Xesque: A Super Hero, Sci-Fi Action Screenplay
Xesque was originally written for Artist One, a local San Francisco based start-up production company. Sadly, like many spec scripts, it was never to be brought to life on the big (or even small screen).
The option has now lapsed. So perhaps it may now serve at least as an example or entertaining read.
The story is a pretty blatant rip-off of an early Professor Xavier (of X-men fame) comic strip. Here we first encounter a show-down between two individuals with super psychic powers. The idea was to start a series exploring what it would be like if normal people suddenly found themselves with super/mutant abilities. The last thing they’d probably do is dress in spandex, or otherwise draw attention to themselves.
The following is a short extract from the screenplay itself, the full version can be downloaded in PDF format here:
FADE IN.
1 EXT. -- CHINATOWN SKYLINE - DAY 1
LS - CITY SKYLINE
The vast muddle of grandiose state buildings and humbler
plebeian dwellings stretches beyond the horizon. The SOUND of
SIRENS, CAR HORNS and the SEETHING MASS OF HUMANITY greets us
as plumes of SMOKE rise from chimneystacks to mingle with the
smoggy haze.
WIPE (FROM BOTTOM TO TOP):
2 EXT. -- BUSY MARKET STREET - DAY 2
MLS - TRACK ON PROFESSOR
The weather-beaten, khaki-clad PROFESSOR strides through the
busting market streets.
PROFESSOR (V.O.)
I don't know what life is like without
the voices. I've learned to put them
into the background but they're always
there ... I was in town for no other
reason but to loose myself amongst the
ocean of second-hand thoughts this city
afforded me. Being out among strangers
used to be hard. Now it feels good to be
able to look into the eyes of the voices
I hear.
MS - OLD MAN SELLING A HAT
The PROFESSOR walks by an OLD MAN at a HAT STALL in the
middle of his sales patter with a WOMAN trying on a HAT.
WOMAN
Well, I'm not sure that it goes with my
hair.
WOMAN (V.O.)
My face looks so fat ...
OLD MAN
Madam, its you, see, it matches your
eyes...
PROFESSOR (V.O.)
I don't know when I first started hearing
the voices. There's a comfort to them.
Like learning music; after a few lessons
it becomes easier to hear the melodies
and separate out the instruments from
within the orchestra.
Bringing a MIRROR closer.
OLD MAN (CONT'D)
And that bow is so ... you.
WOMAN (V.O.)
It is a nice bow...
OLD MAN (V.O.)
Buy the damn hat, you ugly old hag...
MCU - TRACK PROFESSOR
We HEAR the SOUND of RANDOM THOUGHTS. And as people bustle by
the PROFESSOR, their thoughts come to the foreground.
PASSER BY 1 (V.O.)
The cats good, its a good cat. Ooh look
at those melons...
PASSER BY 2 (V.O.)
God, I hate that wrinkly-faced bastard...
PROFESSOR (V.O.)
When I was a kid I didn't hear them at
all. They crept up on me. Learning to
focus on one or two at a time took a time
... learning not to take advantage is
something I'm still working on ... but
the background chatter surrounds and
soothes me ... Had I known what was about
to happen, I'd have vacationed in the
Himalayas.
