Post by Legend on Feb 14, 2010 12:13:59 GMT -5
FADE IN:
We begin in green - vibrant and glowing. We begin a long,
fast pullout away from the vibrant green.
MALE VOICE
We are not alone in this universe.
We continue to pull back to reveal...an enormous GREEN
LANTERN - the Central Power Battery, emerald and as tall as
a typical house on earth. Pulling back, we see the citadels
of the planet Oa - massive and breathtaking yellow buildings
unlike anything seen on earth. The green central power
battery lies directly in the center of the large city.
Everything outside the city appears black and uninhabited.
VOICE
(CONT’D)
For a years now, we have been aware
of a group of extraterrestrials who
patrol our universe and keep it
safe.
Hundreds of figures ZOOM by us - all wearing the uniform of
the Green Lantern Corps, dressed from head to toe in emerald
and black. Various aliens of all colors and imaginable
species fly through the air, an emerald aura pulsing around
each of their bodies.
VOICE
(CONT’D)
We don’t know who they are or where
they get their power. But there is
one thing we know about them-
All of these green-clad aliens have one more thing in common
- a green power ring on their hand.
VOICE
(CONT’D)
- they’re good.
The various alien Lanterns spar with each other, all done
with the various and masterful emerald weapons that appear
seemingly from out of the rings they wear.
VOICE
(CONT’D)
They protect us, just as they
protect all life in this universe.
I guess you could think of them as
space cops.
We suddenly FLY through space at astronomical speeds, racing
from star to star, planet to planet, and everything in
between.
VOICE
(CONT’D)
Impossible to imagine? No more
impossible Than when Columbus
suggested the Earth was round or
when Copernicus postulated it
orbited the sun.
We continue through space until a familiar sight comes into
view...a distant yellow sun comes into view as we fly past
Neptune, Uranus, Saturn, Jupiter, all flying past us
until...
VOICE
There are heroes out there.
The blue sphere of Earth approaches. We descend through the
atmosphere before landing:
EXT. TIMES SQUARE - NEW YORK - DAY
Times Square is full of thousands of people, all staring in
awe and silence at the giant and familiar Astrovision
television.
VOICE
And now, one of our own has joined
them...taking up arms against the
forces of evil. Here...and
everywhere.
The people in the packed square all watch the figure on the
screen - an older man, looking to be in his 60s, with fading
blond hair. He wears a suit and is revealed to be the source
of the voice.
VOICE
One of us. He is now one of them.
(pauses)
A Green Lantern.
FAST CUT TO BLACK
The words come onto the screen:
GREEN LANTERN
[/color][/size] We begin in green - vibrant and glowing. We begin a long,
fast pullout away from the vibrant green.
MALE VOICE
We are not alone in this universe.
We continue to pull back to reveal...an enormous GREEN
LANTERN - the Central Power Battery, emerald and as tall as
a typical house on earth. Pulling back, we see the citadels
of the planet Oa - massive and breathtaking yellow buildings
unlike anything seen on earth. The green central power
battery lies directly in the center of the large city.
Everything outside the city appears black and uninhabited.
VOICE
(CONT’D)
For a years now, we have been aware
of a group of extraterrestrials who
patrol our universe and keep it
safe.
Hundreds of figures ZOOM by us - all wearing the uniform of
the Green Lantern Corps, dressed from head to toe in emerald
and black. Various aliens of all colors and imaginable
species fly through the air, an emerald aura pulsing around
each of their bodies.
VOICE
(CONT’D)
We don’t know who they are or where
they get their power. But there is
one thing we know about them-
All of these green-clad aliens have one more thing in common
- a green power ring on their hand.
VOICE
(CONT’D)
- they’re good.
The various alien Lanterns spar with each other, all done
with the various and masterful emerald weapons that appear
seemingly from out of the rings they wear.
VOICE
(CONT’D)
They protect us, just as they
protect all life in this universe.
I guess you could think of them as
space cops.
We suddenly FLY through space at astronomical speeds, racing
from star to star, planet to planet, and everything in
between.
VOICE
(CONT’D)
Impossible to imagine? No more
impossible Than when Columbus
suggested the Earth was round or
when Copernicus postulated it
orbited the sun.
We continue through space until a familiar sight comes into
view...a distant yellow sun comes into view as we fly past
Neptune, Uranus, Saturn, Jupiter, all flying past us
until...
VOICE
There are heroes out there.
The blue sphere of Earth approaches. We descend through the
atmosphere before landing:
EXT. TIMES SQUARE - NEW YORK - DAY
Times Square is full of thousands of people, all staring in
awe and silence at the giant and familiar Astrovision
television.
VOICE
And now, one of our own has joined
them...taking up arms against the
forces of evil. Here...and
everywhere.
The people in the packed square all watch the figure on the
screen - an older man, looking to be in his 60s, with fading
blond hair. He wears a suit and is revealed to be the source
of the voice.
VOICE
One of us. He is now one of them.
(pauses)
A Green Lantern.
FAST CUT TO BLACK
The words come onto the screen:
GREEN LANTERN
OUTER SPACE
TEXT - SPACE SECTOR 2814
We PAN through space to reveal a small, silver space ship.
It looks as if it could fit only a few people at most. It
ROARS as it flies through space, seemingly to nowhere. The
ship is evidently damaged as a trail of flames emits from
behind it.
Soon, a small figure emerges in the emptiness of space. It
is a small, green figure, coming from behind the ship and
flying up towards it.
CLOSE UP: ABIN SUR
The figure is revealed: it appears in every way like a human
except for a distinct red tint to his skin. This is ABIN
SUR.
He wears a Green Lantern uniform: the thighs are covered in
black with green boots while his torso is a vibrant shade of
green with the Green Lantern symbol directly in the center
of his chest, The arms are black with green gloves extending
from them.
Abin flies through space with no support, gracefully,
leaving a small green trail of pulsing light behind him. He
flies after the ship, which is far ahead of him. The ship is
now heading for an approaching planet: the surface is barren
and blood-red.
Abin looks down at the power ring on his finger, bearing the
Green Lantern symbol.
ABIN SUR
Identify system.
Suddenly, a synthesized voice emits from the ring, speaking
back to the alien.
RING
Ysmault of Sector 2814. All Green
Lantern Corps personnel are
forbidden from entering the system
by the Guardians of the Universe.
Abin looks at his ring and back towards the ship ahead of
him, which is now descending further towards the planet. He
has paused, floating in the middle of space, before giving
the planet one last look and continuing on after the ship.
Abin approaches the planet and sees the ship crash on the
surface below. A small explosion can be seen as he
cautiously descends towards the planet. He eventually lands
softly on the surface.
EXT. YSMAULT - NIGHT
The sky is dark as Abin Sur lands on the silent planet. The
surface is rocky and a small stream runs next to Abin, who
looks around him, searching for signs of the plane.
Suddenly, a small whisper is heard around Abin.
VOICE
(whispering quickly)
A Green Lantern? A Green Lantern
here?
Abin looks around rapidly in a confused state. He turns and
looks for the voice in all directions.
ABIN SUR
Hello? Who’s there?
VOICE
(whispering)
Abin Sur, his name is Abin Sur...
Abin stares into the direction the voice came for several
seconds, but no answer comes.
He then sees what appears to be green light emitting further
down the stream. He continues down the stream until he
reaches it.
The green light is revealed to be a number of thin,
cylinder-shaped objects that have a number of aliens pinned
up against the ground, rocks, or even a pole. Abin looks
around confusedly-the thin tubes bear the mark of the Green
Lantern Corps.
ABIN SUR
Who are you, beasts? Show
yourselves!
ATROCITUS is a large, completely red-skinned and demon-like
alien, pinned up against a tree with one of the restraints
stabbing through his hand and into a tree, keeping him from
moving too far. With razor-sharp teeth and rage in his eyes,
Atrocitus looks on at the Green Lantern with distaste.
ATROCITUS
We are not concealed, Abin Sur...we
haven’t moved in a millennia. Your
masters made sure of that.
QULL is much like Atrocitus, but with an enormous mouth,
lined with sharp teeth. He is pinned by the spear-like
constructs onto a large tree. The constructs go through his
wrists and ankles, giving off the appearance of Christ on
the cross.
QULL
But do not think we bear a grudge,
Lantern...we merely wish to help.
Abin looks at the alien suspiciously.
QULL
What do you seek? Women? Riches? Or
is it the future you desire?
ABIN SUR
You know not what the future holds,
demon.
QULL
Quite the contrary...I bear all
that has passed and all that shall
come to pass. What about your
father, eight years dead? Or your
son, who will one day die fighting
against the Green Lantern Corps you
love so dearly?
ABIN SUR
(screaming)
You lie!
QULL
No, Abin Sur. It is through I, Qull
of the Five Inversions, that you
will discover the truth.
ABIN SUR
And what do you offer?
QULL
Answers...any three answers to any
three questions which you may have.
Abin opens his mouth to begin his first question before
being interrupted.
QULL
And before you waste you first
question, I should advise you that
there are no survivors of the
vessel which you were tracking to
our domain.
Abin Sur pauses, as his first question was concerning the
ship. He then thinks for a few seconds and continues.
ABIN SUR
If you truly know what the future
holds...then you will tell me what
my future holds.
A demented smile covers Qull’s face as he looks at Abin Sur.
QULL
So be it, Green Lantern. The simple
answer is that your future...is
death.
Abin looks questioningly at Qull.
QULL
Your death will come when that very
ring around your finger fails you
at a critical moment. You are
mauled until falling to your death.
Indiscernible flashes of Abin being smacked to the ground
are seen.
QULL
(CONT’D)
If it is any comfort...I should
tell you that upon your demise, a
new Green Lantern shall be
appointed to your sector.
Throughout the universe, he shall
be hailed as the greatest to ever
wear the ring.
Similar flashes are seen of a face - a brown-haired young
human. He appears to be in the cockpit of a plane.
QULL
(CONT’D)
Wherever he goes, legends shall
spread, and you shall be forgotten,
a footnote in history, known merely
as the one who passed on the
lantern to one who was more worthy.
Qull pauses and looks at the Lantern.
QULL
Does this news trouble you?
ABIN SUR
Trouble me? No. Even in the
unlikely matter that it were true,
no, it would not trouble me one
bit.
QULL
Good...for this new Lantern will
have the ring thrust upon him much
sooner than you think, Abin
Sur...and he will be ready to
answer its call.
INT. BEDROOM - DAY
Inside the dark room in the middle of the day are a man and
a woman in bed, lying peacefully beneath the sheets. The man
is young and brown-haired, looking to be in his late 20s.
This is HAL JORDAN. He has a look of achievement on his face
with his arm around the girl beside him, SARAH. She is also
covered and smiling with her eyes closed.
A pair of small glasses lay on top of a pile of books and
graded school papers with children’s handwriting. She is
apparently a schoolteacher.
HAL
Now I remember why I love
school-you learn something new
every day.
Hal leans over and kisses Sarah for a few seconds.
SARAH
I don’t know what school you
learned those little maneuvers
from, Hal, but-
Sarah stops abruptly, looking over Hal’s shoulder through
the window, where we see a large man walking towards the
house.
SARAH
Oh shit-he’s early.
HAL
Who’s early?
Hal looks out the window where Sarah’s insanely huge
boyfriend is nearing the house. He springs to his feet as
Sarah throws his clothes at him from off the floor.
HAL
You know, I don’t have to go-
SARAH
Don’t be silly, of course you do.
HAL
No. I mean, I’m not afraid of him.
I don’t have to go.
She looks at Hal, smiling. She leans over and kisses him
before throwing more of his clothes at him.
SARAH
That’s sweet, but you can go, Hal.
Hal laughs as the loud noise of the door opening and closing
echoes throughout the house. Hal climbs through the
window-he’s on a second story balcony. He looks at the long
drop beneath him for hardly a second before jumping from the
balcony and landing on his feet.
Hal walks down the street towards his car, which is parked a
few houses down. As he enters the car, his phone rings.
VOICE
(on phone)
Hal, where the hell are you?
HAL
What are you talking about?
VOICE
(on phone)
You’re supposed to be flying in ten
minutes!
CLOSE UP: HAL’S FACE
A long pause.
HAL
Shit.
Hal revs the engine and flies down the street, racing around
the corner.
EXT. COAST CITY - DAY
The skyline of Coast City, located on the beautiful coast of
California, shines in the background. Here, in the outskirts
of the city in the barren desert, a small, experimental
plane ascends high into the air.
CUT TO:
INT. PLANE - DAY
Inside the small cockpit is HAL JORDAN. He is brown-haired
and looks to be in his late 20s, wearing a US Air Force
uniform. He adjusts the controls of the plane and it begins
to speed up as the voice of MAJOR JONATHON "Herc" STONE
sounds from his helmet.
STONE
(O.S.)
Hal, just what the hell do you
think you’re doing?
HAL
I’m testing the structural
limitations, Major Stone, sir.
STONE
(O.S.)
You’re supposed to be testing at
the speed of Mach 1, you’re pushing
it to Mach 3! This is an order,
decrease your speed immediately and
land that plane!
Hal grins and looks down at the Air Force base below him
before thrusting a lever further forward, increasing his
speed even more.
HAL
I’m sorry, sir, I’m going so fast,
I don’t think I can understand you!
The plane descends rapidly and flies just over the Air Force
base, the ROAR of the engine staying with Major Stone as he
looks on from outside the base. He reaches for his walkie
talkie and shakes his head in annoyance at the plane.
STONE
Hal, I’ve taken a lot of crap for
you, because your father and I were
always good friends, but you keep
this up and you’ll get yourself
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 10.
STONE (cont’d)
killed. It’s an experimental plane,
hardly designed to even hold up at
Mach 2-
Back inside the plane, Hal clicks off his communications
device, all the while pushing the plane even faster. A
monitor in front of Hal reads "SPEED: MACH 3.1" as he pushes
the lever harder. The readout now shows "MACH 3.2" as the
plane begins to shake and then "MACH 3.3"
Hal looks around as the plane begins to shake violently.
Warning lights go off in the plane and beep rapidly, but Hal
simply looks calmly in front of him.
As the plane begins to descend, Hal points the nose toward
an open field of grass. The plane begins to break up, the
left wing completely coming off and other scraps of metal
flying from off the plane, which begins to give off flames.
Hal suddenly jerks the controls upward before hitting the
ground, jerking the plane up. Instead of landing on its
nose, where Hal is, it lands on its bottom, skidding almost
fifty feet before resting in the middle of the field. Hal
looks around before calmly unstrapping himself and exiting
the plane.
CUT TO:
EXT. AIR FORCE BASE - DAY
Major Stone runs to the debris of the plane as Hal exits,
looking from Hal to the plane in shock.
HAL
She can handle a hair past Mach
3.2, sir.
At this, Hal calmly walks away from the burning plane.
CUT TO:
INT. BAR - NIGHT
Hal sits at the counter of a bar with a group of six of his
Air Force buddies. Hal eyes a group of Marines down the
counter suspiciously. One of the pilots, TOM KALMAKU, sits
next to Hal. Tom is part-Eskimo and below-average height and
has extremely messy hair.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 11.
TOM
(laughing)
Hal, you know Major Stone is gonna
tear into your ass for what you did
today.
HAL
Trust me, I can handle old Herc
just fine.
Hal rises and walks down the counter. He sits next to a
large chested, African-American Marine with black hair and
brown eyes. This is JOHN STEWART.
John looks over at Hal and stretches out his hand.
JOHN
Hal Jordan, isn’t it?
HAL
How’d you know?
JOHN
I’ve seen you here before.
He looks up at the TV above him. The news is on as anchor
TRISHA TAKANAWA speaks:
TRISHA
(on T.V.)
In sports news, Jets running back
Guy Gardner apparently tore his ACL
in last week’s game. There are
doubts that he’ll ever play
again...
On the television, Guy runs through one defender and stiff
arms the other in the face, sending him to the ground. On
his way into the endzone, he is slammed to the ground and
his leg twists awkwardly.
HAL
(sipping drink)
Seems like that cocky prick got
what was coming to him.
JOHN
(laughing)
Tell me about it.
Hal takes a large sip from his drink and looks back at the
rest of the Marines. One of the large, muscular Marines has
his hand around a woman’s arm while she tries to get away.
Hal slams down his drink and walks to the Marine.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 12.
HAL
(speech slightly slurred)
Why don’t you just let the lady go,
eh?
The Marine walks threateningly at Hal, towering over him
angrily.
MARINE
You’d be better off minding your
own business and not trying to play
the hero, pretty boy.
Hal looks the large Marine up and down.
He then suddenly lifts his arm and lands a punch on the
man’s face, dropping him immediately to the ground.
HAL
Who’s playing?
The rest of the Marines spring up after Hal, as do the air
force pilots behind him. John Stewart quickly holds them
back.
JOHN
Just get out of here, before this
turns into a brawl!
The Marine that Hal punched now sits on the floor, holding
his bloody nose and looking at Hal. Hal stares at him
defiantly before leading the rest of the pilots out.
CUT TO:
EXT. BAR - NIGHT
Hal and the other Air Force pilots walk out of the bar
laughing and cheering for Hal.
TOM
Way to knock some sense into that
bum, Hal.
Hal laughs but seems lucid, not focused on the conversation,
and a bit drunk.
TOM
Hal, we all know you’re fearless,
hell, even stupid, up in the air,
but we all have fear. There’s got
to be something your afraid of.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 13.
CLOSE UP: HAL’S FACE
Hal’s eyes flash towards the pilot quickly as a large WHOOSH
is heard, leading to a FLASHBACK.
CUT TO:
EXT. FERRIS AIR FIELD - DAY
A younger Hal, around 8 years old, sits in the field next to
a line of aircraft. An older man who resembles Hal walks up
from behind him in a pilot uniform, a jacket in his hand.
This is his father, MARTIN JORDAN.
MARTIN
Hey there, tyke.
HAL
Hey dad. Look at all these people
here to watch you!
Hal seems to be shocked by the small crowd that has gathered
to watch the flight. Martin laughs gently.
HAL
Does it bother you that mom never
comes to watch you fly?
MARTIN
It’s not so much of me flying
planes that she doesn’t like, it’s
me testing them.
HAL
So...why do you?
MARTIN
Someone’s gotta be first,
Hal...someday, if your brother Jim
doesn’t kill you first, you’re
gonna be an adult, son, and you’re
gonna have to make a million
choices in your life...where to
live...What kind of car you should
get...Who your friends are. But
every now and then, if you’re
really lucky, something chooses
you. When that happens, there’s no
fighting it...and your mother knows
that.
Martin watches Hal, seeing if he can understand this, before
breaking the silence.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 14.
MARTIN
Hold my jacket while I’m up there?
Hal takes the large jacket and puts it on himself. It is
huge on him and hangs down to his knees. His father laughs
and messes up Hal’s hair with his hand.
MARTIN
See ya’ in a few, Hal.
Hal looks at his father admiringly while a young,
black-haired girl about his age approaches from behind him.
GIRL
That coat’s too big for you!
Hal turns, looking at the girl.
HAL
(proudly)
I’m holding it for my dad, while
he’s flying that plane!
GIRL
My daddy owns that plane. Actually,
he owns all these planes! My name’s
Carol, and that’s my dad over
there.
Carol points at an older man talking to Hal’s father in the
distance. Various older, well-to-do investors stand around
smiling, talking with Hal and the man.
HAL
Your dad is Carl Ferris?
CAROL
Yep, and I’m gonna be a pilot just
like he used to be when I grow up.
HAL
Me too.
CAROL
Well when I grow up, I’m going to
own my own plane!
Hal ignores her and walks over into the field, where a fence
with yellow warning markings blocks his path. He begins to
climb the fence and the Carol runs after him.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 15.
CAROL
Hey, you can’t go in there!
HAL
Do you wanna come with me?
CAROL
No, you’ll get in trouble!
HAL
I’m not afraid of getting in
trouble, Carol.
Hal turns his back on Carol and climbs the fence into the
restricted area. Carol then runs off over to her father,
where Martin Jordan’s plane is now taking off. It flies into
the air and over the field. Behind Carl Ferris, a number of
older men watch and some reporters snap photos.
CAROL
Daddy, that boy-
CARL FERRIS
Hold on Carol, daddy’s got some
important business-
A voice comes through on the walkie-talkie in Ferris’ hand.
MARTIN
(on radio)
Carl, Carl, come in-
CARL FERRIS
Hello? Is everything okay up there?
MARTIN
No, there’s a problem with the
engine, it’s stalling, I’m going to
have to bring the plane down
immediately-
Carl looks towards the investors and walks away from them,
holding the radio close to his face as if trying to keep it
quiet.
CARL FERRIS
(whispering to radio)
Martin, you have to know how much
money is riding on this-millions!
If you bring that plane down now,
that’s it, I’m finished. Keep the
plane in the air and you keep your
job.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 16.
MARTIN
(on radio)
I don’t think a pile of scrap metal
on the ground is going to make the
investors happy-
CARL FERRIS
(angrily)
Just keep the damn plane in the
air!
CUT TO:
EXT. RESTRICTED AREA - DAY
Just past the fence in the restricted area, Hal lays on his
back, looking up at his father’s plane flying through the
air. He is truly at peace and smiles while watching the
flight.
That is until a loud BOOM is heard and a small piece of
metal flies off of the plane. Hal springs to his feet and
looks up at the plane in horror. A small stream of smoke has
begun to fume from the side.
Hal runs over to Carl Ferris, who looks at the plane
silently with his mouth open. The investors behind him look
from the plane to him nervously as the photographers snap
pictures rapidly.
HAL
(nervously)
Mr. Ferris, what is happening?
What’s wrong with the plane?
CARL FERRIS
Nothing that cannot be fixed, my
boy, just let me handle this-
MARTIN
(on radio)
Hal? Hal!
The plane above begins to give off more smoke and is now
descending towards the ground, nose first.
Hal snatches the radio from Carl Ferris’ hands and speaks
into it:
HAL
Dad! Dad, I’m here, are you okay?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 17.
MARTIN
(on radio)
Hal-
The next words are completely incoherent, blocked by static
and the loud roar of the plane as it is engulfed by fire.
HAL
(screaming)
What did he say?
Hal looks in despair as the plane drops nose-first into the
ground about three hundred yards from Hal’s spot, in the
middle of the field. It slams into the ground, toppling over
and resting upside-down before flames rise high above the
debris in an enormous explosion. In the background, Carl
Ferris looks stunned in silence while Carol balls her eyes
out loudly.
Hal looks on at the plane with a single tear running down
his empty face.
CUT TO:
EXT. BAR - NIGHT
Back in the present, Hal continues to stare blankly into the
dark.
TOM
Hal?
HAL
Huh?
TOM
Christ, how many beers did you
have?
HAL
I’m fine. Listen, I’m gonna head
out. I’ll see you tomorrow.
TOM
Hal, are you sure you should be
driving-?
Hal ignores him and walks over to his car, driving away from
the bar.
CUT TO:
18.
EXT. FERRIS AIR FIELD - NIGHT
Hal’s car pulls up to the fence surrounding the air field,
which is guarded by barbed wire. He exits the car. We know
see that the jacket he has been wearing is the same his
father once gave him just before his death. He’s been
wearing it ever since.
Hal leans up against the fence, looking solemnly towards the
field where his father’s plane had once crashed.
After a long moment, another car pulls up behind his,
shining light on him. A man steps out and looks at Hal with
his neck craned, trying to determine if it was the person he
was looking for or not.
The man approaches Hal and stops a few feet in front of him,
examining his face.
MAN
Hi, Hal.
HAL
Jim...?
The man emerges from the darkness into the light cast by the
car headlights, revealing JIM, Hal’s older brother.
HAL
How did you find me here?
JIM
I tried to find you at that bar
you’re always at, but your buddy
told me you drove away, drunk-
At "drunk," Jim raises his eyes, looking at Hal as if
expecting an answer.
HAL
Never get tired of being the older
brother, do you?
JIM
(ignoring Hal)
-so I figured, if there was one
place you’d go while drunk, this
would be it.
Hal and Jim both turns towards the field, looking on
silently.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 19.
JIM
Why didn’t you just listen to her
while you still could?
HAL
What are you talking about?
JIM
You know exactly what I’m talking
about.
CUT TO:
EXT. FERRIS AIR FIELD - DAY
In almost the same spot, a Hal of about 11 years sits
looking at the planes flying over the airfield in awe. He
runs down the fence and sneaks through the entrance behind a
building. It is a hangar building, and on the side there is
a rusty ladder that leads to the roof.
Hal grabs a hold of the ladder and pulls himself up with as
much strength he can muster. He climbs the ladder until he
finally reaches the top, having a better view of the planes,
and sits on the edge of the roof contently.
A car speeds screeches to a stop just outside the entrance.
A woman immediately exits the car in a fury, looking over at
Hal. It is his mother, HELEN JORDAN.
HELEN JORDAN
(very angrily)
Hal, get down from there right now!
Hal sighs and walks over to the ladder. When he gets to
about twenty feet of the ground, he jumps off, landing on
his feet.
Hal’s mother angrily walks over to him, grabbing him by the
arm, and ushering him into the car. She slams the door and
drives away.
CUT TO:
INT. CAR - DAY
HELEN JORDAN
Harold Jordan, how many times have
I told you to never go near those
planes? Here I am, sitting at home,
worried sick about what’s happened
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 20.
HELEN JORDAN (cont’d)
to you, and you’re off scaling
buildings and hanging on watching
those damn planes!
Hal is silent, allowing his mom to vent.
HELEN JORDAN
You are never allowed near a plane
again, do you understand that?
Hal mumbles something incoherently.
HELEN JORDAN
I said, do you understand that?
HAL
(grudgingly)
Yes.
The car pulls up to the driveway of the small Jordan house.
Jim awaits in the driveway for Hal. After their mom enters
the house, Jim punches Hal hard in the shoulder. Hal gives
Jim a dirty look before going into the house.
CUT TO:
EXT. FERRIS AIR FIELD - NIGHT
Back in the present, Hal and Jim lean against the fence,
still looking out into the field.
HAL
She just doesn’t get me...she has
never got me. Flying is my life,
Jim. It’s what I love and it’s what
I’m good at. I’ll be damned if
she’s going to tell me I can’t do
what I love for no reason at all.
And that’s why I haven’t talked to
her in ten years.
CUT TO:
INT. JORDAN HOUSE - MIDNIGHT
Jim, looking to be in his early 20s now, lies on his bed,
looking at his clock. It reads 11:59.
The clock then changes to 12:00. Jim smiles and reaches
under his bed, grabbing a small, gift-wrapped box. He rises
and walks into the hallway, walking towards Hal’s room.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 21.
JIM
(opening door)
Happy birth-
Jim enters Hal’s room only to find it empty. The window is
wide open and Jim rolls his eyes in disgust.
CUT TO:
EXT. AIR FORCE RECRUITING OFFICE - MIDNIGHT
Outside of the recruiting center for the Air Force, Hal
sleeps on the pavement. A small man, a recruiter at the
center, approaches him while going to open the office. Hal
stirs and looks the man.
RECRUITER
May I help you?
HAL
Yes, you can. Today is my
eighteenth birthday.
RECRUITER
Happy birthday, young man.
CUT TO:
EXT. FERRIS AIR FIELD - NIGHT
Back again in the present, Hal and Jim share eye contact for
a moment in the dark.
JIM
She never forgave you, you know.
HAL
Yeah. I know.
JIM
Hal, there’s something I have to
tell you.
HAL
What?
JIM
It’s mom. She’s sick.
Hal looks a bit confusedly towards Jim.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 22.
HAL
What do you mean, sick?
JIM
She has cancer, Hal. We found out a
month ago.
Hal looks incredulously at Jim and then towards the ground.
JIM
(quietly)
Hal...she’s dying.
HAL
What? Are you-is it that bad?
JIM
Yeah, Hal. It’s that bad.
HAL
(looking up at Jim)
I’ve got to see her.
JIM
You can’t see her, Hal. She said
that she doesn’t want to talk to
you as long as you’re in the Air
Force.
Hal looks down again sadly.
JIM
And I’m not going to let you.
Hal looks into Jim’s eyes defiantly before turning towards
his car, brushing past Jim and hitting him lightly on the
shoulder as he passes. He gets into the car and speeds away
angrily.
CUT TO:
EXT. AIR FORCE BASE - DAY
Back at the air force base, Hal is once again in his
military uniform. He cautiously walks through a group of
planes on the runway, picking a small, one-pilot plane from
the selection. He jumps in the cockpit and the plane takes
off, soaring high in the air.
Down below, Major Stone looks out at the plane and his face
begins to redden.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 23.
STONE
Jordan!
CUT TO:
INT. PLANE - DAY
Inside the plane, Hal is carefree as he soars throughout the
sky, making sharp turns or even turning the plane completely
upside-down. He pulls out the radio.
HAL
Hey, Major Stone!
STONE
(on radio)
Jordan, you’ve got it coming this
time, you get that plane on the
ground this moment and maybe I
won’t throw your ass out of the
Force!
At the mention of being thrown out of the Air Force, Hal
smiles.
HAL
Sounds like a deal, Major.
Hal continues his joy ride, descending through the air and
flying just above the base. He flies away from the base one
last time before thrusting the plane upwards and then to the
side, doing a complete 180, and heading back to the base.
Hal lands the plane and calmly exits.
CUT TO:
EXT. AIR FORCE BASE - DAY
Major Stone approaches Hal threateningly, looking mostly at
the plane and then back at Hal in anger.
STONE
Jordan, I don’t know what the hell
has gotten into you! On paper,
you’re the best damn pilot in the
Force, but you’re the most
expensive, dangerous, and
irresponsible excuse for a pilot I
have seen in my entire life!
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 24.
HAL
I’m sorry you think that, Major.
MAJOR
You’ll sure as hell be sorry if you
don’t stop this nonsense
immediately! One more time, Jordan,
just one more incident like this,
and you’re out of the Air Force
before you know it.
Hal looks at Stone and smilies before winding up and
punching the Major square in the jaw. Stone drops to the
concrete, blood running from out his mouth.
As Hal calmly walks away, Stone screams out in the distance.
STONE
You’re gone, Jordan, you hear me!
You’re out of the goddamn Air Force
for the rest of your life!
Hal just smiles and continues on out of the base.
CUT TO:
INT. HOSPITAL LOBBY - DAY
Hal enters the large, white lobby of the hospital. There are
a few people sitting in chairs throughout the room, but it
is generally empty.
Hal approaches the desk, where a blond-haired woman stands
at a computer.
HAL
Excuse me, can you tell what room
Mary Jordan is in?
WOMAN
Yes, one moment...she’s in room
103, just around the corner to the
right.
HAL
Thanks.
Hal walks through a path to the right and along a number of
rooms: "100," "101," "102," and "103."
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 25.
He walks to the door of the last room and stops before
entering. Moments away before reuniting with his mother at
last, he takes a deep breath, closes his eyes, and swings
the door open.
CUT TO:
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY
The hospital bed is empty.
The whole room, in fact, is empty, save Jim. Hal looks at
Jim, confused.
HAL
Where’s mom? I want to see her-
JIM
She’s gone.
Hal stares blankly at Jim for a few seconds.
HAL
Gone-no, she’s-I came to see her, I
quit the Force-
Jim steps forward, standing almost face-to-face with Hal.
JIM
You’re years too late, Hal. There
might have been a time where you
could clean this all up with an
apology, but that time is long
gone.
HAL
(angrily)
What the hell do you think you’re
saying, that this is my fault?
JIM
When mom got sick, I left college
and got a job to support her! Where
were you, Hal?
A beat passes. Hal stares into Jim’s face defiantly.
JIM
I gave up my dreams for this
family. You tore it apart with
yours.
Hal looks past Jim and a tear drops down the side of his
face. He stands still while Jim grabs his coat, turning to
leave.
Before he leaves, he reaches for something from under the
bed. It’s a small, gift-wrapped, box-the box he was going to
give Hal on his eighteenth birthday before he ran away and
wasn’t seen for years.
JIM
Happy eighteenth birthday, Hal. God
knows you don’t act any older.
He hands Hal the box before leaving the room. Hal slowly
opens it, revealing the back of a framed photograph. Hal
turns it over.
It is a picture of a young Hal with his father, both
smiling, sitting on top of his father’s plane.
Hal looks at the picture longingly, one tear streaming down
his face.
CUT TO:
INT. SPACESHIP - DAY
Back inside the ship, Abin looks uneasy as his ship glides
through space, his eyes fixed ahead on his destination:
Earth now comes into full view.
VOICE
(O.S.)
Abin? Abin, are you there?
Abin flicks a switch and the face of SINESTRO, who also
wears the Green Lantern uniform, appears on the monitor.
ABIN SUR
Hello, my friend.
SINESTRO
Hello, Abin. May I ask where you
are headed in such an armed ship-?
ABIN SUR
To Earth. I’ve...been a
certain...prophecy...of sorts, and
I believe it points to Earth...very
troubling.
SINESTRO
Do not tell me you believe in
strange prophecies, Abin? You
taught me better than that.
ABIN SUR
This...this is different, my
friend. I shall have to explain it
later. I have a captive on board at
the moment.
A loud SNARL is heard from behind Abin, who turns around,
looking at Atrocitus behind him.
SINESTRO
Just be careful, friend. You made
me what I am today, and not even
the Guardians could stop me from
coming to your aid if called.
ABIN SUR
Thank you, Sinestro.
The monitor switches off and Sinestro’s face vanishes.
ATROCITUS
You cannot delay your death,
Lantern. It approaches far more
quickly than you can see!
ABIN SUR
I am not afraid of death,
Atrocitus.
ATROCITUS
But you are afraid...we shared our
vision of your pathetic power ring
failing when you needed it most,
and now you fly in an armed ship
when you could easily fly without
one to this pathetic planet!
Abin continues looking down at Earth, now passing next to
its moon and does not look at Atrocitus even as he answers.
ABIN SUR
I am simply being cautious.
ATROCITUS
Your faith in your power ring is
weakening! You are afraid to rely
on the ring, you do not believe it
strong enough to save you.
A close-up of Abin’s face shows that a doubtful and fearful
look comes upon him as the alien in his prison taunts him
from behind.
ATROCITUS
Your weakness in your power ring
and your willpower carries through
to your constructs.
A beat passes.
ATROCITUS
You feel fear!
Atrocitus suddenly breaks through the emerald prison and
flings himself at Abin Sur, who throws his arms up in
defense, but is mauled by the alien, who harshly smacks him
across the face, sending him across the cockpit, where he
falls to the floor. The controls are disturbed in the
struggle and a loud beeping begins as the ship enters
Earth’s atmosphere.
Atrocitus looks pitifully at the Green Lantern disposed on
the floor before continuing to the hatch of the ship. He
rips a hole in the ship with his bare hands and prepares to
jump.
ATROCITUS
How ironic, Green Lantern, that in
your moment of death, your ring did
not fail you, but you failed it.
Atrocitus jumps from the ship and descends to the Earth, his
limbs spread wide in a free fall. Abin’s ship heads quickly
towards the earth and what looks to be the west coast of the
United States-towards California.
It is heading towards a large city, which we recognize as
Coast City, the same skyline Hal had flown over.
Abin rises towards the controls and looks-the ship is
nearing the city. Knowing that a crash here would cause
countless deaths, he jerks the controls away from it.
The ship roars away from the city and to the outlying
desert, where it rips through the air before crashing loudly
into the ground, skidding through the sand to form a large
crater.
Inside the ship, Abin is crushed under the weight of the
ship. Purple blood drips from his nose. He looks toward his
ring desperately.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 29.
ABIN SUR
Find the one who is worthy to wear
the ring...honest...brave...and who
can overcome great fear.
A streak of pulsing emerald light comes out of the ring and
flies through the air, far away from the dying alien, and
all around the earth in search of a successor.
CUT TO:
INT. OFFICE ROOM - DAY
Hal enters a large and well-furnished office, containing a
desk and couches throughout the room. There is a large
television on the wall and a view of the beautiful ocean
through the windows.
Hal sits down at a chair across the desk from a stunningly
beautiful, black-haired woman: Carol Ferris. She is dressed
formally and looks cold, even distant, as she studies files
on her desk.
CAROL
(coldly)
Hello, Hal. Welcome to Ferris Air.
Hal looks at Carol, waiting for her to talk. She just looks
down at the paperwork below her.
HAL
Well?
CAROL
"Well" what?
HAL
Is there a reason you called me
down here other than to watch you
fill out paperwork?
(flirting)
Not that watching you isn’t all
that fun, but-
CAROL
This isn’t my decisions. It’s my
fathers. He heard of your stupidity
with the Air Force and wanted me to
offer you a job.
HAL
So you’re running the company these
days?
CAROL
Yes. Dad is...enjoying retirement,
golfing in Florida.
HAL
How nice that he can enjoy such old
age.
Carol looks at Hal coldly, knowing he blames her father for
his father’s death. She ignores it.
HAL
What ever happened to being a pilot
when you grow up?
Carol hesitates before answering.
CAROL
I’ve got more important things to
do than fly planes.
HAL
Right. So you father wanted to
offer me a job?
CAROL
Yes. And your friend Tom,
also...apparently he left the Air
Force as soon as he heard you were
kicked out.
HAL
I’ll be a pilot?
CAROL
(reluctantly)
Not exactly. He told me to give you
a job...he didn’t exactly specify,
and since I hardly think you belong
here in the first place-
Hal kicks his feet up on the table and leans back in his
chair.
CAROL
-you’ll start out as a mechanic-
HAL
A mechanic? You’ve got to be
kidding-
CAROL
You didn’t let me finish. You’ll
start out as a mechanic in
training.
Hal eyes Carol angrily. He walks to the door and stops in
the doorway, turning his head slightly back at Carol.
HAL
I wonder...if your father is doing
something nice for the son of an
old friend...or if he’s trying to
get over his own guilt of getting
that friend killed.
CUT TO:
EXT. AROUND THE EARTH - THAT MOMENT
The streak of light from earlier that came out of Abin’s
ring now flies through the air in search of one worthy to
wear the ring. It is just outside Coast City, where Hal is
at, and starts to turn that way, before...
It suddenly veers to away from the city, now flying faster
and faster around the country. Through cities, it flies
overhead, unseen by the people below. It ZOOMS beneath the
Gateway arch of St. Louis and is soon in Washington.
ABIN SUR
(V.O.)
Hmmm...this appears to be the
capital of this system, or a
faction of it at least. Perhaps
there is one brave enough among its
leaders.
The light flies near Congress, where a group of Senators
stand on the steps, conversing. It flies around them,
seemingly analyzing them unknowingly.
ABIN SUR
(V.O.)
Oh Heavens no! What kind of
backward planet is this to elect
such leaders?
The light immediately zooms away. We now find it in...
EXT. METROPOLIS - DAY
Weaving in and out of skyscrapers, it rests over a large man
and a woman next to him, both standing on the sidewalk near
a bus stop...the man wears thick, black glasses...this is
CLARK KENT, who we know to be the future Superman.
ABIN SUR
(V.O., coughing in pain)
A Kyrptonian...an interesting
notion...but he is not a native of
the system...he must make his own
path.
It continues...passing over a man on crutches with the name
"Gardner" on his back.
ABIN SUR
(V.O.)
The will is there...but so is the
anger. Too much anger...it is not
yet his time. I sense there is
another...
It once again flies up and over the Earth...in search of the
one who will become the next Green Lantern.
CUT TO:
EXT. COAST CITY STREETS - DAY
Hal walks along the streets in his father’s coat. He is
visibly angry, his head down while kicking everything he
passes on the sidewalk.
He walks towards his car and gets in.
INT. CAR - THAT MOMENT
He tries to start up the car. The engine revs...and then
dies.
HAL
(pleadingly)
Oh come on, don’t do this, start
for me-
Hal tries twice more to start the car, failing both times.
He leans back in his seat, rubbing his hands on his face as
he catches the glimmer of a green light fly behind his car
in the rear view mirror...but there is nothing there.
Hal brushes this off and looks back towards the ignition. As
he reaches to try to start the car one more time, it
suddenly spurts and starts up. Hal looks confusedly at the
keys which are still in his hand. But that is not all - the
green glow begins to envelop the car. First the stereo turns
green before it spreads all over, turning the car a vibrant
shade of emerald.
HAL
What the-
Hal looks around, panicking, as the entire car is now
immersed in green. The car suddenly JOLTS and Hal falls to
the floor. He lurches himself up back onto the seat...
Only to see that the car has suddenly lifted of the ground!
It rises five, ten, twenty, forty feet in the air! Hal looks
around and reaches for the door, but to no avail. He is
locked inside.
HAL
Car flying - what the hell is going
on?
The car only rises higher. Hal tries steering with the wheel
for a moment but nothing happens. He then looks at the car,
hundreds of feet above the ground, and puts on his seatbelt.
He still looks desperately out the windows back at the
ground, freaking out at what is happening...but then the
green light spreads to his body, surrounding him with a
green aura. He calms down as a voice sounds from the radio.
ABIN SUR
(V.O.)
Hal Jordan. You have been chosen.
Hal stares at the radio, his jaw wide open in awe.
HAL
Chosen?
ABIN SUR
There is not much time. I am dying.
The car roars through the air, picking up speed. It has now
left Coast City and is above a desert on the outskirts.
The car begins descending rapidly, flying towards a
seemingly random spot in the desert. Hal is no longer
freaking out, but looking curiously at the spot - a gleam of
silver can be seen. We recognize it as Abin Sur’s ship.
The car comes closer and closer to the ground at an angle
until finally, impact comes. The car skids for a good fifty
feet before coming to a halt.
INT. SPACESHIP - DAY
Abin Sur, with purple blood running down his red face, is
propped up against a wall of his destroyed ship. He listens
as a door clicks and footsteps are heard. Seconds later, Hal
comes into the ship.
First, Hal looks around in awe at the machines in the
spaceship before turning his attention to Abin. He looks at
him, shocked, before realizing that he is hurt.
HAL
Dude...how...what...uh, who are
you?
ABIN SUR
Abin Sur, Green Lantern of Sector
2814. You are Hal Jordan.
HAL
Wait, you brought me here? That was
you? And how the hell do you know
my name?
ABIN SUR
Not all in this universe have such
limited natural abilities as you
humans. I am just one of thousands
of organisms who are apart of the
Green Lantern Corps.
HAL
The Green Lantern Corps, huh? So
what, a secret society of
lantern-makers with an obsession
for the color green?
ABIN SUR
This foolishness must cease. My
name is Abin Sur, protector of this
sector...and today, I must die.
HAL
Hold on their, we’ll get you to a
hospital.
(noticing the blood)
One that carries purple blood...
ABIN SUR
My time is at an end, Jordan. You
must take the ring.
HAL
What? What ring?
Abin holds out a finger. On it lies a green ring bearing the
same symbol on his chest, the symbol of the Green Lantern
Corps.
ABIN SUR
This ring is the greatest weapon in
the universe...with enough
willpower, you can do create
anything...do anything. All you
must do is accept it...and you
shall become a Green Lantern.
HAL
Who said I was gonna accept it?
You’re in here talking about space
cops and aliens and I still don’t
know what the hell you’re talking
about!
ABIN SUR
You have been chosen. Chosen to
belong the Green Lantern Corps, the
body that patrols and protects all
that is good in this universe.
HAL
Chosen? Who said I wanted to be
chosen?
ABIN SUR
But you do, Hal. The ring would not
have found you if you were not
willing. The ring chose you, Hal,
because you were worthy.
Hal remembers and we see an image-his father speaking to him
before that fatal flight.
MARTIN JORDAN
(V.O.)
...every now and then, if you’re
really lucky, something chooses
you. When that happens, there’s no
fighting it...
Abin can sense that Hal is skeptical, so he holds the ring
out. In an instant, a green rock appears in thin air. The
rock is hurled through the air and hits Hal square in the
forehead.
ABIN SUR
I hope that knocked some sense into
you. There is no time...I am
weak...and dying. Take the ring,
Jordan.
Abin holds out his hand to Hal. The ring sits hovering above
his palm. Hal reaches out slowly and then quickly grabs the
ring. He then looks at it curiously.
Abin looks on smiling, a single tear running down his face.
ABIN SUR
In all my years protecting this
sector, I never thought I would
have lived to see a human accept
the ring...good luck, Hal Jordan.
At that, the alien draws his last breath. Hal looks down at
him, moved, before looking around his ship...and seeing the
emerald lantern, about two feet tall. Hal slowly walks over
to it, watching it intently...before plucking it off the
ground and taking it with him.
CUT TO:
EXT. COAST CITY OUTSKIRTS - DAY
SERIES OF SHOTS
A) Hal drags Abin Sur’s body out of the ship and further
away.
B) Hal settles at a spot far away from the ship and begins
to dig with a scrap of metal from the ship.
C) Hal has finished a grave. It isn’t very deep, but it is
neat. Hal looks at his work before reverently placing Abin’s
body in it.
D) Hal scoops the dirt back onto the grave, covering the
alien.
Hal now looks around him. He is in the middle of the desert.
The skyline of Coast City can be seen, but it is miles away.
He looks down at the lantern beneath him and the ring in his
palm, remembering the alien’s dying words:
ABIN SUR
(V.O.)
With enough willpower, you can do
create anything...do anything.
Cautiously, Hal takes the ring...and for the first time, he
places it on his finger.
Suddenly, the green aura of the ring surrounds Hal, along
with a Green Lantern uniform, much like the one Abin Sur
wore. Hal looks at this in shock and smiles at the ring on
his finger. The only difference in his uniform is the
absence of the Green Lantern symbol that Abin’s had.
Instead, Hal simply has an empty white circle on his chest,
with no symbol inside.
HAL
(looking towards the sky)
Anything, huh?
Hal suddenly BURSTS into the sky, the green light pulsing
around him, and soars through the air. He is flying.
HAL
(euphoric)
Wooooohooooo!
Hal screams in joy like a child as he soars every which way
in the air. He is truly at peace in the air...where he
belongs.
Hal continues to fly through the air, shouting and doing
just about every maneuver he can, from flips to barrel
rolls. He then spots a plane ahead, which he recognizes by
the FERRIS AIRCRAFT logo on the side.
He flies towards the plane, which heads the same direction
as him, but is far ahead. Hal makes up ground, flying much
faster than the plane, until he comes directly even with it.
CUT TO:
INT. PLANE - THAT MOMENT
The pilot of the plane flies straight ahead over the
outskirts of Coast City.
PILOT
(to radio)
Alright Ms. Ferris, beginning
descent in-
The pilot stops - he looks to his side and sees Hal in full
Green Lantern uniform. He cannot make out the face, but he
sees the figure flying next to him, pulsing with green
light. The pilot panics and fumbles the controls.
CAROL
(on radio)
What the hell was that?
PILOT
(to radio)
Ms. Ferris, there’s, uh, there’s
something-
CUT TO:
EXT. IN THE AIR - THAT MOMENT
Hal flies next to the plane in complete joy. He laughs when
the pilot looks at him. Hal also looks down at Coast City,
so small an insignificant at this height.
However, the plane begins to shake. The nose dips forward as
the pilot loses control of the plane. Hal looks over and
notices the pilot panicking. He immediately flies over to
the plane.
As the pilot watches, amazed, Hal moves under the plane,
pushing it upwards with his arms as the plane continues to
descend rapidly.
HAL
(to self)
Come on, think!
Suddenly, something comes out of Hal’s ring that looks much
like a force field around the bottom of the plane - a thin
barrier of green light between Hal and the ship, which
somewhat slows down its descent.
CUT TO:
EXT. FERRIS AIR FIELD - DAY
Many onlookers, including Carol, stand near one of the
runways, looking at the plane descending towards the ground.
Carol is screaming into a radio, but to no avail.
Now the green spec can be seen underneath the plane as it
moves closer towards the earth. Some people in the audience
point at it.
MAN
What the hell is that?
WOMAN
That’s a person, a person under the
plane!
MAN
Oh, don’t be ridiculous. It’s some
kind of green light or something.
Green flames?
The plane gets closer and closer until all can see that it
is indeed a person underneath the plane, keeping it up as
much as he can. The plane is soon only a hundred feet over
the ground and Hal continues to push, slowing it down.
The plane is just overhead and Hal is still holding it up,
trying to cushion the landing. It looks as if he continues
any longer, he’ll be squashed and killed by the plane. He
still waits and waits, holding the plane up.
At the last second before impact, Hal dives out of the way.
The plane lands on the ground, and although it does get a
bit banged up and causes a bit of noise, there is no serious
damage. The pilot inside looks relieved yet in shock,
holding his hand to his forehead.
Elsewhere on the runway, Carol Ferris is running over to
Hal, who lies on the ground in his uniform. He looks at
Carol coming towards him along with some others. Suddenly a
domino mask comes over his face, covering his eyes and nose.
Hal puts his hand up to feel the mask and is satisfied.
Hal looks over and sees a fire crew putting out the small
fire on the plane and bringing the pilot to safety. He
smiles and stands up as Carol and others in the crowd reach
him.
CAROL
Thank you, thank you so much!
Hal, as Green Lantern, simply nods and looks at Carol.
Everyone, including her, look at Green Lantern in awe. Hal
also notices Tom and tries to hide his face by looking away.
Tom is looking at Hal with an amazed look on his face,
almost worshiping the hero.
TOM
What are you?
WOMAN
How’d you do that?
KID
You can fly?
Hal simply smiles and looks at the crowd and back to Carol,
who walks closer to him, quietly.
CAROL
I can’t thank you enough for what
you did...even if I don’t know how
you did it.
GREEN LANTERN (HAL)
(trying to say something a
hero would say)
Er...just doing my job, ma’am.
Carol walks closer, but trips on a small piece of debris
from the plane and falls forward. Hal is there waiting to
catch her. Their faces are just a few inches apart and they
look into each others’ eyes (Hal’s covered by the mask).
They sit there for a few seconds, unaware of everyone around
them.
VOICE
You’re not making a play for my
girl-are you, superhero?
Hal and Carol both look to the side, where HECTOR HAMMOND
stands. An older man in his late 30s/early 40s, Hammond
wears a brown jacket with an orange shirt and tie
underneath. He has a thin mustache and looks suspiciously at
Carol and Hal.
GREEN LANTERN (HAL)
No sir, just helping someone in
need.
The two break apart and stand up, looking at each other
awkwardly. Hammond eyes Green Lantern suspiciously.
HAMMOND
Who are you?
A monotonous voice rings out, seemingly from nowhere-but it
has come from Hal’s ring.
RING
Green Lantern Corps officer of
Space Sector 2814.
Hal looks down at the ring, annoyed.
HAL
Will you shut up?
RING
Silent mode activated.
HAMMOND
(approaching Hal and eying his
ring)
You seem to be new at this,
superhero-
GREEN LANTERN (HAL)
I guess you could say I am.
HAMMOND
I’m employed by the government for
cases dealing with...things that
most people don’t believe in, that
they are ignorant of. I could help
you...help you understand what
you’re capable of.
Hammond extends his hand, waiting for Hal to shake it.
Hal looks at Hammond for one moment and then up at the sky
the next.
GREEN LANTERN (HAL)
I think I’ll get the hang of it.
After finishing the sentence, he flies into the air, a
vibrant green light pulsing around him, leaving Hammond
speechless with an angry look on his face. Carol looks on at
the superhero admiringly.
Hammond shoots her a glaring look.
CAROL
First of all, Mr. Hammond, I am not
"your girl." We went to dinner
together once. I don’t date
employees...and I would never date
you.
HAMMOND
I’m a consultant, not an
employee...and we’ll see what-
Hammond is interrupted by the ringing of his cellphone.
HAMMOND
Hello?
(beat)
Found what?
(beat)
I’ll be there.
Hammond slams the phone shut and looks at Carol bitterly.
HAMMOND
Tell your father I said hello.
He then strides away from Carol arrogantly.
CUT TO:
INT. HAL’S LOFT APARTMENT - NIGHT
Hal lies on his couch, the TV remote in his hand, flipping
through the channels.
NEWS BROADCASTER
(ON TV)
Another tragedy today...gunfire was
exchanged over the tense border,
killing 14 guardsmen and
wounding...
Hal flips through the channels, each just bringing more
suffering and pain...we see something in his eyes. Each one
makes him feel more and more like he must do something as he
looks down at the ring on his coffee table.
BROADCASTER 2
(ON TV)
Six teens arrested in Gotham after
filming the beating of another teen
and putting it on Youtube...
ANOTHER BROADCASTER
(ON TV)
Coast Guard at St. Roch say a
father and his son are presumed
drowned after their fishing boat
capsized...
NEWS BROADCASTER
(ON TV)
Fighting continues in the Gaza Strip,
where missles are being-
Hal continues through the channels, trying not to look at
the ring, while each press of the button brings more death
and destruction...
NEWS BROADCASTER
(ON TV)
At least 60 people have been killed
and 193 wounded since Sunday...
...until he can take no more. He turns off the television
and grabs the ring, putting it on his finger. The uniform
materializes on his body.
CUT TO:
INT. OFFICE ROOM - NIGHT
Carol sits in her office once again, pen in hand. She is
filling out paperwork, looking very tired. A television is
on in the corner of the room.
NEWS BROADCASTER
(ON TV)
Reports are starting to come in out
of San Francisco - out of Boston -
On the television, a van is involved in a high speed chase
with the police. Green Lantern comes from nowhere and his
giant green hand reaches inside, pulling out the criminals
and pressing the brakes on the van.
NEWS BROADCASTER
(ON TV)
Out of Star City, Gotham City-
On the TV, the criminals are all stuck together in a green
net for the police. Carol still looks down at her papers,
unaware of the television.
NEWS BROADCASTER
(ON TV)
...reports of a flying man...
Carol’s eyes shoot up to the screen, where GL flies
majestically through the air.
NEWS BROADCASTER
(ON TV)
...some kind of hero, it seems...
Carol stands up and walks to the TV, bringing her face right
up to the screen. On the screen, Green Lantern flies into a
flaming building as
