World Engine Script Part One of Two Written by E.A. Morrissey,
Edited by James Pedrick |
Script:
World Engine
By
E
A Morrissey
I cannot believe Five years have passed already! When Warren Ellis wrote the four-part World Engine story line, it was supposed to be a re-boot for Thor. With Ellis's writing and the fantastic Art of Deodato, Thor #491 though #494 soon became a best seller for Marvel!
As a writer, Warren Ellis evokes emotion, many of my friends were stacked on both sides of the fence, some loved it, and some hated it with a passion. For me it was a very good story, but some thing was lacking, something needed to be added to make the story complete.
Therefore, in my own way, I wrote this screenplay shortly after the World Engine story came out. It was based on a 'childish' dream I had one night. While Ellis's work was dark and foreboding, my visions in that dream was grand and exciting. In all, I think this piece is nearly complete, but... Mayhap a writer in the future, who is better able to put into writing what his imagination is telling, can complete this work.
I wish you all the very best, and I hope you enjoy.
E A Morrissey.
Cast:
Silver
Surfer; CGI
Mjollnir:
CGI
Iron
Man/ Tony stark; Kevin Klein
Captain
American/Steve Rogers; Brad Pitt
Edwin
Jarvis; Anthony Hopkins
Girl;
cast
Thor;
EAM CGI enhancement
Odin;
Sean Connery
Grand
Vizier: Patrick Stewart
Amora;
Kim Bassingger
Detective George Curzon; Sting
Detective Stone: Louis Gosset Jr
Introduction with credits: - silent
Scene
The Tree of life (Yggdrasil)
Commentary:
(James Earl Jones)
I am Yggdrasil (Igg-drasil) the tree of
life within me contains the essence of the universe; everything is tied between
the branches of Yggdrasil! Many have worshipped me, but only one race of Gods
protects me, they are the Asgardians. The Asgardians are the famed Gods of the
North peoples who have pledged to protect me until their fateful day that was
written in the days of Yore. Many stories of old have been told, many have been
written. One such story is Ragnarok.
Ragnarok is similar to Armageddon- the end
of the universe according to Norse Mythology. The forces of Evil and good will
destroy each other, causing a new beginning with survivors of a few gods and man
recreated from the morning dew from my (Yggdrasil's) branches. No evil will be
present at the dawn of the new era.
Ah but preordained destinies can be corrupted. Who is to say what was written will come too pass? Such a story will be told henceforth, which will show what was written may not come to pass? In this story there will be some of the same players and the result may be the same, the destruction of humanity, as we know it, it could be total. From hereon in such a story will unfold.
Scene
Yggdrasil connected to a huge engine,
connected via tendrils causing pain to the tree. Where the tendrils cut into the
tree you could see the tree bleeding in torture. No one could hear Yggdrasil
scream except the all father Odin.
Pan to Odin looking Through the Orb of all
seeing.
Scene
Star Field stationary, Nebula, center left
Narrative
James Earl Jones: "In the void of space
there is no sound only light or the lack thereof.
Scene
A silver blur moving very fast right of
center small to upper right corner, when passing the Star field to cartwheel
three times before stabilizing. Star view will then come back on itself and
follow the blur use warp effect, as it catches up the blur conforms to a shape,
that of the Silver Surfer. Show the comportment as contemplative.
Scene
Follow Surfer left frames on right in
distance a pulsing light, show Surfer investigating sweeping to right to source
of flashing light. Light grows into the shape of Mjolnir (Thor’s Hammer).
Hammer rotating fast. Surfer stops by Mjolnir, Surfers board below Mjolnir.
Silver Surfer:
The Silver Surfer bids you well, Mjolnir. What errand has Thor have you on?
Scene
The rotating hammer shows a vision of
Thor’s face (lips moving) no sound.
Scene
The Surfer creates an atmosphere (air bubble)
by moving his arms in an arc saying let there be air. The bubble envelops the
Surfer and the hammer. Mjolnir repeats the message.
Thor (face pained): Surfer I seek thine own
assistance, for Ragnarok is upon us!
Scene
The Surfer nods (in an "All
knowing" kind of way?) and says to Mjolnir. "Come companion of Thor,
rest yourself on my board, I will get you there on time."
Scene
Mjolnir moves toward the board resting in its
shaft. The Surfer warping into space.
Scene
Anthony Stark (Kevin Klein)/ Iron Man
Addressing a convention summarizing his
speech. When he finishes the crowd stands and applauds. The Avengers comm card
beeps waiting to be answered. Walking down the off the podium and through the
center isle. At the door he meets Jarvis.
Tony Stark:
And again thank you for the generous donations so eat and be merry.
Jarvis (Anthony Hopkins):
I have been notified sir, the vehicle is ready for you, so is your brief case.
Scene
Tony Stark getting into the back of a SVC
Range Rover, the car driven by Jarvis pulling away from the Metropolitan. Pan
view pulling away. Switch inside vehicle Stark pulling and activating the
avenger's comm-card, showing Captain America.
Captain America: "Tony,
get back to the mansion a soon as possible, I’ll explain when I see you."
Scene
Pan to Stark opening the brief case show a
flattened helmet of Iron Man. Pan to Stark opening necktie and shirt revealing
the breast plate of Iron Man.
Iron Man: " Pull
into the next alleyway I need to get to the mansion in my own way?"
Jarvis: "Is this about Master Thor?"
Iron Man: "I
don’t know, as soon as I find out I will tell you, drive safely home Jarvis,
don’t forget we have a busy day tomorrow.
Scene
Iron Man getting out of Range Rover, blasting
away up and over Manhattan Skyline, flying to Avengers mansion, Iron Man flying
through a shield a computer recognizing Iron Man Walking through main door of
the mansion. Change to control room, Captain America standing over computer
console with a massive view screen in the background. Pan to doors opening
automatically Iron Man walking through.
Captain America: "Tony,
thank-you for getting here so soon
Iron Man: "Is
this about Thor."
Captain America: "How
did you know."
Iron Man: "Jarvis
mentioned, it that’s all."
Captain America: "Thor
hasn’t checked in for 48 Hrs. He of all people is the most disciplined and
punctual. If he couldn’t come he would send Mjolnir, just to let us know
everything is fine." "Tony, you and I are his closest friends on
earth, so, what do you think."
Iron Man:
There are a few reasons why he is not here, He’s in trouble, or, he is in
trouble and it might cause us harm if he involves us." "I think it is
the latter, you know how noble he is? All that warrior born crap."
"You know how stubborn he can be!"
Captain America: "Yes,
I agree with you and that’s why we have to find him." "I have a
feeling it is not good, I know it in my bones. You know I lifted Mjolnir once,
throwing it back to Thor. Since then there has been an affinity to Thor and the
Hammer."
"Somehow, I think Mjolnir is warning me,
I feel it in my water, I know he’s in trouble and I know Mjolnir wouldn’t
directly disobey her master unless he was in trouble."
"That’s why we have to find him."
Scene
Jarvis entering Central command.
Jarvis: "Begging your pardon Sirs. It must be something to do with his
kind, His pantheon." "He would never covet the lime light."
Captain America:
"Even so, We still have to find him."
Scene
Yesterday:
Manhattan, dark gloomy, Thunder and lightning everywhere. A girl stealing a
wallet from a person’s back pocket. Her running away, person chasing and
yelling "she’s got my wallet" she runs down a deserted street wedges
through a fence of a construction site of a new sky scraper under construction,
taking the workers elevator to top. Pan to top see lightning emitting through
the sky. Girl getting out of elevator moving cautiously toward a work-mans hut
illuminated by a flickering candle; shadows present.
Girl walking through door cautiously, pan to
Thor slumped on a chair, Mjolnir next to him on a table. Pan to Thor’s eyes
red in color sparks emitting out of left eye.
Thor: "And what does a "cut-purse" want with the God of
Thunder?"
Girl: "Just a place to stay, weather getting bad, see there’s lightning
outside, are you the cause of weather?" "Being the lord of the storm
from what I remember." "You are Thor aren’t you?"
Thor: "Yes I am that cause." "For you will see a humbled Thunder
God before you." I have summoned the All-father, Odin." "He is
the only one who can help me no, I’m dying you see."
Scene
Thor walking outside with Mjolnir kneeling
and striking the hammer once on it’s shaft.
Scene
Odin in Valhol (Valhalla) drinking mead,
whilst the "Warriors of the slain" are being served food by the
"Chosers' of the Slain." Odin looks over his left shoulder at
Hildskjalf (a throne on top of a huge mount) through one of the five hundred and
forty arches. Lightning bolts terminate a few feet above the throne. Odin gets
up Hunin and Munin fly off his shoulders and make for the entrance. Odin’s
Wolves follow to the left and right of him, outside Odin stamps Gungnir once on
the ground and starts to "Wind walk" with his Wolves to Hildskialf.
Pan view of Odin "Wind walking"
from Valhol to Hildskialf.
Scene
Lightning flashing, clouds coalescing into
the shape of Odin with Gungnir in his right hand, sitting on Hildskialf (Throne)
two Ravens to the left and right of his shoulders and his Wolves to the left and
right of his throne. Odin leaning forward. Vocal interplay shift from Character
to character.
Odin (Sean Connery):
"Of all the wondrous things I can see in the Nine Worlds from Hildskialf
what do I see with my eyes. " "I see my greatest disappointment!"
"You!"
Thor: But father I’m dying."
Odin: "Good!"
Thor: "What!
Odin: You have done things to your Father and liege that lesser beings would
have been beheaded for."
Thor: (anger in his face) "What! For the right of self
determination."
Odin: (interrupting) "You-see, in the throes of Death you are defiant to
your father and King." "You cannot be trusted." "I’ve
given the mantle of Thor to a mortal." "You cannot be trusted to be at
the appointed hours of Ragnarok."
Thor: "Of course I will honor my responsibilities."
Odin: "Really!" "I see no evidence of that" "Die well
he who was my son, for I care not for strangers."
Scene
The vision of Odin dissipates, Pan to Thor
slumping on his knees. Shaking his head.
Thor: "I don’t believe it, I don’t believe it, I just don’t believe
it, in the end I thought he cared but alas not enough!"
Scene
Girl standing over Thor. She raises her hand
and slaps him as hard as she can across the face. She attempts to do so again
but Thor’s eye flash with lightning and she has second thoughts.
Girl: "snap out of it, man or God, or what ever you are!" "What
do I see in front of me?" "Not the noble God who has saved the Earth
from monsters to Daemons, no but a creature of self pity a pathetic one at
that!"
Thor: "Stay
thy hand, for you intentions are well clear and thank-you."
Scene
Thor stands proud of his former self for a
moment, only to be bent in half in excruciating pain causing him to kneel and
vomit blood. Pan to edge of building arms at first climbing over roof them heads
and bodies standing tall muscular Automatons made of corpse flesh, wood and
cheap electronics, brandishing Viking broadswords.
Scene
Asgard: hall of the seat of Odin. Odin looks
upon the "orb of all seeing" next to him the Grand Vizier. The orb
showing images of the automatons about to engage and try to dispatch Thor.
Vizier: "My lord, did you have to be so hard on the Thunder God, your son?
Odin: "Yes
Grand Vizier my councilor and friend." "Death you see is a private
thing, you have to face it alone." "Everybody has to even I, I faced
death when I counseled Yggdrasil for knowledge, I sacrificed myself for nine
days." "Enow that Thor has battled death for eons but he was convinced
of the outcome, so sure of himself, he would live for another day."
"This time death seems certain for Thor, so now he has to face death
without conviction. Death makes the man or God." "Vizier make
no more of this, look into the orb of all-seeing and watch an example of
Thor facing Death with conviction for here after you will see Thor without!
Scene
Odin and Vizier gaze into the orb and from
the mist images takes form.
On the plain of Virgrid which is a hundred
miles wide as long. Split down the middle on one side lay Sutur of Muspel and
his fire minions and on the other lay Odin, the gods of the Aesir including the
heroes of Valhol (Valhalla). Odin and the warriors three, Odin astride Sleipnir
the eight legged horse and the others standing next to him. Odin raises his
hand, the grass’s answers his call and starts to grow raising and creating a
promontory to view the ensuing battle.
Sutur stood at the forefront standing 200ft
higher than his minions holding Twilight the sword destined to set the universe
aflame. Odin, Balder and the Warrior’s three were standing on a high
promontory. Enter Thor flying before Sutur swinging his hammer holding in a
hovering stance.
Thor: Stand yea back noble Warriors of the
slain… Warriors of Asgard…
Enter to thee oh storm and lightning, do
thy masters bidding; smite the minions of Sut.
Scene
The clouds congregate, lightning flashes in a
continuous fashion, disintegrating the minions of Sut. Sutur is untouched. Thor
still hovering.
Thor: Jord: mother give me thy strength to your son in his hour of need.
Scene
The earth rumbles and Thor starts to grow of
a size that of Sutur. Thor’s hammer stops swinging and holds it at arm's
length. Both of a size: Facing each other. Sutur points Twilight at Thor, Thor
swings his hammer at a furious pace in front of him.
Sutur: Well-met Thunderer, surely you don’t consider Mjolnir the match of
Twilight? Pause.
Scene
A blast of fire emits from twilight towards
Thor; the blast is consumed and dispatched by Mjolnir causing a rent in the just
below and in front of Thor.
Sutur: It seems you do Godling, well blow for blow, weapon for weapon, Twilight
against Mjolnir to the loser damnation for or till the end of time.
Thor: Have at thee Sutur!
Scene
Both Titans arc their weapons on the downward
swing to meet at a focal point one weapon surviving. Twilight emits a red light,
Mjolnir a blue. Clashing together the red light momentarily consuming the blue a
few seconds pass by the blue consumes the red a brilliant white light emanates
and diffuses As the light dissipates Twilight is shattered in two pieces.
Thor: Begone from here Sutur of Muspelheim, go the whence thou wert, till the
end of time. I’ll look forward to the day of Ragnarok so I can best you again
for the next time you will be destroyed utterly. Begone now, the sight of you
sickens me Firelord.
Sutur: So shall I say, so shall I do. I have lost because this time wasn’t
right, but ware yea-well Thunderer, there will come a time when the universe
will be rent asunder. For it is my destiny to be sure: my destiny to destroy and
how the purest joy to see the Godling of Thunder vanquished. Till then Scion of
Asgard.
Thor: So be it!
Scene
Sutur vanishes, Thor turns around and walks
away, the gods and warriors of Valhol part allowing him access to his father and
the warriors three. In doing so for each pace he shrinks to his former size. In
front of his father he kneels, getting to his feet, forearms are clasped betwix
father and son.
Odin: Well-met scion of Asgard, son of mine but pray tell why did you invoke
your mother’s strength, instead of mine own?
Thor: Should I have failed you, you would have prevailed with your strength
preserved. It seemed the right thing to do.
Scene
Odin and Vizier looking into the orb.
Odin: And so the rift started to widen. To the father he was jealous his power
wasn’t invoked and to the son the start of independent thought. So you see
Thor prevailed because he believed. And so back to the Now, gaze upon the orb
once more to see the events unfold for when they do climax I will be there to
oversee personally.
Scene
35 Automatons have climbed the roof circling
Thor and the girl, closing the circle.
Automaton leader:
"Good, almost dead." "Come to make sure it is so."
Thor: Enough, you want to see me dead, well have at thee!
Scene
Thor angry eyes flashing lightning. Thor
surrounded, Thor summoning lightning obliterating fifteen automatons. Thor hurls
Mjolnir in a wide arc dispatching nine more efficiently, last automaton Mjolnir
switching side to side eyes following hammer suddenly Mjolnir bopping on the
head, automation out for the count. Mjolnir rotating and hovering close to Thor
keeping distance to Thor as Thor is fighting nine more Automatons. Thor uses the
automaton sword to decapitate, see head rolling off skyscraper. In choreographed
sequence all but one is left. The single automaton realizes his predicament
turns to run leaping off the rooftop clasping a flag stand, in hot pursuit Thor
in a raging fury.
Scene
A woman looking out of her penthouse window
doesn’t turn around behind her twenty men dressed in expensive suits and
brandishing Viking broad swords.
Amora I want him found now, no excuses, failure will be met with the
appropriate punishment."
Spokesman "Our
resources are considerable we will do our best!"
Amora Best isn’t good enough, failure will be death."
Scene
The spokesman at the click of a finger (Amora’s)
was vaporized.
The automaton hurries into a tunnel, Thor
follows behind into a vast chamber showing an engine connected to a tree via
tendrils injected into the tree.
Thor "By all that’s Odin, Yggdrasil, how? Why?"
Scene
A shaded adversary uses the hilt of the
broadsword to clout Thor over the head. In his weakened state he collapses.
Next day 7.30am
Police Officer Curzon (Sting) in Ash Hotel
answering the phone.
Curzon: Curzon
here! …. Ok I’ll be right down.
Scene
Curzon walking through Code blue (Special
division of NYPD) head quarters.
Curzon "Hi
Cathy (talking to female P.O.) Could you go down stairs, there is a chauffeur
locked in the trunk of a limo and give him this tip and apologize saying I like
to drive myself." "Bye the way what are you doing for lunch?"
Girl Nothing! "Are you going to barf on that bar tender again?"
Curzon "Probably."
Girl "Ok!’ "It’s a
date."
Scene
Curzon sitting at a desk full of
documents/reports: Next to him his electronic assistant. He uses it as a
recorder and collector of data and some times to suggest. Starts to read the
reports.
Monologue
"Switch to record mode." "A
report from primary physic, seeing huge tree being tortured by machines."
"15 reports from homeless people dreaming of the world burning and there is
a tree in the middle and from its branches there are babies crying."
"23 reports again from vagrants seeing
Nordic Fjords on fire and in the middle a big ash tree with an eagle perched on
top, a squirrel running up and down the tree, with a dragon chewing the roots of
the tree."
"What the hell is going on is everybody
going nuts?" "Question, recorder." "What does an Ash tree an
eagle, Squirrel, Nordic fjords and a dragon have in common?"
Recorder:
Pause… "In Norse mythology there is a tree Called Yggdrasil also known as
Odin’s horse, World Tree or World Ash?" "This governs the life and
consistency of the universe." "After the end of the universe (which is
called Ragnarok) Yggdrasil will bring forth new gods and men from its branches
they will be fed on the morning dew."
Curzon: "How strange people dreaming of the end of the world that’s
linked to Norse mythology." "Recorder: give me a reference to Norse
Mythology."
Recorder: "One
can acquire information from the Prose or Verse Eddas, or you can get the best
and most current reference of all, the Avenger, Thor the mythical God of
Thunder."
Curzon: "Thank-you
recorder." Recorder: "Well-cam."
Scene
Curzon on the phone to the Avengers scene
split into two Jarvis answering the phone.
Curzon: "Good
morning, I’m Detective Curzon on attachment to NYPD code blue. May I talk to
Thor please?"
Jarvis: "Master
Thor isn’t in right now may I help you?" Curzon: "And who are
you." J: "My name is Edwin Jarvis assistant to the
Avengers." C: "When will he be in?" J: "We
don’t know he hasn’t checked in for the last 60 hours."
C: "Oh!
Is it serious?" J: "I don’t know?" C: "If
Thor does get in can he call me at NYPD code blue in Manhattan." "I
have a problem, which he may be of assistance." "Thank you."
Scene
Curzon hanging up the phone, An assistant
carrying a box dropping it on the desk with a note from the boss saying
"Any association with the dreams." Curzon opens the box inside a skull
made of corpse flesh wood and cheap electronic parts. Curzon shocked slowly
picking it up and examining it holding in right hand Saying
Curzon: "Alas
poor Yorick I knew him well. Hmm Hamlet, Norse, wood. Recorder; draft a memo to
the boss"…. (Phone rings, he answers) Curzon… "I’m on my
way."
Scene
On the roof the battle with the Automatons
bodies sprawled, broken, burnt and decapitated. Officers on the scene Curzon and
Sargent stone.
Curzon: What time did the incident happen?
Stone: "About 10pm last night!" Curzon: "And you are only
scooping the scene now." S: "Resources are pitiful as you know,
forensics has determined that Thor was here!" C: "How
that!" S: "Specific emanations from his Hammer and there’s
blood over there."
Scene
Curzon and Stone, examining one of the
decapitated bodies.
Curzon: "This body is made of corpse flesh, wood and electronics inside. I
wonder what wood this is?"
Stone: "That’s Ash wood!"
Curzon: "And
what makes you an expert?"
Stone: "My old man took us on family trips to the forests on the weekends,
nature excursions he called them." "We had to recite at the different
trees, flowers and all that happiness."
Curzon: "What’s
he doing now?"
Stone: "Pushing up daisies!" (Sad look on Stones face)
Curzon: Hmm…
"Ash wood, wood Ash, World Ash oh my god… Yggdrasil, What on earth has
Thor got to do with Yggdrasil?"
Scene
Curzon running from the scene of crime.
Scene
In the penthouse of the Ash hotel Thor lying
prostrate arching slowly surrounded by the executives with broadswords. He
stands up and surveys his surroundings.
Thor: waking up.
"Alive it feels disgusting." After surveying "get away from me I
don’t want to harm you."
Spokesman: "We
have been told that you must not leave, it’s for your own protection."
Thor: "I Said get out of my way or suffer the consequences." He
starts to swing his hammer.
Scene
Enter Amora the Enchantress.
Amora: (Anguished)
"Please stop Thor, they are here for your protection."
Thor: "So Amora, can I place my current demise at you feet?" Thor
stares accusingly.
Amora: "No! For in fact I have cast a spell shielding you from what ever is
killing you; surely can you not feel your strength has returned to you."
"You have been asleep for 13 hours."
Thor: "Bludgeoned more like." "In my weakened state I presumed
one of your henchmen knocked me unconscious." "Yes it’s true I do
feel renewed and I thank-you for that but why?"
To Be Continued . . .
See the rest of this script in World Engine Part 2. Also, check out E.A. Morrissey's Mythology Archive Page. Now, be sure to send us feedback below or by e-mailing cpufeedback@yahoo.com