Rewriting Spider-Man 3: Input Welcome

[englishtrebor]

We're two writers that have decided to take on the task of writing an alternate "Spider-Man 3" screenplay. While we respect the original film for what it is, it would prove for a fun experience to try and construct a new movie using our knowledge of what worked and what didn't while at the same time, taking the story in a new direction.

This is a place for brainstorming ideas during the process and contribution from members is always appreciated. We will post our work as we go. Thanks for your interest, and keep reading.

adamlee and englishtrebor

 

[YÅ«gi's BM]

We're two writers that have decided to take on the task of writing an alternate "Spider-Man 3" screenplay. While we respect the original film for what it is, it would prove for a fun experience to try and construct a new movie using our knowledge of what worked and what didn't while at the same time, taking the story in a new direction.

This is a place for brainstorming ideas during the process and contribution from members is always appreciated. We will post our work as we go. Thanks for your interest, and keep reading.

adamlee and englishtrebor

Well, it's nice to know you aren't trashing the original and while I do see how it suffered (mainly due to time cuts) I find the idea pretty neat. I suggest incorporating some of the ideas originally presented for the third installment, like splitting into a two movie experience or just going for that 4-5 hour film screenplay.

Obviously, as any good story teller will tell you, one must have significant build up to the actual plot of the film. I suggest for the first act, like previous done in the first two motion pictures, show us what Parker's life is like. He’s got everything he’s ever wanted, the chick, relatively good working conditions, and popularity as Spider-Man. While handling this happier Peter Parker it is important to showcase how even without the symbiot to corrupt him those intentions in his heart were always there, fundamentally what I’m saying is, the symbiot only brings out what’s already there. If you studied the actual theatrical cut of this film you will find that Peter wasn’t really supporting or trying to understand Mary-Jane, he thought he could write it off with comparisons to his dual-identity as Spider-Man, what sort of husband does that?

Next up is the relationship between Harry and Peter, which I felt was the best handled of the storylines in the film so I really don’t have much to suggest here.

On the subject of Flint Marko, give him the fifteen minutes he deserves, not the fifteen seconds he sadly got due to the big, black shoehorn. The novel really delved into his personal story and struggles so I suggest doing some studying there as well, so that in the end his character can be given the resolution he deserves. If you want to go for the two film route then I suggest that the subway battle be moved towards the end of part one to serve as an alternate way of snapping Parker back into reality, or at least to end his story for the first film so that further concentration can be given to Brock’s story, which, then again, won’t exactly be worth much if Peter drops the suit after ‘killing’ Sandman.

Next up, the Stacey clan, honestly it might be best to just drop them completely. What roles will this play in your screenplay? Ask yourself that and make it worthwhile.

Following suit, Edward Brock Junior, what role does he play in your screen play? In the theatrical cut of the film he is a pathetic and antithesis to Parker and Spider-Man and Peter David even took the character so far in his novelization to make him a stalker of young Miss Stacey. I suggest ending the first half with the church scene and finally ending the film with the transformation. In fact, you could make the jazz club scene out as Parker celebrating his ‘killing’ of Marko at the subway battle, things proceed like they did with theatrical cut, Parker winds up knocking over MJ, this snaps him back into reality, he goes rips off suit, etc.

Next up if your friendly neighborhood…symbiot??? The symbiot will obviously play a big part in the overall story. The symbiot is a parasite and a catalyst and when it is reject by the hateful Parker it comes across another man, one filled with much more rage and hate. When this man and the symbiot form they form a physical representation of the monster within his heart, one that doesn’t see himself as a hero but as a victim (which would explain why he has those fangs when Spider-Man didn’t, for he still saw himself as the good guy).

At this point, this is all I have to suggest.

 

[dodus]

If you really want to make a rewrite interesting enough to be worth it, I think you should impose some radical changes. Take out one of the villains, your pick.

 

[Immortalfire]

Moving to Fan Fiction..

 

[Adamlee]

We are indeed taking out a villain. Both englishtrebor and I felt it was important to focus on one villain only. So we are going to remove Sandman and beef up Venom's storyline. More attention will be paid to Brock and we are going to switch up Gwen Stacy's character a little bit. She will hopefully have more depth and importance.

We have also discussed how sympathetic we want Brock's character to be. So maybe you all can help us decide. Do you all want to see Eddie Brock be given a background where you understand his motives, but he goes too far? Or do you want to see Brock be more twisted and just a person who is power hungry?

We are also including Harry but he will have a different role somewhat than in the third film.

 

[YÅ«gi's BM]

We are indeed taking out a villain. Both englishtrebor and I felt it was important to focus on one villain only. So we are going to remove Sandman and beef up Venom's storyline. More attention will be paid to Brock and we are going to switch up Gwen Stacy's character a little bit. She will hopefully have more depth and importance.

We have also discussed how sympathetic we want Brock's character to be. So maybe you all can help us decide. Do you all want to see Eddie Brock be given a background where you understand his motives, but he goes too far? Or do you want to see Brock be more twisted and just a person who is power hungry?

We are also including Harry but he will have a different role somewhat than in the third film.

To be honest, I think it's a mistake. People have complained that all of Spider-Man's foes have been far to sympathetic, but with Brock we finally got a true bad egg. This guy knew what he was doing, he wasn't misguided or manipulated, he was pure evil.

By taking out Sandman you rip apart the core theme of the original material, forgiveness is freedom.

 

[Adamlee]

We are actually exploring a different theme. We have decided that if we rewrite the script we should take some chances.

I don't think Eddie will be TOO sympathetic. We are definitely going to show how he gets a rush off of being evil. At the same time we want to show how twisted the suit makes Brock.

I am not even sure if we will use any of the original material from the movie. it might feel a bit out of place.

 

[Adamlee]

We will see how it goes. There are definite scenes in Spidey 3 I loved. Would you all like to see a hybrid of new material with some from the original 3rd film or a complete rewrite?

 

[englishtrebor]

At the present, we weren't really taking what worked from the film and stripping what didn't. We're writing a new take with a different story, just reusing elements such as Venom and symbiote from the film. In order to provide for a more interesting experience, we've made several things differ from the movie. As mentioned before, some of these things include moving the main theme from revenge and forgiveness to power and corruption, the removal of Sandman, and larger storylines for Eddie Brock, Jr. and Gwen Stacy.

 

[Alexia Dark]

I would absolutely love to help. I've already begun working on my own fanscript for the first movie (definitely a work in progress... so much plot to set up, so little time... I'm not going to cheat by introducing supporting characters during highschool).

I guess, for now, I'll give you my take on some key elements of the plot I think should be changed and give my suggestions.

Ideally, for me, the movie would begin somewhat the same as SM3; MJ is successful, Harry and Peter have a very strained, unresolved relationship (but no random meeting outside a theatre occurs), and Spider-Man is, for once, loved by the city (minus Spider-Man Day. Ugh). There is some dialogue between Peter and MJ about Harry's well-being, in which MJ suggests that Peter give him time, but Peter wonders how dangerous that could be, thinking that maybe Harry is planning to reveal his identity.

Then, an accident occurs in space. John Jameson and crew have encountered and brought back, unknowingly, an alien substance. Peter is there to, of course, take pictures. However, just as the shuttle lands, there is a problem inside. An actual landing problem or a fire aboard the shuttle, I don't know yet. One of the two. Bottom line is, Peter rushes in as Spider-Man, saves John, and comes into contact with the symbiote.

Peter doesn't think much of it, just considering it an annoyance to have to clean the suit. JJ blames the accident on Spider-Man, leaving Peter frustrated that he had just gotten the respect from the city he deserved, only to have it questioned again by JJ.

Meanwhile, Harry struggles with his decision to follow in his father's footsteps. He's constantly fighting against the urge to seek revenge. A highly emotional scene takes place in which Harry has a breakdown from the stress of his progressing insanity.

At the Bugle, Peter encounters Eddie Brock, an ambitious, rough, over-all unfriendly guy who knows that the best way to get ahead at the Bugle is to give Jameson what he wants: A compromising photo of Spider-Man. Later, Spider-Man stops some sort of crime ring, during which Eddie takes a picture indicating that Spider-Man is involved with them.

Hitting an almost all-time low, Peter becomes angry that this has happened, and falls asleep wondering if he's wasting his time trying as Spider-Man. That night, he wakes up downtown NY, upside down in a black costume. Uneasy at first but amazed at his heightened abilities, he breaks up a mugging and ends up being a little too aggressive, but not seeing anything wrong. He decides to keep the new suit.

Now unemployed and frustrated, Eddie Brock devotes his time to body-building to let out his anger. He is slowly becoming obsessed with getting revenge on Spider-Man.

MJ, concerned for Harry, finds out about his breakdown, and meets with Peter. She convinces Peter to explain to Harry what had happened to his father. Peter reluctantly agrees.

Just recovering from his breakdown, Harry begins acting depressed, ignoring his father's voice, resigning himself to his insanity. When Peter comes to see him, he almost doesn't believe Peter's really there. He soon realizes that it's actually happening and his internal struggle with his father continues as Peter tries to explain himself. In the end, Harry screams at Peter to get out, and he does.

Ok, I've ranted on enough. I'm entirely too worked up about this project. I've already given you pretty much the first quarter of the movie I plan on writing...

If you're open to collaborating with one more person, I'd absolutely love to contribute in anyway possible. Writing, editing, just someone to bounce ideas off of... I've loved to be involved. Please let me know.

 

[Spider-Man Luvr28]

Ooooooh I wanna read this pretty soon when it starts.

 

[Abaddon]

The symbiote origin should be combined with Gwen's introduction(Spidey saving her) in some way.

 

[Alexia Dark]

I honestly think that involving Gwen would be a mistake... The Night Gwen Stacy Died never happened, and trying to recreate it without the original GG would just be blasphemy. And if that part of her story was kept out... what's the point in her being there at all? Peter using Gwen like he did was one of my major complaints about SM3.

 

[Adamlee]

We won't have Peter using Gwen. I assure you of that. And if you all would like we will put parts of the script on here as it comes together. We are making a plot summary as we speak. But we won't give it all away. heh.

 

[Abaddon]

I honestly think that involving Gwen would be a mistake... The Night Gwen Stacy Died never happened, and trying to recreate it without the original GG would just be blasphemy.

Well it wouldn't have to be too similar to TNGSD. Actually now that I think about it, it would probably be too coincidental for Spidey if we're going to end up meeting her later as his classmate.

And if that part of her story was kept out... what's the point in her being there at all? Peter using Gwen like he did was one of my major complaints about SM3.

Yeah her role could've been filled in by any other female character(Betty, Debrah Whitman, Liz, etc.)

 

[Alexia Dark]

Your avvy hurts my eyes.

And your first statement confuses me a little.

 

[Abaddon]

I mean if Gwen is at the bridge when the shuttle crashes, it would maintain the same flaw that the film had in that she's saved by Spidey and just so happens to be a classmate of his, and a minor character in the story.

 

[Alexia Dark]

At the bridge when the shuttle crashes?... I don't follow.

 

[Abaddon]

k, I might've misread. What were you were referring to here?:

I honestly think that involving Gwen would be a mistake... The Night Gwen Stacy Died never happened, and trying to recreate it without the original GG would just be blasphemy. And if that part of her story was kept out... what's the point in her being there at all? Peter using Gwen like he did was one of my major complaints about SM3.

 

[Alexia Dark]

Oh, okay, I get it now. "The symbiote origin should be combined with Gwen's introduction(Spidey saving her) in some way". I didn't know you were refering to both events happening at once. Take my comment immediately after out-of-context to your post.

 

[englishtrebor]

Thanks, everyone for your comments. A lot of the stuff posted is in line with what we're planning, particularly Alexia's. Our shuttle isn't malfunctioning, though.

 

[YÅ«gi's BM]

I suggest that the reason the shuttle be damaged is because New Goblin and Spider-Man's first fight lead them to the launch pad the night of the launch and a small, minor and unnoticible error is created, slowly growing over the course of the mission.

May I suggest:

1. Film opens with Peter describing his life.
2. After opening montage cut to the play scene where Peter is, of course, gawking over MJ in the front row.
3. Harry is--like in the film--in the balcony watching.
4. When play is over Peter sees Harry outside and tries to explain to him but Harry has nothing of it and dissapears into the alley.
5. While driving home that night on his...scooter (?) Peter is attacked like in film and the battle spills over to the launch pad (sometime during the battle Peter puts his mask on...while still in his normal clothes, simply for a little comedic value).
6. While fighting with NG the shuttle is damged, like mention above.

Do what you will, I'll post thoughts later on.

 

[Abaddon]

hahaha, Yugi's bowel movement?

 

[Adamlee]

So we have laid out an outline for the film. I think you're gonna like it. I have shown it to 2 people and both agreed it was better than the original 3rd script. So maybe we will do well with it.

One challenge we had was deciding who to bring in and who to keep out. With a character like Gwen Stacy it was hard trying to decide if we used her or not. She obviously, in the comics, is ahead of Mary Jane and twists the storyline a bit. But ultimately she provided a chance to up the stakes in our script between Peter and Eddie Brock. Does she suffer the same fate as she did in the comics? You'll have to read to find out.

We decided not to use the same story as 3. But we do have certain scenes that will be similar to the film. For example, we will use the church as a setting for Spiderman since it was such a wonderful scene in the film. But the immediate outcome after will not be the same necessarily.

Anyway keep the comments coming and any ideas that you like. We appreciate them.

 

[Alexia Dark]

Here is some of the rest of the outline I've written... mostly for myself. I can't complete it until I've done some more comic research, but I thought I'd post what I have while I'm here.

Frustrated after his meeting with Harry, Peter breaks up a robbery, and the fight spills into a subway station. During the fight, the train comes screeching by, and Peter is suddenly weakened. He barely manages to detain the thugs after the train passes. On the way out, some police officers who think Spider-Man is a criminal confront him, and he basically tosses them aside. Eddie, who had followed Spider-Man, takes a picture of Spider-Man holding up a cop by the collar.

Alone on her way to meet Peter, MJ encounters Flash Thompson, who had just seen her show. He congratualates her and apologizes for the way he treated her at graduation. He lets her know that he is still available, but MJ tells him that she's seeing someone. Before she can say who, Peter shows up, and the old rivalry flares up. Peter ends up becoming aggressive, and nearly badly injures Flash. MJ breaks it up, and lets Peter know that he is scaring her. She leaves, not wanting to talk. Peter finally realizes that something is wrong with him, and decides to do something about it.

In his father's - now his - study, Harry sits silent and shattered. When his father's voice comes back, Harry can no longer fight against it. He agrees with it, saying that Peter stole everything from him. He shatters the glass once more, and locks himself in the gas chamber. As the evaporated formula takes effect, Harry temporarily regains his sanity, but cannot escape. In his last moment of consciousness, he apologizes out loud to Peter for what he is about to do.

Peter takes some of the symbiote to Dr. Connors, who studies it and informs him that it is a sentient organism that needs a host to survive. In time, a symbiote will take over its host completely and replace the host's characteristics with its own, making it impossible to remove. The largest characteristic of the predatory symbiote is the need for violence, and it is only a matter of time before it would create as much chaos and destruction as it can. Dr. Connors states that he hopes that it never bonds with a human being, and suggests that the symbiote be destroyed, and not mentioned to the scientific world. Peter knows that he has to get rid of it.

Eddie, desperate to get his job back, takes his photo to the Bugle, but is immediately insulted and thrown out by JJ. Humiliated, Eddie wanders outside the Bugle, thinking about all that he's lost, when he sees Spider-Man swing by a church. Eddie takes it as a sign that he must go there, and enters the church.

Nearby, Spider-Man watches over the darkening city, wondering why he let it get this far. He hears the tolling of a bell, and remembers that the symbiote's weakness is sound. He wonders why he hadn't realized this before - had the symbiote somehow kept it from him...? He swings over to the church.

Inside, Eddie Brock kneels before the alter. He explains that his life has been a failure, that he has lost everything to Spider-Man, and apologizes for what he plans to do: commit suicide.

Above, Spider-Man struggles to take off the suit weakened by the ringing of the bell. When the ringing ceases, it falls off of Peter, revealing the old red and blue suit. The symbiote has become nothing more than a black puddle, and Peter leaves. Eddie gets up to go complete his task, when the symbiote begins moving, drips down the space under the bell, into the church below... and onto Eddie. He screams.

Confident that he had gotten rid of the suit for good, Peter catches MJ at the stage door on her way into the theatre before a show. He apologizes for the way he'd been acting lately, that he hadn't been himself, and that she might not believe what had happened to him if he told her. He promises that he will never let something like that happen again. His heartfelt and somewhat humourous apology relieves MJ, and she accepts it.

Remembering how close he had come to losing everyone he cared about, Peter goes to see Aunt May. She says that she was worried when he hadn't called her for awhile, and he apologizes, saying that he had been "...in a dark place". We end up getting the obligatory speech, this time about perserverance and not being afraid to ask for help.

Well, that's it for now.