DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN THE ABOVE LOGOS. IT IS A FRANKENSTEIN LOGO OF MY OWN CREATION, USING IMAGE EDITING SOFTWARE BY COMBINING TWO LOGOS. LATER, I WILL CREATE ONE OF MY OWN.
If you didn't see my preview for this fanfic, feel free to see it now.
http://comicbookmovie.com/fansites/NewsGhost/news/?a=26946
Note for readers: The following is a vision of mine that depicts another alternate version of Marvel superheroes. The first idea that I had was for the Fantastic Four. This is a fanfic, seeing as I do not work for Marvel Comics. It is written in the form of a movie script, for a feature length animated film.
"Marvel Parallels" is a series of fanfics that I have decided to create, not to express my own version of the superheroes and villains of Marvel, but to simply show them in a different light. In layman's terms, it's how they COULD be. Again, I am not claiming ownership to Marvel characters. Please do not be offended if you do not like how I depict the characters, or if I change their origins. Changing them is essentially my entire reason for creating "Marvel Parallels". So be prepared, for in the Parallels Universe the characters may be transformed dramatically, their roles reversed, their origins mixed, or their intentions deliberately immoral.
This is Part 1 of "Marvel Parallels: Fantastic Four". This Part is roughly the first ten minutes or so of the animated film. Enjoy! Sorry it's not much, I am working on this as you read so keep in mind that I have more written than I am showing you at the moment, and be open-minded! Sorry if the formatting is off too, this article writing section isn't made for imports from Final Draft!
DISSOLVE TO:
WORDS AT BOTTOM OF BLACK SCREEN: MAY 3RD, 2009
Int. Bedroom -- Morning time
A YOUNG MAN is sleeping in his bed. The blinds are shut, but it is probably late morning. His MOTHER shouts from off-screen.
MOTHER
Reed! It’s time to wake up! It’s almost lunch time for God sakes, get up!
REED RICHARDS, apparently an older teenager, shuffles in bed, then moves the covers from around his neck and exposing his body. He is a skinny and black with short hair that almost forms a small afro. He rubs his eyes, sighing heavily as he reaches for his glasses on the bedside table. He puts his glasses on and sits up in bed. Looking around the room, he realizes that the clock says 11:40 a.m.
MOTHER (CONT’D)
Are you getting up?
REED
(Frustrated)
Yes!
CLOSE UP OF REED
He has a small tuft of a beard on his chin.
MOTHER
Come downstairs, we’re eating.
BIRDS-EYE VIEW OF BEDROOM
REED RICHARDS springs out of bed and scrambles for his jeans and a red tee-shirt.
INT. DOWNSTAIRS - DAY
Reed jumbles down the steps, peeking over the railing to see his MOTHER, FATHER, and SISTER eating at the dining room table. He rushes to his seat; a burger and fries and cola from Burger King await him. He sits down and begins to eat.
FATHER
Did you say grace?
Reed puts the burger down.
REED
No sir.
CLOSE UP OF REED’S PROFILE.
Reed clasps his hands together and begins to pray, silently to himself. When he finishes, he resumes eating.
FATHER
So what are you doing today Reed?
REED
(With a mouth full)
Uhm, I’m going to the library to do stuff.
FATHER
Did California Institute ever call you back about your application?
REED
Yeah. I was accepted.
MOTHER
(Smiling Big)
How could he not be with that 4.0 GPA that’s gonna get him all the ladies?
Everybody laughs as Reed holds a french fry to his mouth. His younger sister does not laugh.
FATHER
Yeah, I think you’re gonna go far buddy.
Father smiles at Reed as Reed continues to eat. Sister looks at Reed in a jealous way.
SISTER
(Smart Aleck)
Yeah, he’s soooo hot.
SWITCH TO: OUTSIDE OF HIGH SCHOOL
EXT. HIGH SCHOOL -- DAY
Students are pouring out of the school doors. School is over, as it is a half-day.
A COUPLE GIRLS, WALKING SIDE BY SIDE OUT THE FRONT DOOR.
SUE STORM is walking beside her friend. Sue is wearing a blue-black plaid top, black mini-skirt with black tight leggings, tennis shoes. Her hair is black with purple highlights that are bright and outstanding. She is wearing heavy makeup, and she is slightly pale but very healthy looking. Despite her gothic appearance, she is very attractive.
SUE
(To her Friend)
So RACHEL...what are you doing today?
Rachel is a slightly less attractive girl, but dressed gothic too.
RACHEL
(Laughing)
Nothing! I’m going straight home and sleeping.
They continue walking and down the sidewalk across the school grounds to reach the street’s sidewalk. They don’t speak for a while.
SUE
Yeah. Coach Mitchell was acting like such a retard today in gym. I was listening to my iPod right, and he was like, “Susan would you like to participate?” He does this stupid thing with his nose when he talks.
Sue and Rachel laugh together.
RACHEL
Yeah he’s always lookin’ at the girls too. While they’re playing and stuff he’s like watching their butts and stuff.
SUE
I know I was ready to be just like, “Look dude, leave me and my ICP alone.”
They start to laugh again. Now they have reached the edge of the school grounds and are preparing to cross the street. Rachel pulls out her cell phone to text. Rachel is not paying attention as she begins to walk across the street. A car is blazing around the corner. As she steps off the curb, Sue blocks her with an arm and the car blares its horn as it continues down the road. Rachel is scared to death.
RACHEL
Oh my God! I almost died!
SUE
I know dumbass, that car was gonna run you over! God dang pay attention Rachel!
Rachel puts the phone away and they cross the street when it is safe.
CLOSE UP OF FRUSTRATED SUE’S FACE
RACHEL
I’m sorry. I should have been paying attention.
Sue looks over to Rachel, sighs, and then smiles.
SUE
It’s fine.
CUT TO: FRONT OF RACHEL’S HOUSE
EXT. RACHEL’S HOUSE - DAY
RACHEL
Alright i’ll see ya later Sue-ster.
They bump fists and Sue puts in her headphones as Rachel enters her house. Sue continues down the street. Heavy metal blasts through the headphones as she continues on her way. She observes a family of three walking down the opposite side of the street: a mother, father, and young girl. They appear to be happy, and the look on Sue’s face looks envious. She is almost home. When she finally makes it home, she rushes upstairs to her room without saying anything to the PERSON that we can hear is in the kitchen, doing the dishes.
PERSON
(Female voice)
Susan? Was that you?
Sue reaches her room and drops her bookbag as she closes her door tightly. Putting away her iPod on the desk, she flops onto her bed.
PAN ACROSS SUE’S ROOM, ADORNED WITH ROCK BAND POSTERS AND POP CULTURE ICONS, THEN BACK TO SUE ON BED
Sue is obviously reluctant to talk to the Person downstairs. She closes her eyes.
DISSOLVE TO: SUE’S DAYDREAM
I/E SUE’S DAYDREAM
Sue is a little girl, in a dress. She is seen running with a smile on her face. She runs to embrace a MAN, who is also smiling, that scoops her up in his arms.
MAN
There’s my little angel! How was school today Susie?
SUE
School was fun today Daddy! I learned all sorts of stuff! Did you know dolphins are mammals?
DADDY
(Hugging her tightly)
Hahaha! You’re so silly Susie. I love you angel.
They stand there, hugging each other. A WOMAN walks up behind her father, and Sue notices her.
WOMAN
Hi Susie!
Sue is ecstatic.
SUE
Mommy!
Sue rushes to embrace her Mom, who also scoops her up.
MOMMY
I missed you while I was at work today pumpkin.
Her father wraps his arm around both of them, and they stand there hugging for a while. Suddenly, the atmosphere turns to complete darkness, and Sue’s parents disappear. She falls to the ground into the darkness, screaming in terror.
SUE
Mommy! Daddy!
Her screams echo in the darkness. A DARK FIGURE appears in the shadow, wielding a pistol.
DARK FIGURE
It’s time to pay up Mister Storm, got the moolah?
She can hear her father’s voice from nowhere. It’s apparent she may be imagining what happened, instead of actually knowing.
DADDY (V.O.)
I...don’t have the money.
DARK FIGURE
Then what are you gonna do Mister Storm?
A gunshot is heard, then Sue screams again.
CUT TO:
INT. SUE’S ROOM
Sue awakes from her daydream. A tear runs down her face. Suddenly a knock comes from the door.
SUE
What?!
Her brother, JOHNNY, enters the room. He is an well-enough looking young man, a little bit younger than Sue. He is wearing a black leather Jacket and jeans. His hair is short cropped and brown.
JOHNNY
Yo, Susie, I...
Johnny notices Sue is crying.
JOHNNY (CONT’D)
What’s up Susie?
SUE
Nothing Johnny, mind your own business. Why are you wearing that jacket, it’s not even cold outside?
JOHNNY
(Shrugging)
Eh, I like it. Is that a crime nowadays?
SUE
No but you look retarded.
JOHNNY
(Taking the jacket off)
Fine, I won’t wear the dumb jacket. Stay in here and be a jerk, but Nanny is calling you downstairs.
Johnny turns to leave the room.
SUE
Why do you still call her Nanny? Her name is Monica, what are you three?
Johnny starts to turn back around, but leaves instead and slams the door. Sue lies back down on the bed in frustration. She is annoyed by her brother.
CUT TO:
INT. KITCHEN OF SUE’S HOUSE - DAY
Sue enters the kitchen, and leans against the wall. For a moment, Monica is still focused on the dishes. When she finishes, she turns to wipe her hands on a dishtowel hanging on the wall. Then she looks at Sue.
MONICA
So? How was school today? You didn’t even say anything when you came home today.
SUE
(Blowing a tuft of hair away form her eyes)
Boring. Same bullcrap different day.
Monica scoffs at her.
MONICA
Your mother didn’t like school either, you know that? Your father was the whiz, but you are much more like your mother than him.
WE SEE SUE’S DAYDREAM VERSION OF HER DAD.
SUE
(Not caring)
Go figure.
CUT TO:
EXT. SUE & JOHNNY’S STREET - DAY
Johnny is walking slowly along the sidewalk, his head down. He puts the leather Jacket back on.
WE SEE THE BACK OF THE JACKET, A FLAME EMBROIDERED ON THE BACK.
Johnny stops, and sits down on the curb. He sighs, and pulls something from his pocket. It is a pocket watch. He pushes the button to open it, and on the inside opposite the clock face is a picture of his father.
THE VIEW PANS UP, LOOKING DOWN ON JOHNNY AS HE STARES INTO THE SKY, A SAD LOOK ON HIS FACE.
Johnny leans his head down.
CUT TO:
INT. DARKENED BEDROOM -- DAY
A large-sized YOUNG MAN with scruffy blonde hair is sitting in his room in front of a computer. He is deeply concentrating, and he has a headset on. He looks slightly frustrated for a minute, and then he exclaims.
YOUNG MAN
(Excited)
Yes! Oh my god Reed that was hard, I would have died if I didn’t have that Large Healing Potion right at the end. I swear we were about to fail.
It is obvious that they are playing some sort of MMORPG, like World of Warcraft. We can hear Reed’s voice through the headset.
REED
(Through the headphones)
Yeah I thought I was gonna die too but that other Mage countered the boss’s debuff on my Mana.
CUT TO:
REED’S ROOM
Reed is on the computer, playing along with BEN, who is the young man who was in the room mentioned.
REED
Yeah. That was definitely close.
BEN
You needed me. You would have failed without me.
REED
(Laughing)
Whatever Ben! You were standing behind the Boss, you didn’t even have any aggro!
They continue with some gamer lingo, then Reed says bye.
REED (CONT’D)
Alright, i’ll see you later Ben.
CUT TO:
INT. BEN’S ROOM - DAY
Ben takes the headphones off, setting them down on the desk, and rubs his eyes.
THE SHOT CUTS TO A FEW DIFFERENT SECTIONS OF HIS ROOM, SHOWCASING A TELEVISION WITH A GAME CONSOLE. POSTERS ADORN THE WALLS AND THE ROOM OVERALL IS MESSY. IT SHOWS BEN AGAIN, HE IS GETTING UP FROM HIS CHAIR.
CUT TO:
INT. BEN’S HOUSE, LIVING ROOM - DAY
Ben is sitting on the couch, watching television. He appears to be bored, slightly lazy looking. His eyes are dazed-looking, blank. His MOTHER walks into the room, arms folded.
MOTHER
(Angry)
Benjamin...
BEN
(Without looking at her)
What?
MOTHER
What have you done today?
BEN
Uhm...I got up around I don’t remember the time, I played online with Reed some, then I came downstairs.
His mother looks at him, frustrated. She obviously wishes that he would do something other than play video games.
MOTHER
Ben, why can’t you just go outside and do something? Why don’t you go visit Reed instead of playing that game? That’s what real friends do.
BEN
(Sighing)
Mom...real friends don’t need to hang out all the time to be friends.
MOTHER
I don’t care Benjamin, you’re gonna get out the house today. Those stupid video games have got you bogged down and fat!
THE VIEW SHOWS BEN’S BELLY, AND HE IS SLIGHTLY CHUNKY INDEED.
BEN
(Angry now as well)
Fine! God Mom you nag to much. I’ll go to see freakin’ Reed.
He gets up from the chair and storms past his Mother, and proceeds up the stairs.
CLOSE UP OF HIS MOTHER’S FACE, FRUSTRATED. THE VIEW CUTS TO THE SIDE AS SHE TURNS TO FACE A PICTURE OF ANOTHER YOUNG MAN. IT IS AN OLD PICTURE, BUT THE YOUNG MAN IS ABOUT BEN’S AGE AND HE IS WEARING A FOOTBALL UNIFORM.
Ben’s Mother gazes at the photo thoughtfully, wishing Ben would be more like the man in the photo: his father at a young age.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. UNKNOWN EUROPEAN COUNTRYSIDE - NIGHT
A YOUNG MAN is standing in the middle of a huge and wide-open field. He is tall, well-built, and has brown hair. He has a very edged face. He is wearing plain-white clothes. Tall grass is surrounding him. The wind is blowing harsh. Mountains can be seen in the distance. He is standing opposite an older man, possibly his father. The older man is taller. They are staring at each other. A long moment passes before dialogue.
CLOSE UP OF YOUNG MAN’S FACE
YOUNG MAN
(Saddened)
What...what happened to mother? I heard rumors of her name today in the village...they weren’t good.
WE SEE THE OLDER MAN, IN FULL BODY VIEW.
The older man is basic looking, with brown hair and wearing some raggedy but modern clothes.
OLDER MAN
Victor...I don’t know how to explain this but --
CUT TO:
EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - DAY
Victor’s mother is shown, clothed in gypsie-like clothes and is standing in front of an unseen person. A sword comes from the unseen area and pierces her, stabbing her and killing her.
CUT TO:
BACK TO OLDER MAN
OLDER MAN
Victor you’re mother is dead. She was killed by the Baron.
Victor looks shocked and appalled.
VICTOR
(Loud)
What?! Why?
OLDER MAN
Look, Victor! I-I-I-
VICTOR
Well what’s the reason?! What is it?!
Victor grabs the man by the shirt, who instantly grabs him back.
OLDER MAN
(Distressed)
Victor! You have to figure out by yourself, okay? Go to the basement at home, and find this book on the bookcase, it’s a cooking book called “Recipes for Home”. Find that book and everything will be answered. I have to go, there are men tracking me down. I have to--
VICTOR
What? Why do you have to go father? What men are after you? Did you do something?!
OLDER MAN
No-yes-ugh, Victor! Don’t worry about it, run to the house and find the book. I will be there later. I didn’t count on you finding me here in the fields. Now go, go!
He shoves Victor past him as Victor begins to sprint home. We see his father in the distance, running the opposite direction as the view stays in front of Victor.
CUT TO:
EXT. REED’S DOORSTEP - DAY
Cue the film’s dramatic soundtrack.
It is daytime, but we can only see the outlines and profiles of Reed and Ben as Ben rings his doorbell. Save for the characters, the color scheme is orange-red. The sky in the background is orange-red. The character’s eyes are whitened. Reed peeks his head out the door. His eyes are white, shaped like a pair of glasses. Everything is black or dark. We can tell that words are exchanged, but there is no audio except soundtrack music. Reed’s head disappears into the house, then Ben turns around to wait. After a moment, Reed reappears and exits the house. Together they walk.
WE SEE REED AND BEN WALKING TOWARDS THE HORIZON, STILL IN THE BLACK OUTLINE MODE. AS THEY CONTINUE WALKING, THE SOUNDTRACK VOLUME RAISES AND IS MORE DRAMATIC.
THE SCREEN SPLITS INTO FOUR PARTS, IN NORMAL COLOR AND VIEW. TOP RIGHT - CLOSE UP OF REED’S FACE, HEAD DOWN AND GRINNING. BOTTOM RIGHT - BEN’S FACE, BLANK AND FAR OFF. BOTTOM LEFT - SUE’S FACE, STREWN WITH TEARS AS SHE LEANS OVER A SINK, MAKEUP RUNNING. TOP LEFT - JOHNNY’S FACE, THOUGHTFUL YET FILLED WITH PASSION. THEY ARE ALL DOING THEIR OWN THING (REED AND BEN TOGETHER STILL), AND THEN THE COLOR CHANGES BACK TO THE BLACK/ORANGE OUTLINE MODE. THE CHARACTER’S EYES REMAIN WHITENED, ALONG WITH REED’S GLASSES-SHAPED. THEIR MOTION FREEZES.
CUT TO:
TITLE LOGO -- MARVEL PARALLELS: FANTASTIC FOUR