I am a fan of the Mark Steven Johnson Daredevil Director's Cut, it's by far the best Marvel Film, had 20th Century release the film as originally made we'd still be on the horizon of a DD Reboot, but for different reasons, i wage we would've faced a Trilogy of Daredevil Films. So i wondered what direction i would take with a Daredevil reboot, and wrote a script treatment based on such. With sequels half planned out i could follow this one up with Two more Script Treatments for the Sequels of my Daredevil Trilogy. But let's start with part one. I hope you all enjoy this and please leave a comment telling me what you think of the story, I also hope that Daredevil fans see it as a very well concieved version of The Daredevil origin...
THE DAREDEVIL
Script Treatment By Robert Garlen
Based on characters published by Marvel Comics.
Darkness… MATT MURDOCK begins speaking of a child hood life in a neighborhood named “HELL’S KITCHEN”
OPEN: Rain falls, covering New York City, Large buildings stand above everything. Hell’s Kitchen, a lousy slum no one could want any part in. Buildings are covered in spray paint, alley ways are covered in drugs and trash. Gang members roaming the streets, one building stands apart, a shining example of what can be done to help the poor neighborhood. The small building is a very cheaply put together Law Firm/Apartment building. On the front a large sheet for a sign, painted on it with marker reads:
“Nelson & Murdock Attorny's at Law”
Inside the building a large beam blocks a clear view to the window, at the left corner is a row of 5 chairs, and a rope around it, above it is a piece of notebook paper tacked onto the wall reading “Waiting Room” Two Desks racing the back wall one empty chair rolled out by a stair case leading to an upper apartment. On the right side by the door is a desk with a plaque reading “Receptionist.”
Franklin “Foggy” Nelson, a late 20’s early 30’s male dressed in a cheap 2nd hand suit, sits as a desk reviewing case notes. Stepping down the stairs with a cane clacking each step is Matthew “Matt” Murdock, tall, handsome, blind, eyes shielded by dark red sunglasses, and dressed in an ironed 2nd hand suit. He sits down at a desk next to Foggy, he digs through brailed notes. They talk over a case of 22 yr old Kevin Kirby, arrested for Drug sales.
Karen Page, a beautiful mid 20’s blonde enters in business appropriate attire. She sits at the Receptionist desk. Foggy makes a joke about her being late. She stands and offers coffee, her and Matt kiss. Foggy jokes about their relationship. Matt makes a joke at Foggy over a female cop. Foggy ignores it. He informs Matt of the time and the two head off for coffee then the court house.
Matt and Foggy enter the court. Judge informs standard proceeding. Matt and his opponent, Defense Attorney Richard Blake, begin arguing over the facts of the case. Matt accuses Kevin of working for Silvio Manfredi. The case is lost being thrown out by the judge Matt continues on. He speaks to Officer Jean DeWolff to learn about Silvermane. What is found out is that Silvermane is actually the current mafia Kingpin, but is needed to be brought to justice. DeWolff brings up that Roscoe Sweeny was head of the operation that Kirby was working for.
Matt remembers the name Roscoe Sweeny and tells DeWolff that he was his father’s “Manager” DeWolff tells Matt that Sweeny was a fixer for the mob. This causes Matt to go back to his investigation of his Father’s death.
Night, At an abandon warehouse near the Harbor, a mob meeting is held.
Inside the warehouse is Silvio “Silvermane” Manfredi current Kingpin of the New York Mafia, Wilson Fisk of Fisk International largest arms dealers and weapons manufacturing, Roscoe “The Fixxer” Sweeny a low level boss who fixes sports events for Silvermane, Joseph “Hammerhead” DaSilva a thug with a flat top over a metal skull cap full Italian with a south jersey accent, Fredrick “Big Man” Foswell Sub-boss who runs Silvermane’s line of strip clubs and construction companies, Zebidaih “Purple Man” Killgrave a latin born money launderer who talks smoother than he is, Richard “The Ox” Bloch the head of Silvermane’s enforcers, a group of ruthless mercenaries, and Leland “The Owl” Owlsley a short fat man working the drug cartel along with Hammerhead eyeing the Kingpin spot.
The main topic of their discussion is the arrest of drug dealer/pimp Kevin Kirby. Silvermane expresses anger, Kirby was Sweeny’s man. Kirby’s arrest has gotten the police a small foot in the door. Sweeny reveals the cop working the case is in his pockets.
Silvermane has an associate of his called The Tombstone murder Sweeny and dump his body for a message. Silvermane goes over the business with FISK and KILLGRAVE. FISK brings up Jean DeWolff. The officer who worked the Murdock case, as a liability, reveals that she “fixed” reports to make it look like an act of randomness. FISK wants her killed. Silvermane comments to take the matter under advisement.
The body of Roscoe Sweeny washes up in New York Harbor. Matt is called. Having believed the two were friends as he was always noted as Jack’s Manager. Matt arrives at the crime scene with Foggy. Foggy describes the look of Sweeny, Matt touches his face to create a mental picture. An investigative reporter BEN URICH, 30’s shows up to investigate it, tying it with Jack Murdock’s death. He meets Matt but doesn’t tell him with Jean DeWolff writing the case of as a simple mugging gone wrong.
Ben Urich investigates the "Fatal Mugging" brings up his information about current Kingpin Silvermane. He begins to put it together and attempts to take the information to a police contact that attempts to kill him. He takes the information to Matt. They agree that if the cops can get Silvermane arrested long enough for trial that they can use Urich's info to get Silvermane put in jail for life.
Matt visits the NYP who tell him that unless someone brings Silvermane to the police station that there is no way of getting Silvermane to trial or arrested. Jean DeWolff opens up to Matt about everything, telling him that if it weren't for the possibilitie of Silvermane being put behind bars permanatly. Matt is shocked when she reveals that she knows everything, especially that Roscoe had Matt's father murdered. DeWolff explains everything, tells him she has evidence linking him to the murder.
Matt doesn't know what to do. Matt visits his old Mentor. STICK, 80's ASIAN, A BLIND NINJA. Stick still trains new students, Matt arrives as a Student of his ELEKTRA NACHIOS exits. Stick informs Matt that he's terminally ill. Stick gives Matt his Handicap cane, revealing to him that it is actually a weapon his father made for him after he became blind. The cane has a thin wire connected to a grappling hook made out of katana blades. it can extend, or break into two parts(one part a twenty foot long wire, second part hook.) Matt leaves under sticks blessing, stick pronounces him a Ninja.
Matt returns to the office, Foggy and Karen have been waiting for him. Matt talks to Foggy in private and reveals his plans. Foggy is in protest. Matt convinces him after telling him about his father. Foggy reveals to the audience that he's aware of Matt's powers. Matt convinces foggy to help him. Foggy explains Matt will have to hide his face, wear body armor, and need a symbol.
Matt chooses the symbol of a Devil, and that he chooses the name Daredevil based on Foggy's child hood and calls himself "the DAREDEVIL" Foggy gets in touch with a cop body who gets him a couple of pair of Bullet Proof vests. Matt asks if it would seem awkward Foggy replies "We're Lawyers in a neighborhood called Hell's Kitchen, it would be odd if we didn't have 'em" Matt agrees and Foggy assists him with the suit using neoprene wet suit dyed red, with a red graphite cowl with to horns placed on it. Foggy has joined "DD"s put on the suit, Matt wears the kevlar vest under. Foggy takes sun glass lenses and puts then onto the cowl.
Matt's gear ready they begin putting together a plan to get Silvermane. MATT starts by going after the midlevel guys, getting them on drug charges, to build up the case. While Matt does this, Foggy get collateral over a MOB Judge.
DAREDEVIL begins cleaning out the kitchen of Drug Dealers and Mob Pimps. His name is getting established with fear. Murdock begins packing the jail being a big time prosecutor for the city assisting the D.A.(a friend of Ben Urich) Urich is getting the exclusive and begins wondering who the Daredevil is. Karen and Matt begin dating, first a party for the first successful prosecution, evolving into dates.
Getting wind of Daredevil’s activity Silvermane sends the Enforcers (Consisting of Ox[Specialty is a boxing styled Martial Art], Fancy Dan[Trick Shooter who fancies different array of guns], and Montanna[An ex bullfighter who uses bull whips with glass shards on them]), Stalking Daredevil on Patrol, they ambush him. A fight ensues in which Daredevil uses his arcrobatics to dodge and avoid their attacks, he tricks them into getting into the alleys. He splits them up and takes them out one by one in different areas of Hell’s Kitchen.
DeWolff finds him at the police station and informs Silvermane.
As everyone is getting arrested, Silvermane has no choice but to hire TOMBSTONE to go after the Daredevil. Tombstone searches the underworld Finding Daredevil hitting a higher up group led by Purple Man, the most important piece next to Silvermane.
Daredevil takes out Purple Man's forces, and is about to get caught before Tombstone attacks Daredevil. They fight, Tombstone dominates their battle. Daredevil get's tombstone out in the daylight; Tombstone is an albino, he keeps from the Sunlight (Albino’s skin are very sensitive to sunlight). Daredevil escape, Urich finds out about the fight and writes it in the paper.
Matt gets back to the base, where Karen finds him beat and broken. Karen nurses him. Silvermane uses DeWolff to get a warrant on the Daredevil. Police are on manhunt for the DAREDEVIL. Matt has to play it safe to get to Silvermane.
Karen decides to help Matt and Foggy get Purple Man.
Silvermane throws a party for all his Mob buddies the mayor and selected elected officials among them are the D.A. and the police commissioner. Daredevil crashes the party with a message:
DAREDEVIL: “Ladies gentlemen, you have done well suffering this city. You’ve Treated liberty as a dead idea. You've feasted on the souls of the innocent and the helpless. That time is over. I've waited while you've played Devil's advocate. Know this, the Devil has come, he is here. And the feast is over.”
Daredevil leaves kidnapping Purple Man with everyone in shock, shit has hit the fan. Police bust down every crack house and every part of new york save for Hell's Kitchen to find Daredevil. Silvermane plans a large coup of his elite.
One of the mobsters is captured by Daredevil who gets him to sing about the entire operation. Matt, Foggy, and Karen put a plan together to get Silvermane to the Police.
Daredevil enters Silvermane's domain, battle his way through the head room. Tombstone ambushes Daredevil before he can get to Silvermane, Tombstone and Daredevil fight, this time Daredevil uses the resources around them to beat Tombstone. In Silverman'e Private safe he finds evidence of his involvement in Jack Murdock's murder. He chases Silvermane down Hell's Kitchen.
Silvermane is driving; Daredevil is chasing him on foot on the rooftops and alley ways. Silvermane is ambushed by a hord of Police cars. He finds on him the evidence of Jack Murdock's Murder and is arrested.
The Film ends with Matt and Foggy prosecuting Silvermane, and exiting the Court house. Matt and Karen kiss for the first time in the film.
Urich comes up to Matt, congratulates him on sending Silvermane to prison for the rest of his life and tells him a source informed him that the File on Murdock in Silvermane's safe was planted by an anonymous source.
Reveal FISK put the file there as He heads a meeting of the Mafia Super Powers to announce himself as the new KINGPIN of the mob, using the nickname KINGPIN for himself.
The film ends with Matt atop Nelson & Murdock in his Daredevil outfit. He narrates what the journey has done for him, how he’s become something more, how Daredevil is who he is now. Daredevil hears someone scream and runs off to Defend Hell's Kitchen.
The End...