT:
END OF ACT ONE
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18.
ACT TWO
FADE IN:
EXT. DEEP SPACE - GALACTUS' SHIP
Moving through space, its ENERGY WEAPONS BLASTING a MULTI-
STRIPED MOON in its path to SMITHEREENS. We ANGLE WITH some
of the debris, TO:
THE LANDING
The interstellar space station we've seen before, comprised
of bits and pieces of a myriad of old ships and other debris.
From within it, we hear VARIOUS EXCITED SHOUTS, O.S., as the
remnants of the moon sail dangerously close by.
SPACE MERCHANT ONE SPACE MERCHANT TWO
Whew! That was a close one! It ain't over yet! Look!
We TIGHTEN ON a docking bay, TO:
INT. THE LANDING - THE SPACE CAFE - DAY - A VIEWSCREEN
Showing Galactus' immense vessel in the distance.
SPACE MERCHANT ONE SPACE MERCHANT TWO
Galactus' ship! It's What's he want with us?
bigger'n my home planet!
As they speak, we WIDEN TO SEE the activity in the cafe, with
its human and non-human clientele of all shapes and sizes.
RAZE, the Skrull bounty hunter, kicks out from where he sits
at a table and sends the steer-shaped SPACE MERCHANT TWO
CRASHING into another table across the room.
RAZE
The day Galactus wants something
with us is the day there is no us!
Raze sits back -- and suddenly a pair of arms REACH INTO
FRAME, jerking him upright and spinning him right into the
same table where the Merchant hit.
ANOTHER ANGLE
The arms belong to NEBULA, who calmly takes over Raze's seat.
NEBULA
You were in my chair...
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19.
Angrily, Raze gets to his feet, stops when he sees who it is.
RAZE
Nebula! My favorite pirate...!
SHAPE-SHIFTING into what looks almost like a green-skinned
gazelle, Raze hurries across the room, SHIFTING back into his
true form and taking Nebula in his arms.
RAZE
(continuing)
Where've you been for so long?
NEBULA
(wryly)
"Studying," I suppose you could
say.
She points to the viewscreen, and Raze follows her gaze.
THEIR POV - GALACTUS' SHIP
Passing the Landing and continuing on.
NEBULA (O.S.)
There he goes. This place isn't
even big enough to qualify as a
snack.
BACK TO SCENE
Raze shakes his head in awe.
RAZE
Ever wonder what Galactus has
aboard that thing?
NEBULA
I don't have to wonder. It's one
of a whole world full of things I
now know.
(beat)
Help me get a ship and a crew --
and together we'll make the
greatest haul in the history of
the spaceways!
EXT. DEEP SPACE - THE LANDING
ANGLING FROM THE SPACE STATION TO GALACTUS' RAPIDLY LEAVING
SHIP.
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20.
RAZE (O.S.)
Nebula, you crazy? You want to
hijack from the Devourer of Worlds?
NEBULA (O.S.)
Oh, not right away. I can wait
'til he's done eating dinner...
And, as Galactus' ship dwindles to a star-like POINT OF
LIGHT, we
CUT TO:
EXT. NEW YORK CITY - THE BAXTER BUILDING - DAY
TIGHTENING PAST THE FANTASTICAR TO THE ENTRANCE from the roof.
SUE (O.S.)
Terrax has summoned Galactus here?
You're sure...?
INT. FANTASTIC FOUR HQ - REED'S LAB - DAY - TERRAX'
COSMIC AXE
In a protective case atop a lab table. We PAN FROM THE AXE,
ACROSS a collection of the most complicated machinery ever
seen on Saturday Morning Animation, detailed, multi-part
contraptions that would make Jack Kirby proud, as:
REED
Take a look through the macroscope
yourself.
CAMERA HOLDS on Nova, Reed, and Sue, gathered around what
looks like a giant electron microscope, with Reed turning
from the eyepiece and indicating for Sue to take her place at
it. As she does so:
SUE'S POV - THROUGH THE EYEPIECE
Where we SEE THE REVERSE ANGLE of the PREVIOUS SHOT OUTSIDE
THE LANDING: A star-like POINT OF LIGHT coming right toward
US. A GRID APPEARS, and the POINT OF LIGHT EXPANDS into the
shape of Galactus' ship -- all this happening as:
NOVA (O.S.)
You really invent everything in
here yourself?
REED (O.S.)
Well, I had a little help from the
people at Stark Technologies.
BRODY SILVER SURFER 2147-20 FIRST DRAFT 05/04/98
21.
BACK TO SCENE
Sue turns back to Nova and Reed.
SUE
Stark isn't going to be able to
help us against a being like
Galactus.
NOVA
That's why we've gotta rescue the
Surfer. He's the only one in the
whole universe the Big Guy has
ever even listened to!
SUE
(to Reed)
What about the weapon General
Claire used against the Silver
Surfer? Wouldn't that work
against Galactus as well?
ANOTHER ANGLE
Reed moves to another complex machine, presses a series of
buttons. A bank of COMPUTER MONITORS comes to life, with
various continuously moving GRAPHS and CHARTS. Mr. Fantastic
looks at them all closely.
REED
Not according to these
calculations...
He presses more buttons. More MONITORS COME ON, with their
own moving charts.
REED
(continuing)
The Surfer was immobilized because
he possesses only a finite amount
of the power cosmic which could be
drawn out...
As he talks, Reed heads for the door. Nova and Sue follow.
INT. FANTASTIC FOUR HQ - LIVING AREA - DAY
As Reed enters with Nova and Sue. Ben and Johnny are already
here, Johnny reading a CAR MAGAZINE and Ben working out with
a specially designed set of cambered weights and pulleys.
The two of them look up from their activities as:
BRODY SILVER SURFER 2147-20 FIRST DRAFT 05/04/98
22.
REED
Galactus, on the other hand, has
literally an infinite amount of
the same power!
NOVA
What if you had a little sit-down
with this General Claire guy?
Maybe he'd let Silverado go.
JOHNNY
Not Claire. He's as hard-headed
as they come --
ANOTHER ANGLE
Ben's still hoisting a heavy weight. Now, as he steps out of
the workout area, the weight drops, hitting him right on top
of the head -- and SHATTERING into pieces. Johnny LAUGHS.
JOHNNY
(wryly)
Well, maybe not quite as hard-
headed as some...
Ben is unhurt. He gives Johnny a baleful look:
BEN
Hardy-har-har.
(to Nova; seriously)
Problem with Claire is that he's
got a good reason for feeling like
he does.
JOHNNY
He and his family were in Tokyo
the first time Galactus showed.
There was a tidal wave --
REED
The General's alone now.
SUE
If we try to go around him through
channels it'll take too long. But
if we take matters into our own
hands, we'll be outlaws!
(beat)
This could cost us all the respect
we've worked for. It's a big
risk --
BRODY SILVER SURFER 2147-20 FIRST DRAFT 05/04/98
23.
NOVA
TIGHTENING ON her set face. So determined is she, that
Nova's expression should remind us of -- the Silver Surfer!
NOVA
You're right, it is. But if you
don't take it -- then the end of
the world's a sure thing...
And, as Nova makes her point:
EXT. UPSTATE NEW YORK - ARMY BASE - DAY
As high security as you can get. We ANGLE PAST a pair of
surveillance cameras TO SEE several armed guards, all in
front of a long, low, hi-tech looking building.
GENERAL CLAIRE (O.S.)
Your employers back in L.A. vouch
for you, Mr. Young -- you really
are a newsman.
As he talks, we TIGHTEN TO:
INT. HI-TECH ARMY BUILDING - CORRIDOR - DAY
Where Claire strides purposefully, Young beside him. More
guards are all around.
YOUNG
Not just any newsman, General.
Don't you see? Fate's brought us
together. You to make the news.
Me to report it --
They've reached a thick, sealed door. The General puts the
I.D. he wears around his neck into a card reader, turns to
Young as the door slides open with a HYDRAULIC WHOOSH.
GENERAL CLAIRE
That what you said to the E.T.?
YOUNG
What? I was kidnapped, I tell
you, while I was trying to do my
job --
BRODY SILVER SURFER 2147-20 FIRST DRAFT 05/04/98
24.
GENERAL CLAIRE
And if I keep you around any
longer you'll tell the next guy I
held you for ransom.
(to one of the guards)
See that this fine, responsible
member of the press gets on the
first flight home.
INT. HI-TECH ARMY BUILDING - LABORATORY - DAY - GENERAL
CLAIRE
Enters the room. Behind him, Young opens his mouth to
protest -- and is pulled away by the guards, the door sliding
shut and sealing him off from our VIEW.
GENERAL CLAIRE
Captain -- report!
We WIDEN TO INCLUDE Corcoran, who stands at a lab bench
filled with electronic gear. On the bench is the Surfer's
board. Various technicians crowd around it, and one of them
pushes a button.
CORCORAN
Our testing of the board is just
getting underweight, sir...
UNDER Corcoran, we have heard the SOUND OF AN ENGINE
STARTING. Now the SOUND TURNS INTO A ROAR as General Claire
moves in closer, the others making way, and a TIGHT LASER
BEAM SHOOTS down at:
THE SILVER SURFER'S BOARD
The LASER BEAM hits the tip of the Surfer's board. SPARKS
FLY from it, and SMOKE wafts upward, the SPARKS AND SMOKE
continuing with the LASER BEAM as it moves down the board --
having no effect at all on the board itself.
WIDER
Corcoran turns to the General wonderingly.
CORCORAN
Incredible! That laser beam's
strong enough to cut through the
densest material on Earth!
BRODY SILVER SURFER 2147-20 FIRST DRAFT 05/04/98
25.
GENERAL CLAIRE
Obviously a meaningless
qualification under the
circumstances.
(beat)
Carry on!
The General continues through the lab, to another sealed
door. As he inserts his I.D., we ANGLE BACK TO:
THE SILVER SURFER'S BOARD
As the technicians start another experiment, lowering a
GLEAMING, DIAMOND-BLADED SAW. WHIRRING, it starts to cut at
the rear of the board -- and, with a HORRIBLE CLATTER, the
saw SHATTERS, its teeth flying every which way!
INT. HI-TECH ARMY BUILDING - INNER LABORATORY - DAY
Even more hi-tech than the outer lab, brightly lighted by big
panels set into a high ceiling. Illuminated beneath the
panels is the Silver Surfer -- within his EBONY ENCASEMENT.
Claire enters the room, and moves to the immobile Surfer,
looks at him closely. A middle-aged scientist, DR. ROSWELL,
stands there with a clipboard.
DR. ROSWELL
The Enervator's done its job,
General Claire. The so-called
"Silver Surfer" is completely
incapacitated.
GENERAL CLAIRE
Is he still alive?
Dr. Roswell checks various instruments. (NOTE: This means
more monitors, charts, graphs, but not as sophisticated as
those we saw used by the Fantastic Four.)
DR. ROSWELL
To be candid, sir, we can't tell.
GENERAL CLAIRE
There are no vital signs?
DR. ROSWELL
Not that we can recognize.
BRODY SILVER SURFER 2147-20 FIRST DRAFT 05/04/98
26.
GENERAL CLAIRE
Good enough. I wouldn't want to
be inhumane. Roswell, do whatever
you have to -- I want to know all
there is to know about this
"thing."
DR. ROSWELL
(awkwardly)
Uh, General...some of the men are
a little "uncomfortable" about
this experiment...
As Dr. Roswell talks, we TIGHTEN PAST both him and General
Claire, slowing MOVING IN CLOSER AND CLOSER TO:
THE SILVER SURFER
CONTINUING TO TIGHTEN ON his face as:
DR. ROSWELL (O.S.)
They think the Surfer is a force
for good -- a positive individual
whose very presence will save the
Earth --
GENERAL CLAIRE (O.S.)
If she were here, Roswell, my
teenage daughter probably would
reply with her favorite phrase...
We are VERY, VERY CLOSE ON the Surfer's face as:
THE SILVER SURFER'S POV - THE LAB
A REVERSE ANGLE of what we just SAW -- except that OUR ENTIRE
VIEW IS MUDDY, as though THROUGH A BLACK VEIL. The General's
VOICE is MUDDY too, and barely distinguishable:
GENERAL CLAIRE
"I don't think so..."
The LIGHTS in the ceiling FLICKER as JAGGED ENERGIES plunge
at CAMERA from various tubes all aimed at the Surfer, and,
during this:
SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
The "Enervator" of which they
speak is powerful indeed.
Although still do I live, barely
can I see, or hear...
BRODY SILVER SURFER 2147-20 FIRST DRAFT 05/04/98
27.
THE SILVER SURFER
As the PROBING ENERGIES CONTINUE.
SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
And movement and feeling are
totally beyond me...
General Claire, Dr. Roswell, and the others don protective
goggles -- and a new set of tubes BRIGHTEN, their COLORED
LIGHTS probing down at the Surfer.
His EBONY SURFACE GLOWS but remains the same, although parts
of the BLACKNESS that encases him (not those representing his
body) flake off, and are immediately collected in specimen
bags.
THE SILVER SURFER'S POV - THE LAB
The same REVERSE ANGLE as the procedure continues.
SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
The technology of this world has
indeed come far since my first
visit here...
EXT. UPSTATE NEW YORK - ARMY BASE - DAY - A BACK GATE
Patrolled by a squad of armed troops. From O.S. comes a
RUMBLING, GRINDING NOISE.
FIRST GUARD
What's that?
SECOND GUARD
You know what the lab geeks around
here're like. They've probably
just turned up the juice on the
Silver Surfer --
We hear a HISSING SOUND, and a PUFF OF SPRAY appears in the
air before the Second Guard. He breaks off, eyes widening,
and collapses. The First Guard starts to react, and then he
too goes down with another HISS and SPRAY.
ANOTHER ANGLE
One by one, the other guards collapse the same way, as:
BRODY SILVER SURFER 2147-20 FIRST DRAFT 05/04/98
28.
SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
Are Galactus and I somehow
responsible for the change here,
as we were for the creation of the
group that calls itself the
Fantastic Four...?
As the last guard in this area hits the dirt, the Invisible
Woman appears, holsters an obvious gas gun. Unclipping a
walkie-talkie from her belt, she speaks into it quietly:
SUE
All clear...
We ANGLE WITH her as she moves to the back of a small
building nearby, where we FIND:
A LARGE HOLE
About the size of a car. The RUMBLING and GRINDING resume,
and out of the hole comes a vehicle with a HUGE DRILL on the
end.
SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
Or is this one of the alterations
that occurred when Thanos
destroyed the universe and I
created it anew...?
Nova, Reed, Ben, and Johnny (without his flame) emerge from
the vehicle. Ben wipes his brow.
BEN
Sheesh! Not a minnit too soon!
I thought I was gonna sweat to
death. Nova, can't you douse that
flame'a yers?
NOVA
Sorry, Ben. Georgio Armani
Galactus isn't. I was designed
for interstellar space, not Reed
Richards' cramped designs!
JOHNNY
Maybe, after all this is over, we
can work out a way for you to
control your power -- together.
NEW ANGLE
Johnny FLAMES ON AND OFF. Nova grins.
BRODY SILVER SURFER 2147-20 FIRST DRAFT 05/04/98
29.
BEN
Kid, can you control yer hormones
a minute? We still got work to do.
Reed has taken out a small electronic device. It starts to
BEEP.
REED
Ben's right, Johnny.
(more BEEPS)
The Silver Surfer's this way.
(as they start
forward)
Remember, we don't want to hurt
anyone. They're just doing their
jobs...
INT. HI-TECH ARMY BUILDING - INNER LABORATORY - DAY - THE
SILVER SURFER
More flakes are chipping off his encased form. The General
looks pleased.
SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
These Earth beings treat me worse
than an enemy...
THE SILVER SURFER'S POV - THE LAB
In the REVERSE ANGLE.
SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
To them have I become nothing more
than a laboratory specimen, with
no acknowledgement of my
humanity...
The ENERGY probes stop. Large instruments move out from the
walls and descend upon the Surfer, moving TOWARD CAMERA.
Digital read-outs show various measurements.
SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
(continuing)
I am a sentient being, here to
save you from yourselves! I will
tolerate this treatment no more!
THE SILVER SURFER
GROANS -- and Dr. Roswell, bending over him, hears it.
BRODY SILVER SURFER 2147-20 FIRST DRAFT 05/04/98
30.
DR. ROSWELL
(startled -- and a
little afraid)
General --
EXT. UPSTATE NEW YORK - ARMY BASE - DAY - NOVA AND THE
FANTASTIC FOUR
Keeping to the shadows of the buildings along the way as they
head for the lab in which the Surfer and his board are being
kept.
SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
Somehow, I must regain my energy...
A couple of soldiers turn a corner -- and run right into Ben!
He feels nothing, but they go bouncing back!
SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
(continuing)
The substance in which I am
encased contains traces of the
power cosmic...
Before the soldiers can recover, Reed's arms wrap around them
and pull them closer -- so that Sue can SPRAY them with her
gas gun. The soldiers slump to the ground, and Nova and the
others move to:
THE LABORATORY BUILDING
As Johnny turns into FLAME!
JOHNNY
Flame on!
Flying low, just buzzing above the ground, he heads for the
startled guards -- and SHOOTS A SERIES OF FIREBALLS that
connect with each other to form a FLAMING CAGE. The guards
huddle together in the center of the cage, where the heat is
less intense.
NOVA
Watching eagerly.
NOVA
I gotta remember that one!
We WIDEN as she moves forward with Reed, Sue, and Ben. At
the door, Ben raises his arm, about to bash his way in. Reed
shakes his head.
BRODY SILVER SURFER 2147-20 FIRST DRAFT 05/04/98
31.
CLOSE ON REED'S HAND
He flattens a finger to I.D. card size, stretches it down
into the scanner --
INT. HI-TECH ARMY BUILDING - INNER LABORATORY - DAY
Where the General is following Dr. Roswell's gaze.
GENERAL CLAIRE
What's he doing?
We TIGHTEN WITH THE GENERAL's GAZE TO:
THE EBONY ENCASEMENT
A small part of it is starting to soften. It BUBBLES and
LIQUEFIES as, suddenly, from O.S., we hear the CLANGING AND
BLARING OF SIRENS as:
INT. HI-TECH ARMY BUILDING - CORRIDOR - DAY - NOVA AND
JOHNNY
THE ALARM CONTINUES throughout this sequence, all hell
breaking loose as Nova and Johnny fly through the corridor,
their FLAME and well-placed BOLTS and FIREBALLS scattering
the guards who charge at them.
One of the guards FIRES his gun -- and we TIGHTEN ON the
bullet as it hurtles toward Nova...and MELTS INTO NOTHINGNESS
from her FLAME!
REED AND SUE
Reed's legs turn like wheels as he races along, holding Sue
close to him, his free arm stretching out into a trampoline-
like shield off which BULLETS from behind them bounce!
BEN
Brings up the rear, moving slowly and deliberately. Almost
like a machine on an assembly line, he snatches the guns from
the hands of each soldier who comes near, bending them into
useless, pretzel-like shapes and tossing them away!
INT. HI-TECH ARMY BUILDING - LABORATORY - DAY
The scientists working on the Surfer's board stop, whirling
to look at the door as it goes THUDDING from its frame and
onto the floor.
BRODY SILVER SURFER 2147-20 FIRST DRAFT 05/04/98
32.
Ben moves in, stepping over the door, followed by Nova and
the others. She looks around frantically.
NOVA
Where is he?
REED
(spotting the other
door)
Here!
They move to the inner door, and Ben draws back his fist:
BEN
I love sayin' this -- it's
clobberin' time!
And he bashes the door in --
INT. HI-TECH ARMY BUILDING - INNER LABORATORY - DAY
As Ben, Nova, and the rest of the Fantastic Four swarm inside.
GENERAL CLAIRE
Richards! What're you doing?
REED
Keeping you from making a terrible
mistake!
NOVA
Soars to the encased Surfer.
NOVA
Silverado...!
More of the material is BUBBLING AND FLOWING, and now the
Surfer's EBONY mouth opens.
SILVER SURFER
The sun...the sun --
His voice is a weak, HOARSE CROAK, but Nova gets the message.
She looks upward, and FIRES A COSMIC BOLT.
EXT. UPSTATE NEW YORK - ARMY BASE - LABORATORY BUILDING -
DAY
As Nova's FIERY BOLT rips through the roof, opening it up to:
BRODY SILVER SURFER 2147-20 FIRST DRAFT 05/04/98
33.
THE SUN
TIGHTENING TO SEE various sunspots breaking away...
INT. HI-TECH ARMY BUILDING - INNER LABORATORY - DAY
General Claire sidles to a control panel, presses a button.
GENERAL CLAIRE
Sorry, Richards -- the mistake is
yours.
A panel slides open -- and we SEE the Enervator. General
Claire punches a series of buttons -- and it starts to FIRE!
WITH THE ENERVATOR'S BLACK BEAM
Stabbing out, and hitting Reed in the chest. As he falls,
the BEAM WIDENS, taking in the entire Fantastic Four.
NOVA
Swoops down at the Enervator -- and is caught in its EVER-
WIDENING BLACK BEAM. She too falls, and we WIDEN TO SEE the
color being drained from all five victims. They are getting
darker, darker --
SILVER SURFER (O.S.)
No!!!
THE SILVER SURFER
Not within the Enervator's field, he is half-encased in the
EBONY MATERIAL, half-out, the BRIGHT STREAMERS OF THE
SUNSPOTS DANCING around and into him. Suddenly, all the
BLACKNESS VANISHES, his silver color returning!
SILVER SURFER
On my homeworld, we have a
saying -- there is a season for
all things...
He soars upward, and his hands start to GLOW:
SILVER SURFER
(continuing)
And now is the season of the
Silver Surfer -- !
The Surfer FIRES, General Claire, Dr. Roswell, and the others
hitting the floor and taking cover as the Enervator EXPLODES!
Smoke, dust, and debris FILL THE SCREEN as:
BRODY SILVER SURFER 2147-20 FIRST DRAFT 05/04/98
34.
SILVER SURFER (O.S.)
To me, my board!!!
EXT. UPSTATE NEW YORK - ARMY BASE - LABORATORY
BUILDING - DAY - THE SILVER SURFER
Comes soaring from the building on his board. Behind him
floats an ENERGY BUBBLE containing Nova and the Fantastic
Four. From below them come GUNSHOTS which have no effect as
the Surfer and his charges fly higher and higher.
ANOTHER ANGLE
Although weak, Nova and the others are conscious, and,
MOANING, they get to their feet.
NOVA
Silverado! You did it!
WIDER
Suddenly, from the sky above, one of Galactus' CABLES OF
DESTRUCTION plummets down -- and the Surfer pulls up short so
it just misses him, instead CRASHING into the ground below.
The Surfer looks from the ground to the sky overhead.
SILVER SURFER
It is not over yet, Nova. We have
only begun!
And, quickly, we
CUT TO:
EXT. SPACE OVER THE PLANET EARTH - GALACTUS' SHIP
Sending out cable after cable. From O.S., we hear LAUGHTER,
and we ANGLE TO:
TERRAX
Standing in space. He looks down, watching with great
pleasure as we
FADE OUT:
THE END
BRODY SILVER SURFER 2147-20 FIRST DRAFT 05/04/98
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