ST Ep7 - First Five minutes. Scripts, ideas and speculation.

The-Eternal-Hero · Nov 4, 2013

A Jedi, a Sith and a Jawa go into a cantina . . .

dolphin · Nov 6, 2013

What everyone has been slow to realize is the delay is in large part due to last minute efforts to marry the Marvel universe with the new trilogy. Episode VII will be a crossover film while also ushering in Phase 3 of the Avengers series.

JediFan215 · Aug 26, 2014

Infinitelysmall said: ↑

First, I hope this is OK to be a thread on its own. While it's fan fiction to an extent, I prefer to see this as Episode 7 plot/character speculation based on what it known about the film.

Ever since I heard about Ep7, I've thought about the difficult task of continuing the Star Wars saga and, being a keen writer and academic in the area of film and drama, how I would go about scripting it (if I had the daunting job Michael Arndt has now). After all, the script and the story are what matters most. So I decided to have a go at writing an opener to see what challenges it presented.

I intend to write several versions of the first 5 minutes, all offering very different, but equally possible, visions of what the first 5 minutes of a new Star Wars movie 'could' look and sound like. It's pure speculation, but with an eye on the rumors and details about the film we've already heard in an attempt to create something roughly authentic.

What I find fascinating about this process, is how it highlights the plausibility or implausibility of certain ideas and speculation. Trying to write concepts/characters in script-form acts as a loose proof of concept, albeit limited by the ability of the writer, but I think is nevertheless a useful gauge for future plot/character speculation.

Therefore, I present my first 'Episode VII's first five minutes' script and invite you to submit yours and/or discuss the results.

This first 5 min script, entitled 'Episode VII: The Dark Planet', presents an action-packed opener based on a premise that draws inspiration from (but does not actually resemble) both the Thrawn trilogy and plotlines involving a Sith homeworld. Thrawn doesn't actually have to be called Thrawn here, but I'm using it for the lack of a better name. It also assumes a time period about 30 years after ROTJ, where Han and Leia both have kids, a boy and a girl, late-teens and early twenties, but follows the logic that Luke, as a Jedi, would not have children, and might actually have chosen an isolated lifestyle in the wake of the damage a Force user, Palpatine, caused over two decades of Imperial rule - waiting his moment to train a new generation, when they were ready Tonally, I tried to imagine what J.J.Abrams would bring, in terms of energy, nostalgia, humour and danger. I think this represents a 1st draft version of what 'something like that' could be like. So enjoy and let me know what you think. I'll answer questions about it or take criticism if you have it. I can also write about where I see the plot going. Though, to be honest, it's not like I'm trying to actually pen this movie - it's a speculative exercise.

STAR WARS
EPISODE VII:
THE DARK PLANET

TITLE CRAWL:

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away....

STAR WARS
EPISODE VII
THE DARK PLANET

It is a time of shattered peace. The New Republic, led by Princess Leia, fights to maintain order as the terrorist actions of the Imperial Insurgency threaten to send the galaxy spiraling into a second DARK AGE.

Evading capture, Grand Admiral Thrawn, a war criminal of the defeated Galactic Empire, has united with pirates and bounty hunters to launch a surprise attack on the capital planet.

With Jedi Luke Skywalker in self-imposed exile, General Han Solo and his daring young pilots scramble their ships to repel Thrawn and bring him to justice....

EXT. SPACE, CORUSCANT

An empty starfield above the surface of the planet Coruscant. Dawn is breaking beneath the atmosphere and for a moment all seems serene, until green turbo-laser blasts rip by from overhead, striking a point in the city below. Lasers continue to fire as the arrowhead shape of an Imperial Star Destroyer looms into view, engines roaring. From the underbelly of the ship, it is clear that it has seen extensive modifications and battle scarring. And it is not alone. Several smaller unfamiliar and strangely shaped craft shoot past, descending towards the planet.

INT. ORBITING DEFENSE STATION

An alarm sounds. On the bridge of a small orbiting space station, New Republic forces scatter to their various consoles, shouting orders and sending frantic communications. At his terminal, the station commander dials in an emergency transmission to the planet's surface.

COMMANDER
(Hurried)
Princess Leia, do you copy? Coruscant is under attack....

The commander is cut off as a large explosion tears through the bridge. A direct hit. Smoke and vapor vent through a hull-breach. The commander hangs onto the comms station for dear life.

INT. SENATE WAR ROOM - DAY

C3PO, the golden interpreter droid, skitters awkwardly along a corridor as republic officials, droids and troops hurry past. Distant alarms sound and the droid complains as he collides with the oncoming crowd.

C3PO:
Oh, be careful! Out of the way! This is an emergency!

He turns in through the doorway of the senate war room where an emergency meeting is taking place. Princess Leia, Lando Calrissian, and a host of military commanders and senators gather around holographic projection of the city and the ships in orbit. The orbiting station commander's voice crackles over the intercom...

COMMANDER (Intercom)
The defense grid is hit (Static). They came out of nowhere...

LEIA:
(Alarmed)
Commander! Evacuate your crew.

Static on the intercom.

Do you hear me? Evacuate!

INT. ORBITING DEFENSE STATION

The commander pulls himself up onto the intercom station as more of the bridge is torn away and officers are sucked into the vacuum of space.

COMMANDER
(Desperate)
It's too late...

EXT. SPACE - CLOSING IN ON THE DEFENSE STATION - TRAVELLING

A pirate ship closes in on the space station. As it approaches a second identical ship falls in beside it. Both ships are bow-shaped, with rotating ball cockpits in the centre of each curve. The two ships split off to either side of the badly crippled station as they draw level and the ball of each ship's cockpit swivels to fire a grappling hook into opposite sides of the station. Firing boosters, the lines snap taught and the station is split in two, disintegrating in a fiery explosion.

INT. SENATE WAR ROOM - DAY

A burst of static is heard from the intercom and there are exclamations of shock and fear.

C3PO:
Oh my...

Admiral Skab, a pale-skinned Mon-Calamari, interrupts.

ADMIRAL SKAB
We're recalling our cruisers and scrambling the fighters.

LEIA:
Do it faster.

ADMRIAL CALRISSIAN
If it is Thrawn this could be our best chance to catch him.

Leia turns and hurries over to the window, looking out as laser strikes continue to rain down on the city. Frightened, Leia looks to the sky and raises her commlink.

LEIA:
(Into commlink)
Han? Where are you?

INT. HANGAR BAY, UNDERSIDE OF MILLENNIUM FALCON - DAY

There is pandemonium in the hangar bay. Pilots and engineers run between lines of fighters and larger ships as transports speed by with squads of soldiers on board.

Han Solo runs to the foot of the Millennium Falcon's boarding ramp and stops, raising his commlink.

HAN:
(Into commlink. Straight-faced)
I got held up.

He covers the commlink and shouts up the boarding ramp.

Chewie!

INT. SENATE WAR ROOM - DAY

LEIA:
(Into commlink. Suspicious)
Are you at the Falcon?

INT. HANGAR BAY, UNDERSIDE OF MILLENNIUM FALCON - DAY

Chewbacca appears in the hatch and Han waves dramatically.

HAN:
(Into commlink. Keeping a calm tone)
I'll be right with you.

Chewie cocks his head, confused. Exasperated Han covers the commlink again.

(Shouting) Get her ready for take-off!

CHEWBACCA:
ROARS and disappears inside.

INT. SENATE WAR ROOM - DAY

LEIA:
(Into commlink. Accusatory)
Why can I hear a Wookie?

INT. HANGAR BAY, UNDERSIDE OF MILLENNIUM FALCON - DAY

Han is irritated.

HAN:
(Into commlink - Faux-Hurt)
Hey... don't you trust me, your worship?

INT. SENATE WAR ROOM - DAY

LEIA:
(Into commlink)
Don't call me that.

INT. HANGAR BAY, UNDERSIDE OF MILLENNIUM FALCON - DAY

Han starts up the ramp.

HAN
(Into commlink)
Call you what?

He is halfway when a young female voice calls out to him.

ANA
Going somewhere, you old smuggler?

Han stops, looking annoyed and turns. Facing him is a young woman, late-teens, in an orange flightsuit. She has dark hair and eyes, and wears sardonic grin, much like her father's.

HAN:
Old...?

INT. SENATE WAR ROOM - DAY.

LEIA:
(Into commlink. Confused/Insulted)
Old?

INT. HANGAR BAY, UNDERSIDE OF MILLENNIUM FALCON - DAY

Han stalks back down the ramp, forgetting about the commlink held up in his hand.

HAN
Ana, where are you going?

ANA
To my fighter, Dad.

INT. SENATE WAR ROOM - DAY.

Hearing the voices on the commlink, Leia is taken-aback.

LEIA:
(Into commlink)
Ana?!

INT. HANGAR BAY, UNDERSIDE OF MILLENNIUM FALCON - DAY

Han raises a finger at Ana.

HAN:
No way young lady. Go find your brother and take shelter.

At this very moment, a young man with tousled dirty-blond hair slides to a stop beside Ana, also wearing a flight-suit.

KANE:
What are we all standing around for? Let's go!

HAN:
Kane!

INT. SENATE WAR ROOM - DAY.

LEIA:
(Into commlink)
Kane?

INT. HANGAR BAY, UNDERSIDE OF MILLENNIUM FALCON - DAY

Pointing at his son and daughter.

HAN:
You're not going. We don't know what's out there.

KANE:
You can't stop me.

ANA:
We've flown missions before, Dad.

KANE:
We're not kids.

HAN:
You're my kids and I'm in command. You're on the bench. That's an order.

KANE:
You can't do that.

HAN:
Watch me. Deck officer! (He grabs a passing officer). Escort these pilots to the Chancellor's office.

Before the man can reply, Ana steps forward.

ANA:
Why are you going, General?

HAN:
The Falcon's the fastest ship in the fleet. We'll need it to catch Thrawn. He's not getting away this time.

ANA:
And you need fighters to give you a clear run.

HAN:
We have hundreds of pilots.

KANE:
And we are the best there is.

The three of them stare at each other for a long moment.

Come on Dad, you know it's true.

After a pause, Leia's voice is heard over the commlink.

LEIA (Commlink):
(Slight static) Go...

INT. SENATE WAR ROOM - DAY

Leia closes her eyes and puts a hand on the glass as Lando approaches.

LEIA:
(Into commlink)
Just go... all of you... and may the force be with you.

INT. HANGAR BAY, UNDERSIDE OF MILLENNIUM FALCON - DAY

All three stare at the commlink. Then Han spreads his hands wide.

HAN:
Well, what are you waiting for? You heard you mother, get to your ships!

The twins roll their eyes at their father and start towards their fighters.

And Ana...

Ana stops and looks back...

(Suddenly serious)
Look after him.

Ana smiles both in exasperation and knowing affection.

ANA:
I always do.

Han watches her go. Worried. Then he sighs.

HAN:
Kids.

He runs up the ramp of the Falcon.

HAN:
Engines Chewie!

INT. SENATE WAR ROOM - DAY

Lando places a hand on Leia's shoulder.

LANDO:
(Comforting)
They'll be fine. Those kids are two of the best damn pilots I've ever seen.

Leia smiles and looks out as a wave of fighters rises from the landing area.

LEIA:
It's not them I'm worried about Lando.

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON COCKPIT - DAY

Han sits in the pilot's seat and Chewie bundles into the co-pilots seat beside him. With a flick of a switch Han opens communications with the fleet.

HAN:
(Into comm)
This is General Han Solo. Coruscant has come under attack by Imperial Insurgents. Ground forces and fighter squadrons engage those ships. I'm taking the Falcon and going after Thrawn.

INT. SENATE WAR ROOM - DAY

Lando talks into his commlink.

LANDO:
Han, we haven't identified Thrawn's command ship.

HAN (intercomm):
He's here.

LEIA:
How will you find him?

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON COCKPIT - DAY

HAN:
(Sarcastically)
I guess I'll go look for him.

CHEWBACCA:
Roars (questioningly).

HAN:
You got a better plan?

CEWBACCA:
Roars.

HAN:
I didn't think so.

A familiar voice crackles over the intercom.

WEDGE (intercom):
General Solo, you're going to need someone covering your pursuit. Rogue Squadron would like to volunteer.

HAN:
That you Wedge?

INT. WEDGE'S COCKPIT, X-WING MARK 2 - DAY

WEDGE:
You know me, General. You'll never get me out of a fighter.

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON COCKPIT - DAY

HAN:
You got the kids with you?

INT. WEDGE'S COCKPIT, X-WING MARK 2 - DAY

WEDGE:
Rogue One, Rogue Two, do you copy?

INT. KANE'S COCKPIT, X-WING MARK 2 - DAY

Kane drops into his seat as the cockpit closes.

KANE:
Copy Rogue leader.

INT. ANA'S COCKPIT, X-WING MARK 2 - DAY

Ana pulls on her helmet and locks down her visor.

ANA:
Loud and clear.

HAN (Intercom):
(Sarcastic)
Great...

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON COCKPIT - DAY

HAN:

...Looks like the family's along for the ride.

CHEWBACCA:
Roars (in agreement)

INT. WEDGE'S COCKPIT, X-WING MARK 2 - DAY

Wedge smiles as his X-Wing's engines roar and his ship begins to rise.

WEDGE:
Just like old times.

INT. MILLENNIUM FALCON COCKPIT - DAY

HAN:
(Wearily)
Boy I hope not.

Han leans over the Falcon's controls and starts to take-off.

HAN:
Okay, this ends here. Let's get this scumbag... Punch it Chewie!

INT. HANGAR BAY, CORUSCANT - DAY

The Millennium Falcon's underside jets fire, lifting the ship into the air.

EXT. CORUSCANT SENATE DISTRCIT - DAY

Twisting upwards out of the hangar's opening roof, the Falcon's engine's pulse blue as the afterburners kick-in and propel the ship skyward. Close behind, a number of X-Wing Mark 2 fighters with red insignias throttle up and fall into formation.

INT. KANE'S COCKPIT, X-WING MARK 2 - DAY

Kane's X-Wing lifts into the open air and the morning sunlight floods through his cockpit and he grins widely.

KANE:
Try to keep up, sister.

INT. ANA'S COCKPIT, X-WING MARK 2 - DAY

Ana, beaming in the light.

ANA:
Eat my thrusters, brother.

EXT. CORUSCANT, SENATE DISTRCIT - DAY

An air-raid siren sounds. Smoke rises from the skyline of Coruscant as green laser blasts strike the city at random. Hundreds of ships descend through the atmosphere and a thousand rise to meet them. At strategic points on high-rises, ground teams man surface-to-air weapons batteries. Traffic scatters to the lower levels.

To be continued...
Click to expand...

This looks pretty good. Could you post a who's-who with the cast of this excerpt too?

Jedi Merkurian · Aug 26, 2014

There are several existing threads to discuss opening crawl and plot ideas

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ST Ep7 - First Five minutes. Scripts, ideas and speculation.

The-Eternal-Hero Jedi Knight

dolphin Chosen One

JediFan215 Jedi Master

Jedi Merkurian Future Films Rumor Naysayer Staff Member Manager