INT. THEATER - SUNSET
Queen Hippolyta stands upon a stage, while the Amazons listen attentively.
QUEEN
(voiceover)
As time moves forward, our island remains untouched, but the outside world has drastically changed.
Montage:
1. Queen Hippolyta stands before a tall, silver mirror—the window into Man's World. A floating magical sphere is birthed; inside the sphere are vaporous images of war and violence—from Heracles to modern day. An image most disturbing is of a shadowy figure approaching a terrified young girl about Diana's age.
QUEEN
(voiceover)
The man who crashed on our island is a warning. There is a war running feverishly in Man's World.
2. Glimpses of Man's World throughout the last century, including World War II, the use of nuclear bombs, and third-world nations (i.e. Africa).
QUEEN (CONT'D)
(voiceover, grim)
Murder…theft…rape…abuse… Man has even developed the technology to wipe out entire civilizations within a matter of days. I have been asked by the Gods to find a champion to send the man back to his world…and to prevent their war from coming to our shores.
3. Diana in daily life, including warrior training.
QUEEN (CONT'D)
She will become our emissary. She must have the determination to face great obstacles. She must do this with both strength and understanding. Amazons, prepare.
The queen bows her head to Phillipus who gives further instruction.
PHILLIPUS
As we did in ancient times, we will hold a contest to determine our champion. Tomorrow.
The Amazons look to Queen Hippolyta, General Phillipus, Menalippe, Callisto, and the other members of the council for strength.
The Amazons kneel and bow their heads in respect.
IO
Does this mean your vision is coming true?
MENALIPPE
For all our sakes, Sister, I hope not.
Phillipus stands beside Hippolyta's side to whisper.
PHLLIPUS
Diana will want to enter the competition.
Diana is in the crowd kneeling with the other Amazons.
QUEEN
(whispers)
She knows that I would never allow her to leave the island.
Phillipus nods in agreement, and then moves to lead the crowd of Amazons into training.
As she leaves, Menalippe remarks to herself.
MENALIPPE
That will not stop her. Nothing can stop her.
Diana remains at the amphitheater.
Hipployta remains on the stage.
Diana rises slowly.
She looks at her mother with telling eyes.
Hippolyta hesitates but instantly recovers, removing all worry from her face.
Diana turns away, silent.
She walks to the infirmary.
EXT. CITY CENTER -- AFTERNOON
Io examines the foreign machine before her—Steve Trevor's plane, or at least what she could salvage. The mechanisms are simple enough to understand. She tinkers.
IO
I saw one of these contraptions through the mirror. I did not think I would work on one.
Callisto is tending to the fields, harvesting the wheat.
Menalippe converses with others by a fountain.
Diana spares with Rena.
Their sticks beat like drums.
DIANA
You dance to an old tune, Sister.
RENA
You anticipate too early.
Diana has gained the advantage.
Phillipus excuses Rena to spar with Diana.
Diana is caught by surprise.
Rena bows to Phillipus in acknowledgement, and then apologetically to Diana to exit.
Diana keeps her head low, smiling.
PHILLIPUS
Do you know something I do not?
DIANA
No. You, as well as I, know that you will be humbled by sword.
PHILLIPUS
Never.
DIANA
You may be surprised; I have an amazing combat instructor.
PHILLIPUS
(playfully)
Diana, I will be humbled neither by your sword nor your flattery.
Diana strikes.
PHILLIPUS
You are green, still. You move like a manual, not by reflex.
Diana grows frustrated.
DIANA
I will always lack necessary experience unless given the opportunity.
Phillipus defends.
PHILLIPUS
You need to treat this as if you were defending your life.
DIANA
I cannot truly harm you, Sister. You are my family, my heart.
PHILLIPUS
If it came down to you or me?
DIANA
I do not think I could choose.
PHILLIPUS
Diana, I have trained you to become a powerful warrior. Menalippe has taught you of nature. Io of mechanics. Although we wish you will make good choices, we cannot make them for you.
Diana fumbles.
PHILLIPUS
Youngest Amazon, whatever path you follow, know that we will all support you. However, you must promise to make choices not for a man, not for your teachers… but for yourself. Although we may guide you, you are the sole determinant of your life.
The general stands tall against the fallen Amazon.
PHILLIPUS
I was in love with a man, and I have the scars to prove it. Diana, promise me you will not fight for him.
Diana fails.
DIANA
If I say yes, will you promise not to tell Rena that you beat me?
PHILLIPUS
(playfully)
Of course not; only if she asks.
INT. Infirmary – EVENING
EXTREME CLOSE UP
Diana stands at the doorway, building the courage to enter.
DIANA
This place is beautiful.
Diana pauses to reassess her statement.
She slowly draws forward, but makes sure not to move too close.
DIANA
Although, sometimes I wonder what else is out there. My mother speaks about the horrible injustices that plague your world—truly evident by the sight of your ship. I have never been beyond these shores. I was not present when my mother battled Heracles, nor the fall of Troy. However, once, without my mother's knowledge, I peeked into the mirror that holds the window to your world. I saw atrocities, but I also saw something else.
Images of the past flood Diana's head, some she wishes to forget and others she never will.
DIANA (CONT'D)
Looking at you, I do not see the terror my mother sees; I only see humanity. I suppose what my mother fears most is humanity's unpredictability, but it is that same randomness that makes life wonderful. Looking at you, I would imagine that men are like children, like gods, like geniuses, and like fools. They are all things. There are many thoughts I struggle over. However, one thing is certain: it is not fair that I live in paradise while others live in turmoil.
Diana looks at Steve, hoping for a response that she knows will not be given.
Then she spies her reflection in her silver bracelets; she is reminded of her mother and her sisters.
Diana looks about the infirmary, reassessing her initial statement.
Then, she looks at Steve.
DIANA (CONT'D)
Farewell.
Diana exits.
EXT. COLISEUM – DAY BREAK
A woman puts a dusty helmet over her head.
QUEEN
Where is Diana?
RENA
I believe she is enjoying the sand and sun.
The ground in the arena is sandy, and the wind is unusually strong, so the earth picks up more than usual.
Hundreds of Amazons wear similar yet identifiably distinct helmets.
Their skin displays various ethnic traits to mirror the vastness of the Greek World.
The Queen and her council are dressed in ceremonial garb.
The Queen stands with her crown high.
QUEEN
Today, you will embark on a contest from the Gods to determine the champion who will save our heritage. It is neither the strength of your armor nor the sharpness of your blades that brings victory; it is you. Begin!
SERIES OF SHOTS - COMPETITION
1. Track
2. Javelin
3. Weight lift
4. Wrestling
5. Spar/Sword match
BEAT ATTACK!
Sparing is the prominent competition; it is a test of both strength and skill. Each Amazon must use sparring sticks, and then swords after the sticks are broken. The winners must be agile and have a good understanding of defensive weaponry.
As Amazons begin to lose, they fall to the floor, but all are good sports; the contest is viewed as friendly competition.
The battle ends with two warriors. Although they are both excellent contestants, one appears self-assured, while the other appears as the proverbial underdog with more passion than wisdom.
The crowd shouts in praise for the accomplishments of both Amazons.
As the two Amazons anxiously await opposite each other, Callisto solemnly brings out a pistol.
The roar dies.
Although the Amazons pride themselves with their vast range of weaponry, the pistol is foreign. It was kept to remind the warriors of the violence in Man's World, which has become frequent and automated.
To shoot with a gun is about the kill, but its defense is about the skill.
PHILLIPUS
This weapon is the only part of Man's World that has survived on this island. It washed upon our shores by accident, and we have kept it because like our bracelets it reminds us of our goals to live peacefully… that choice is our most powerful weapon… to learn from our past in ensuring our future… …We are free from the Grecians who enslaved us… To remain proficient, we must acknowledge every facet of danger to remind us to rise against it. Our final competition is bullets and bracelets. Fight with honor.
The first Amazon wearily picks up the pistol.
She slowly aims toward her opponent, and fires five shots.
BAM, BAM, BLING, BLING, BAM—each bullet is deflected.
Next, it is her sister's turn.
The Amazon repeats the process, but with her last shot, her opponent is grazed.
Her feet slide across the dusty floor, and she grabs her arm in agony.
A doctor promptly assists her.
Diana ascends the steps to the throne, and kneels before the queen.
QUEEN
Great Amazon, now that you have won, please reveal yourself so that we may praise you.
Diana stands, and removes her helmet.
She looks to her mother, silent.
Hipployta grabs her chest in pain, but finds the strength to raise her head in dignity.
QUEEN
(solemnly)
I would be lying if I said I approved of this. The task you have chosen is the most difficult sacrifice any person can make. You are our child—foolish, strong-willed, passionate, and brave. Diana, you are a most noble warrior. I do not think any one of us could bare your absence, but I could not have expected any less from my own daughter. We have found our champion!
The Amazons cheer.
Phillipus and Menalippe smile.
QUEEN
Your task will not be easy. You will not only bring the man back to foreign shores, you must prevent Man's war from coming to our island. Your mission will encompass all that we have taught you and new trials that will challenge your tolerance. As is custom of our emissary, you will don armor representative of his country as a sign of respect—armor that will allow you to move with ease and agility.
Hippolyta walks to Diana and gently strokes her hair.
She looks into her daughters eyes—sad that she will leave, but proud of her strength. The Queen must soldier on, but becomes glassy eyed.
QUEEN (CONT'D)
I release you to the dangers and uncertainty of Man's World. Remember who you are. Remember, I love you.
FLASH FORWARD: Diana walks up temple steps. Before her is the chryselephantine of Athena. The immense gold and ivory statue holds a spear in one hand and Hermes in the other. Diana prays to Athena to grant her wisdom.
DIANA
(Instinctively)
I love you, too, Mother.
Diana glances at Phillipus with a look to melt her stoic façade.
FLASH FORWARD: Diana receives her battle armor.
MENALIPPE
Steve Trevor will lead you to the forces you must stop, marked by a path of destruction. However, you must be wary, for you are a stranger to them.
DIANA
My journey will be arduous, but I will never allow its difficulty deter me from my mission. I made my choice, and I will take with me everything I have learned from my sisters. For Themyscira! For the Amazons! For my family.
Diana turns to her fellow Amazons. She bows as a sign of respect.
The Amazons rejoice.
Diana looks to Phillipus.
DIANA
Everything is going to change, isn't it?
PHILLIPUS
It already has.