THE

FANT4STIC
by

Bob Garlen

Based on the film by 20th Century Fox, Directed by Josh Trank

Based on Charactes Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby
Original Screenplay by: Josh Trank, Simon Kinberg, and Jeremy Slater

Fanmade
 Rules For the Rewrite:
1. Same Cast and Director, New Script.
2. Only 1 Character is fully redesigned, with only 1 or 2 minor alterations.
3. Doom is the Main Villain of the Movie.
4. Doom's disfigurment is tied to the Fantastic Four's origin.
5. Keep a Short Runtime (between 100-120 Minutes).
6. Keep a Low Budget (For a Blockbuster): $120 Million.
7. NOT PART of the MCU, IS PART the X-Men Cinematic Universe.
8. No Superhero Outfits (Until the End).
9. Must involve Doombots.
10. Doom must have a Foreign Accent.
 Director:
Josh Trank

Cast:
Miles Tellar - Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic
Kate Mara - Sue Storm/Invisible Woman
Michael B. Jordan - Johnny Storm/The Human Torch
Jamie Bell - Ben Grimm/The Thing
Tobey Kebbell - Victor Van Damme/Doom
Reg E. Cathy - Franklin Storm
Tim Blake Nelson - Dr. Harvey Elder
 To the Reader,

This is a labor of love from a fan of Josh Trank's work as well as

someone who found a lot of good things about the 2015 film.
The first 50 Minutes are the greatest Fantastic Four Film we've gotten.
This rewrite is only my attempt at bringing to light
what I thought all parties making the movie were aiming for.
I'm not a better writer nor am I one to say anything about this version
is better than the original film. This was just a fun exercise for me as a fan.
But I hope that any and everyone who reads this labor of love for
the Fantastic Four finds this to be an enjoyable version of the story
based on what was done back in 2015.
I hope everyone who sees this loves it and considers it
a worthy alternate version of the story. - Bob Garlen.
 FADE IN:

EXT. VAN DAMME MANOR - NIGHT

A two story manor, once a lovely cottage is now a

dilapidated house, falling apart and rotting from the inside
out. TWO BLACK SUV's are parked out front of the manor.

LEGEND: BELGIUM... 2005.

Fading in is the sound of a hacking cough, it's the sound of

someone dying.

CUT TO:

INT. VAN DAMME MANOR -

The interior of the house is a state of despair, wall paper

peels, painting are rotted with mold, holes in the wall and
ceiling. The halls echo the sounds of abuse and rage. Old
blood stains on the walls, liquor bottles shattered on the
floor.

A MAN, 50's - WERNER VAN DAMME, lays in a bed, handmade, but

incredible, medical equipment connects to him. It monitors
everything. Two AMERICAN AGENTS: DR. HARVEY ELDER, thin and
slimy looking, and DR. FRANKLIN RICHARDS, kindly and bright.
Both of them stand in the corner of the room. Werner speaks
to someone in the shadows, he carries a thick Belgian
accent:

WERNER
Victor, come to me.

Out of the shadows appears: 12-Year-Old Victor Van Damme,

his face is bruised, his head is faced down.

WERNER
Come to me Victor.
VICTOR
Father?

Victor stands next to his father, his father puts something

in his hands, he claps his hands over his father's.

WERNER
Were do we come from?

VICTOR
Vlad Tepes. Dracul.

WERNER
The descendants of whom married
into the Van Damme family. That
lead to us. Remember this, remember
your heritage.

Werner rips his shirt open revealing a large DRAGON TATTOO.

 2.

WERNER
Remember.

VICTOR
(Sniffles)
Father. Where did mother's people
come from.

WERNER
Gypsies. Exiled from Latveria.

VICTOR
What were her people's names?

WERNER
Von Dhum.

VICTOR
Von "Doom"?

Werner nods, coughs again.

WERNER
Your mother was burned by them for
being a witch. Now men like that
come for us, they've taken
everything else from us, our
fortune, our birthright, our name.
These men will save you from that.

VICTOR
Who are these men.

WERNER
They are your new guardians.
They're from America. They've
recognized your genius.
Werner coughs and wheezes. Victor presses Werner back.
Werner looks to Franklin, nods.

Franklin steps forward, he kneels to Victor, looking him in

the eyes.

FRANKLIN
Victor. You've made this all
yourself.

Victor nods, shy.

FRANKLIN
Your father tells us you developed
a special project. Something to
'tinker on' while he sleeps.
Victor nods again.

FRANKLIN
Would you show us?
 3.

Victor takes Franklin by the hand and leads him--

CUT TO:

INT. VAN DAMME MANOR - LABORATORY -

The laboratory is rudimentary and haphazard to a laymen. In

the center is a flat platform held together by copper wire
and duct tape, spanning a simple 2'x2'x2' measurement. On
the center of the platform is an old spoon.

Franklin and Victor enter.

FRANKLIN
This is wonderful. You created
this?

VICTOR
Yes. It's a teleporter. It
transmits matter from one end of
the house to the other, but that's
only so far. I want to transport to
another dimension.

Franklin smiles and looks with amazement, he's never seen

this breed of genius. He looks to Victor, hand on the
child's shoulder:

FRANKLIN
Do you know where we are from?

VICTOR
America.

FRANKLIN
Yes, but... We're part of a
program, we find talented young
individuals like you and we bring
them to a new home and give them a
family and teach them what we can
and learn from them what they can
teach us. We're called the Future
Foundation. I have to ask you
something Victor.

Victor looks to Franklin confused.

FRANKLIN
This is a big deal, taking you away
from your father. So it must be
your choice, do you want a new
family?

Victor's eyes light up.

VICTOR
Like a new father?
 4.

FRANKLIN
Something like that.

VICTOR
When can we leave?

CUT TO:

INT. SCHOOL - BATHROOM - DAY

The Bathroom stalls of this elementary school are

predictably filthy. Writing covers the walls, graffiti, and
in one of the stalls a group of several FIFTH GRADERS are
holding another CHILD's head in the toilet all them chanting
"DRINK IT! DRINK IT!"

LEGEND: OYSTER BAY, NEW YORK.

The Bathroom door slams open, What we see is the figure of a

very bulky and stocky fifth grader: BEN GRIMM,
Twelve-Years-Old.

BEN
What did I tell you guys?

The other kids stop, looking at Ben with a sense of

trepidation.

BEN
I told you idiots not to touch him.

The Child pulls himself from the toilet, pulling his glasses
out of the toilet and crawling to Ben, this is
Eleven-Year-Old REED RICHARDS.

BEN
You okay Egghead?
Reed nods. Ben helps him up.

BEN
You jerks get outta' here.

The kids exit the bathroom moving around Ben, afraid to be

near him. The door swings shut, Ben takes Reed's glasses and
cleans them off, he hands them back.

BEN
What did you do?

REED
Nothin'. Why'd you call me
"Egghead"? I hate that.
BEN
I know.
 5.

REED
(A beat)
I just told them I wasn't gonna do
their homework for them no-more.
They said I did it for you so I
should do it for the whole team.

BEN
Those idiots don't know nothin'
'bout nothin'.

REED
(chuckles)
Anything.

BEN
Don't correct me. C'mon, we're
gonna be late for class and we
don't want to deal with that ass
for a teacher.

The class bell rings --

CUT TO:

INT. SCHOOL - MR. KENNEY'S CLASS -

The classroom has the traditional set up. Twenty-Two desks,

a blackboard with a teacher's desk to the side. Mr. KENNEY,
frail and visible critical with a clenched jaw. He stares at
the door waiting for Reed and Ben.

Finally the two enter, Mr. Kenney stands:

KENNEY
Mr. Richards, Mr. Grimm, you
wouldn't happen to have passes
"this" time would you?

They shake their head.

KENNEY
Well which of you would like to
volunteer to go first today? I
trust you finished your
assignments.

Reed steps forward, Ben moves to join him:

REED
It's okay Ben.

Mr. Kenney leans on his desk, staring at Reed, he grabs a

coffee mug from his desk and sips it:
KENNEY
I can't wait for this. I hope
you're head isn't in the clouds
today Mr. Richards.
 6.

STUDENT
(O.S.)
More like the toilet!

The Class chuckles, Mr. Kenney stares at them, they shut up.

KENNEY
Go ahead.

REED
I Want to be the first person to
travel through space. I've built
this thing, it takes matter and
transports it to the desert but
because we're sending matter of a
certain amount we get something
back - or at least I'm trying to.
It's caught fire a few times.

KENNEY
Uh-huh. This going to be in an
exhibit next to your flying car?
Why don't you pick a real career.
Scientist, Cop --

STUDENT
(O.S.)
Or a Lousy Teacher?

The class laughs but Mr. Kenney snaps his fingers:

KENNEY
That's a warning. I'm perfectly
happy to burry you under sixty
pounds of homework for the weekend!

He turns back to Reed.

KENNEY
Just... Sit down Mr. Richards.

Reed, defeated, sits down.

KENNEY
Mr. Grimm, you're up next. Maybe
you can learn more from Mr.
Richards than just being late for
class.

Ben stands, the class focuses on him. He struts forward,

winking at Reed as he moves towards the front. Reed smiles.

Ben stands in front of everyone.

BEN
I don't know what I wanna' be when
I grow up but I know what I don't
want to be. An Ass like Mr. Kenney!
 7.

The class erupts, Mr. Kenney's eyes bulge and his face turns
red with rage!

CUT TO:

EXT. GRIMM SALVAGE - NIGHT

A large neon sign lit up reading "GRIMM SALVAGE" stands over

a small house.

A loud voice screams:

PETUNIA
(O.S.)
YOU CALLED YOUR TEACHER AN 'ASS'!

CUT TO:

INT. GRIMM HOUSE -

Ben stands, his Aunt Petunia stands in front of him,

screaming and enraged! Behind him, His older brother DANIEL
taunts him:

PETUNIA
(Shouting)
You realize how often I get a call
from the school about you? You'll
be lucky if they don't kick you
out! You want to be stuck here for
the next forty years like Danny?

Ben looks down, hurt. Petunia pulls him in for a hug. She
looks him in the eyes:

PETUNIA
(Soft)
Listen you're always gonna be Aunt
Petunia's Even Lovin' Blue-Eyed
boy. I know you did it to protect
Reed, that teacher can be a real
prick, but you don't need to act
like your schmuck brother Danny.

DANNY
(Offended)
Hey!

Petunia turns to Danny, her rage locks onto him:

PETUNIA
You! With you're "Hey" and
"Clobberin' Time!" He gets this
shit from you- you know! You were
such a damn hooligan with those
other Yancy Street punks!

As Petunia boils over on Danny, Ben slides out.

 8.

Dogs bark outside:

PETUNIA
(SHOUTS)
BENNY GO CHECK ON THAT!

CUT TO:

EXT. GRIMM SALVAGE -

Ben exits the house, a baseball bat in hand. He follows the

dogs' barking - He finds the dogs growling and barking at a
car. Ben clicks, the dogs back down.

BEN
Time to come out!

Ben bangs the bat against the hood of the car.

REED
(PANIC)
BEN DON'T DON'T! IT'S ME IT'S REED!

Ben lowers the bat.

BEN
Reed, what are you doing?

REED
Well... I needed a power converter
and I figured if you're Aunt was
yelling at you or Danny she
wouldn't notice if I took one.

Ben scoffs.

BEN
Come on out. She's on a full tirade
tonight. I'll take you to a couple.

Reed exits the car:

REED
Thanks Ben.

BEN
Can... Can I see it?

REED
What?

Reed catches his breath, he removes an asthma inhaler.

BEN
The teleporter.

REED
What about Petunia?
 9.

BEN
She's on a full tirade, I think
we've got time.

Reed nods.

REED
Okay.

CUT TO:

EXT. REED'S HOUSE - NIGHT

Ben and Reed carry the power converter under a blanket, they
struggle.

CUT TO:

INT. REED'S HOUSE - GARAGE -

Reed and Ben enter the garage, Reed's miniature lab is

covered with hundreds of homemade and clunky looking
gadgets.

They set the power converter down, Reed plugs it in - the

entire ROOM SWITCHES ON. Ben is mesmerized by the display of
gadgets.

BEN
Wow...

REED
Pretty neat huh?

BEN
Gary know about this?
REED
He doesn't get it. Mom just tells
him to leave me be. As long as
nothing catches fire or blows up
they don't seem to mind all that
much.

Reed connects the power converter to the machine. He uses a

flathead screwdriver on the bolt, Ben grabs it from him,
hands him a phillips head screwdriver.

REED
Thanks. This is the last piece, if
this works even a little bit then
this is going to be a massive
breakthrough.
Reed pulls from a stack of old broken toys a small toy car.
He places the car on the tele-pad. Reed grabs a remote
control for the device.
 10.

BEN
Any big words for the occasion?

REED
Excelsior.

Reed hits the button on the remote control - the machine

powers up, the lights flicker -

INTERCUT:

INT. REED'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM -

GARY, balding and wearing a cap with a T-Shirt rolled over

his stomach sits in a recliner watching a FOOTBALL game. The
lights flicker around him:

GARY
(Enraged)
WHAT THE HELL? REED!

Gary rises from his chair, almost falling over himself and
runs for the garage!

CUT TO:

INT. REED'S HOUSE - GARAGE -

The Machine begins cackling, a high pitched scream ramps up

as a beam of light encases the toy car - Gary enters,
watching as the light becomes blinding - Reed and Ben both
cover their eyes - the MACHINE lets out a scream as the Toy
vanishes, leaving on the pad a pile of small rocks.

The light fades and the three look stunned at the image
before them.
BEN
You're crazy.

GARY
What the hell did you do!

REED
(Smiling Ear to Ear)
I DID IT!

CUT TO:

INT. BAXTER BUILDING - MAIN LAB - NIGHT

Franklin stands watching a prototype of his teleportation

pad sits idle. Watching the pad is a young girl with blonde
hair and blue eyes, Eleven-Year-Old SUSAN STORM. Franklin
looks at a lab tech, who's in awe, unhappy:
 11.

FRANKLIN
Where did the meteor fragments go.
We're testing with rare materials!
We need to know what happened.

TECH
Dr. Franklin no one turned on the
machine, I had my cleaning crew
working in here keeping everything
sanitized then a-a--light erupted
and it was GONE!

SUE
Dad.

Susan watches as a small Toy Car drops on the pad.

FRANKLIN
This isn't going to fly you
understand me! You better search
your men.

SUE
DAD!

Franklin turns to Sue.

FRANKLIN
What is it sweetheart?

She points to the pad. Franklin cautiously steps onto it. He

looks over head, as if expecting something to drop on top of
him. He reaches over and picks up the TOY CAR.

FRANKLIN
Well hello there. We have made
contact with a child. A very bright
child.

CUT TO:

INT. COMMUNITY COLLEGE - GALLERY - DAY

LEGEND: NEW YORK... 2012

The showroom is small and rather unimpressive. Several

displays of science fair projects sit out, only one catches
the eye: "THE GRIMM/RICHARDS PORTAL"

The display has a brief and over simplified explanation of

teleportation.

Judges wander the Science fair as 18-Years-Old Reed Richards

and Ben Grimm sit in front of their display. Ben sits rather
unamused while Reed is bright-eyed.

REED
This could be big. This is our
first big showing.
 12.

BEN
Yeah. "Big." If Big means other
poor losers and rich kids with no
ambition or motivation.

REED
This is still something Ben. Here
they come!

The judges approach, Reed looks at the display a final time

- He looks and overlooks it.

REED
(Whispers)
Uhm. Ben, where's the car?

BEN
(Whispers)
Why are we whispering and what car?

REED
The-the-the toy car. You had it
right?

BEN
I carried everything else you tell
me you couldn't carry a half inch
chunk of plastic.

REED
That's not fair.

BEN
I mean I get it. You got the
spaghetti arms but still.

MR. Kenney, now eight years older stands before them along a
panel of judges. Reed's jaw almost hits the floor, Ben
chuckles as the uncomfortable feeling.

BEN
Of course.

REED
H-How?

KENNEY
Well Mr. Richards I was asked to be
a guest judge.

Reed rubs his face:

KENNEY
Frustrated Mr. Richards?
REED
No. Actually I'm glad you're here.
Can I borrow this?
 13.

Reed grabs Kenney's pen away from him, lays it on the pad.

REED
You laughed at me when I told you I
was going to teleport something
well let me show you.
(Clears throat)
Ben if you would, please.

Ben hits the switches connected to the display, the Machine

begins to power up - Reed's eyes glee over this moment - Ben
presses a button on the machine and--

It begins to power down:

REED
What? NO! NO!

A FORCE FIELD shoots out as BLINDING LIGHT overtakes the

Platform - everyone covers their eyes - windows in the hall
shatter!

The light evaporates: THE PEN IS GONE.

REED
Ta-DA!

Kenney looks at Reed, furiously.

KENNEY
What have you done!

BEN
(Clicks cheeks)
Oh boy.

REED
I made your pen disappear.

KENNEY
My father gave me that pen. You're
disqualified! This-this toy isn't a
teleporter it's some cheap magic
trick!

Reed nods, defeated:

REED
Of course.

KENNEY
I'm sure the dean will be happy to
speak to you about this.
The judges step away:

REED
(Under his breath)
Ass.
 14.

Ben chuckles.

BEN
Nice job egghead.

REED
Hey you forgot the car.

Franklin Richards steps forward, avoiding the other "science

projects" following behind him is the now 18-Year-Old SUSAN.

Franklin steps up to Reed holding, in a small evidence bag,

The TOY CAR Reed had sent years ago.

FRANKLIN
Were you looking for this son?

REED
Wha-what is that?

FRANKLIN
We've been looking for you for a
long time.

BEN
(Under his breath)
Wanna make a break for it?

Franklin removes a vial from his pocket, holds it up to

Reed.

FRANKLIN
You've collected a sample like
this. Probably mistook it from the
Nevada desert, maybe even from the
New Mexico.
SUE
Truth is, it's not from our planet.
We've found coordinates to another
planet in another dimension.

REED
I-I'm sorry?

SUE
You sent this toy car to our
Facility seven years ago. Your work
was shoddy and the matter traded
places with this sample we call
"Zero." It's from an Alien world.

REED
Who are you?
FRANKLIN
My name is Franklin Storm, this is
my daughter Susan. I'm the head
researcher at the Baxter Building.
 15.

REED
(Recognizing)
You're head of the Future
Foundation.

FRANKLIN
I'm glad you've heard of me. Mr.
Richards let me ask you something,
how would you like to take this
science project to the next level?
I think you can help us get to the
planet or wherever sample Zero came
from.

REED
I--I would love to go, but I can't
afford to join the Future
Foundation. I've got to pay for the
halls and I can't even really
afford this place.

FRANKLIN
No son, I think you're
misunderstanding me. We'll pay you.
I believe that you're the key to
this Quantum transporter we've been
working on it for almost ten years.

REED
(Chuckles Nervously)
If you can't solve it, how could I?

FRANKLIN
Simple. You're better. Better than
me or any individual on my team,
but together we might be able to
make this work.
SUE
(Whispering to Franklin)
He's not gonna like that you said
that.

FRANKLIN
(To Sue)
Well you can tell him he can always
prove me wrong. Hasn't stopped any
of you kids in the last twenty
years.
(to Reed)
So, son. Are you in?

CUT TO:
EXT. NEW YORK - DAY

Reed and Ben walk through the city, they approach the
beautiful and monumental BAXTER BUILDING.
 16.

BEN
That's a big school.

REED
(Amazed)
Yeah. Isn't it great?

CUT TO:

INT. BAXTER BUILDING - LOBBY

Reed enters, Ben behind him with Reed's bags. Reed

approaches the security desk, a TECH sits at the desk:

REED
Hi Dr. Storm invited me, I'm Reed
Richards.

TECH
Welcome Mr. Richards, please this
way. Would you like any help with
your bags.

Reed turns to Ben, Ben's eyes glow with a look that says
"You better say Yes." Reed nods. The Tech grabs a couple
Bags from Ben.

BEN
Thank you!

CUT TO:

INT. BAXTER BUILDING - STUDENT DORMS -

The Tech leads Reed and Ben to a single person dormitory.

Reed enters the room, his bags are left at the door. Ben
looks out the window while Reed looks around the room, both
amazed.

BEN
(looking out)
You've hit the big times kid. Could
never made it to community without
you.

REED
(Joins Ben)
You know I'm just forty minutes
away from Oyster Bay.

Ben smiles, shakes his head.

BEN
You belong here. Oyster Bay, Gary,
Me. We've gotta be your rear view
man. You got a future to look
forward too. You can't have us
dragging you down.
 17.

Reed turns Ben.

REED
I wouldn't be here without you. I
can't forget that.

Reed rests his hand on Ben's shoulder. Ben hands him

something wrapped in Newspaper.

REED
What's this?

BEN
Going away present.

Reed opens the paper: The TOY CAR they didn't bring to the
science fair.

Reed smiles. Hugs Ben.

BEN
You be good egghead.

Ben stands back, a pamphlet falls out of his jacket. Reed

sees it, bends over and picks it up.

REED
What's this?

On the front of it "NASA".

BEN
You found a path, and well... Maybe
this can be my path.

Reed smiles.
REED
I hope so.

CUT TO:

INT. BAXTER BUILDING - STUDENT LIBRARY - DAY

Reed pours himself through the library, grabbing almost

every book he sees. He carries a large pile to a table
covered in his notes.

He reads while writing notes down, from books like

"Theoretical Quantum Physics" to "Matter Displacement
Theory."

Reed's eyes goes over every note, line by line.

From an observatory Franklin watches, intrigued by Reed.
Next to him Sue studies on her own work.

CUT TO:
 18.

INT. BAXTER BUILDING - LIBRARY OBSERVATORY -

Franklin watches Reed, unaware deep in notes and books.

FRANKLIN
What is it about him?

SUE
What do you mean?

FRANKLIN
Reed. There's something about him.
I haven't seen a mind like his
since Victor but the differences
are so much more intriguing.

SUE
Reed's systemic. Victor thought
science was 'an art'

FRANKLIN
Victor was hurt young man. He left
here more hurt then healed.

SUE
Not your fault.

FRANKLIN
Isn't it? I took the boy away from
his father. When his father died
Victor was deep into his work.

SUE
You going to bring him back?

FRANKLIN
Think I should?
SUE
Well... This is his project. To be
fair, you've given Johnny more
chances then you ever gave Victor.

Franklin grabs his jacket and moves for the exit:

FRANKLIN
Keep Reed busy, make sure he
doesn't go crazy down there reading
our entire library.

SUE
Where you going?

FRANKLIN
To talk to Harvey.

CUT TO:
 19.

INT. BAXTER BUILDING - BOARD ROOM - DAY

The room is neat and clean, a large oak desk separates

Franklin, Harvey Elder, and his agents.

HARVEY
You've invested a lot of money in
these kids.

FRANKLIN
Harvey these kids are the future.
That's what we do here.

HARVEY
This Reed Richards. We'll approve
him for the Quantum Tunnel. But Not
Victor Van Damme.

FRANKLIN
This is his project. He started it,
we started it because of his
research. Reed Richards is the
other puzzle piece.

HARVEY
How much of your faith are you
willing to put into Van Damme?

FRANKLIN
All of it, especially when he's
working with Reed.

HARVEY
Need I remind you he nearly blew up
the entire building trying to reach
"Hell."
FRANKLIN
Harvey when you've experienced as
much as Victor has then maybe I'll
take your criticisms into what he
believes into consideration.

HARVEY
He nearly blew up the building.

FRANKLIN
He paid his price for that and then
some. His nano-tech kept the blast
contained, the only injury that day
was Victor's pride.

HARVEY
You bring him on, he's yours to
watch. Reign him in or we'll stick
him in a place no one wants to be
in.

Franklin smirks.
 20.

CUT TO:

INT. BAXTER BUILDING - STUDENT LIBRARY -

Sue walks through the library, grabbing books and listening

to music.

Reed stands next to her oblivious, a book catches her eye:

"20,000 Leagues Under the Sea"

She reaches for it as Reed does, their fingers cross over

each other. Sue pulls her earbuds out.

REED
Oh sorry, I didn't see you going
through that one.

SUE
(Smiles)
I saw the table, you know the whole
library won't fit on it.

REED
Yeah. Umm sorry. Every seventh book
I like to read something to relax
and I've already finished book six.

SUE
Ah the best way to relax sore eyes
from reading, more reading.

REED
Well, some reading doesn't hurt
because it's beautiful.

SUE
Not how I ever picture anyone ever
describe Verne.

REED
Some people don't like him. 20,000
Leagues is what inspired me to be a
scientist. I read it when I was in
first grade.

Reed moves his hand away, Sue grabs the book.

SUE
You look lonely.

REED
I grew up in the kind of family
where you only had yourself as a
friend.
SUE
What about the guy at the Science
Fair?
 21.

REED
Ben? He's probably the only person
who ever felt like family to me.

They walk over to Reed's table. Sue sets down her books and
Laptops, She puts in one Ear bud and wipes the other off.

REED
So what do you do to relax?

SUE
Music. I specialize in patterns and
Music it's just a series of
patterns. It helps whenever I need
to remember something or escape.

REED
I know how that feels.

Sue offers Reed the cleaned earbud.

SUE
You might like it.

Reed smiles, he grabs the earbud, looks into Sue's eyes:

REED
Yeah I think I do.

CUT TO:

EXT. WAREHOUSE - NIGHT

A CAR arrives to what looks to be an abandon warehouse.

Empty docks all around him. Crumbled buildings in the
background.
Franklin exits the vehicle. He looks on the warehouse.

FRANKLIN
(Sighs)
Yeah. This seems like the kinda
place he would be.

CUT TO:

INT. WAREHOUSE -

The inside of the warehouse is a hybrid lab, every wall is

covered with paintings of physics equations, Classical Music
plays while Victor Van Damme, now 20-Years-Old looking
disheveled and focused, going over a foundation of his own
notes.
VICTOR
(Going over the notes)
Vlad Tepes who wed Cneajna who gave
birth too a child: Mihnea. Mihnea
(MORE)
 22.

VICTOR (cont'd)
who married Smaranda before taking
Voica as his bride and --

The music cuts as Victor hears Knocking. He clicks his

tongue, the door unlocks, Franklin enters.

VICTOR
What are you doing here Franklin?

FRANKLIN
You see the designs I sent you?

VICTOR
Impressive for a child. Far beyond
what I would consider interesting.

FRANKLIN
Fancy way for saying you don't know
how to improve it.

Victor's attention snaps to Franklin.

VICTOR
Careful Franklin, you're
dangerously close to being 'Wrong.'

FRANKLIN
I have no trouble being wrong son.
My ego doesn't weigh on it.

VICTOR
Why do you really want me to come
back?

FRANKLIN
Reed Richards has the most unique
mind I've ever seen. Intellectually
he's either your equal or your
superior and I'm very interested to
see which it is.

VICTOR
That sounds like my motivation.

FRANKLIN
I know. You two together, there's
no doubt you'd unlock the Quantum
Gate.

VICTOR
Harvey still involved.

FRANKLIN
Wouldn't be if it was my choice but
I can promise you that you don't
have to deal with him.
 23.

VICTOR
I don't trust him.

FRANKLIN
Do you trust me?

Victor thinks a moment. Relents for an answer:

VICTOR
Sue still there?

Franklin nods.

VICTOR
I'll trust her.

FRANKLIN
You should clean yourself up son.

Victor turns back to his work, the music kicks back on.

FRANKLIN
For what it's worth. I'm glad to
have you back.

Victor smiles.

VICTOR
I missed you too Franklin.

CUT TO:

INT. BAXTER BUILDING - MAIN LAB - DAY

Reed and Sue are working in the lab, Sue sits at a station
surrounded by Computers while Reed writes out equations with
one hand and typing them out on a Computer next to him with
the other.

Franklin enters the Lab, with him a cleaned up Victor.

Franklin clears his throat, Reed and Sue turn their heads:

FRANKLIN
Reed, I'd like you to meet Victor
Van Damme.

Reed stops his writing and approaches Victor with his hand
extended.

REED
Nice to meet you, I'm Reed
Richards.

Victor looks at him a moment then looks to Franklin who

nods. Victor pushes past him stepping over to Reed's written
work:
 24.

VICTOR
Richards, you're the amateur they
brought in to replace me?

Reed lowers his hand, a look crosses his face, he's not
immediately fond of Victor.

REED
That's a harsh word. I was doing at
Eleven what you did at Twelve.

VICTOR
(Reading the notes)
Even at Twelve I could tell how to
properly balance power without
causing a dimensional tear. Unlike
your designs. Let me ask you, how
well do you think this Fantastic
Voyage will go if you cause the
whole planet to eat itself?

REED
You come off as either very
stand-offish or very competitive.

VICTOR
Don't bother trying to figure it
out, it's both.

Victor turns to Sue, a smile crosses his face, the first

seen in a while.

VICTOR
Susan.

SUE
Victor.
VICTOR
Please tell me this boy toy has
something better in mind for the
design.

REED
I do actually. I started with a
concept of a Platform but that
caused a problem with exposure so
now I'm thinking four-person pods.
Something kinda like a
Inter-dimensional shuttle.

Victor smiles.

VICTOR
(To Franklin)
I can see why you wanted me to meet
him.
(To Reed)
Looks like we can work together.
 25.

REED
There is one problem I'm running
into right now. I've talked to
almost every tech and engineer here
and no one really has any idea how
to build it and explaining it to
them is like--

VICTOR
(Finishing)
Explaining Quantum Physics to a
newborn?

REED
To put it rudely, yeah.

SUE
We know someone.
(To Victor)
Don't worry, I'll ask him to be
nice-er to you this time.

Victor scoffs, Reed stands oblivious.

REED
Who are we talking about.

SUE
My brother, Johnny.

CUT TO:

EXT. NEW YORK - NIGHT

This part of town is on a Paper Street, a bunch of empty

houses in the process to be demolished and rebuilt. We see
an Underground racing set up, crowds of people screaming and
cheering. A line of Cars of four:

1. A Green and Purple Car, the Driver: Owen Reece.

2. A White and Red Car, the Driver: Gabriel Lan.

3. A Purple and Blue Car, the Driver: Bentley Wittman.

4. A Fiery Red and Orange Car, the Driver: Menendez Flores.

A fifth car arrives, a beautiful custom car, flames on the

sides in LED lights, orange neon underneath. The driver
sits, cocky and handsome, the spitting image of Franklin
just forty years younger, this is an 17-Year-Old JOHNNY
STORM.

He pulls his car into the line. Other drivers hassle him.
JOHNNY
Listen, you suckers really think
you got what it takes to beat my
baby?
 26.

Engines rev.

JOHNNY
Y'alls gonna owe me some coin after
I dust your asses.

Johnny revs his engine.

A Woman steps out in front of them, pouring out a beer in

front of the cars. She flips open a lighter:

JOHNNY
FLAME ON BABY!

The lighters sparks - The line erupts and the Drivers take
off!

Reece takes an early lead followed by Lan and Flores, with

Wittman far behind and sputtering.

CUT TO:

INT. JOHNNY'S CAR - STALLING -

Johnny's Car stalls. He bangs the steering wheel!

JOHNNY
C'Mon baby not tonight!

He switches gear and --

CUT TO:

EXT. NEW YORK -

Johnny's car shoots out, he quickly passes Wittman.

Johnny makes a turn catching up to Lan and Flores, both of
them fighting for second, Johnny moves in between them,
their cars bump into him. Johnny keeps control.

Flores' car begins sputtering out Flames.

JOHNNY
What the hell man!

Johnny jerks the wheel and knocks Flores off - Flores is

forced onto a detour.

Johnny battles out for second place with Lan, They both
swerve between each other, Lan actively tries to hit Johnny.
Johnny times Lan's swerves.

Johnny finds a curb with a fire hydrant, knocks Lan's car

sending it right after the hydrant!

JOHNNY
Just you and me now Reece.
 27.

Johnny speeds, catching up to Reece's car. Reece takes a

sharp left, cutting Johnny off. Johnny redirects and catches
up. His car is bumper-to-bumper with Reece.

Reece takes a right - Johnny is forced to make a sharper

turn, fishtails but corrects himself.

Reece slows, mounts the curb - trash and graffitied walls

almost cover him - Johnny thinks he has passed Reece and
speeds forward.

Out of nowhere Reece pops out of nowhere - slamming into

Johnny's side forcing him to spin out of control:

CUT TO:

INT. JOHNNY'S CAR - SPIRALING -

Johnny fights the steering wheel trying to control it, the

car spins and spins --

WHAM! It crushes the drivers side against a light pole.

Johnny is knocked back and forth.

He finally stops bouncing. He grabs his left arm, winces

from the pain.

CUT TO:

EXT. HOSPITAL - NIGHT

Johnny exits the hospital, a cast over his left arm. He

looks out, amused to see:

SUE. Standing in front of Franklin's car, an unhappy look on

her face.
JOHNNY
Thanks.

SUE
What the hell were you thinking?

JOHNNY
Can we not do this right now,
please?

SUE
That's not how it works. You don't
get to call me, ask me not to tell
Dad and not grill you about it!

JOHNNY
If I wanted to get grilled I
woulda' called Franklin.

SUE
Don't be a jerk. It's dad.
 28.

JOHNNY
When has he been my dad? He's not
even called me in years.

SUE
He's been working on something
trying to change the world.

JOHNNY
Yeah, and what about us?

SUE
I worked with him Johnny. You did
too, until you decided being a
perpetual child was a great career.

JOHNNY
Whatever.

Johnny steps over to the car, He gets in.

CUT TO:

INT. FRANKLIN'S CAR -

Johnny sits in the passenger seat, his head resting in his

hand. Sue enters the car. She looks at Johnny.

SUE
He misses you. I miss you.

JOHNNY
I miss you guys too.

SUE
You know, we could use your help.
JOHNNY
You don't need me there.

SUE
Actually, we really do.

JOHNNY
Yeah?

CUT TO:

INT. BAXTER BUILDING - MAIN LAB - DAY

Johnny enters the lab, his arm in a cast. Reed and Victor
turn and see him, Sue walks with him. Franklin approaches
Johnny, gives him a hug.
Johnny pulls back, Franklin looks at him, sees the cast on
his arm:

FRANKLIN
What happened?
 29.

Johnny brushes past him.

JOHNNY
Nothin'.

He steps up to Reed and Victor.

JOHNNY
Adolf. New Guy.

VICTOR
Well if it isn't the combustible
engineer.

Johnny fakes laugh, Reed stands and offers his hand to

Johnny.

REED
I'm Reed.

Johnny shakes Reed's hand.

JOHNNY
Johnny, Sue's--

REED
(Finishes)
Brother. Yeah I heard about you.
I'm glad you're here. We have a bit
of an engineering problem.

JOHNNY
Let's take a look.

Reed guides Johnny over to the blueprints.

Victor steps over to Sue, leaning close to her:

VICTOR
Gang's all back together, plus the
new guy.

SUE
Yeah.

VICTOR
It's kinda like old times you know.

SUE
Except this time I'm not dumb
enough to fall for your charm.

VICTOR
You weren't the first time, you
were the only one smart enough to
fall for my charm.

Sue scoffs.
 30.

SUE
(Walking away)
Let's focus on the science,
'Adolf'.

VICTOR
You know that's offensive.

Reed shows Johnny the machine specs.

REED
The other engineer's can't really
understand what I'm asking them.

Johnny leans in and takes a closer look at the specs.

JOHNNY
Well first you need to use a more
durable metal, something that can
absorb the heat. Something like
Adamantium. It's hard to refine if
you never worked with it.

REED
Have you?

JOHNNY
Yeah. Lots of times. Don't worry
I'll build your toy.

SUE
He's the best engineer we've got.

CUT TO:

INT. BAXTER BUILDING - MAIN LAB -

MONTAGE:

Johnny works on a process refining Adamantium.

Sue is designing panels to absorb outgoing energy.

Victor and Reed factor Equations on a computer.

Reed, at lunch, trying to explain something using an Apple,

Victor does the same using an Orange.

Sue, in the library, giving Reed a look of interest while he

sits oblivious his face deep in a Quantum Physics Book.

Johnny, arm fully healed, goes over Reed's blueprints

redrawing them to accomodate his engineering.
LEGEND: 2013...

Reed writes equations down, Victor Corrects him, Reed

Corrects Victor.
 31.

Reed and Sue work on sending sample matter through the

platform, the machine powers up the matter disappears but
projects a beautiful red light over the two. Sue grabs
Reed's hand, Reed looks at her and smiles, clasps his
fingers between hers.

The machine is beginning to be built.

Franklin sits with them, all of them writing on a clear

board.

Victor working with Johnny and Sue designing "Pods"

Blueprints show The Platform getting replaced by FIVE-PERSON

PODS.

LEGEND: 2014...

Reed, frustrated pulls his hair, throws Paper, Victor

Laughs.

The Machine being built in the Baxter Building, a Platform

with a staircase connected, on the platform the PODS.

Sue toying with the idea for suits. Reed looks over her
shoulder, kisses her cheek.

Johnny hanging upside down, building the machine.

Sue developing space suits for the travel.

LEGEND: 2015...

The Machine is built: THE QUANTUM GATE. Johnny, Reed, Sue,

and Victor look on it with Pride.

Sue, Johnny, Reed, Franklin, and Victor all playfully pose

in the travel Suits Designed by Sue - Reed takes a selfie of
them, in his messages he sends it to BEN GRIMM. With a
message:
Thank you Ben for getting me here!

END OF
MONTAGE

CUT TO:

INT. BAXTER BUILDING - MAIN LAB - NIGHT

Reed sleeps at his desk, Sue rubs his back, he lifts his
head and stares at her.

SUE
You should get some sleep.
REED
Yeah, no, I'm fine. I was just
going over the last few figures.
 32.

Sue smiles, Reed smiles back, for the first time we see them
KISS.

REED
There's some notes missing. I need
to ask Victor.

SUE
Don't stay up too late.

CUT TO:

INT. BAXTER BUILDING - STUDENT DORMS -

Reed struts down the hall, he passes Johnny's dorm, peaking

in Johnny is making out with rap music blaring. Reed
chuckles.

Johnny catches Reed in the corner of his eye, rushes to him.

JOHNNY
Reed!

Reed stops, turns to Johnny.

JOHNNY
Hey man, I needed to talk to you.
Saw you getting sweet on Sue.

REED
(Smiles)
Yeah Johnny. I really like her.

JOHNNY
Good. You break her heart though,
I'll have to kill you.
Reed chuckles.

JOHNNY
I ain't playin' man.

REED
(Serious)
I know Johnny.

JOHNNY
Good man. Where you going?

REED
I got to see Victor, he's got some
notes we need to finish the
machine.
Johnny returns to his room, Reed continues forward.

CUT TO:
 33.

INT. BAXTER BUILDING - VICTOR'S ROOM -

Reed enters the small but very organized and clean room.
Above Victor's bed are two flags: LATVERIA and BELGIUM. The
walls have physics inspired paintings.

On Victor's desk is a pile of notes scattered forming some

larger picture.

REED
Whoa.

He rummages through the notes -- Something clatters and

falls to the ground. Reed bends over and picks up: CATHOLIC
ROSARY.

Reed picks it up, studies it - amazed.

VICTOR
(O.S.)
What the hell are you doing?

Reed looks up, the Rosary still in hand. Victor stands at

the Entrance, his face twisted in rage.

REED
I just came for notes I swear!

VICTOR
So you barge into my damn room!
What do you have?

Victor snatches the Rosary from Reed's hands.

VICTOR
What the hell are you doing with
this Richards?
REED
Nothing it fell. Victor I'm sorry I
just needed those notes you said
you'd improve.

VICTOR
That doesn't give you any right!

REED
You're right, you're right it
doesn't I'm sorry.

Reed backs down, moves for the door.

VICTOR
I'm willing to Forgive this, but
you need to leave.

Victor pulls a notepad, hands it to Reed.

 34.

VICTOR
There's your notes Richards.

REED
Thank you Victor.
(Chuckles)
I was little surprised, you didn't
strike me as the religious type.

Victor gives him a look, the kind that could kill.

VICTOR
Excuse me?

REED
I didn't mean anything by it, I
just never saw you pray or
anything. Seeing you carry a
crucifix is, I don't know, more
open of you than I thought.

VICTOR
(Spiteful)
It was my mothers.

REED
I'm sorry.

VICTOR
So was she.

Sue peaks in through the doorway.

SUE
Everything alright? I heard a
commotion.
REED
Everything's alright, I got the
notes.

SUE
You coming?

REED
Yeah.

Reed walks over to Sue, they kiss again in front of Victor.

A disgusted look crawls over his face.

Reed turns to Victor.

REED
Tomorrow's the big day. Tomorrow
we finish.

VICTOR
Good night Richards.
 35.

Reed exits with Sue. Victor stands in his room - Alone. His
fists clench, tears well.

Victor Van Damme's heart just broke.

CUT TO:

INT. BAXTER BUILDING - MAIN LAB - NIGHT

Reed and Sue sit, the generator on projecting their

beautiful red light. A small picnic basket with them.

SUE
Nervous?

REED
Yeah.

SUE
You shouldn't be.

REED
Can't help it. I've been working on
this my whole life, it's like this
moment that my life teeters on and
if it fails -- if it fails then my
dad's right. And I'll spend the
next however many years feeling
like a fraud.

SUE
You're not a fraud. You're the
smartest person in the world. Dad
sees that, Johnny torments Victor
about it.

REED
What about you?

SUE
I fell in love With it.

Reed and Sue both smile. They hold hands, Reed's face grows
troubled.

REED
What is it about Victor?

SUE
Besides you barging into his room?

REED
Yeah. I found a crucifix in his
room.
SUE
He's very sensitive about it.
 36.

REED
Why?

SUE
When he was an infant his mom died.
His whole life people told him she
was burning in hell. It's why he
started this project, He founds the
first sample of the N-Zone looking
for Hell. He wanted to rescue his
mother.

REED
That's a story.

SUE
Well most kids hear something like
that they might not want to believe
in it. Victor, he believes in it
because he wants to save her. It's
tragic and Noble in a sort of
Victor way.

REED
What about his dad?

SUE
He died years ago. He was sick when
my dad found Victor, Victor for the
longest time wouldn't talk to
anybody.

REED
What changed?

SUE
Dad introduced us and he opened up
a bit. Sometimes I feel like I'm
his only friend.

REED
I was hoping I was his friend.

SUE
That's the thing about Victor,
you're not sure you're friends even
if he says it. He's lonely that
way.

REED
I understand it. I grew up thinking
I was alone. My parents... My mom's
a good person but Gary... He made
me wish I was adopted.
SUE
Sometimes what we went through can
be a good thing. After mom died I
(MORE)
 37.

SUE (cont'd)
took care of Johnny and me and him
are close. Still I know what it's
like to feel like an outcast. My
mom married Dad after my biological
father left. A year later they had
Johnny. I'm just lucky dad never
looked at me as anything other than
his daughter from the beginning.

REED
What happened to your mom?

SUE
She died. When she did I had to
take care of Johnny. Guess even if
I felt weird sometimes it wasn't as
bad as anything you weren't
through.

REED
It's not all bad. I got to meet
you.

SUE
Smooth talker.

They lean in to kiss--

CUT TO:

INT. BAXTER BUILDING - MAIN LAB - OBSERVATION ROOM -

Victor watches the two of them, the disgusted look on his

face only grows.

CUT TO:
INT. BAXTER BUILDING - FRANKLIN'S OFFICE - DAY

Franklin sits at his desk hammering at a laptop, showing

figures to DR. HARVEY ELDER.

Sue rushes in.

SUE
We finished it.

FRANKLIN
Hmm?

SUE
The Quantum Gate. Reed and Victor
did it.
HARVEY
Let's see it.

CUT TO:
 38.

INT. BAXTER BUILDING - MAIN LAB -

Franklin and Harvey march down the stares, Reed, Victor,

Johnny all stare in amazement. Sue watches from afar.
Franklin hugs all three of them.

FRANKLIN
You boys did it.

REED
Now we need to test it.

TIME CUT:

INT. BAXTER BUILDING - MAIN LAB - OBSERVATION ROOM -

Everyone is gathered, Reed, Sue, Franklin, Victor, Harvey,

and Johnny sit in the observation room. Two techs lock a
monkey in one of the four person QUANTUM PODS.

HARVEY
This little fella will be the first
living creature to experience
inter-dimensional travel. Where is
he going?

FRANKLIN
We don't know what to call it.

VICTOR
The N-Zone. Specifically Planet
Zero. This where we found the
original traces of Subject Zero.

FRANKLIN
(Turns to Harvey)
You heard the man. The N-Zone.
VICTOR
Attached to the Pods are different
gages, they'll give us an idea of
radiation, oxygen, density, and
gravity. Everything we'll need to
know for safe travels.

REED
(Deep breath)
Excelsior.

Sue grabs Reed's shoulder, his hands slide over her fingers
but neither take their eyes away from what's in front of
them.

REED
Goggles everyone!

Everyone puts on a pair of goggles. Reed breathes out,

nervous.
 39.

REED
Victor, would you like the honors?

VICTOR
Opening Quantum Gate in Five...

Everyone looks nervous, Reed sweats bullets.

VICTOR
Four...

Sue's hand covers her mouth - anticipation rising.

VICTOR
Three...

Johnny rolls his eyes, reaches for the button, Victor slaps
his hand.

VICTOR
Two...

Franklin smiles.

VICTOR
One.

Victor presses a button.

The Machine Powers up

The Quantum Gate begins spinning - the machine powers up the

noise is deafening, light radiates from blinding the entire
lab.

The Quantum Pods disappear.

The blinding light dies down. Everyone looks astonished.
Their gaze switches to large overhead monitors.

C.U.: MONITOR, STATIC CRACKS OVER THE SCREEN - THE CHANNEL

SWITCHES - AN IMAGE BREAKS THROUGH THE STATIC: THE PLANET,
ROCKY AND BARREN - A PURPLE CELESTIAL CLOUD IN THE DISTANCE.
THIS IS THE N-ZONE.

FRANKLIN
You did it.

REED
Alright Victor, bring it back.

VICTOR
Bringing matter back in: Five...
Four... Three... Two... ONE!
Victor hits the switch, the Machine powers up, the BLINDING
LIGHT returns, Everyone covers their eyes with the goggles.
With a loud electronic scream the light overtakes the whole
room and...
 40.

Safely the Quantum Pods return, unharmed.

The room erupts into CHEERS!

Victor looks very self satisfied. Reed is overtaken with

relief.

Harvey steps forward:

HARVEY
With this amazing breakthrough, I
think it's time we contact NASA and
begin sending Organic Matter.

FRANKLIN
Harvey not here!

VICTOR
What!

HARVEY
You're all wonderful scientist but
you're far from trained for this
kinda mission. Thankfully I've
gathered a team of astronauts ready
to take the plunge into the Quantum
Gate.

REED
What No! Who are you sending?

HARVEY
Right now we only have a team of
three candidates, waiting outside
to meet you. Come with me.

CUT TO:
INT. BAXTER BUILDING - MAIN LAB -

As Harvey steps down, he motions too two GOVERNMENT GUARDS,

they open the doors:

HARVEY
Lady, Gentlemen the crew of the
Quantum Gate:

IVAN KRAGOFF, 40's, White hair and stern looking. THEODORE

SALLIS, 30's, Handsome and upright the classic image of an
Astronaut. Finally, ALEXANDER NIHIL, 30's.

Victor throws his goggles and storms out.

Reed turns his attention to Victor exiting, he goes to stop

Victor, Sue grabs his arm.

SUE
Let him have a moment.
 41.

FRANKLIN
Maybe it would be best if I talked
to him instead.

Reed nods. Sue walks with Reed over to Ben as Franklin

follows Victor.

CUT TO:

INT. BAXTER BUILDING - HALLWAYS -

Victor burst through the doors. He punches the wall, screams

- Students down the hall look at him and quickly back away.
Franklin exits the lab behind Victor.

FRANKLIN
Let me explains.

VICTOR
NO! You screwed me!

FRANKLIN
I had to think about safety and
this was the best course of action.

VICTOR
What, giving the achievement to a
bunch of neanderthals who can't
explain relativity. Let those
ignorant morons steal MY
ACHIEVEMENT!

FRANKLIN
This isn't your achievement. It's
not mine, it's not Reed Richard's
either. This is a group effort for
the world.
VICTOR
More lies from you Franklin. What
have you promised me? Freedom? A
Family? A chance to be remembered
in History or to-to change it!
You're falling short on your
promises.

Victor storms off.

Franklin stands there, a feeling of self defeat overtaking

him. Reed exits:

REED
What the hell is going on?
FRANKLIN
I told Harvey to coordinate with
NASA. I didn't want you four to
risk your lives.
 42.

CUT TO:

INT. BAXTER BUILDING - VICTOR'S ROOM - NIGHT

Victor is packing up his belongings. Reed knocks on the

door. Victor acknowledges him without turning.

REED
Hey.

VICTOR
Just go.

REED
Victor... We're friends aren't we?

VICTOR
Are we? You, Harvey, Franklin.
Seems like friends always take
something away.

REED
I'm not entirely happy about the
situation Victor. Let's go back to
the building.

Victor stands. He stares at Reed.

VICTOR
You're a pain Richards. You act
like you're smarter than me.

REED
Come with me.

CUT TO:
INT. BAXTER BUILDING - MAIN LAB - NIGHT

Johnny, Reed, Sue, and Victor all sit in a darkened office

room. They pass around a Flask.

VICTOR
You know who built Apollo Eleven?
Who bolted it together who did the
calculations for lift, drag. Who
really sent it up in the air?

REED
This rhetorical?

VICTOR
Nobody remembers the people who did
that. Even if they do they don't
care. They just remember Buzz
Aldrin or Neil Armstrong. People
barely remember Michael Collins.
 43.

REED
So?

VICTOR
No one will know it was us. We'll
be locked out of our own
achievement. As far as they're
concerned they own the damn thing.
Too them We're maintenance at best.

JOHNNY
So what are you thinking captain
Doom and Gloom? Steal it?

REED
Maybe not steal it...

Johnny turns to Reed.

JOHNNY
You're crazy.

SUE
I expect that out of him--
(Points to Victor)
Not you. Johnny back me up on this.

JOHNNY
She's right. And I'd usually be the
one to say "screw it."

REED
What? We have the suits. The Flag.
Why not go over there, if for no
other reason than for ourselves. We
want to make history.
SUE
What about Dad?

VICTOR
We could be back before they even
notice.

REED
Sue this is the whole point of the
Future Foundation! To go Explore,
Science!

JOHNNY
You're drunk. How many drinks did
you even have?

REED
How many suits do we have?

SUE
Five. That's what I was told to
make.
 44.

JOHNNY
They're gonna have that thing shut
down and locked up with half a
dozen security protocols.

VICTOR
Like that can't be hacked.

REED
There's five suits. We might need
an astronaut for clearance. I think
I know one...

CUT TO:

INT. GRIMM HOUSE - BEN'S ROOM - NIGHT

BEN GRIMM, now 23, lays in bed with a buzzed haircut and
muscles packed all over. Next to the bed, his phone sits on
an end table. His phone rings, his hand taps all over the
table, the phone gets knocked to the floor. He reaches down
to pick it up, answers it:

BEN
(Half Asleep)
Somebody better be hospitalized or
dead.

REED
(Over Phone)
Ben, I need you to come to the
Baxter Building. You're still in
the NASA program right?

BEN
On leave or vacation or whatever.
REED
We got it to work but I need your
help.

BEN
They can afford power converters at
that place.

REED
I need your help.

Ben sighs.

BEN
You better have coffee or something
or I'm gonna get pissed.
REED
See you in forty!

CUT TO:
 45.

INT. BAXTER BUILDING - LOBBY - NIGHT

Ben enters, still wiping his eyes, Reed holds the door open
for him, handing him a cup of coffee.

BEN
What are we doing Reed?

REED
(Excited)
Check this out!

CUT TO:

INT. BAXTER BUILDING - MAIN LAB -

Reed escorts Ben into the main lab, Johnny and Victor
already suited up.

REED
Ben this is Johnny Storm, Victor
Van Damme. Guys this is Ben Grimm.

Ben looks up at the Quantum Gate, amazed.

BEN
Feels a lot more real in person.

REED
I know.

Reed pulls a suit off the table, handing it to Ben who's

eyes are fixed onto the Gate.

REED
You'll need this.
Ben looks at the outfit, confused.

BEN
You're actually going to go out in
these things?

SUE
I designed them myself.

REED
Ben, this is my Girlfriend, Sue
Storm. She specializes in Pattern
recognition.

Ben stares at her befuddled.

REED
Let's get ready to make history.

TIME CUT:
 46.

INT. BAXTER BUILDING - MAIN LAB -

Everyone is suited up they walk up to the Quantum Pods. Reed

carries a Flag.

Ben watches as Reed holds Sue's hand, they lead Ben to the
controls.

BEN
So what do you need me to do?

REED
Just enter your clearance, see if
it let's us go through.

BEN
I knew this wasn't going to be
good.

Ben taps on the control pad, he enters his security code.

It sounds with an ALARM!

BEN
Not good.

VICTOR
Shit. Let me!

Victor pushes Ben aside and begins hacking into the

terminal.

REED
What are you doing?

VICTOR
Getting this thing working.
REED
Stop being Crazy we didn't know an
alarm would trigger!

Victor pushes Reed away - the Alarm system shuts off! The
pods open.

VICTOR
GET IN! NOW!

Victor, Reed, Sue, Johnny, and Ben jump into the Pods, the
Machine powers on - The blinding light over takes the room -
The five of them Scream!

CUT TO:
INT. QUANTUM POD - REED -

Smoke covers the view, Reed's screaming stops.

 47.

REED
Oh... Okay. Whew. Maybe we didn't
go anywhere...

The smoke clears and Reed looks out to see: PLANET ZERO -
THE N-ZONE.

REED
OH MY GOD!

VICTOR
(On Comms)
Richards? Susan?

SUE
(On Comms)
Here. Good. Reed?

REED
(To Comms)
Yeah. Yeah I'm good. Ben? Johnny?

JOHNNY
(On Comms)
I think we're good. Thanks for
asking about us Adolf.

CUT TO:

EXT. PLANET ZERO - NIGHT

The PODS open, each of the Five step out. Reed pulls with
him the Flag. He hands it to Ben.

REED
You're the American Hero.
BEN
(Sarcastic)
Ha-Ha. Thanks Egghead.

Victor looks beyond a cliff.

VICTOR
We're really here. We've traveled
to another dimension!

Reed joins him, hand on Victor's shoulder.

REED
It's amazing.

VICTOR
We should explore.
Ben hammers down a wench, five lines connected to it.

Ben hesitates.
 48.

BEN
We can always put the flag down
here.

VICTOR
We must go further.

REED
C'mon.

SUE
This place. The sight, it's
incredible.

They each grab a cable line. They connect it to their suits

and begin descending down the cliff.

JOHNNY
I can't believe I let you guys talk
me into this!

They continue to repel down. Victor removes an item from his

suit as he repels down: THE ROSARY.

He gives Reed a disgusted look.

They land on the bottom of the ravine, forty-feet below

where the Quantum POD landed.

VICTOR
Let's split up. Richards and I will
take North.

REED
Sue, Johnny, Find a nice place for
Ben to Plant the Flag.
SUE
You sure about this?

REED
Yeah... Pretty sure.

The five break off into the two teams. Sue, Johnny, Ben head
out east towards more flat rock.

Victor leads Reed north, they climb down a ravine at the end
of their feet.

They stand at a lake of GREEN PULSATING ENERGY.

Victor looks into it, almost hypnotized. He reaches towards

it:
REED
VICTOR NO!

Victor turns, hitting Reed with a RIGHT UPPERCUT.

 49.

VICTOR
You've mocked me. You've stolen my
glory, you've offended me. This is
a warning, the next time I WILL
KILL YOU.

REED
You're a Psychopath!

Victor kicks Reed in the stomach.

VICTOR
This one is mine.

Victor reaches into the green energy - IT RISES AND WRAPS

AROUND VICTOR!

HE SCREAMS!

He rips the suit off! Reed grabs him, they run.

REED
(To Comms)
EVERYONE WE NEED TO GO NOW!

CUT TO:

EXT. PLANET ZERO -

Ben, staking the Flag, Johnny shrugs his shoulder, Sue steps
forward looking out towards the Pods:

SUE
What's going on!

REED
(Over Comms)
VICTOR'S EXPOSED WE NEED TO MAKE IT
BACK TO THE SHUTTLE NOW!

Sue, Johnny, Ben all break into a run, heading towards the
Cables.

CUT TO:

EXT. PLANET ZERO -

Reed drags Victor - Victor coughs and wheezes.

REED
(Running)
VICTOR HURRY!

Victor falls, Reed picks him up. The ENERGY GROWS AS IT

FOLLOWS THEM!

Reed Pushes Victor forward as they climb up the Ravine.

Victor is slowing -
 50.

REED
DAMN IT HURRY!

METEORS RAIN OVER THE PLANET!

CUT TO:

EXT. PLANET ZERO -

Ben hooks Sue to the cable, Johnny hooks himself. They shout
to each other over the deafening thunder from the Planet.

JOHNNY
C'MON BEN!

SUE
BEN HURRY!

BEN
I'M WAITING FOR REED!

Ben shoves Johnny onwards - Sue arrives to the top, she

pulls Johnny to her.

BEN
C'mon Reed!

He sees Reed in the Distance, Victor hanging onto him.

Meteors crash around them!

REED
Help me get Victor!

BEN
(To Comms)
Johnny, Sue Pull Victor up!
Ben and Reed wrap the Cable around Victor. Ben tugs on it,
Reed pushes Victor up to get him started. Ben and Reed hook
themselves up. They begin climbing the cliff.

Reed is pushing Victor up - Johnny and Sue pull the cable! A

Meteor crashes next to Victor!

Reed and Ben arrive to the top, all four are pulling Victor
up! Reed extends his hand:

REED
COME ON VICTOR!

Reed pulls Victor up. Ben and Reed grab Victor - A METEOR
CRASHES THROWING THEM.

Victor crawls to his Pod - Reed locks Sue and Johnny's pod!
REED
Start the sequence. GET US OUT OF
HERE!
 51.

Ben locks himself in the pod. Reed closes Victor's pod,

Rocks begin raining on them, meteors shatter against each
other over the Quantum Pods. Reed locks himself in his pod.

Victor tries to lock his pod, the Lock is DAMAGED from the
DEBRIS.

BEN
How the hell did you geniuses get
the whole damn planet mad at us?

Victor continues trying to lock it, the GREEN ENERGY climbs

the cliff, crawling towards the pods! Sue is counting down:

SUE
Quantum Gate opening in... FIVE.

VICTOR
I Can't lock my pod!

Reed tries to force his pod open, the Green Energy rises
above them like a MONSTER ABOUT TO EAT THEM:

REED
VICTOR!

SUE
FOUR!

VICTOR
HELP!

REED
OPEN DAMMIT!

SUE
THREE!
The MACHINE KICKS ON! THE ENERGY WRAPS AROUND THEM:

REED
VICTOR!

SUE
TWO!

VICTOR
NOOOOOOO!

SUE
ONE!

THE LIGHT BLINDS - THE MACHINE BEGINS SPINNING, VICTORS DOOR

OPENS, THE GREEN ENERGY ENCASES HIM, IT BREAKS INTO THE
OTHER PODS GRABBING THEM!

THE BLINDING LIGHT ERUPTS AND --

It's gone... They are gone...

 52.

CUT TO:

BLACK. THE SOUND OF CHAOS, AN ERUPTION. FLASHES OF LIGHT:

VICTOR THROWN FROM HIS POD. ROCKS COVERING BEN. REED'S BODY
BEING STRETCHED OUT. JOHNNY ON FIRE. SUE COVERED IN A
BUBBLE. AN EXPLOSION.

CUT TO:

INT. BAXTER BUILDING - MAIN LAB - WRECKED

The entire room is destroyed. Fire all over the place:

JOHNNY writhes and screams, his BODY IS ON FIRE!

BEN encased in a COCOON OF ROCK!

SUE's BODY IS SWITCHING THROUGH SHADES OF VISIBILITY!

REED's body LITERALLY WRAPPED AROUND THE ROOM!

VICTOR's pod - A SMOLDERING WRECK! Victor is GONE.

Reed wakes, his mouth and jaw stretched down, speaking

sounding slurred:

REED
EL US! EL US!

He crawls, his body only continues to STRETCH!

Guards storm in! Reed reaches up for one of them - passes

out!

SMASH CUT TO:

EXT. AREA 57 - NIGHT

Helicopters and Airplanes fly over head the facility. It
looks familiar, a beautiful lake around it.

LEGEND: ALKALI LAKE INDUSTRIAL COMPOUND - AREA 57 -

CLASSIFIED...

CUT TO:

INT. AREA 57 - OFFICE -

Franklin sits in an office. Harvey enters.

HARVEY
What the hell happened? What did
your kids do?
FRANKLIN
Where are my kids?

HARVEY
Here. Safe. How did this happen?
 53.

FRANKLIN
That's something I'd like to know.

HARVEY
Whatever happened to them things
have changed. I've been ordered to
cancel any further development on
the Quantum Gate.

FRANKLIN
Ordered or Authorized?

HARVEY
(Forced)
Ordered. Franklin I didn't want
this but I'm not responsible for
five of your kids hijacking a
multi-billion dollar machine and
playing Dora the Explorer, nor the
resulting explosion.

Harvey rubs his eyes.

HARVEY
Listen. For whatever it's worth I'm
sorry. We're going to need a story.
Coverage for this. Go visit your
kids, let us get to work.

INT. AREA 57 - HOSPITAL - REED'S ROOM - NIGHT

Reed's body is stretched, His torso lays on a bed, his arms

and legs stretched out all over. He lays unconscious. His
eyes flutter, his head, shakes, the lights above him blind
him at first. He pulls his head up - it stretches!

He looks at his body:

REED
(Screams)
OH GOD! WHAT HAPPENED!

Reed's body shakes, quivering. His face is stretched. Slowly

his body begins shrinking back. He cries out!

His arms and legs fall to the floor, slithering back to his
body like a snake. He groans, the muscles hurt. He finds his
torso strapped down, his arms and legs can barely move.

He rises as best he can, the straps keep him fixed to the

table:

REED
(Screams)
HELP! SOMEBODY, PLEASE HELP!

A voice calls back over an intercom:

 54.

FRANKLIN
(Over Intercom)
Reed?

REED
Where are you?

FRANKLIN
Observing you. What did you do?

REED
We... We went through - Franklin, I
Can't move! Help me!

FRANKLIN
I'm going to try son.

Tears well in Reed's eyes.

REED
What happened to them? What
happened to Sue? Ben?

FRANKLIN
Rest son. We'll talk later.

REED
Where's Victor?

Reed hears the intercom turn off...

CUT TO:

EXT. LATVERIA - DAY

Latveria is a lavish Eastern European country, many would

immediately confuse the look of the country with Hungry or
Bulgaria.

LEGEND: HASSENSTADT, LATVERIA

HASSENSTADT - A beautiful but small and cramped City, the

capitol of the country. Market venders pack the streets,
fruits, furs, vegetables, meats.

In the far corner of the Market is a beggar's tent.

People encircle it and avoid it.

CUT TO:

INT. TENT -

Inside the tent is carpet and blankets, laying on the carpet

is the SMOLDERING body of VICTOR VAN DAMME. His legs, broken
and deformed, bending backwards at the knee. A young woman -
VALERIA, washes him with cold water and a rag. She dabs his
burned forehead. At the touch Victor screams and shivers.
 55.

Valeria cradles him in her arms. She dabs his forehead again
- something breaks off - she gasps!

A large, burned piece of skin falls into her hand!

CUT TO:

INT. AREA 57 - HOSPITAL - REED'S ROOM - NIGHT

Reed wakes up, still strapped to the bed. He struggles

against the restraints. He presses his arms against the the
restraints - his skin FLATTENS against it.

He sees it:

REED
What the?

He presses against it harder, his right arm flattens more,

he slides it from under the strap. His fingers elongate as
he fiddles with the restraint buckle.

REED
(Panicking)
Hurry! Hurry!

He unhooks the buckle to his left arm. He begins pulling the

buckle at his torso!

A GUARD ENTERS -

GUARD
STOP!

REED pushes against the buckle, the Guard hits him with a
TASER - Reed SCREAMS!
HE PUNCHES THE GUARD - He unhooks the buckle at his torso he
pulls his legs out - they stretch against it. Reed rolls off
the table, he picks himself up - body stretching and
deformed!

REED
Oh god!

He pats the guard down - pulling off the Guards Keycard!

He runs to the door, opens it:

He escapes.

The Guard crawls over to a control switch - hits a RED

BUTTON. An ALARM RINGS!
LIGHTS FLASH!

CUT TO:
 56.

INT. AREA 57 - HALLWAY -

The Lights FLASH - Reed has to block his eyes, trying to

alter his sight - his EYES STRETCH OUT!

Reed holds himself up against the wall, back arched his neck
hanging while he holds his head up!

REED
(SHOUTING)
SUE! BEN!

JOHNNY
(In the dark)
Help me! Reed!

REED
Johnny?

Reed steps over to a window - the room dark! Reed cups his
hands looking into the window:

A SCREAMING ECHOES - JOHNNY BURST INTO FIRES BANGING ON THE

GLASS!

JOHNNY
REED! HELP!

Reed backs up in horror!

REED
JOHNNY!

Johnny presses against the window, melting through it, He

crawls to Reed, barely covered - He reaches out to Reed as
the FLAMES DIE OUT.
REED
Johnny! You're not burned!

JOHNNY
What happened to us? Where's Sue?

REED
I don't know. Help me find her.

They hear A LOUD POUNDING against METAL at the end of the

hallway! Reed and Johnny turn to each other, scared:

JOHNNY
What the hell is this place?

REED
I-- I don't know.
The POUNDING GROWS LOUDER! Reed carefully steps towards it.

JOHNNY
What are you doing? Are you nuts!
 57.

Reed continues moving forward. The flashing lights show the

pounded metal to be... A DOOR.

The POUNDING GROWS LOUDER!

A VOICE SCREAMS through the door!

REED
Sue?

THE DOOR SHOOTS OUT - HITTING REED IN THE STOMACH -

STRETCHING HIM FURTHER! Reed drops to the ground, grabbing
his midsection.

Johnny helps Reed stand.

REED
You think you could give me a
light?

Johnny looks at his hands.

JOHNNY
Man... I hope so.

Johnny closes his eyes, a small spark covers his index

finger.

Johnny carries Reed over his shoulder - as they get closer

to the door they hear a low pitched GROWL.

JOHNNY
Sue?

They enter the darkness surrounding the hall - a HAND

COVERED IN ORANGE ROCK reaches out, Johnny jumps back! He
sticks his finger back out!
BEN
(Deeper Voice)
Reed? Johnny?

REED
(Trembling)
Ben?

Ben's face sticks out - no longer the handsome NASA Student,

now A MONSTER OF ORANGE ROCK PILED TOGETHER, a THING.

REED
(Sorrow)
Ben!

BEN
What happened to us?

REED
(Tears welling)
I don't know.
 58.

Ben stands, Johnny's arm becomes engulfed and we see BEN

GRIMM - NOW EIGHT FEET TALL!

SUE
(O.S.)
CAN ANYONE HEAR ME?

REED & JOHNNY

SUE!

They run along the hallway - Ben stumbles slowly, fighting

his legs to work. As they get to a final DARKENED ROOM more
Guards step in, ALL ARMED!

GUARD
OPEN FIRE!

They fire, Reed cowers, Johnny flames on, Ben covers his
face - bullets bounce of Ben and Reed - they melt before
getting near Johnny.

An energy bubble radiates from Sue's room - IT SHOOTS OUT!

COVERS JOHNNY, BEN, AND REED!

The wall between Reed and Sue crumbles as SUE STEPS OUT!
NOSE BLEEDING AND PISSED!

SUE
LEAVE US ALONE!

She FIRES A ENERGY WAVE FROM HER BODY knocking the guards
against the wall!

Franklin emerges from the Hall:

FRANKLIN
(Shouts)
WAIT!

Sue and Johnny run to him! Johnny's flames trail off - Sue
switches between shades of visibility:

SUE
Dad!

Franklin hugs them!

JOHNNY
Dad where are we?

FRANKLIN
I don't know son. They told me it
was a place to keep mutants. It was
the only place that felt safe for
you - come with me.

Franklin leads the Four to another room...

CUT TO:
 59.

INT. AREA 57 - HANGAR -

The lights are on - The Hangar door open revealing a COLD

NORTHERN ENVIRONMENT. Franklin and the Four enter. As the
conversation goes on Reed slowly returns to Normal:

FRANKLIN
This was once a facility known as
Alkali Lake. The government turned
it into a mutant safety facility.
After the explosion in the Baxter
building this was the only place to
take any of you.

REED
Franklin, What happened?

FRANKLIN
I should be asking you four that.

REED
We--we tested the machine and we
saw it. Planet Zero, the N-Zone.
All of it.

FRANKLIN
(Angered)
THEN WHAT THE HELL WAS THE
EXPLOSION! WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED
TO YOU!

REED
Victor touched some kinda lake of
energy. When he did it was like the
whole planet turned against us. Is
he here? Victor?
Franklin's eyes dart down.

FRANKLIN
He's dead. He either burned up on
re-entry or in the explosion.

SUE
What are they saying happened?

FRANKLIN
The official story is still
undergoing.

REED
We know what happened, we know the
truth.
FRANKLIN
I know, But I can only control so
much of the narrative and they're
stopping me from saying anything
else.
 60.

REED
What do we do?

FRANKLIN
We're going to have to get you
containment suits. Then we're going
to need you to learn how to control
whatever happened to you?

BEN
What about changing us back?

FRANKLIN
I don't even know if that's
possible.

Ben Growls:

BEN
NO! I CAN'T STAY LIKE THIS, LIKE
SOME FREAK!

REED
Hold on! Ben!

BEN
(At Reed)
YOU! YOU DID THIS TO ME!

Ben Swings at Reed, Franklin Backs up, Johnny Covers him,

Sue steps forward:

SUE
Enough!

Ben continues to swing at Reed, his body stretching out of

the way, moving almost like WATER:
BEN
YOU BASTARD! I PROTECT YOU FOR
FOURTEEN YEARS AND YOU RUIN MY
LIFE!

REED WRAPS AROUND BEN:

REED
BEN GIVE ME A CHANCE, PLEASE! I
PROMISE I'LL FIX IT!

SUE'S EYES GLOW!

SUE
I SAID STOP!
As she screams a bubble erupts around the two!
 61.

SUE
We're going to work together to fix
this or we're going to be stuck
like this!
(To Ben)
Do you Understand?

Ben, trapped, relents and hangs his head:

BEN
FINE!

Ben marches out, Reed reaches for him:

REED
Ben! Please. I promise I'll fix us
all!

REED
(To Franklin)
How do we start working on the
containment suits?

FRANKLIN
We start with your destroyed
exploration suits.

CUT TO:

EXT. HASSENSTADT, LATVERIA - DAY

Peaceful and tranquil. Wind howls through beautiful trees. A

scream radiates through the city.

CUT TO:

INT. TENT -
Victor, looks into a broken mirror as he laments his face,
his back to the entrance. His body is covered by a green
cloak. Valeria enters.

VALERIA
Master?

VICTOR
(Calming)
My Dear, I am not your master.

VALERIA
Are you alright?

He turns to Valeria, who watches him.

VICTOR
I am my dear.

Victor turns - his face a twisted metal vision of what was

once a handsome man.
 62.

He reaches up with his hands, still covered in burned skin.

Metallic Claws puncture through the fingernails.

He peels the skin off his hands and turns back to the mirror
stepping back - his WHOLE BODY IS METAL! His legs ARE
GOAT-LIKE WITH METAL CLOVEN HOOVES.

VICTOR
(In Latverian)
What curse of god befell me!

VALERIA
(In Latverian)
You're Latverian? You must be. Only
those who are from here bother to
learn our tongue.

VICTOR
(In Latverian)
My mother's tongue. I learned it to
honor her.

VALERIA
(In English)
What was her name?

VICTOR
Von Dhum.

VALERIA
What can I call you?

VICTOR
Doom. That's what I am. A Doomed
man, destined to live a freak.

Valeria steps forward to him.

VALERIA
I Don't see a freak. I see powerful
man. Good man.

Victor, now DOOM, turns to her, he clasps both his hands

around her face looking to her in a loving manner.

DOOM
Doom was never a good man. But he
can be. I need supplies. Could you
gather for me?

Valeria nods.

DOOM
Thank you my Dear.
Doom turns to the mirror again. His face twists in a form of
disgust. He screams - Lightning bursts from his body. He
looks at the mirror, studying it with wonder. He looks at
his hands, electricity crawls his fingers. A crooked smile
 63.

crosses his face:

DOOM
Power. What other delicious secrets
Will we find?

CUT TO:

EXT. HASSENSTADT, LATVERIA - DAY

A wide open field, Doom stands, Valeria with him. In front

of them is a series of targets: A METAL PAN - A WATERMELON -
A BEAM OF WOOD - and A BOTTLE.

He Zaps the Wood - it catches fire. He zaps the Watermelon

it explodes. He zaps the bottle - it explodes!

DOOM
Interesting.

He feels the electricity in his hands. He Zaps the METAL

PAN, it absorbs the hit, scorch marks on it. Valeria tugs at
Doom's cloak. He turns: A Group of VILLAGERS approach him,
each hold a torch, a pitch fork, some hold guns. DOOM speaks
to them in Latverian:

DOOM
Welcome. Good people.

VILLAGER
(In Latverian)
Back DEVIL!

One hurls a PITCH FORK at DOOM - He covers himself - it

stops mid-air - floating in front of him. His eyes light up
with intrigue. He twists his arm bringing the Pitch fork
closer to him.
He shoots his hand out - the Pitch Fork flies and stakes
itself into the ground!

DOOM
Please - Continue.

The Villagers with Guns stand in front of him. They fire,

his hands opens, the bullets stop in front of him. He plucks
a bullet out of the air with his claws. Electricity crackles
around the bullet.

DOOM
My turn.

Electricity surges through Doom as he breathes in - He

releases the energy in a large blast hitting the ground in
front of the villagers - forcing them to flee.

DOOM
I feel more power, as if so much
more is hidden.
 64.

He extends his arm, the PAN flies to him.

DOOM
There's so much more power to be
had. So much from so little
exposure. So much more to gain.

CUT TO:

INT. AREA 57 - HALLWAY - DAY

Harvey and Franklin walk and talk:

HARVEY
We've spent the better part of a
decade funding these kids so they
can learn how to open the Quantum
Gate and look what happened to
them. Right now they're dangerous
and they belong to us.

FRANKLIN
What do you mean?

HARVEY
Your kids are now property of the
United States Government.

FRANKLIN
The hell they are. They're just
kids.

Franklin scoffs in disgust and begins to walk away, Harvey

follows Franklin. He stops in front of Franklin, stern in
his approach.

HARVEY
Franklin I don't think you or I
have a goddamn choice in the
matter. Whatever happened to these
kids has made them strange, unique,
and powerful. The government has
exhausted all solutions in dealing
with certain issues.

Harvey wipes his mouth. Looks Franklin dead in the eyes:

HARVEY
Your kids just gave them everything
they could have hoped for. It's
play ball or stay freaks.

FRANKLIN
And How long would you need them?
How long until curing them is
finally convenient? Hmm? When will
their lives finally be important?
 65.

HARVEY
It's not about keeping them this
way. It's not about creating
another accident. You don't want to
create the same Humpty Dumpty you
want to build something better.

FRANKLIN
It wasn't enough you threw Victor
under the bus, you have to turn
them into soldiers.

HARVEY
I didn't have another choice in the
matter. Victor is now considered an
actor of a Foreign government.

FRANKLIN
A Government that still uses a
horse and buggy for primary
transportation.

HARVEY
Maybe. But that's the official
story. And now they're breathing
down my neck to get these assets
ready for use.

FRANKLIN
I'm not letting you use these kids
as weapons.

HARVEY
Franklin how bad do you want these
kids to have a future? How bad do
you want to be able to keep the
lights on at the Future Foundation?
FRANKLIN
I'm not selling my soul or theirs.

HARVEY
Let's give them a choice in the
matter. If you, and they, want more
funding to the Quantum Gate then
your kids need to play ball.

CUT TO:

INT. AREA 57 - TRAINING ROOM -

The Four are gathered, training with each other as

Government suits monitor their work and progress. Reed and
Ben look visibly annoyed at this. Johnny focuses on his own
flying and Sue is invisible.

Harvey and Franklin enter.

 66.

FRANKLIN
Everyone.

The Four notice, Johnny lands, Ben and Reed turn their
attention, Sue appears. Harvey steps forward.

HARVEY
I want to start off by telling you
that we're absolutely astonished
with your progress training the
past year. I understand there's a
sense of Cabin Fever.

BEN
No. There's a sense of we're
tired-of-being-freaks fever.

HARVEY
I can get secure funding for the
Quantum Gate, but it will come with
certain conditions.

REED
What kind of conditions?

HARVEY
The kind that involve you working
for us.

SUE
WHAT?

JOHNNY
What like Soldiers?

BEN
No! No.
REED
You can't expect us to become
government assassins.

HARVEY
I don't believe I've ever said
that. There are threats out there
too dangerous for people. With your
unique attributes you're perfectly
suited for missions dealing with
bringing in other mutates safely.
Think of it as Rescue and Recon.

SUE
This is insane.
REED
Dr. Elder, can we have time to
think about this.

Harvey smiles.
 67.

HARVEY
Of course. Take all the time you
need. Franklin would you join me?

Franklin breathes out with a huff. He exits along with

Harvey.

REED
Guys...

BEN
We can't do this Reed.

REED
What if it's our only chance to be
normal again?

JOHNNY
Who wants to be Normal? Rocky here?

SUE
We can't be soldiers.

REED
What if it really is rescue
missions? We can help people and
maybe get our lives back.

BEN
I want to be normal but I'm no
killer.

REED
I say we at least try it.

JOHNNY
I'm with Reed. Let's get out there
put these powers to good use!

SUE
This isn't a game Johnny.

BEN
Susie's right kid. You don't want
to make a mistake out there.

JOHNNY
You know a lot about mistakes
Rocky?

BEN
No more than your mother does,
Brat!
SUE
COOL IT!
 68.

BEN
I don't like this. You got a hot
head ready to jump in the Hurt
Locker, Reed there has to be
another way.

REED
Ben I promised you I'd fix this. We
need another Quantum Gate, and if
If this is the only way to get it,
I have to. If we can get it, I'll
do it. Even if I have to alone.

Reed walks for the door.

SUE
Reed! Wait!

Reed stops. She steps over to him:

SUE
I don't want you killing yourself.

REED
I made a promise. I'll do anything
to keep it.

BEN
(Sighs)
You won't do it alone.

SUE
We might not like this, but we care
about you Reed.

JOHNNY
So what? We're really doing this?
REED
Yeah... It looks like it.

CUT TO:

INT. AREA 57 - HALLWAY -

Reed exits the room. He looks at Franklin with a look of

'I'm Sorry.'

REED
Dr. Elder... We'll do it.

HARVEY
Wonderful. Get your team trained
Richards, we'll take care of you
kids.

CUT TO:
 69.

INT. AREA 57 - LABORATORY - DAY

Reed and Sue study the suit from the crash. Sue analyzes the
suits under a microscope, Reed's eyes stretch - a Computer
scans everything.

REED
It looks like normal material from
a distance.

SUE
When we get near it, it creates
unstable particles. I think we're
still radioactive.

REED
Our bodies near material similar to
this, if we're still active would
destabilize the particles allowing
the material to conform to any
changes.

SUE
Let's get too work...

MONTAGE:

- As the Montage continues Pages of a Calendar flip, the

events take place over the course of 1 YEAR -

REED
(V.O.)
What happened to us was a result of
our exposure to the N-Zone. If we
want to know how to reverse this,
we need to go back.
SUE
(V.O.)
It won't be easy.

REED
(V.O.)
Wasn't that easy the first time.

- Reed and Sue work on containment suits.

- Reed designs a Second Quantum Gate on a Computer.

- Sue trains herself, Franklin trains Johnny, Ben and Reed

workout together.

- Ben stands under a device pushing weight down, one hand

up.
REED
Now we're going to apply weight to
you and see how much until you feel
any strain.
 70.

- Johnny jumps in the air while on Fire.

- Sue and Reed test out Reed's stretching - Sue raises

Targets with her force field, Reed stretches to touch them.

- Reed and the team working on the rebuild of the Quantum

Gate - Johnny Welds, Ben holds the Pieces up.

- Sue interviews Johnny:

SUE
Now, When you erupt, does it hurt?

JOHNNY
No not really. It feels kinda
weird, like I'm in a warm bath but
it's all around me.

- Franklin and Reed in a laboratory, Franklin draws out a

liquid, unsure if it's blood or plasma, or something else.

- Sue sits with Ben:

SUE
Do you feel any pressure on your
body?

BEN
Yeah, like weight pushing me down.

Sue Grabs a cup:

SUE
Could you get me a stool sample?

BEN
Bite me!
- Franklin and Reed look at projected images of an X-Ray of
Reed's and chemical read out of the blood draw:

FRANKLIN
It looks like you're body has been
replaced with a series of fluids.
Some harden in certain areas to
keep form but you could
theoretically change your body to
any shape.

- The Quantum Gate more assembled - Reed now working on

QUANTUM POD, now more of a room then individual Capsules.

- Sue interviewing Johnny, while Johnny is Jumping on Fire:

SUE
Do you notice any irritation while
moving? Could--Could you stop that?
 71.

JOHNNY
What? I think I could fly if I get
enough air!

- Reed sits with Ben, both look embarrassed:

REED
Sue had some questions, she said
that it might be better for you if
I asked them.

BEN
(Sighs)
Fine.

REED
You... Um... You eat?

BEN
When they bring food 'round.

REED
Pizza? Burgers? All the same stuff
as before?

BEN
No. They can't cook. It's mostly
chips. I miss the Pizza in
Brooklyn.

REED
I'll ask them to fly some out. Sue
said you were a bit hostile when
she asked for a stool sample.

BEN
I said bite me.
REED
Ah... Would you provide a...

BEN
Bite me.

- Sue and Reed have finally put together containment suits,

Blue and Black. One for all Four of them. For what feels the
first time, they hold hands again.

- Johnny steps into the Hanger:

JOHNNY
Tally Ho.

He stands at the end of the hanger, looking down. He

clenches his eyes - breathes in. He falls forward!

JOHNNY
FLAME ON!
 72.

His body engulfs in Flames and -- He shoots upwards!

JOHNNY
(Mid-Air)
WHOOOOOOOOOO!

- The NEW QUANTUM GATE is Assembled.

END OF
MONTAGE

CUT TO:

INT. HASSENSTADT TOWN SQUARE - DAY

The town square is busy with vendors and patrons. Doom

arrives, covered in his cloak with Valeria next to him. On
her neck is SILVER DRAGON TATTOO.

Doom clicks his hoof against the ground, He addresses the

crowd in Latverian:

DOOM
Good people! Hear me now!

The people turn.

DOOM
The hungry and poor come to me.
Join my Free-Zone and live with
true freedom.

The people begin to crowd Doom:

DOOM
Give this Square to us and make
your home here. Eat, Sleep, take
shelter for free. All I ask is you
bare our symbol of freedom...

Valeria raises her head, the DRAGON TATTOO on full display.

DOOM
Bare this mark and be apart of
something no other can deny you -
The TRUE FREE.

People crowd around Doom, He continues as more people

gather:

DOOM
For decades people all over the
world have beaten down Latveria.
Treated us as if we're canon fodder
for others to use as a promotional
tool. They treat us without
dignity. Without respect. No more!
No more disrespect.
 73.

Everyone is gathered, their ears belong to Doom:

DOOM
No more intervention from wolves
wanting what our country has. We
take it back for ourselves. And if
any Americans try to stop us - we
put them in their place!

The people cheer

CUT TO:

INT. TENT -

Doom sits, tattooing the SILVER DRAGON, while others with

the mark assemble robotic insects with machine-like
precision. In the background Doom's computer, an old Laptop
flies through various files.

What pops up on the computer stuns Doom:

GOV. POINTS FINGER TO LATVERIAN SPY
FOR BAXTER BUILDING EXPLOSION,
VICTOR VAN DAMME. WHEREABOUTS
UNKNOWN.

CUT TO:

INT. AREA 57 - BOARD ROOM - DAY

Harvey stands at a podium in front of a group of military

generals. As Harvey speaks, images are projected of Reed,
Sue, Johnny, and Ben - Referred to as "ALPHA TEAM":

HARVEY
After a year of training we're
finally ready to deploy Alpha Team.
As some of you know Alpha Team were
subjects involved in the Baxter
incident. During their training
we've supplied them with the
materials to rebuild the Quantum
Gate so that our government can use
the radiation from Planet Zero to
develop a new set of Super
Soldiers.

The images project switch to an image of PLANET ZERO:

HARVEY
Alpha team's cooperation in our
efforts are simple in cost,
beneficial to the country.
GENERAL
And you're sure they're not
mutants?
 74.

HARVEY
Yes. Our working theory is that the
radiation from Planet Zero
activated any dormant X-Gene,
leading to their unique
transformations. Right now they're
our first and only line of defense
against terrorist with
extraordinary abilities.

GENERAL
Like Magneto?

HARVEY
And other dangerously mutated
individuals.

The image changes to HASSENSTADT, LATVERIA:

HARVEY
We've heard recent rumblings of
another Mutated individual out of
the third-world country Latveria.
Spies on the ground have identified
a mark - a dragon tattoo put on his
followers. The locals refer to him
as "The Good Doctor" or simply
"DOOM."

The image projects a BLACKED OUT FIGURE, labeled "DOOM"

HARVEY
We've not been able to gather much
in the way of intelligence but what
we do know is his powers resemble,
in essence, what we have discovered
on Planet Zero. "DOOM" is rumored
to possess abilities like
Magnetism, Techno-kinesis, and
Electro-kinesis. He's a dangerous
target and the first target for
Alpha Team.

A GENERAL interrupts:

GENERAL
Dr. Elder, how do you know this
figure has anything resembling
Planet Zero's energy?

HARVEY
It is known to us that people
who've been contaminated or
transformed by Planet Zero are
marked by cosmic radiation. Studies
indicate that this figure is likely
the missing scientist from the
Baxter explosion - VICTOR VAN
DAMME.
 75.

The image changes yet again, along side the silhouette of

DOOM is an older picture of VICTOR VAN DAMME.

GENERAL
You're saying one of those freaks
works for a foreign government?

HARVEY
No. Our men have identified Doom as
a revolutionary. He's built a group
of rebels loyal to him in a section
off area of The Capitol. Our
analysts call it the "FREE-ZONE."

The image projects a "MAP" of the FREE-ZONE.

HARVEY
Soon I'll be debriefing Alpha Team
on the nature of this and
presenting them with the
opportunity to safely capture Doom
and bring him back for
interrogation.

GENERAL
How are you going to Flush him out?

HARVEY
We already did. We've seen some
activity in the area due to recent
press briefings we've released.
These briefings sight Van Damme as
the cause and perpetrator of the
Baxter Building Explosion. Soon
Alpha Team will be deployed outside
Latveria with the intent of
acquiring Doom so we can do our own
internal brief. If there's nothing
left, Let's go meet Alpha Team.

CUT TO:

INT. AREA 57 - HALLWAY -

Harvey leads the Panel of Generals and Military personnel

through the compound.

CUT TO:

INT. AREA 57 - TRAINING ROOM -

Harvey enters with the personnel, they look at The FOUR

assembled - Ben chasing Johnny, Sue using her force fields,
Reed stretching around them trying to keep them separate.
HARVEY
Ladies and Gentlemen, Alpha Team.
How are we doing Reed?
 76.

Reed re-sizes back to normal. He greets Harvey, hand

extended. Harvey shakes, points to the situation behind him:

HARVEY
What's going on with that.

REED
Johnny super glued orange straws to
Ben's face while he was asleep.

HARVEY
(Chuckles Nervously)
Always a sense of humor with Alpha
Team.
(Stern to Reed)
We have an assignment for you.

REED
What's the situation.

HARVEY
We believe Victor Van Damme is
alive. Possibly changed like you
and the rest of Alpha Team.

REED
I thought he died.

HARVEY
It's just a hunch based on what our
analysts in Latveria have
uncovered. We're sending the four
of you to safely subdue him. No
violence, we just want to talk.

REED
I'll let them know. When do we
leave?

HARVEY
Two hours.

Harvey Exits, the Generals follow. Reed stands sullen and a

sense of defeat over him. He looks over at the team.

REED
Guys...

CUT TO:

INT. AIRPLANE - BACK - FLYING - DAY

Reed and the team sit, Reed is almost sequestered to

himself. Sue scooches over to Reed, her hand wraps around
his. He can't even look at her.

SUE
What's wrong.
 77.

REED
I just keep thinking of all the
mistakes I made. I don't even know
how close I could possibly be to
fixing us and now I find out Victor
is alive. He just feels like
another mistake I have to fix and I
don't know how much more I can
carry.

SUE
You're not carrying this alone.
You've got us. This isn't your
fault as much as it was Victor. He
touched the energy that caused the
explosion.

REED
It was still my ego that told us to
go in the first place.

SUE
I don't blame you. Johnny couldn't
be more happy than he is. Ben, he
understands. Right now it looks
like the only one blaming you for
what happened is you.

REED
(Motion to Ben)
How could I possibly not be at
fault for what happened to him. He
saved my life more times than I can
count. One time he even stood up to
my Step-Father for me.

Reed squeezes Sue's hand. She hugs him:

SUE
It's going to be okay. We will fix
everything. Okay?

Reed nods.

SUE
Let's see if we can help Victor.

CUT TO:

INT. TENT -

Doom sits working on little robotic insects. Valeria wraps

herself around him.
DOOM
I can feel something moving towards
us. I think it is the Americans.
 78.

VALERIA
We won't let them take you.

DOOM
You must. It's all part of the plan
my Dear. But There are other things
you will need to do for me. And we
can't let the Americans think it's
easy. Would you do something for
me?

VALERIA
Anything my love.

Valeria kisses the cold metal cheek. Doom Smiles.

DOOM
Good. Even if I fail, I live
through you my Dear. Take some
others, lead an exodus. If I can't
return you will know what to do.

CUT TO:

EXT. HASSENSTADT, LATVERIA - TOWN SQUARE -

Doom exits his tent, the FREE-ZONE turns their immediate

attention to him. (In the background Valeria and a team of
four others exit the square.) Doom speaks, to his people in
Latverian:

DOOM
Good people. Soon we will have
guests. Hostile, immoral guests.
Americans who want to take me away
from you. Who want to destabilize
our order at your behest.
The crowd speaks among each other, A VILLAGER steps forward:

VILLAGER
NO! We won't let them take you!

Another Villager steps forward...

And Another...

And Another...

All of them chant:

"WE WON'T LET THEM TAKE YOU!"

Doom revels in the chants - Arms in the air, drinking it in.

DOOM
Then my people let us send the
Americans a message!
 79.

The crowd changes - from around their necks the TATTOO

EXPANDS AND WRAPS AROUND THEM. They instantly change into
DOOM replicas, DOOMBOTS.

The crowd speaks in unison:

"WE ARE DOOM! WE ARE DOOM!"

In the distance DOOM sees a Airplane.

DOOM
(To Himself)
Good. Come to us.

Doom raises his arms: FROM HIS CLOAK THE ROBOT-INSECT SHOOT
OUT!

CUT TO:

INT. AIRPLANE - COCKPIT - FLYING -

The pilots watch forward as the PLANE moves.

PILOT
Hear that?

In the distance a sound - dark and metallic, like robotic

cicadas.

THE WINDSHIELD BURSTS - THE ROBOTIC INSECTS OVERFLOW THE

CABIN!

CUT TO:

EXT. AIRPLANE - FREE FALLING -

The Plane DIVES!

CUT TO:

INT. AIRPLANE - BACK - FALLING

Reed and the others are in freefall - Johnny is bouncing on

the inside of the plane - BEN RIPS THROUGH THE PLANE!

REED
SUE HELP!

Sue OPENS A FORCE FIELD around her and Reed. They're still
falling.

Johnny bounces out of the hole made by Ben.

CUT TO:
EXT. AIRPLANE - FREE FALLING -

Johnny falls - BEN is shooting straight down.

 80.

JOHNNY
FLAME ON!

He catches fire, his falling stops.

He takes control flies at the plane!

JOHNNY
SUE!

As he nears the Plane - IT EXPLODES!

JOHNNY
(Screams)
SUE!

Through the wreckage: SUE and REED FALLING, wrapped in the

force field. Johnny flies over to them:

JOHNNY
Hang on!

The force field extends with a HANDLE - Johnny grabs it - it

yanks him with it!

He pulls up - Sue steadies the force field, Reed watches in

amazement.

REED
That was close.

SUE
The pilots...

They watch as the plane continues to dive - the front of it

EXPLODES!
REED
Victor. He knew we were coming.

CUT TO:

EXT. LATVERIA - WOODS -

Calm, peaceful trees. Wind blows, the scenery - truly

beautiful.

CRASH! Ben smashes into the EARTH!

Ben lays there, motionless...

The ground around him shifts. He rises, unscathed.

BEN
Finally this stupid body pays off.

Ben looks up, sees Johnny, Sue and Reed safely floating
down.
 81.

BEN
You gotta be kidding me.

REED
You alright?

BEN
Just wounded pride.

SUE
Victor's in the town. We better
hurry.

Johnny blasts off! Sue and Reed rise and speed forward. Ben
stands there for a second.

BEN
All the damn powers I had to get, I
couldn't a' got Super speed or
flight. No I had ta' be the
friggin' rock monster!

Ben runs.

CUT TO:

EXT. HASSENSTADT, LATVERIA - TOWN SQUARE -

Doom stands at the edge of this little town square, behind

him a legion of DOOMBOTS.

Doom waits, with a look of twisted glee on his face.

DOOM
It's time my people...

As the Four arrive.

REED
Victor.

DOOM
Richards.

REED
(Sees the DOOMBOTS)
What have you done?

DOOM
I've built my army. An army to
combat freaks like you and your
THINGS.

REED
This doesn't have to be violent. We
can talk about this.

DOOM
No. I'm afraid we can't.
 82.

Doom raises his arm - sheets of METAL RISE - The DOOMBOTS

jump to attack:

DOOM
This is about POWER Richards.

DOOM throws the METAL at REED. REED stretches around them.

Reed goes for a PUNCH, DOOMBOTS step in front grabbing and
dragging REED into a crowd, many gang up on him.

SUE shoots out a force field knocking DOOMBOTS away!

Johnny leaps into the air, throws fireballs - Ben runs in

the distance.

Reed pulls one of the DOOMBOTS down, part of the metal bends
revealing skin - It clicks, Reed realizes they're people:

REED
JOHNNY DON'T KILL THEM!

JOHNNY
Why?

REED
There's people under the metal -
they're a distraction!
(To Sue)
Force Field!

A force Field wraps around REED pulling him up and out of

the grasp of the DOOMBOTS.

REED
We need a plan. He's got to be
controlling them.
SUE
We need to find his link to them.

REED
Assume he's the link. Knock him
out, stop them.

JOHNNY
Doesn't sound like a solid plan!

BEN
(Running)
I Got a Plan for ya' It's
CLOBBERIN' TI--

As BEN leaps DOOMBOTS slam into him, throwing him to the

ground. The FOUR battle the DOOMBOTS.
Doom stands, he fires bolts of electricity at the FOUR -
Johnny dodges them artfully - Sue shoots up a Force Field -
Ben just takes it, shakes it off - Reed is HURT by it. It
forces him to buckle.
 83.

Ben wraps DOOM with an UPPERCUT!

Doom is SENT THROUGH THE SQUARE.

Reed wraps himself around the Doombots.

Reed looks at them closely, sees the Tattoos!

Metal slams into REED knocking the DOOMBOTS loose. Sue grabs
Reed.

REED
They're controlled by Victor's
nanomites. He found a way to shrink
them down to microscopic size.

Reed extends his arm delivering an enlarged punch through a

crowd of Doombots.

Ben plows through them, slamming them down - as he hits the

METAL flies off!

SUE
Careful BEN we don't want any
mistakes!

BEN
Right Suzie!

REED
Johnny, Look close. FIRE bolts at
the tattoos on their necks!

JOHNNY
(Flying, Dodging)
You know my powers are fire, not
super-seeing right?
REED
Just aim at the necks!

Johnny wraps around shooting FIRE BLASTS at the Necks. Each

time a tattoo is destroyed a Doombot falls.

DOOM RISES - FLYING. He slams into Johnny:

DOOM
You ungrateful brat! All this power
and this is what you do with it!

Johnny headbutts Doom, the impact knocks him silly - DOOM

hits Johnny hard! They fall.

Doom turns himself, flies right at REED!

REED
OH SHI--

DOOM knocks into him! They punch each other!

 84.

DOOM
You're going to give me the Quantum
Gate Richards!

REED
NEVER!

Doom SHOVES REED'S HEAD DOWN! Electricity CRACKS as it

SHOCKS REED!

Ben Clotheslines Doom! Doom falls, Ben stomps on him,

pounding straight onto Doom's face!

BEN
This is for being a Prick!

Ben gorilla pounds Doom! The Doombots stop - collapsing.

He raises his fist - ready to strike a final blow, Reed's

arm wraps around Ben's.

REED
Stop! We're not killers Ben!

Ben looks at Reed, looks down at Doom, injured.

BEN
(Growls)
No. We're not.

Ben stands. In the distance the growing sound of Helicopters

grows - Ben closes his eyes, as if he's ready for more bad
news.

BEN
Great...
Reed stretches his eyes, he focuses in:

P.O.V. (REED): U.S. MILITARY HELICOPTERS CLOSING IN.

REED
It's the cavalry.

CUT TO:

INT. AREA 57 - HALLWAY - DAY

Military Guards line the hallway, a group of Guards escort a

SHACKLED DOOM - His head hangs low as he passes everyone.
Franklin looks on as Doom walks by, a sense of shame
overwhelms him. Harvey looks at Doom with his ugly smile on.
Doom smiles back.
Doom is brought into a Lab. Franklin approaches Harvey:

FRANKLIN
I need to talk to him.
 85.

HARVEY
No. Not before we do first.

FRANKLIN
Harvey, please. If that's Victor I
need an opportunity to get through
to him.

HARVEY
Go see your team. When I'm done
with Doctor Doom you can sing him a
song if you want.

Harvey pushes past an annoyed Franklin. The Four enter, the

hallway of soldiers erupt into applause. Franklin just rubs
his eyes. Franklin approaches Reed:

FRANKLIN
I need to talk to Victor.

REED
He's not the same guy. Out there he
was like some kind of monster.

FRANKLIN
The real Victor is in there. I know
it! Did he say anything to you?

REED
He just said that I'm going to give
him the Quantum Gate.

FRANKLIN
What does that mean?

REED
I don't know but I think he's
planning something.

Franklin looks at Sue, his face hiding the discomfort of

asking his daughter for a favor.

FRANKLIN
Can you... Keep an eye on him?

Sue nods.

SUE
Yeah.

Sue walks forward, vanishing as she does. Reed looks on.

REED
It's still pretty amazing to see
that.

CUT TO:
 86.

INT. AREA 57 - REC ROOM -

Johnny stands at a pool table, playing solo. Ben sits on a

couch staring at his hands - still in disbelief. Reed sits
at a computer working, Franklin sits next to Reed.

FRANKLIN
I need to talk to him.

REED
Sue's in there. Victor will be
alright.

FRANKLIN
Is he though? How close are you to
understanding what happened?

Reed takes the words over the tone, looks at Franklin hurt.

REED
I'm really trying here. This isn't
easy.

FRANKLIN
I know. Seeing Victor like that...
I have to save him.

CUT TO:

INT. AREA 57 - INTERROGATION ROOM -

Doom lays strapped to a table. Harvey stands in front of

Doom in a hazmat suit. Behind him a room of others all
dressed in Personal Protective Attire. Doom looks at Harvey
in the eyes. Scoffs.

HARVEY
Victor. You know what happened?

DOOM
The N-Zone. The Planet.

HARVEY
Yes.

DOOM
It changed us. It chose us.

HARVEY
Do you know how?

DOOM
It's radiation. Something about
it... Made us different.
HARVEY
Victor, you've had the most direct
exposure to Planet Zero. We need to
know what you know about it.
 87.

DOOM
(Angered)
You want to know what I do about
'Planet Zero'?

Harvey nods.

HARVEY
Victor, the possibilities from of
what Planet Zero can do for us,
it's limitless.

DOOM
Why do you keep calling me that?

HARVEY
Victor, you can be a hero. Show the
world your brilliance.

DOOM
Brilliance? After you told the
world I nearly killed everyone?

HARVEY
We can change the history Victor...

DOOM
(Shouts)
STOP CALLING ME THAT!
(Calm)
My name is DOOM.

A bolt of Lightning shoots from DOOM destroying the viewing

room - Harvey backs away:

HARVEY
(Screams)
VICTOR WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

Doom effortlessly removes his restraints:

DOOM
Keeping men like you from getting
real power.

Doom fires a bolt of Lightning, A force field wraps around

Harvey, Sue becomes visible - Doom throws a bolt of
lightning at her!

Sue is sent into the wreckage - Harvey's force field fades.

Doom stands in front of him, angered.

DOOM
Men like you cultivate power for
your endless wars. No more.

Doom's electricity crackles as he LIFTS HARVEY WITH ONE

HAND!
 88.

DOOM
I've had so much time to learn. The
most important lesson I've learned?
Weak men who crave power are
tyrants in the making.

CRACK! Harvey goes limp, Doom tosses his body as if it were

a piece of trash. Doom feels the metal bend around him, he
forces the door open. Exits.

CUT TO:

INT. AREA 57 - HALLWAY -

Doom marches through, his body bare to the world, Men with
guns approach him. Doom waves his hand pulling the guns away
- with a flick of the wrist ALL THE GUNS FIRE! The guards
are executed.

SECURITY PROTOCOLS KICK IN!

Lights Flash, an ALARM goes off!

CUT TO:

INT. AREA 57 - REC ROOM -

Reed and the others look at each other, Reed rises, leaping
ahead of the rest:

REED
SUE!

Franklin watches them all leave. Bites his lip as he thinks,

he knows what he has to do, he just doesn't know if he can.

CUT TO:
INT. AREA 57 - HALLWAY -

JOHNNY flies through the halls, flame on! Ben stumbles

through, trying not to break anything, Reed is far ahead of
them with a freakishly long stride!

Ben looks around himself, sees the carnage all around him.

BEN
Oh god.

CUT TO:

INT. AREA 57 - INTERROGATION ROOM -

Reed enters, sees the body of Harvey, He scans the room -

REED
SUE!
 89.

Rubble shifts, Reed runs to it, helping Sue up, a small cut
on her head, Reed holds her:

REED
You alright?

SUE
We need to stop him.

Sue levitates herself and stands.

SUE
He's too dangerous. We have to stop
him.

CUT TO:

INT. AREA 57 - HALLWAY -

Doom continues to march through the halls - Metal pulls from

the walls and crushes people running, People run for the
door, Doom sends a signal to keep it locked - as he Passes
by Electricity jumps from him to them, killing them. Doom is
radiating DEATH.

CUT TO:

INT. AREA 57 - LABORATORY - DAY

Doom enters, sees Franklin standing in front of the Quantum

Gate.

DOOM
Out of the way Franklin.

FRANKLIN
I'm sorry this happened to you
Victor.

DOOM
Sorry doesn't begin to cover it.
You let Richards turn me into a
mutant freak.

FRANKLIN
He told me what happened. You tried
to kill him.

DOOM
I showed him what happens when he
insults his better.

FRANKLIN
And how did that work out for you?
Enraged, Doom shoots a bolt of Lightning - HITTING FRANKLIN
IN THE CHEST! Doom screams.
 90.

DOOM
You were supposed to be smarter
than that Franklin.

Franklin reaches out, weakly:

FRANKLIN
Don't... Do... This...

DOOM
Save your words for your pathetic
children.

Doom continues forward. In the corner of his eye he sees -

HIS CLOAK. He grabs it, wrapping it around him - He is
DOCTOR DOOM.

DOOM
Goodbye Franklin.

The Quantum Gate activates. REED ENTERS!

His arms stretch around Doom!

REED
I can't let you do this?

Doom shocks Reed, Reed screams and lets go. Doom continues.

DOOM
Try to stop me Richards, if you and
your helpless freaks can.

Doom enters the Quantum Gate. Reed looks at it, the rest of
his team arrive.

REED
Victor is in there and it's not
shutting off!

BEN
That bad?

REED
The longer it's open it's going to
create a singularity that could eat
the planet!

BEN
We gotta go clobber him and stop
this thing.

SUE
He's powerful. It's going to take
all of us.

JOHNNY
Then let's go!
 91.

Franklin groans, Sue and Johnny run to him. Ben trails

behind Reed stretches over:

FRANKLIN
(Tearing, Coughs)
You kids... You... Were worth
everything...

JOHNNY
(Tears)
Dad...

FRANKLIN
(Dying)
You take care of each other... You
Four... That's all you got...
That's your... Strength... And...
That's... Fantastic...

Franklin's eyes roll back and he passes. Johnny holds his

father, tears - Sue cries over him - JOHNNY'S BODY ENGULFS
IN FLAMES And behind this... RAGE!

Johnny screams, firing a fire bolt into the QUANTUM GATE.

CUT TO:

EXT. PLANET ZERO -

Doom stands on the Planet. He breathes in the air, a crooked

smile crosses his lips.

He crosses the DUNES of PLANET ZERO. He searches for Energy

lakes.

CUT TO:
INT. AREA 57 - LABORATORY -

The Four are united over Franklin's body. Ben looks at them,
He places his hand on Johnny's shoulder and like brothers
Johnny hugs Ben - Ben pauses - Hugs Johnny back.

REED
We need to go in there. We HAVE to
stop Victor!

The four turn to the Quantum Gate - open - the Pods are
gone. Johnny looks on, wipes a tear away.

REED
We have to shut it off to keep it
from enveloping Earth. To do that
we need to break Victor's link!
BEN
I take it we can't do that from
here.
 92.

REED
Nope.

BEN
Let's smash up the GATE.

REED
We have to sever his connection
first. If we don't it could cause a
chain reaction explosion that
forces the Quantum Gate to open
fully and then the singularity
would be unstoppable and unstable!

BEN
Never easy is it?

SUE
Nope.

BEN
(To Johnny)
C'mon Brother... Let's go kick his
ass.

They step through - inanimate matter around them is sucked

in and quickly destroyed -

CUT TO:

EXT. AREA 57 -

The base begins eating it self - imploding as matter is

slowly pulled into the singularity caused by the still open
Quantum Gate - Soldiers and scientist run for cover!

CUT TO:
EXT. PLANET ZERO -

The Four pass through the Quantum Gate. They look around,
the landscape changed - Darker - Drab - Depressing. Reed
looks down and the energy of the planet is being drained.

REED
He's taking all the power of the
planet.

Doom appears in the distance, his metal from shifting -

almost like a LIQUID METAL - a shiver of his OLD BODY washes
over in a wave but what we see is DOCTOR DOOM.

DOOM
Finally...
The Gate is open and the FOUR stand in front of him.

REED
You're destroying the planet!
 93.

DOOM
Don't worry. My country will be
fine.

REED
If we don't shut the Quantum Gate
soon everything on Earth will be
gone!

DOOM
I control the gate Richards. Only
your precious country will be
destroyed. Unless I return first.
Maybe I will turn it into a nice
memorial to your failures.

REED
I can't let you do this Victor. I
can't let you go back.

Doom stares at Reed.

DOOM
You sadden me Richards. You'll let
your ego kill your own country? I
am on the cusp of power unheard of.
Godhood beyond you and your mutated
freaks. Suitable for others to
worship.

REED
Look at yourself Victor! You're not
GOD! You were the smartest - you
had to throw that away, For what?

DOOM
To be better. Franklin, Sue, all of
them thought you were my better...
Now I'll show them how wrong they
were.

Reed stretches his arms and pulls himself into an amazing

leap - He kicks Doom in the chest - Doom topples backwards,
regains footing - Throws both his hands at REED sending out
bolts of electricity -

Reed bends to the side dodging them - Responds with an

Uppercut to Doom -

Doom stagger back, his arms twist into BLADES he swipes at

Reed, one cuts Reed's leg - Reed stretches around the
blades, dodging them at all cost! - Reed leaps over Doom,
grabbing his face and throwing him from a FLIP -
Doom lands on the ground - raises himself -

He flies at Reed, Twisting like a drill - Reed tries to wrap

around, Doom shocks him - A force Field slams Doom down!
 94.

Sue wraps a force field around Doom's Head and slams him
down!

WHAM!

WHAM!

WHAM!

Sue throws the force Field in the air - Doom steadies

himself - Enraged he Screams -

Electricity bursts the Force Field - Doom throws a Bolt down

- like a malevolent Zeus - Sue raises an Arm to catch it
with a Force Field -

Johnny Flies around Doom - Throwing FIRE BOLTS at him - Doom

growls, Darts after Johnny - Johnny evades Doom, flying in
spectacular fashion -

Doom Stops himself and LAUNCHES METAL QUILLS - They hit

Johnny and take him Down - Doom turns his attention back to
Sue -

He drops onto Sue, she blocks with a force field - Doom Lets
out a WAVE OF ELECTRICITY - Sue's force fields fail she's
caught in the Blast - Doom Maintains it!

BEN runs up to Doom - punches him in the head - Doom plants

into the ground -

Doom gets a grip on the planet, Kicks Ben with his legs like
a Horse - Ben flies backwards - Reed Stretches to catch Ben!
-

Ben runs at Doom, throwing punch after Punch, Doom dodges

them, just as flexible as Reed - Doom catches one of Ben's
punches, the Metal from Victor's body eats Ben's arm - Ben
hits Doom in the Face -

Doom refuses to let go - Johnny flies with a FIRE BLAST ON

DOOM - Doom lets go, throwing his arms at Johnny - Johnny
dodging the bladed arms in the air! -

Reed rolls into a tire bouncing at Doom, He leaps in the air

Stretches his legs into a KICK, DRIVING DOOM DOWN! - Doom
grabs the legs sends A CURRENT THROUGH REED - Reed SCREAMS!

DOOM swings Reed around - Reed's body shakes loose and hits
Johnny - Sue - and Ben! Doom let's go. Johnny leaps at Doom,
Flame on! - Doom shocks him, Johnny tumbles to the ground
and writhes in pain -

Ben swings at Doom, Doom's arm wraps around him - the Arm
moves like liquid Metal - Doom delivers a sickening,
crunching Blow to Ben!

WHAM!
 95.

WHAM!

Doom raises his fist again - Quills pop out - As Doom throws
the punch a force Field covers it, Stopping him from hitting
Ben - Another force Field wraps around Doom's other Arm -
Sue raises HIM IN THE AIR!

DOOM shoots out Quills in all Directions - One cuts Sue's

leg, she drops - Doom lands, grabs her by the hair, his
other hand rests firmly on her stomach - Heat burns and he
SHOCKS HER! She SCREAMS!

Reed wraps around Doom's face Yanks him backwards - Doom

crashes onto the surface - Reed grabs a Quill and Cuts DOOM!
- Sue goes invisible - Reed vanishes - So does Johnny - And
Ben! Doom looks around almost paranoid - He shocks the thin
air -

CUT TO:

Behind a boulder: SUE, JOHNNY, REED, BEN all reappear. They

look on as Doom screams and throws lightning bolts madly.

Reed grabs his side, one of the Quills hit him and he's
bleeding. Sue holds him up.

REED
How are we going to stop him? As
long as he's awake that link is
open.

JOHNNY
Way I see it, we got two choices -
Sabotage it and take our chances
with all of us here - or we die
trying.
BEN
I got another plan - Suzie, how
long can you keep one of us
invisible?

SUE
Not much longer.

REED
I'm not gonna like this Am I?

BEN
Nope.

CUT TO:

DOOM stands screaming in the air.

DOOM
(Screams)
FACE ME RICHARDS! YOU COWARD!
 96.

Reed appears, standing right in front of Doom.

REED
I'm not a Coward. Victor.

Reed stretches for a Punch, Doom's body absorbs it, the

Liquid pulls in Reed - Reed tries to fight back -

REED
(SCREAMS)
NOW!

A bolt of Fire wraps around Doom - A Force Field forces it

in! - Johnny throws the fire bolts, The Force Field keeps
letting them In - A LOUD THUMPING hits the surface -

BEN appears running at Doom - The force field lowers:

BEN
HEY JUNK FACE! IT'S CLOBBERIN'
TIME!

Ben hits Doom with an Uppercut, Reed pulls Doom back Down -
Ben leaps and slams into Doom - Like a school-yard scuffle
Ben lays all his weight on Doom -

WHAM! - WHAM! - WHAM! - Ben delivers powerful and

devastating HITS onto DOOM! -

Ben raises his arms like a Gorilla - SLAMS DOWN on Doom Full
force - Doom's arms drop - Ben grabs Doom by the leg, slams
him DOWN! Like an Enraged beast he Slams Doom - AGAIN! -
AGAIN! - Throws Doom into the air -

REED
C'MON!
The Quantum Gate begins to sputter - as if it's shutting
off!

Sue wraps herself, Ben, and Reed in a Force Field - together

they Fly at the Quantum Gate - Johnny flies close behind -

THEY ALL FLY THROUGH THE FIELD - THE QUANTUM PODS DISAPPEAR!

CUT TO:

EXT. ALKALI LAKE - DAY

The Area 57 Base is destroyed - The Four stand atop a

mountain over looking a crater where the base once sat.

The devastation is horrific - The four look onto it with

appropriate gasp.
 97.

GENERAL
(V.O.)
No doubt what was left of the
surrounding area was a travesty.
But the casualties of our people
and the wild life was low.

CUT TO:

INT. BOARDROOM - CLASSIFIED - DAY

The Four sit opposite side a panel of Military Personnel.

GENERAL
You're heroics are not to be
forgotten by either us or the white
house.

REED
Why are we really here?

GENERAL
You specialized assets. You're too
valuable to us to let you go. We
want you to continue your work.
Helping other 'enhanced persons'
could create a boundary of peace
between humans and people like you.

REED
We're not government agents. We're
scientist. What we do is explore
and investigate. We won't do things
according to your rules.

GENERAL
You can't expect us to let you go
Rogue. You're too dangerous for
that.

REED
We're not asking General. The way I
see it you don't have much
bargaining power with the four
people who saved the country.

GENERAL
Say we even listened to these
insane demands. How do we know you
can be trusted?

REED
We just saved the world. We were
contracted to you for years before
that. What makes you think we can't
be trusted?

GENERAL
Your abilities.
 98.

REED
I'll tell you what...

The team look among each other:

REED
You provide us with resources,
we'll make sure to stop the
occasional monster that stomps down
Fifty-Second street. But we operate
through the Future Foundation - In
the Baxter Building.

GENERAL
You want to operate in a civilian
environment?

BEN
How are we supposed to help if
we're thousands of miles away.

GENERAL
What makes you think we'll say
'Yes'?

Reed looks at his team, smiles.

REED
Because you will, because you want
us to help.

Sue whispers to Reed, Reed nods.

REED
And we want full ownership on all
discoveries and patents we produce.
GENERAL
What exactly are we getting out of
this?

REED
Help for when you find a problem
too big to handle.

CUT TO:

EXT. LATVERIA - DAY

The beautiful country rests peacefully.

CUT TO:

INT. HASSENSTADT CASTLE -

The slain body of Latveria's BARON lays on the ground -
Valeria engulfed into a FULL DOOMBOT stands among other
Doombots, they're putting together their own Quantum Gate,
Valeria addresses the people in Latverian:
 99.

VALERIA
We must make everything as the Good
Doctor wills it. We will bring him
home so he may claim his throne.
There is still much for Doctor Doom
to do.

The Doombots carry equipment, weld it together, their

progress is astonishing - they work direct unison - like a
hive mind that belongs to DOOM.

CUT TO:

EXT. BAXTER BUILDING - DAY

The building stands beautifully in the heart of the city.

Whatever damage happened to it has been repaired and
improved and It looks like a futuristic wonder in the city.

CUT TO:

INT. BAXTER BUILDING - MAIN LAB -

The Four enter the Baxter Building, dressed in new blue and
black containment suits, though something is missing.
Together the Four stand united. Looking out into the Lab of
the Baxter building - other gifted students operating their
own miniature labs - the Future Foundation is in full swing.

SUE
Any idea what to explore next?

REED
Alternate dimensions? I mean we
already kind a' got a leg up on
that one because of the N-Zone.
JOHNNY
What about Alien worlds?

REED
A star ship would be fiscally
irresponsible right now.

SUE
Fiscally? That doesn't sound like
you?

BEN
I got an Idea? How about a flying
Car that we if we're in some action
we're not stuck in traffic?

Reed takes the idea in, that's not half bad.

REED
We could do that. Sound fun!
 100.

JOHNNY
You know if we're operating as a
team we do need a name.

SUE
I figured we'd call ourselves the
Future Foundation.

JOHNNY
Well we do that, but that's not
really a name for us. I mean all
the cool Superhero teams have a
name, the X-Men, Alpha Flight!

BEN
What's wrong with Alpha Team?

REED
It does sound kinda boring...

BEN
Well what are your thoughts Mr.
Fantastic?

SUE
(Interrupting)
Well... My dad's last words, he
told us the four of us were all we
had. He said it was Fantastic.

The team looks together, they know what she's thinking...

REED
Think so?

Sue nods. Reed smiles.

REED
I like it. The--

CUT TO:

TITLE:

THE FANTASTIC FOUR.

End.