To my readers: I have made small but significant changes to the story, influenced by the Wonder Woman animated movie and Wonder Woman television series. Feedback, especially on specific scenes, is greatly appreciated. I'm still learning how to write a screenplay, so the latest chapters will be continually reworked; expect changes soon.
Wonder Woman
Written by Joanna Salem
Based on DC Comics characters created by William Marston and stories by Paul Dini (Spirit of Truth) and Stanley Ralph Ross (Wonder Woman Series 1)
EXT. THEMYSCIRA
Thunder and lightning chase an albatross rapidly descending through a dark haze.
It flies in a fury without sense of orientation or escape.
Ever determined, the seabird bursts out of its gloomy prison into a bright, expansive sky stained blood red.
It swoops toward the sea adapting its flight to the rhythm of the waves until it glides along the murky water.
CAW - a warning signal.
King Poseidon replies with a roar of violent waves.
The waves crash against something tall: a pair of Amazon legs.
In her ancient battle armor clad in golden, the WOMAN (28) digs her feet into the coarse yellow sand.
Her shield and sword glisten against the flashes of Zeus's lightning.
She stands in the middle of the shallow water, patiently withstanding each blow.
The water seems endless, but a glimpse of the shoreline appears when the hunter's moon draws the waves back into the ocean.
As if by magic, the breaks of the misty water reveal the Amazons of Themyscira.
An oblique phalanx, eight ranks deep of armored spear-women, guards the beachfront.
Golden Grecian temples hug the island, ascending a lush green hillside.
On a balcony near the shore, a beautiful ebony woman grips her helmet at her side.
The fierce and valiant GENERAL PHILLIPUS (30), head of the royal guard, must lead the queen's troops into war.
She glides about the balcony with power and height. Her long, red cape billows in the wind.
The threat of destruction alarms her soul, but she stands brave—stoic as a Grecian statue.
Phillipus spies the albatross, now encircling the sky above her.
She furrows her brows in thought, for the vagrant seabird is foreign to the shores. Is the albatross an omen from the gods? If so, is it an omen of luck or of certain death?
INT. ROYAL PALACE
An unlit oil lamp sits on a table, for any fuel has been removed for use in battle.
The palace is tragically beautiful. The dark hides the classical Greek architecture, which in days of glory could rival all others.
Phillipus walks steady, undoubting, passing ghostly Amazons hastily preparing for battle.
SMASH CUT:
Phillipus bows her head before a marble throne carved with reliefs of fallen heroes.
In b.g., QUEEN HIPPOLYTA (40), the Amazons' determined leader, sits calmly contemplating.
PHILLIPUS
(sternly)
Queen Hippolyta, where is she?
The queen slowly turns toward the general.
QUEEN
(coolly)
She will come.
This was a reassuring remark not only for the general but also for the queen who was beginning to have her own doubts.
PHILLIPUS
The storm is gathering. If she does not—
Hippolyta removes herself from the throne, stepping down gently.
QUEEN
(with candor)
General Phillipus, you must have faith in her as I have in you—in all of my Amazons. Are the troops prepared?
SMASH CUT:
General Phillipus and Queen Hippolyta walk onto the balcony with high spirits.
It is still dark, but the queen's presence brings eternal light.
Phillipus takes in one last view of the beach.
It is the calm before the pending storm.
She places her helmet.
QUEEN
Phillipus, you seem almost excited.
PHILLIPUS
Not excited, ready.
As Phillipus travels down a sea of steps, she glances at the warriors camouflaged afar—the slingers, archers, and dart throwers.
Queen Hippolyta remains in the palace with another troop.
HIPPOLYTA
Today, we are not only defending our island. We are defending what it symbolizes: our livelihood, our existence.
She draws her sword, and raises it above her head.
HIPPOLYTA (CONT'D)
Let us fight with courage in our heads and fire in our hearts.
The wind picks up faster, gathering the clouds like a dangerous brew.
A shadowy figure is cloaked in the haze. The enemy has arrived, slowly encroaching the island through the enveloping darkness.
Even the lightning reveals a fleet of ships in the distance.
For the last time, Poseidon thrashes one monumental wave paralleling the enemy's rapid descent.
The Woman (mentioned earlier) remains steadfast as the wind softly pushes against her.
She raises her sword for the coming battle, while the other warriors prepare their stances.
EXT. PALACE BALCONY
The queen remains composed.
She gives Phillipus the signal: a simple head nod.
INTERCUT BETWEEN PHILLIPUS AND THE WOMAN
Phillipus looks toward the enemy.
PHILLIPUS
(slowly)
Amazons…
The Woman inhales.
The enemies lunge onto the shallow waters.
PHILLIPUS (CONT'D)
(with ferocity)
ATTACK!
The Woman exhales.
The general's cry prompts the defensive strike. The warriors on the mountainside shoot their arrows, while those on the beach run with mighty speed. All join in the battle cry.
The Woman, self-assured, remains in her place.
It is not until she has the perfect vantage point that she, with great confidence, swings her weapon.
A glimpse of the enemy lunging forward is reflected in the shiny metal of the sword: a monstrous demon.
SMASH CUT – BLACK
OPENING TITLE: WONDER WOMAN