SILVER SURFER EPISODE #1875-07
"ANTIBODY" (REVISED FINAL DRAFT)
FADE IN:
EXT. PLANET OF ZENN-LA - DAY
PANNING ACROSS its peaceful countryside, where predator and
prey roam side by side through green fields.
SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
Zenn-La! Although only in my mind,
it seems so real, so near...
THE ACADEMY
Where beings of all kinds have gathered to study.
SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
Planet of my birth, where I lived,
and learned...
We TIGHTEN ON two of the more human-like beings: NORRIN
RADD and SHALLA BAL.
SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
And, yes, where I loved --
Norrin Radd and Shalla Bal lean forward to steal a kiss.
But before their faces can touch everything around them
EXPLODES INTO:
EXT. DEEP SPACE - MATCHING SHOT - THE SILVER SURFER
WARPING IN on his board, against the star-studded velvet of
space. He wobbles unsteadily on his board.
SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
As the reality is gone, so too is the
vision, like a fever dream!
(wobbling unsteadily)
Yet how can I have a fever, when
Galactus’ power cosmic has removed from
me the travails of common mortality...?
The Surfer dips into the pipeline of a COSMIC WAVE and
soars into an asteroid field, slaloming through the jagged
rocks.
SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
Just as he has doomed me to an endless
search for my home --
CLOSER ON THE SILVER SURFER
He misses a move -- and smashes his shoulder against a
small asteroid! The Surfer reels backward, as:
SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
What is happening? I have soared
through far more treacherous courses
and never missed a twist or turn --
He hits another asteroid and GRUNTS from the impact. His
body starts to shake as though from the cold.
SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
No! I -- felt -- that!
(realizing)
Just as I feel the icy vacuum of space
seize my bones!
THE SILVER SURFER’S POV - SPACE AROUND HIM
As he looks around. Everything blurs, clears, then blurs
again.
SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
My head throbs...can scarcely see --
BACK TO THE SILVER SURFER
As he tries to sweep out of the path of the rest of the
asteroids. But he can’t pull it off, and another one hits
him, then another, another. The Surfer falls to one knee,
hands reaching out to hang onto the board. Completely out
of control, he caroms from asteroid to asteroid like a
maddened billiard ball, and with each collision his speed
increases, so that he’s going faster and faster, heading
toward:
A GRAVITY WELL
Black and pulsating, it’s a huge, violent gash in the very
fabric of space, into which cosmic debris is being
inexorably pulled, all of it EXPLODING upon reaching its
core.
SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
A gravity well...!
ANOTHER ANGLE
The asteroids alter their course, streaming toward the
gravity well -- and carrying the helpless Silver Surfer
with them!
SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
Nature’s most destructive force,
capable of sucking even the most
powerful of celestial bodies into its
maw...
Frantically, tries to scramble away, like a surfer on Earth
paddling from a shark! Still, he and the board are sucked
back toward the gravity well.
SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
And I have only a fraction of my
accustomed strength --
With every ounce of resolve he possesses, the Surfer forces
himself to his feet. He angles the board at a 90-degree
angle to the gravity well and tries to fly away, only to
look up and see --
THE SILVER SURFER’S POV - AN APPROACHING ASTEROID
As a big as a small planet. It’s coming directly AT CAMERA
at breakneck speed!
BACK TO THE SILVER SURFER
CRYING OUT WORDLESSLY as he and the huge asteroid collide!
The asteroid SHATTERS into powdery fragments, both the
fragments and the now unconscious Surfer shooting back,
back -- into the overpowering blackness of the gravity
well!
FADE OUT.
END OF TEASER
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
EXT. DEEP SPACE - THE GRAVITY WELL
ANGLING WITH the remaining asteroids from the asteroid
field as they are sucked into the center of the well,
where, one after another, they EXPLODE!
INT. THE GRAVITY WELL - THE SILVER SURFER
Limp and unconscious, he moves closer and closer to the
core of the gravity well, until:
A STREAKING GOUT OF FLAME
BLAZES into the gravity well and envelopes the Surfer and
his board! As the flame streaks onward, we HOLD ON where
the Surfer was: Both he and the board are gone!
EXT. DEEP SPACE - WIDE ON THE GRAVITY WELL
The streaking flame continues in a wide arc, zooming back
around to the edge of the gravity well and then emerging
from it. We ANGLE WITH the flame as it continues through
space like a comet. The flame moves faster, faster,
FORESHORTENING INTO WARP as we
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. ANOTHER PART OF SPACE - MATCHING SHOT - A BLAZING SUN
Its fiery surface fills a black sky. We ANGLE WITH the
tendril of a sunspot as it wafts through empty space to:
EXT. AN AIRLESS PLANET - NIGHT
FINDING the Silver Surfer lying on its rocky, lifeless
surface. His dull body GLOWS as he absorbs the tendril of
SOLAR ENERGY, and he awakens with a GROAN, looks around
him.
SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
This is not the afterlife the Master
taught. Where am I...?
He trails off as he turns to see:
A FLAME FLICKERING DIMLY. Another tendril of SOLAR ENERGY
enters it, and, WIDENING, we SEE that the flame is part of
the hair of NOVA, the beautiful new herald of Galactus. She
too is lying on the ground, but as she absorbs the energy
Nova also GLOWS MORE BRIGHTLY, and raises her head with a
GROAN of her own. She smiles when she sees the Surfer.
NOVA
Silver Surfer! We made it!
SILVER SURFER
You are the one who rescued me? I am in
your debt.
NOVA
Actually, it’s kinda like a debit card.
You might say you pre-paid.
The Surfer gets to his feet. Nova does the same. He looks
at her closely.
SILVER SURFER
(puzzled)
Had I ever encountered such a one as
yourself, I am certain I would recall.
NOVA
I’m Nova. You saved my life once, on a
little mudball called Earth.
(beat)
I looked a little different then...
And we TIGHTEN ON the Surfer and
SMASH CUT TO:
EXT. THE PLANET EARTH - VENICE BEACH - DAY (FLASHBACK FROM
EPISODE #1875-03)
The Silver Surfer kneels on the beach before the injured
FRANKIE RAYE, his eyes GLOWING with a BEAM OF HEALING ENERGY.
NOVA (V.O.)
The name was Frankie Ray...
As Frankie’s friend, AMBER, looks on, astonished, the
HEALING ENERGY bathes Frankie in its light, and the young
woman opens her eyes and looks at the Surfer, healthy once
more as we
SMASH CUT TO:
EXT. AN AIRLESS PLANET - NIGHT
As the Surfer nods in realization. More tendrils of SOLAR
ENERGY spin around and into into both Nova and him, the two
of them slowly returning to their "normal" vibrant colors
as:
SILVER SURFER
You have indeed changed -- but how did
this come to be?
NOVA
Call it the ultimate makeover, by your
old boss.
(beat)
I’m Galactus’ new herald -- and I’m
here to ask you to help keep Big G
alive!
SILVER SURFER
You serve Galactus? And you think that
I, who have toiled for him, and fought
with him, and suffered beyond measure
because of him, would want to save the
Devourer of Worlds?
NOVA
As a matter of fact, I do.
(beat)
‘Cause if he goes, so does everything
he and his power cosmic have ever
touched. You, me --
The Surfer cuts her off. We TIGHTEN ON his haunted face.
SILVER SURFER
Shalla Bal...!
And, on the Surfer’s reaction, we
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. DARK PLANET SOLAR SYSTEM
PANNING ACROSS a solar system where everything is blasted,
seared, destroyed. We ANGLE PAST a planet that’s been
shattered into whirling chunks, the Silver Surfer and Nova
WARPING IN nearby, as:
SILVER SURFER
We have traveled to virtually the other
side of the universe! How did you find
me at such a distance?
NOVA
I always find what I look for. Since I
was a kid, anywhere I’ve needed to be --
bam! -- I’ve been there!
They continue deeper into the star system, Nova leading the
way.
NOVA
That’s why Galactus gave me your old
job after just one interview. He said
I had some kind of trick gene that was
triggered when you healed me --
SILVER SURFER
Nova! Get down!
ANOTHER ANGLE
The Surfer reaches out to Nova’s flaming form, pushing her
out of the way of a chunk of planet. Both of them go head
over heels, barely able to stop themselves, and the
planetoid continues on. We HOLD ON the Surfer, still
shaking with cold, and Nova, sweating from her own heat.
SILVER SURFER
With each passing instant, I grow
weaker!
NOVA
You’re not the man you used to be,
Silverado, and I’m not the new me...
(beat)
It’s ‘cause we’re sick. And the reason
we are is right there.
Nova points ahead of them, and the Surfer follows her gaze
to:
THE DARK PLANET
A cracked, dead world, completely sucked dry. Imbedded
deep into the planet are Galactus’ cables of destruction,
FIZZLING weakly. We ANGLE UP the cables TO:
GALACTUS’ SHIP
Still huge, but no longer very impressive. Many of its
cables hang limply, like dead spider legs, and at the top
of the ship, FAINTLY COLORED ENERGY WISPS drift from the
control center.
SILVER SURFER (O.S.)
This is Galactus’ ship? My mind cannot
accept what my eyes see -- !
The Surfer breaks off as an enormous, pterodactyl-like
creature swoops through the ENERGY WISPS at the ship.
THE SILVER SURFER AND NOVA
As the two of them react.
SILVER SURFER
A Harpy Rasp!
NOVA
It’s worse than I thought! The ship’s
defenses must be completely down!
Without planning it, they act in unison, the Surfer
unleashing a COSMIC POWER BLAST, while Nova FIRES a COSMIC
POWER FIREBALL at:
THE HARPY RASP
SCREECHING, it EXPLODES into a fiery nothingness! Other
Harpy Rasps which have been circling nearby TRILL excitedly
and scatter -- but not very far.
THE SILVER SURFER AND NOVA
Are staggered by the effort.
SILVER SURFER
Harpy Rasps feed only on the raw energy
of dying power!
NOVA
What -- you thought I was kidding?
Both the Surfer and Nova force themselves to fly to the
ship faster. As they sweep at the control center we ANGLE
TO the Harpy Rasps, who are gathering around the ship once
again. TIGHTENING ON them, we SEE that they aren’t organic
at all. Rather, they are mechanical constructions, with
strange protuberance hidden behind their wings. The fake
Harpy Rasps gaze down at Galactus’ ship, and the
protuberances BEEP, red "eyes" blinking in a way we’ve seen
before -- on Draconian spy satellites! We HOLD ON the
strangeness of this as:
EXT. GALACTUS’ CONTROL CENTER
Oblivious to what’s going on behind them, the Silver Surfer
and Nova fly in, and immediately are greeted by:
GALACTUS (O.S.)
Ah, Nova, do my dimming eyes deceive
me, or is that truly the First Herald
you have in tow?
The Surfer turns toward the familiar voice, and GASPS as:
THE COMMAND CHAIR - INTERCUTTING AS NECESSARY WITH THE
SILVER SURFER AND NOVA
Escaping ENERGY wafts up from the Planetary Converter
beneath the chair, instead of being absorbed. Starting at
Galactus’ mighty boots, we ANGLE UP the chair and the form
within it as, with a bitter LAUGH:
GALACTUS (O.S.)
Tell me, Silver Surfer, have you come
to pluck at my essence with the Harpy
Rasps? Or merely to shovel the last
bit of cosmic dirt over my grave?
NOVA
I brought him here, my master, to help
you survive!
GALACTUS (O.S.)
The survival of Galactus was the least
of my First Herald’s concerns when he
chose to renege on his vow and go his
own way.
SILVER SURFER
That is not precisely what happened,
great Galactus --
We REACH Galactus’ helmeted head. What we can SEE of it
(little more than his mouth, or cheekbone, or an eye) is
shrunken, the skin loose. His skin is ashen, almost dead
white. It’s the face of a very sick man.
GALACTUS
Still must you so self-righteously
dispute me? I need no help from you,
Silver Surfer.
(roaring with all his strength)
Go!
We TIGHTEN ON Galactus’ finger as it stabs out at a control
on the command chair -- but never reaches it. Instead, the
finger stops in mid-movement, quivering impotently.
ANOTHER ANGLE - CONTINUING TO INTERCUT
The Silver Surfer and Nova stare as:
GALACTUS
I cannot...move...
Galactus’ voice fills with pain. His whole body shudders.
GALACTUS
Within my body, I know not where, is a
rot so deep that it has poisoned my
very core...
Convulsively, Galactus trails off, and his eyes close. All
the power in the control center BLINKS OFF, then RETURNS,
and at the same time the Surfer’s color darkens, then
lightens again, while Nova flares up, then dims, the two of
them recovering as:
NOVA
Surfer, please, you’ve got to do
something before it’s too late for all
of us!
SILVER SURFER
There are those who consider me a
traitor to life for ever having served
Galactus! Would not saving him be the
ultimate in treachery?
NOVA
Hey, give me some credit, huh? The only
way I could live with myself was by
changing the big guy’s diet.
(beat)
As long as I’m around, all he gets is
"planet light." No salt. No sugar.
No intelligent life --
GALACTUS
(eyes snapping open)
Nova!
WIDER
At Galactus’ bellow, both the Surfer and Nova whirl -- just
in time to spot the Harpy Rasps who are diving right into
the control center. Once more, the two of them unleash
their versions of the POWER COSMIC -- and, with more
SHRIEKS, the creatures EXPLODE!
CLOSER ON THE SILVER SURFER AND NOVA
Nova collapses, falling to the floor. The Surfer sweeps
down to her. He looks at her sorrowfully -- and makes a
decision.
SILVER SURFER
When did this begin?
NOVA
I did what I always do, and found the
planet below. Everything seemed just
fine -- ‘til Galactus tried to absorb
its energy Then he started shaking
and bellowing --
(realizing)
Surfer -- the best job I could get
without a college degree’s going right
down the tubes -- and I’m responsible!
SILVER SURFER
Responsibility is not the issue now.
A solution is.
(beat)
If there were a way to actually enter
Galactus, together we might still be
strong enough to fight whatever is
there --
GALACTUS’ HELMETED HEAD
Nova breaks off as, with a GROAN, Galactus convulses again.
His lips are barely able to move as:
GALACTUS
There is a way, but I cannot risk both
of you in one stratagem. The Silver
Surfer must go alone.
(beat)
Nova, you can best use your talents to
guide him from without.
WIDER
The Surfer soars upward, circling before Galactus’ eyes, as
he gets another idea:
SILVER SURFER
Galactus! Still is there one condition
to be met --
GALACTUS
I know what you wish -- and I grant
your boon.
(with great effort)
Do what you must -- and all my
knowledge of Zenn-La will be yours!
The Surfer smiles grimly, and a CRACKLING BEAM OF ENERGY
lashes out from Galactus’ eyes, engulfing the Surfer in an
ENERGY BUBBLE. We ANGLE WITH THE BUBBLE as it zooms toward
the source of the beam, shrinking all the while.
The BUBBLE and the Silver Surfer get smaller, smaller,
until they -- and WE -- are lost in the unfathomable
whiteness of Galactus’ pupil-less eye! The brightness is
almost BLINDING as we
CUT TO:
INT. GALACTUS’ BODY - BRAIN
An area of pulpy mountains and hills, SIZZLING with
SYNAPSES. Through the brown-and-gray brain tissue run what
look like BRIGHTLY-COLORED rivers: These are the blood
vessels, flowing sluggishly with a pulsating current.
SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
Indeed, this is incredible. I have
entered Galactus’ brain...
As the Surfer speaks, we WIDEN TO SEE the Surfer on his
board, looking around him in awe as he skims alongside one
of the "rivers." Suddenly, a COMMUNICATION BEAM APPEARS
before him, along with:
NOVA (O.S.)
(filtered)
Silver Surfer...
EXT. GALACTUS’ CONTROL CENTER - NOVA
Flying up toward Galactus’ head, her COMMUNICATION BEAM
activated, as, continuing:
NOVA
Can you hear me?
INT. GALACTUS’ BODY - BRAIN
Before the Surfer can respond, dozens of vibrating beings
with spider-like arms and bulging, globule-like bodies
burst from the nearby blood vessel. SQUEALING like
banshees, they grab at the Surfer.
SILVER SURFER
Nova! I am attacked!
That’s all he gets to say as the arms of the spider-beings
intertwine with both him and his board, pulling them down
to the "ground." More of the things SPLASH from the blood
vessel, and for a beat the Surfer is completely engulfed.
ANOTHER ANGLE
TWIN COSMIC POWER BEAMS BLAST, and the creatures fall back,
their SQUEALS turning to ones of pain.
The Surfer emerges from the pack, and, with another PAIR OF
BLASTS, he leaps back onto the board, and soars away.
EXT. GALACTUS’ CONTROL CENTER - NOVA
Nova reaches Galactus’ enormous head just in time to veer
out of the way as it slams slam backward with pain!
GALACTUS
(roaring)
This is not supposed to be!!!
His eyes close. Again, the control center goes dead, then
revives, while Nova’s flame flares, then dims so that it’s
fainter than before.
NOVA
Galactus...?
No response. Now Nova cries out via a COMMUNICATION BEAM:
NOVA
Surfer! Galactus is out...!
INT. GALACTUS’ BODY - BRAIN - THE SILVER SURFER
Flying barely high enough so the spider-things can’t reach
him. Both he and his board are wobbling.
NOVA (O.S.)
And I’m not doing all that well either!
The Surfer looks down at the spider-things. They’re still
in a frenzy.
SILVER SURFER
I believe I have had an encounter with
his immune system. And not to our
mutual benefit.
(beat)
I must look someplace else for the
infection -- but where?
EXT. GALACTUS’ CONTROL CENTER - NOVA
Still managing to hover before Galactus, she gazes at him
intently, a RED BEAM STREAMING from her eyes.
NOVA’S POV - GALACTUS (SUBJECTIVE CAMERA)
As Galactus’ entire body turns translucent, and we SEE as
much of his innards as we dare to.
Muscle gives way to bone, which gives way to the various
organs, all of them throbbing and GLOWING not like physical
objects but like RADAR or SONAR blips. It’s very SURREAL,
CONTINUOUSLY MOVING, CHANGING. We TIGHTEN ON Galactus’
brain, where the Surfer is a moving silver dot.
NOVA (O.S.)
And I thought pictures of smokers’
lungs were disgusting...!
One area, deep in Galactus’ chest, is conspicuous by virtue
of being a dull, hideous BLACK. We ANGLE TO it as:
NOVA (O.S.)
You’ve got to get down to his heart...
INT. GALACTUS’ BODY - BRAIN - THE SILVER SURFER
Flying across the pulpy mountains of brain matter.
NOVA (O.S.)
There’s a trail just ahead of you --
the spinal cord!
SILVER SURFER
(peering out)
Yes -- I see it!
We WIDEN TO SEE what looks like a tunnel up ahead. The
Surfer heads for it, soaring to:
INT. GALACTUS’ BODY - SPINAL COLUMN
A series of dark, interconnected tunnels through which
thread ganglions of winding nerves. Picture the Surfer
spiraling down, down, down through a rendering by Escher --
and you still won’t be close! From all around him comes a
DEEP, RHYTHMIC SOUND.
SILVER SURFER
The heartbeat of Galactus...!
The SOUND STOPS for a beat -- and this time the Surfer
literally DISAPPEARS, then REAPPEARS, steadying himself, as
the HEARTBEAT RESUMES much more slowly.
SILVER SURFER
Nova! Galactus is weakening! Time is
running out! How near am I to our foe?
EXT. GALACTUS’ CONTROL CENTER - NOVA’S POV - GALACTUS
The silver dot that is the Surfer zigzags closer to
Galactus’ chest.
NOVA (O.S.)
You’re almost to the chest cavity.
The dot reaches a point where the spine goes off into
several branches. We TIGHTEN ON this maze-like area as:
NOVA (O.S.)
Take the left branch. You’re getting
close...
INT. GALACTUS’ BODY - SPINAL COLUMN - THE SILVER SURFER
He slips into the left branch, continuing to:
THE END OF THE TUNNEL
Directly ahead of the Surfer, the open bone suddenly seals
into a dead-end. We WIDEN TO INCLUDE the Surfer as he
stops himself just before a crash and goes tumbling from
his board.
NOVA (O.S.)
Surfer! What happened?
The board circles back to him, and the Surfer climbs (he’s
no longer able to leap) back onto it.
SILVER SURFER
I do not know. I will go back --
ANOTHER ANGLE
As the Surfer heads back where he came from --
NOVA (O.S.)
Look out!
Again, the Surfer stops short -- as another dead-end forms!
He holds up his hand, FIRES a SPUTTERING VERSION OF HIS
COSMIC POWER BLAST. The vertebra BLOWS open -- and a WALL
OF ENERGY GUSHES OUT, inundating him like a tidal wave!
CLOSER ON THE SILVER SURFER
Behind him, what was a dead-end suddenly opens up, and,
CRYING OUT WORDLESSLY, the Surfer is swept through it by
the ENERGY WAVE as:
EXT. GALACTUS’ CONTROL CENTER - GALACTUS’ MOUTH
He CRIES OUT wordlessly. We ANGLE TO Nova, falling as
though she herself was struck. Around her, one of
Galactus’ giant holographic viewscreens EXPLODES!
NOVA
Surfer -- !
And then she breaks off, as, O.S., we hear the SOUND OF AN
EXPLOSION, Galactus’ entire ship rocking with the impact
as:
EXT. DARK PLANET SOLAR SYSTEM - GALACTUS’ SHIP
Around it, a vast fleet of starships is WARPING IN. These
are the ships of the WANDERERS, some large, some small,
some marked with fancy designs, others bare. All the ships
have two things in common: They are tattered, patched-
together, old -- and they are using their ENERGY WEAPONS
like there’s no tomorrow, BLASTING away at Galactus for all
they’re worth! We HOLD on the sudden attack, Galactus’ ship
reeling, and we
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT ONE
ACT TWO
FADE IN:
EXT. DARK PLANET SOLAR SYSTEM - GALACTUS’ SHIP
Under heavy ENERGY FIRE from the new arrivals. The ship
doesn’t -- can’t -- fight back -- but it does shake and
shimmy with each hit!
NOVA (O.S.)
Surfer! Somebody’s trying to blow us
out of the universe...!
EXT. GALACTUS’ CONTROL CENTER - NOVA
Getting no response. An ENERGY BEAM DETONATES in the air
above her, its CONCUSSION WAVE sending Nova sprawling
across the control center. Her flame becomes a shade
lighter, weaker, as she picks herself up only to go
sprawling when the ship shudders from another hit. Forcing
herself to move, Nova flies upward to:
GALACTUS’ HELMETED HEAD
Hanging back, his giant eyes closed. DISSIPATING ENERGY
continues to waft upward from him. Nova circles Galactus’
head. Her tone is a cross between panic and irony as:
NOVA
Oh great, just great...!
Panicked, she flies in closer to one huge ear, shouting
like Tinkerbell trying to get Peter Pan’s attention:
NOVA
Galactus! Can I help it if this is my
first space war? What do I do? What
do I do?
There’s no response as we TIGHTEN PAST Nova’s fearful face
TO one of the remaining viewscreens. Another ship is
WARPING IN, and like the spy satellites, it too is
familiar: We HOLD ON the Draconian Mother Ship and
CUT TO:
INT. DRACONIAN MOTHER SHIP - BRIDGE - A VIEWSCREEN
REVERSE ANGLE of the same view: Galactus’ ship taking its
pounding from the Wanderers’ smaller vessels as:
FIRST MINISTER IVAR (O.S.)
My lord! Is it possible? Can
Galactus’ truly be defenseless...?
As he talks, we WIDEN TO SEE LORD GLENN and FIRST MINISTER
IVAR, watching the viewscreen. Nearby, at their stations,
are the rest of the robotic Draconian bridge crew.
LORD GLENN
We will know soon enough, Ivar. The
probes have shown all they can...
Lord Glenn points to the viewscreen, where the fake Harpy
Rasps come into view. Beyond them, ENERGY BEAMS BLAST
everywhere.
LORD GLENN
Now it is up to our allies to draw the
Devourer out --
Ivar breaks off, as, from the ship’s communicator:
GAMORA (O.S.)
(filtered)
Lord Glenn!
INT. GAMORA’S SHIP
A one-person fighter craft, the lone occupant of which is
GAMORA, a beautiful -- and lethal -- young humanoid woman
with blue skin and black hair.
LORD GLENN (O.S.)
(filtered)
I read you, Gamora. Are you as
astonished by what lies before us as I?
ANOTHER ANGLE - INCLUDING THE FRONT VIEWPORT
Gamora gets Galactus’ control center in the middle of her
sights, hits a button, speaks into her communicator.
GAMORA
Every night in my dreams I relive the
destruction of my home planet by
Galactus. Yet now I find his ship even
more awesome than I remembered...
EXT. DARK PLANET SOLAR SYSTEM - THE ATTACK
Gamora’s ENERGY BLAST stabs at the control center! A chunk
of Galactus’ ship is torn off, BLOWING into space!
LORD GLENN (O.S.)
And, it would seem, more vulnerable as
well.
GAMORA (O.S.)
Frankly, Lord Glenn, I’m almost as
frightened by the fact that he’s not
fighting back as I would be if he
did...
INT. DRACONIAN MOTHER SHIP - BRIDGE
Where the viewscreen shows Galactus’ ship rocking from the
attack.
GAMORA (O.S.)
I can’t shake the feeling that this is
a trap.
LORD GLENN
But why would a being with the power of
Galactus resort to such a tactic?
EXT. DARK PLANET SOLAR SYSTEM - THE ATTACK
As Gamora’s ship swoops closer to that of Galactus.
GAMORA (O.S.)
I guess we’ll have to find out.
(quickly)
Refugee One to Wanderers -- move in
another notch, people -- but stay
prepared to cut and run...
And, as the other ships follow her lead, we
CUT TO:
INT. GALACTUS’ BODY - SPINAL COLUMN - THE SILVER SURFER
Helpless, out of control on a chute-the-chutes ride through
Galactus’ spinal cord. He’s swamped by the ENERGY the way
an earth surfer would be by a wave, and he clings to his
board by his fingertips!
SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
Everything that has happened since I
entered Galactus’ body must be a
product of his immune system...
The "tunnel" in which the Surfer is trapped makes an abrupt
right turn, slamming him against it, and he almost loses
his grip on the board.
SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
How can I fight both him and the
disease -- ?
Another, opposite, turn. He slams against the "wall"
again, continues forward toward:
THE SILVER SURFER’S POV - WHAT’S COMING DEAD AHEAD
Another dead-end -- but before it dangle long fibrous
tissues like thick ropes. The tissues wriggle like the
legs of jellyfish as the Surfer comes closer, closer --
BACK TO THE SILVER SURFER
Reaching the fibers. With every last ounce of strength, he
grabs onto them, swinging up out of the ENERGY WAVE.
GRUNTING with exertion, the Surfer makes use of all his
momentum, swinging up toward the "ceiling" of the "tunnel."
ANOTHER ANGLE
As the Surfer nears the top, he lets go of the fiber with
one hand, FIRING a POWER ANOTHER PALE COSMIC BLAST directly
above. At first, nothing happens. Then, in the knick of
time, the tissue dissolves, the Surfer arcing into the
hole.
SILVER SURFER
To me, my board!
THE SILVER SURFER’S BOARD
Careening against the tide of ENERGY and soaring upward to:
INT. GALACTUS’ BODY - CHEST CAVITY
The Surfer leaps onto his board, soaring into a dark
chamber like an enormous, striated cave. He glides to a
stop and tumbles off the board, lying exhausted and
sweating on his side. He calls out hoarsely, trying to be
heard through the REVERBERATING BEATING of Galactus’ heart:
SILVER SURFER
Nova! Can you hear me...?
EXT. GALACTUS’ CONTROL CENTER - UPSHOT
The ships that we’ve learned belong to the WANDERERS come
in low, STRAFING the control center. We ANGLE TO:
SILVER SURFER (O.S.)
I am within Galactus’ chest...!
GALACTUS’ HELMETED HEAD
Hit by one beam, another. He spasms as though jolted by an
electric shock, but otherwise shows no sign of knowing
about the attack.
NOVA (O.S.)
I hear you, Silverado...
WIDENING, we FIND Nova, crouched on Galactus’ shoulder.
She ducks as an ENERGY BOLT almost hits her. The young
woman both looks and sounds terrified as:
NOVA
But I can’t exactly help much right
now -- !
She rushes across Galactus’ neck, out of the way of another
VOLLEY. The BLASTS take out a bank of machinery.
Suddenly, Nova GASPS as:
NOVA’S POV - SPACE OVER THE CONTROL CENTER
Where the WATCHER RIPPLES INTO VIEW, his somber face
looking down at the attack on Galactus’ ship.
NOVA (O.S.)
Silverado! There’s this weird looking
bald guy staring at us from the middle
of nowhere!
INT. GALACTUS’ BODY - CHEST CAVITY
Where the Surfer’s having his own troubles, trying to get
to his feet. From the COMMUNICATION BEAM come the SOUNDS
of the attack.
SILVER SURFER
The Watcher...! His presence here
shows that this is indeed a portentous
event!
Using his board for support, the Surfer forces himself to
his knees.
SILVER SURFER
You must defy fate, Nova...!
EXT. GALACTUS’ CONTROL CENTER - NOVA
TIGHTENING ON her as the Surfer continues:
SILVER SURFER
Reach inside yourself, and replace the
strength you have lost with the courage
you will always have!
His words get to her, and Nova’s face shows with new
resolve.
NOVA
Silverado, if you ever get tired of
hanging ten through the spacewaves, I
know some folks at Notre Dame who’d
love to sign you up as a coach!
And, as she says it, her FLAME BURNS MORE BRIGHTLY, and she
launches herself upward, to:
EXT. DARK PLANET SOLAR SYSTEM - GALACTUS’ SHIP
Dozens of FIRE STORMS rage across the areas where the
surface of the ship has been hit, and the cables of
destruction are mangled and broken. A Wanderers’ ship banks
and STRAFES -- and, suddenly, Nova appears, soaring from
the control center like a fiery streak. A STREAM OF FLAME
SPEWS from her outstretched hand, engulfing the ship, and
it goes spinning out to space end over end!
CLOSER ON NOVA
Allowing herself a grim smile.
NOVA
Back to the cheap seats, creeps! And
try some take-out -- like my solar
flambe!
Concentrating intently, Nova holds out both her hands,
sweeping them around in a huge circle, and from them
SPRAYS:
A WALL OF FIRE
Nova orbits Galactus’ ship, and the wall of flames
surrounds it, cutting it off from the attacking vessels as:
INT. GAMORA’S SHIP - CONTROL CONSOLE AND VIEWPORT
Nova and her wall are plainly visible as panels SPARK AND
SIZZLE from the intense heat. We WIDEN TO SEE Gamora
yanking back her hand just in time to keep from being
burned by a tongue of flame that dances along the console.
She continues into the communicator:
GAMORA
Wanderers, this is Refugee One --
disengage! Repeat -- disengage!
EXT. DARK PLANET SOLAR SYSTEM - THE WATCHER
Looking on closely as Gamora veers away from the wall of
fire, the other ships following her lead. We TIGHTEN PAST
the activity to Nova.
NOVA (V.O.)
How ‘bout that? Looks like the kid
from Venice Beach just won a round...
INT. DRACONIAN MOTHER SHIP - BRIDGE - THE VIEWSCREEN
Where the retreat continues as:
FIRST MINISTER IVAR (O.S.)
That resource is not in our database!
What is happening?
We WIDEN TO SEE Lord Glenn stride to the viewscreen, Ivar
right behind him.
LORD GLENN
Ah, Ivar, is that not the question we
lesser beings have been asking about
Galactus since the beginning of time?
Or did you genuinely believe his end
would come so easily?
FIRST MINISTER IVAR
I had hoped, my lord -- how I had
hoped! -- to cause him to suffer, as he
has caused us...
LORD GLENN
As did we all, Ivar.
(beat)
As did we all...
Lord Glenn’s expression grows as thoughtful as a robot’s
can. We ANGLE PAST him to the viewscreen again. The
Wanderers’ withdrawal is complete, the little ships huddled
around the Draconian mother ship as we
CUT TO:
EXT. GALACTUS’ CONTROL CENTER - GALACTUS’ HELMETED HEAD
Reflecting the RED GLOW from Nova’s fire wall. Suddenly,
Galactus convulses again, as:
INT. GALACTUS’ BODY - CHEST CAVITY
Where the Surfer slogs exhaustedly into the cavern,
carrying his board. The entire cavern shudders, and ENERGY
FLASHES like lightning. For a beat, the LOUD HEARTBEAT
FALTERS, the Surfer once again FLASHING OUT OF EXISTENCE,
then reappearing as Galactus’ heart resumes even more
slowly than before.
SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
Galactus grows still weaker -- and so
do I!
Another LIGHTNING BOLT strikes, and the Surfer throws
himself aside, stares at the source of the bolt, stunned.
SILVER SURFER (V.O.)
What manner of bodily organs are these?
ANOTHER ANGLE
Deep within the chest cavity are spherical masses
resembling nothing so much as the gutted planets we SAW
elsewhere in this star system. They drift in a CURRENT OF
ENERGY, the kind of LIGHTNING that almost struck the Silver
Surfer triggering the opening and closing of gigantic
containment valves. From the spheres comes a KEENING SOUND,
like the moaning of millions of lost souls! As the Surfer
makes his cautious approach, the LIGHTNING STRIKES again,
hitting him and sending him flying backward as:
THE VOICE OF THE SPHERES
Silver Surfer! Noble Lackey of
Galactus! So good of you to visit our
ignoble selves!
The voice RESONATES like a sarcastic chorus. The Surfer
looks from sphere to sphere.
SILVER SURFER
What are you, to mock me like this?
THE VOICE OF THE SPHERES
We will show you!
Another LIGHTNING BOLT strikes the Surfer, and, dropping
his board, he goes sprawling as we TIGHTEN ON his face and
SMASH CUT TO:
INT. SILVER SURFER’S MIND - VARIOUS PLANETS - SERIES OF
SCENES
All garishly OVEREXPOSED TO A NUMBING WHITENESS, and
including the following:
A FANTASTIC CITYSCAPE
Starting to crumble as Galactus’ cables of destruction
plunge into it from the sky!
AN ALIEN VILLAGE
All but vanishes as the cables strike!
AN UNDERWATER EMPIRE
Fishlike inhabitants swimming for safety as the water roils
and boils and bubbles around a group of cables!
A MONTAGE OF PLANETARY DESTRUCTION
As SEEN from space: Planets of all colors turn shrivelled
and BLACK as Galactus’ cables suck out their energy! The
IMAGES COME FAST AND FURIOUS, and the Surfer CRIES OUT:
SILVER SURFER (O.S.)
STOP!!!
And, on his anguished cry, we
SMASH CUT TO:
INT. GALACTUS’ BODY - CHEST CAVITY
LIGHTNING STRIKES everywhere. Valves open and close. The
prostrate Surfer gasps for breath.
THE VOICE OF THE SPHERES
Do you recognize us now, Silver Surfer?
We are the essence of the worlds
consumed by Galactus...!
The Voice of the Spheres becomes almost a whisper:
THE VOICE OF THE SPHERES
Consigned by you and your master to
this limbo of eternal despair!
SILVER SURFER
I was not myself! I knew not what I
did!
The Surfer’s tone is defensive. More LIGHTNING STRIKES on
each side of him, and, in a voice as quiet as that of the
Voice of the Spheres:
SILVER SURFER
(continuing; realizing)
Yet still, do I hold myself
accountable...
Now ANOTHER VOICE responds...deep...malignant:
THE INFECTION (O.S.)
Then you must allow me to put an end to
the evil!
With a final FLASHING OF LIGHTNING, more valves open and
close, shunting the Spheres aside and revealing:
GALACTUS’ HEART
An enormous, red ventricular sac, moist and GLISTENING.
Running along the heart are thick, viscous lines of BLACK
FLUID, like tendrils, leading to a BLACK CENTER that is
like a smaller version of the Dark Planet over which
Galactus’ ship now orbits. The tendrils squeeze the
ventricular sac, and GALACTUS’ HEARTBEAT BECOMES even
slower than before. In the black center a saw-toothed
mouth opens in vile LAUGHTER!
THE SILVER SURFER
Determined, he rises, takes a step toward the blackness.
SILVER SURFER
You are the infection!
CUT TO:
EXT. DARK PLANET SOLAR SYSTEM - THE WATCHER
Looking down at the WALL OF FIRE around Galactus’ ship.
Suddenly, the FLAME DIMS. We ANGLE TO Nova, flying
unsteadily. The FLAME SPEWED by her hands starts to
SPUTTER.
NOVA (V.O.)
Feel so drained...can’t hold out much
longer...sure miss Amber...and the
boardwalk...
(catching herself)
No! Gotta -- keep -- going!
She gives it all she’s got, and both her flame and the WALL
OF FIRE BRIGHTEN again as:
INT. DRACONIAN MOTHER SHIP - BRIDGE
Where Lord Glenn and Ivar see the change in the flame.
From the communicator we HEAR:
GAMORA (O.S.)
(filtered)
Lord Glenn, Galactus’ defense is
weakening again!
LORD GLENN
May I remind you, Gamora, that organic
tissue such as yours is notoriously
frail? I suggest you and your people
continue to reconnoiter.
INT. GAMORA’S SHIP
She’s looking out the view port intently.
GAMORA
Lord Glenn, I’ve waited to get at
Galactus since I six years old. Now
that I’m this close I can’t keep
backing away.
(harder)
Call it the curse of being "merely
organic," but the Wanderers’d much
rather have revenge than survive!
EXT. BLACK PLANET SOLAR SYSTEM - THE WATCHER
Looking on as, around Galactus’ ship, the FIRE WALL
steadily weakens with Nova’s fading power. FIRING, Gamora
and her fleet sweep forward! NOVA Is a wreck. The FIRE
WALL GROWS STILL DIMMER, and her own FLAME IS SPUTTERING as
we
CUT TO:
INT. GALACTUS’ BODY - CHEST CAVITY
Where a tendril of the INFECTION’s black fluid flows out at
the Surfer. He stumbles away -- and another tendril wraps
around his ankle. The Surfer CRIES OUT as the area around
the tendril BUBBLES and turns BLACK!
SILVER SURFER
Where do you come from? Why are you
doing this?
Another tendril grabs the Surfer’s other leg, and that leg
too BUBBLES AND BLACKENS! The Infection LAUGHS.
THE INFECTION
I am the Universal Scourge, born and
bred to be Galactus’ last meal...!
The Surfer tries to pull away -- and another tendril wraps
around his arm, making it too BUBBLE AND BLACKEN!
THE INFECTION
Millennia ago, a selfless civilization
dedicated all its resources, its very
life, to the eradication of the
Devourer!
(beat)
For eons they followed in his wake,
collecting the detritus Galactus left
behind and bringing it to the planet
below, where its toxicity was
cultivated as in a garden...
ANOTHER ANGLE The Surfer never stops struggling -- and a
tendril grabs his remaining arm, which BUBBLES AND BLACKENS
as:
THE INFECTION
The effort destroyed them, but the
venom, powerful enough to exterminate
even the Dreaded One, lived on --
sending out a signal of false energy,
and inviting Galactus to dine!
Again, the Infection laughs. The Surfer summons all his
strength, and his body starts to GLOW.
SILVER SURFER
NOOO!!!
And the Surfer BLASTS ALL HIS POWER COSMIC directly at:
THE INFECTION
LAUGHS as the BLAST SPUTTERS harmlessly!
THE INFECTION
You think you can stop something begun
before any race now living rose from
the slime?!
WIDER
More black tendrils writhe toward the Surfer, who BLASTS
uselessly as they wrap around his body, BUBBLING AND
BLACKENING it completely. The Surfer cries out in despair:
SILVER SURFER
Galactus! I have not the strength!
(even louder)
You must focus your remaining energy,
and trust me with all your POWER!!!
EXT. GALACTUS’ CONTROL CENTER - GALACTUS’ EYES
As the Silver Surfer’s voice RESOUNDS OVER everything,
Galactus’ eyelid flutters. There’s a tense beat, and then
the eye snaps open!
GALACTUS (O.S.)
First Herald...!
Within Galactus’ pupil-less eyes, ANGRY ENERGY FLASHES. We
TIGHTEN ON it as:
INT. GALACTUS’ BODY - CHEST CAVITY - A BOLT OF THE POWER
COSMIC
THUNDERS through the cavern like a BOMB -- and strikes:
THE SILVER SURFER
The black tendrils EXPLODE, and the Surfer’s darkened
surface shines silver once more. He leaps onto his board,
soars at:
GALACTUS’ HEART
The Infection’s mouth opens in an EAR-SPLITTING SCREAM as
the rejuvenated Surfer FIRES twin BLASTS OF THE POWER
COSMIC into the center of the infection!
ANOTHER ANGLE
The Surfer BLASTS again and again, and, one after another,
the black tendrils SPARK and DISSOLVE!
SILVER SURFER
Scourge of the Universe, you do what
you must...
(beat)
But so do I...
As the Surfer continues BLASTING, we TIGHTEN ON the center
of the Infection. It too SPARKS, WITHERS -- and DISSOLVES!
The Infection dwindles, getting smaller and smaller, its
SCREAM BECOMING A PITIFUL MOAN as we
CUT TO:
EXT. BLACK PLANET SOLAR SYSTEM - GALACTUS’ SHIP
Around it, the FIRE WALL gives one final SPUTTER and
DISSIPATES COMPLETELY, Gamora and her ships flying in,
WEAPONS BLAZING!
NOVA Collapsing, unconscious, and falling back toward the
gigantic ship while ENERGY BLASTS all around her.
ANOTHER ANGLE
Suddenly, a silver streak soars from Galactus’ control
center: The Surfer, catching hold of Nova just as she
caught him, and arcing back down to the ship with her as,
in a barely contained ROAR of incredulity and fury:
GALACTUS (O.S.)
WHO DARES?!
EXT. GALACTUS’ CONTROL CENTER - GALACTUS’ HAND
As, with no trouble at all, Galactus’ finger hits a button
on the command chair and:
EXT. BLACK PLANET SOLAR SYSTEM - GALACTUS’ SHIP
Surges to life! The cables straighten, no longer flailing
ineffectually with the buffeting of the vessel, and a RING
OF ENERGY FLARES out from the ship’s hull, heading in an
ever-expanding circle for:
THE WANDERERS
Seeing what’s coming, the ships peel off, turning away from
Galactus’ ship as:
INT. GAMORA’S SHIP
As she works the controls madly.
GAMORA
(into communicator)
The giant’s up and kicking! Abort!
Abort!
INT. DRACONIAN MOTHER SHIP - BRIDGE
Where both Lord Glenn and First Minister Ivar are
astounded. Lord Glenn calls out to the helmsman:
LORD GLENN
(to helmsman)
Emergency maneuvers! Take us out of
here! Take us out!
Like all Draconians, the helmsman has a central panel in
his chest. It opens, and a single flexible limb snakes
out, frantically working the ship’s controls as:
EXT. BLACK PLANET SOLAR SYSTEM
Desperately fleeing from Galactus’ ENERGY RING, the
Draconians and the Wanderers FORESHORTEN INTO WARP. In the
space they’ve left behind, the ENERGY RING hits the Harpy
Rasps, and they POLARIZE from positive to negative and
back, VANISHING INTO PARTICLES.
We HOLD ON this part of space. All that remains beyond
Galactus’ ship is the impassive face of the Watcher. He
RIPPLES AWAY as we
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. GALACTUS’ CONTROL CENTER - GALACTUS’ MOUTH
As grim and powerful as ever, as:
GALACTUS
My herald! You have work to do!
We WIDEN TO SEE the Silver Surfer and Nova, both of them at
full strength, circling before what we can make out of
Galactus’ huge face. Nova screws up her courage:
NOVA
Galactus -- the Silver Surfer just
saved your life, and that’s all you’ve
got to say?
GALACTUS
I stand corrected, my Nova. There is
indeed more.
(beat)
Know that the Great Hunger is upon me --
and it is far greater than ever before!
Galactus speaks as though the Surfer isn’t even there.
Nova looks astonished, but the Surfer simply shakes his
head. He soars from the control center, Nova following his
lead. We TIGHTEN ON Galactus’ mouth once more -- as it
opens for his sardonic LAUGH.
EXT. DARK PLANET SOLAR SYSTEM - GALACTUS’ SHIP
As the Surfer and Nova sweep out toward the edge of the
system. The Surfer speaks thoughtfully:
SILVER SURFER
I hope that the universe can forgive me
-- for even I am not certain I did the
right thing.
NOVA
Did Galactus make good on his promise?
Did he tell you where your homeworld
is?
SILVER SURFER
In his way, Galactus is an honorable
man. He said he would tell me all he
knew about Zenn-La, and he did...
They start going faster --
SILVER SURFER
(continuing; bitterly)
In his great anger, my former master
flung the planet so far into space that
even he is not aware of where it came
to rest!
And faster --
NOVA
I’m sorry, Surfer.
SILVER SURFER
(getting an idea)
Nova, you said something to me earlier
-- about always finding what you seek.
Do you think you could find Zenn-La?
NOVA
Silverado -- I thought you’d never ask!
She smiles, and, as they FORESHORTEN INTO WARP, we
FADE OUT.
THE END