1.01
Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.
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TEASER
OPEN WITH:
A SPIDER
Crawling along the edge of a branch.
It stops briefly, then continues its journey. PULL BACK to
reveal an EYE, examining the spider curiously.
PULL BACK further and we find ourselves in:
EXT. BACKYARD - QUEENS - NIGHT
Behind a modest home, we see a porch light shining a few feet
away. SEVEN YEAR OLD PETER PARKER stares intently at the
spider, transfixed by the creature's movements.
He reaches out slowly toward the spider...
MARY JANE (O.S.)
Peter! Hurry up!
Peter quickly retracts his hand, startled slightly. He turns
and runs toward a green tent, which has been erected near the
porch. He enters into...
INT. TENT
A small electric lantern has been placed in the center of the
tent, which seems rather cramped. Peter doesn't seem to mind
though. Sitting across from him is a young girl about his age
with flowing red hair.
MARY JANE smiles as Peter enters.
MARY JANE
We need more marshmallows. Someone
took ours.
PETER
I think we have some in the
kitchen.
There is a slight RUSTLE in the leaves behind the tent. The
two children stop and stare at each other, their eyes wide.
VOICE (O.S.)
(evil growl)
Marshmallows!
Peter and Mary Jane remain dead still, sitting in fear, but
still with smiles on their faces.
From behind Mary Jane a SHADOW begins to rise up from the
ground. Its hands extended menacingly toward the tent.
Mary Jane screams. They both jump to their feet.
EXT. BACKYARD - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS
Peter and Mary Jane run out of the tent as fast as their feet
can carry them, laughing along the way. From behind the tent
an ADULT stands up and begins chasing the two youngsters. He
is wearing a sheet around his shoulders and upper body.
The man finally catches up to them. He snatches them both up
into his arms, and lets out a mock growl. The sheet falls
away and RICHARD PARKER smiles as the two kids kick, scream,
and laugh loudly in his arms.
He sets them down slowly, and begins favoring his lower back.
RICHARD
Alright, guys. My back's not what
it used to be.
The kids pout a bit. Richard breaks out a bag of marshmallows
and tosses them to Mary Jane.
Peter reaches for them, but she moves away.
MARY JANE
Gotta catch me first!
Peter grins, and quickly takes off running in her direction.
Mary Jane squeals in delight, and runs. Richard watches them
for a moment, smiling.
MARY (O.S.)
You shouldn't scare them like that,
babe.
Richard turns and finds his wife MARY standing on the porch,
looking down at him. Mary is an attractive woman in her late
twenties, wearing a loose-fitting t-shirt and jeans.
Richard smiles and heads for the porch.
RICHARD
They'll be fine... Wish I could say
the same for the marshmallows.
As the two tug at the bag, it finally bursts open, sending
its contents high into the air. Peter and Mary Jane laugh
gleefully, reaching into the air and trying to catch them
before they hit the ground.
Richard steps up onto the porch, and puts his arm around
Mary. Richard looks out into the yard at the kids and smiles.
RICHARD
We Parker men love our Marys. Must
be in the genes...
He kisses her. She smiles and returns the kiss.
MARY
They're so cute together.
RICHARD
You say that now. Just wait until
they're out till three a.m. on prom
night.
Mary laughs at this thought.
MARY
That's a long way off...
RICHARD
Guess we should enjoy the
marshmallows while we still can.
They both smile, and stand together looking a the two kids
playing. Peter and Mary Jane laugh in the distance.
FADE TO:
EXT. THE PENTAGON - PARKING LOT - MORNING
A BLACK SUV pulls up, marked by a government seal on each
door. It comes to a stop in a parking spot marked reserved.
The doors open and THREE MEN step out. Two are unremarkable
AGENTS in their thirties.
The other is an intimidating, broad-shouldered black man. He
wears black, sports a matching eye patch, and smokes a cigar.
NICK FURY glances up at the building as we:
INT. THE PENTAGON - BRIEFING ROOM
The room is dark. We see a screen, a projector, a table and
two chairs - one facing us, the other back to us. The door
opens and Fury enters, minus the cigar. The two agents
escorting him remain outside.
The chair turned away from us spins around to reveal GENERAL
LEE, a hardened man with a head full of gray hair.
GENERAL LEE
Major Fury, have a seat.
Fury glances down at the chair, then back at Lee. Finally, he
sits. Lee leans in closer across his desk.
GENERAL LEE
Never one to salute, were you,
Major?
Fury isn't impressed.
FURY
No, sir.
GENERAL LEE
Good. It seems you were a good
choice after all.
FURY
A good choice?
Lee pulls out a remote control. He presses a button and the
lights dim. He presses another and the projector activates.
On the screen, various images begin to flash. We see war,
silent video of explosions, and soldiers firing weapons.
Finally, we focus on a single, frozen image.
The image is of a blonde haired AMERICAN SOLDIER. He appears
to be undergoing a medical evaluation of some sort.
GENERAL LEE
Do you know this man, Major?
Fury stares at the image for a moment.
FURY
Should I?
GENERAL LEE
No, you shouldn't. But, that
doesn't answer my question.
FURY
I've never seen him before.
GENERAL LEE
That's Private Steve Rogers. This
photo was taken in 1976. That man
examining him - the physician -
that's Doctor Eric Stallworth.
Fury glances over at Lee, who nods.
GENERAL LEE
The same Doctor Stallworth who
discovered the x-gene, yes. That
discovery was made during this
evaluation. That man - Steve Rogers
- was the first mutant known to the
U.S. Government.
FURY
What exactly does this have to do
with me?
GENERAL LEE
What do you know of project:
SHIELD?
FURY
Anti-Soviet group from the
eighties. Folded back in '91.
GENERAL LEE
That's right. Until now.
FURY
General?
Lee shuts off the projector, and raises the lights.
GENERAL LEE
We're reviving SHIELD. As you know,
we've just made news of the x-gene
public. We need someone to police
related activities.
FURY
You want to spy on mutants?
GENERAL LEE
No. We have certain other projects
that relate to the phenomena that
will require oversight.
FURY
And you want to recruit me into
this... SHIELD?
GENERAL LEE
We want you to lead it.
Fury stares at him for a moment.
FURY
Do I have a choice?
GENERAL LEE
No.
FURY
In that case, I accept.
GENERAL LEE
Glad to hear it, Colonel.
(off Fury's look)
The promotion comes with command.
Fury takes this in. Lee reaches into his desk and pulls out a
thick black folder. He passes it across the desk.
GENERAL LEE
Speaking of which, here is your
primary objective. We've recently
handed the project off to a private
contractor. The information's all
there.
Fury reads the folder, then looks up at Lee.
FURY
Renaissance?
GENERAL LEE
The one and only.
Fury glances down at the folder, then back up at Lee.
GENERAL LEE
Welcome to SHIELD, Colonel.
Off Fury:
FADE OUT.
END OF TEASER
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
EXT. OSCORP INDUSTRIES - HEADQUARTERS
An establishing shot of OsCorp Industries. The building is
massive, easily 60 stories, and has a very sleek look about
it. The sunlight reflects brightly off its glass exterior.
SUPER: 8 Years Later
INT. OSCORP - BOARD ROOM
A spacious, sparsely decorated room. The OsCorp logo is
displayed throughout the room. Gathered around a table near
the center of the room are three men in suits.
Standing near the front of the room is MAC GARGAN, a tall,
lanky man in his mid-30s. He wears a lab coat, and we get the
impression that he is a scientist of some sort.
We join the already in-progress briefing...
GARGAN
... the human genetic structure is
just not meant to be altered in
this way. It's going to take some
time to modify the serum so the
reaction isn't quite so severe.
A slight angle change reveals who he is talking to. NORMAN
OSBORN sits calmly at the other end of the table. Beside him
is MAJOR SHERMAN TREST, a stern-faced man wearing a suit, and
another man standing behind the two, ALISTAIR SMYTHE.
NORMAN
How long?
This question clearly unnerves Gargan, but he answers.
GARGAN
At least six months, and frankly,
sir... that's being optimistic.
Silence. A deafening silence.
GARGAN
Sir...
NORMAN
How long have you been working on
this project, Doctor Gargan?
GARGAN
Uh... two years.
NORMAN
And after two years the best you
can give me is "at least six
months"?
GARGAN
It's a delicate formula, sir. Our
specimens have all had violent
reactions to every modification
we've tried.
Norman glares at Gargan, who looks away nervously.
NORMAN
Which is why I pay your rather
generous salary - to fix problems
like this so we can move on. I'm
sure I don't need to remind you how
important Project Renaissance is to
the company.
GARGAN
No, sir.
NORMAN
Then go. You have two weeks.
Gargan appears ready to respond, but thinks better of it,
packs up his presentation and leaves.
NORMAN
(turns to Smythe)
Get rid of him.
Smythe gives him an odd look.
NORMAN
I want him off the project. Give
him agro-research and a long
vacation. That should keep him
happy.
SMYTHE
I'll see to it.
TREST
I assume you have someone in mind
to replace him.
NORMAN
Of course, Major.
TREST
I understand you've had some
problems, but we're going to have
to see some results soon.
NORMAN
Yes, I understand, and you will.
It's just been a slow process
lately. Doctor Gargan assured me...
TREST
We don't want assurances, Osborn.
We want progress. If you can't give
it to us, then we'll find someone
else who can.
NORMAN
Of course.
Trest stands and walks toward the door.
TREST
Until next time.
NORMAN
(nods)
Major.
Trest exits. Norman turns back to Smythe.
NORMAN
Promote Doctor Stromm. Tell him to
proceed with today's test.
SMYTHE
Major Trest made it clear...
NORMAN
Yes I know, but we're past all that
now. Stromm's the only one who's
ever been able to get anywhere with
this project. Get in touch with our
contact - we're going to need more
lab rats.
(beat)
This could get ugly.
Off Norman:
FADE TO:
EXT. MIDTOWN HIGH - MORNING
The day is just beginning. Buses are parked nearby, and as
students step out, we see that they're obviously teenagers.
Through the dozens of students, our focus falls to one.
PETER PARKER (16) pulls out a small piece of paper - his
class schedule - and examines it. Peter is just under six
feet tall, average build, and has a head of slightly
disheveled brown hair. Just your average teenager.
INT. MIDTOWN HIGH - HALLWAY
Peter walks down the hall, glancing at the numbers on each
locker he passes. Finally, he finds the one he's looking for.
He refers to the schedule, and carefully enters the
combination to the lock.
The locker door opens, and Peter begins putting a few of his
notebooks inside - algebra, biology, history - the usual high
school study material. Peter slams the door shut, and we see
that he is not alone.
Standing by the next locker over is MARY JANE WATSON. She's
older as well, but still has the same flowing red hair as the
little girl in the tent. She wears a tank top and jeans.
Peter pales, and is at once uneasy, a fact made evident by
the blank stare on his face. Mary Jane smiles at him. A
genuine, friendly smile.
MARY JANE
Peter, hey! I didn't see you there.
PETER
Mary Jane... hi.
MARY JANE
I guess we're locker buddies for
the rest of the year, huh?
Peter blinks, as if he's just realized this.
PETER
Yeah... I guess so.
MARY JANE
Well... you certainly seem thrilled
to be here.
PETER
You know... first day.
MARY JANE
They can be rough.
PETER
Yeah... Rough.
Mary Jane laughs. Peter doesn't, and she notices. A tense
silence passes between them before:
MARY JANE
You know Peter, my phone number
hasn't changed since we were eight.
I know you've been through a lot,
but, you know... you didn't have to
stop speaking to me.
PETER
I know. It's just...
MARY JANE
Just what, Peter?
The bell signaling the start of class rings.
Peter is relieved. Mary Jane sighs.
MARY JANE
Well, my door's always open. I miss
talking to you, really.
Another awkward silence.
PETER
I... better get to class.
She shakes her head, and walks off. Peter turns and walks in
the opposite direction, letting out a sigh of his own.
INT. TREST'S OFFICE
There are no windows, only darkness. We can barely make out a
desk, chair, and a flat panel monitor atop the desk. The
lights come on, and we see Trest enter.
He stops mid-stride.
TREST
Sir.
Nick Fury looks up at Trest from behind the desk.
FURY
Good morning, Major. I trust your
trip went well.
TREST
As well as we had expected.
FURY
Report.
TREST
No progress since the last
evaluation. Osborn assures us
that...
FURY
... that they're about to test some
new modification. That they have
high hopes. Nothing we haven't
heard before.
TREST
Basically, yes. He removed the
project lead, says he has someone
else in mind.
FURY
In other words, he wanted to make a
statement in front of you.
TREST
Pretty much.
Fury slides a portfolio across the desk. Trest picks it up.
FURY
I don't know who Osborn has in
mind, but I think it's time we get
our hands dirty here.
TREST
(reading the portfolio)
Curt Conners?
FURY
Contact Osborn. Make a friendly
suggestion for the new project
lead.
TREST
I'll make the call.
FURY
We're too close. We can't let
Osborn screw this up now.
Off Fury's hardened expression:
FADE TO:
INT. MIDTOWN HIGH - CLASSROOM
There are no desks. Instead, wooden tables are present for
the students to sit at - two to a table - and in rather
uncomfortable looking chairs. With class moments from
starting, Peter enters and spots an empty table in the back.
Peter takes his seat, but just as quickly as he can do so,
another student sits down beside him. The student is slightly
taller than Peter, with short dark hair. He wears a black t
shirt and jeans.
This is EDDIE BROCK.
EDDIE
(wide grin)
Hey. What's up, I'm Eddie.
Peter is taken off guard by Eddie's forwardness. He just
looks at him for a moment, unsure of how to respond.
PETER
Um... Peter. Peter Parker.
Peter slowly extends his hand. Eddie smiles and slaps it
enthusiastically. Peter jumps, startled by the gesture, but
quickly tries to brush it off.
EDDIE
This is biology, right?
PETER
I think so... it's supposed to be.
EDDIE
Nice.
Peter turns away from Eddie and looks to the front of the
room, where more students continue to enter. Among the
students is an ATTRACTIVE GIRL. Eddie grins deviously as she
walks past, and doesn't take his eyes off her.
She notices.
ATTRACTIVE GIRL
Ugh! Take a picture!
Eddie smiles as she passes by and takes a seat on the other
side of the room.
EDDIE
They did not make em' like that at
PS-40.
(turns to Peter)
Want me to get her number for you?
PETER
(blank stare)
What?
EDDIE
She's like a nine, dude.
PETER
(hesitates)
That's okay... really.
EDDIE
You sure?
PETER
Yes.
EDDIE
Sure, sure?
PETER
Yes, yes.
Eddie grins.
EDDIE
Smart ass.
Peter gives him an odd look. The bell rings, signaling the
start of class. MISS SAUNDERS, early 30's, thin, and mildly
attractive enters. The room is full; so full that a half
dozen or so STUDENTS are standing in the back, without seats.
Miss Saunders picks up a few notes and addresses the class:
MISS SAUNDERS
Good morning, everyone. This is
General Biology. Anyone not here
for general biology?
(no response)
Great. Now, before I get started...
She takes out a sheet of paper with a list of names on it.
MISS SAUNDERS
If I call your name, you've been
assigned to Mister Warren's biology
class down the hall. The course was
pretty crowded with all the new
arrivals from PS-40, so we had to
make some adjustments.
She reviews the list:
MISS SAUNDERS
Sam Anderson, Eddie Brock, Esther
Bryan, Jaron Hatch, Joshua Maley,
and... Kyle West.
A few students around the room head toward the door while
their seats are quickly taken by those already standing.
Eddie glances over at Peter and sighs.
EDDIE
See you, bro.
He stands and joins the others.
MISS SAUNDERS
You all are looking for room two
thirty-five. That's Mister Warren.
It's just up the hall to the left.
She hands out a small slip of paper to each student as they
exit. Eddie is last in line, and as he heads out the door he
runs right smack into GWEN STACY.
Gwen is about Eddie's height, with long blonde hair. She
wears shredded jeans and a black t-shirt with the logo of a
band screenprinted on the front of it.
GWEN
Oh! Jeez, sorry about that!
Eddie eyes Gwen and grins.
EDDIE
Not a problem, brighteyes.
GWEN
(rolling her eyes)
Keep dreaming, pretty boy.
The class laughs. Eddie grins, shakes his head and exits.
MISS SAUNDERS
And you are?
Gwen hands her a slip of paper.
GWEN
Gwen Stacy. Mister Warren sent me
over.
MISS SAUNDERS
Great. Take a seat - it shouldn't
be hard to pick one at this point.
Gwen looks and notices there is only one seat left - right
beside Peter. She approaches the seat with a grin as we:
FADE TO:
INT. OSCORP - NORMAN'S OFFICE
A luxurious office, complete with flat screen plasma TV's,
expensive furniture, and a granite floor. Norman sits behind
a desk talking on the phone.
NORMAN
Oh really? That's great. I wasn't
sure what to make of those pictures
you sent your mother.
Norman listens for a moment.
NORMAN
(laughs)
Of course! She's got them pinned up
all over the house.
He listens again, and his expression falls flat.
NORMAN
I'm sorry, I don't know when.
Thanksgiving, maybe. Christmas, but
we've got a lot of high-level
projects nearing completion, and
I...
(interrupted)
No, Harry, listen to me. That's not
what this is about. You know how
things are around here this time of
year. I'm doing the best I...
The intercom on Norman's desk activates:
SECRETARY'S VOICE
Mister Osborn, Doctor Stromm is
requesting you join him in the lab.
Norman eyes the intercom, and curses silently.
NORMAN
Harry, I'm going to have to let you
go. I'll call you back to...
(interrupted)
Harry, please. You know I'm a busy
man. Something important's come
up...
(interrupted once again)
Harry, you know I... Harry? Son,
are you there?
Norman ends the call and lets out a long, frustrated sigh.
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT ONE
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Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.