I am Legend

I am Legend  

Screenplay by Mark Protosevich

based on the novel by Richard Matheson
　

In 1995, researchers at the University of Kansas used

viruses linked to healthy respiratory cells to destroy and

replace diseased cells in patients afflicted with lung

cancer.

In 1997, scientists at the Krippen Center for Genetic

Research in Berkeley, California made a significant

stride forward. By manipulating the genetic

information in a common blood cell and infusing it

with the characteristics of a potent virus, they were

able to create a biological warrior cell--the viragene.

Once introduced into a host, the viragene could hunt

and obliterate the body's natural enemies--tumors,

thickening arteries, decaying bone. Anything. The

'enemy' would be consumed, digested, and

transformed into energy to fuel the viragene. It was a

perfect tool. And the possibilities were limitless. AIDS,

cancer, muscular dystrophy, even the flu--the viragene

could beat them all.

The first human trials began in March of 1998. The

initial trial group, dubbed the 'Krippen Ten', were

afflicted with leukemia. These individuals, along with

Dr. Krippen, were about to make more than medical

history. They were to forever change the course of

humanity.

"Being unconquerable lies with yourself; being conquerable lies with the enemy."

Sun Tzu, The Art of War.

"We used to wonder where war lived, what it was that made it so vile. And now we realize

that we know where it lives. That it is inside ourselves."

Albert Camus, Notebooks.

"'Let there be light!' said God, and there was light. 'Let there be blood!' says man, and

there's a sea!"

Lord Byron, Don Juan.

A VIDEO IMAGE FLICKERS TO LIFE. A ruggedly handsome man with dark, haunted eyes. Eyes that have seen hell.

NEVILLE

My name is Robert Neville. Today is October 17th,

the year 2002. I was born in 1960, on this very day,

so that makes today my birthday. (remembering)

Every year for my birthday, my wife Ellen would throw

me a party. A kid's party. Cake, ice cream, funny hats,

"Pin the Tail on the Donkey". One year she rented a pony.

It didn't matter that we were grown-ups and this was all

kind of silly to the neighbors. She just did things like that.

She brought such joy into everything she did, everything

she touched... (too nostalgic) I am forty-two today.

I feel fine. I feel fit. My mental state is... pretty good.

(withdraws) Let's start over. (focuses)

My name is Robert Neville. I was born forty-two years

ago in Des Moines, Iowa. I had a wife Ellen and a daughter

Grace. My father's name was Bill and my mother's

Charlotte. They were farm people.

I hope... Someday... When someone finds these tapes...

You will know who I was. What I was about.

What I tried to do. What I try to do. (withdraws)

I think I killed six last night.

THE VIDEO IMAGE TURNS TO STATIC.

INT. NEVILLE'S HOUSE - DAY

ROBERT NEVILLE switches off the VIDEO CAMERA pointed at him. He collapses the tripod and rests the apparatus in a corner. He wears shorts, a t-shirt, tennis shoes. He slices a CD into an impressive MUSIC SYSTEM and Mahler's "Resurrection" Symphony BLASTS from speakers throughout the house.

INT. NEVILLE'S HOUSE - EXERCISE ROOM - DAY

A serious workout facility. Weights, boxer's heavy bag, rowing machine, etc. Neville pushes himself through a series of strenuous exercises. His body is in fantastic shape. Taught muscle. Lean, not bulky. His movements are lithe, almost graceful. More track athlete than body builder.

INT. NEVILLE'S HOUSE - SHOWER - DAY

Neville washes his body and we notice the SCARS. On his ankles, wrists, neck, stomach, back. A few are the results of crude stitches, the others... Bite marks ? Scratches ?

INT. NEVILLE'S HOUSE - LIBRARY - DAY

Neville passes shelves filled with COMPACT DISCS, AUDIO CASSETTES, and VIDEOTAPES. Another section filled with BOOKS and PAINTINGS. Only a carefully selected few hang on the walls--Degas, Klee, Rothko, Van Gogh. The rest are stacked like pallets. They must be copies. Mustn't they?

A TELEVISION gives us the "Today Show", A RADIO, NPR's "Morning Edition", "Resurrection" in the background. A wall of sound. The sound of everyday life. Normal life. Neville descends a SPIRAL STAIRCASE leading to the GROUND FLOOR.

INT. NEVILLE'S HOUSE - GREENHOUSE - DAY

Neville strolls the aisles of a hothouse. Vegetables, fruit, herbs, potatoes. All in carefully compartmentalized lots. Panes of glass on the roof allow in SUNLIGHT.

Neville notices a loose screw on a shutter and pulls a SQUARE of METAL from his pocket. It's an ALL-IN-ONE-TOOL--something Neville is never without. Only two inches-by-two inches, it has a screwdriver tip, a serrated 'saw' edge, a knife edge, magnifying glass, etc.

Neville tightens the screw, holds the tool in his teeth--a habit--and makes sure the window is shut tight. Neville picks a few strawberries, checks the Condition of a tomato plant, and trims a vine with the knife side of the tool.

INT. NEVILLE'S HOUSE - KITCHEN - DAY

Neville sits at a table eating a bowl of oatmeal with fresh s-strawberries, sipping a cup of coffee. On a wall mounted TELEVISION, Katie Couric and Bryant Gumbel. Neville watches

with an almost disturbing gaze. He mouths along with them, somehow anticipating the "live"

dialogue...

NEVILLE / KATIE

And for those of us who'd like to lose a

few pounds, Dr. Art Ulene will be here to

tell us about his new weight loss plan...

(If we paid attention we'd notice the information contained in the TV show and radio "broadcast" is old and familiar. We know these stories. There's nothing "new" about the news.)

Outside, we HEAR a DOG BARKING.

Neville enters a ROOM adjacent to the kitchen--a state-of-the-art MEDICAL FACILITY. Operating table, pharmacy, I.V.s, EKG, surgical equipment, you name it. He uses a hypodermic to withdraw BLOOD from his arm. He fills two plastic vials and tosses the syringe into a BIOHAZARD waste bin.

INT. NEVILLE'S HOUSE - BEDROOM - DAY

Spartan. Bed, reading lamp, a few books. A PHOTO of his wife and child. on the wall, an HISTORICAL PAINTING showing Napoleon's surrender at Waterloo. Nearby, within a second's grasp from bedside, are a SHOTGUN and a .44 MAGNUM.

At a closet filled with very few clothes--all the same type--Neville loses the robe and steps into a BLACK TIGHT-FITTING BODYSUIT. Similar to a diver's wetsuit, but the material is more flexible. It's some type of protective undergarment, composed of a Kevlar-like mesh.

He dons a Kevlar vest, a work shirt and durable pants. He slips on combat boots, tucks the pants into them, and TAPES THEM . He adds a "utility" belt and fits the BLOOD VIALS into a secure pouch. He straps on two wristwatches and chains an ELECTRONIC POCKET WATCH to his belt. Again, the DOG BARKS outside.

NEVILLE

All right, all right. Keep your fur on.

He picks up a REMOTE CONTROL and switches off the TV, radio, and music. It's replaced by an EERIE SILENCE.

INT. NEVILLE'S HOUSE - GARAGE - DAY

A no-frills underground garage. A LAND ROVER, SPORTS CAR, and MOTORCYCLE. (Now shut off, the walls are lined with HALOGEN LAMPS.) Neville walks to an electronic control panel and hits a button. The garage door opens, but it doesn't open vertically. Instead, a horizontal panel slides back, parallel with the earth's surface, revealing a slanted cement ramp leading to the garage below.

SUNLIGHT pours in from above. The DOG BARKS. A MUSCULAR CANINE silhouetted at the top. Neville WHISTLES. The dog bounds down the ramp, delighted to see its master. Neville reacts coldly. No, "Hi, boy, how ya doin'?!" Nothing. We know the dog wants a reaction, but Neville is firm. He opens a CABINET, grabs a bag, and pours some chow. The dog hungrily devours his breakfast and Neville sees the bag is empty. He opens ANOTHER and finds it's CRAWLING WITH ANTS.

NEVILLE

Terrific.

He dumps the infested bag into a trash Container. Neville whistles and points to the Land Rover. The dog leaps into the vehicle. Neville shuts the passenger door and we see the Rover has been customized. The roof, hood, doors, and trunk are crisscrossed with BARBED WIRE. All windows--save the windshield, and that is protected by chicken wire--have been replaced by THICK METAL PLATES. SLITS are cut into the steel, but visibility is limited.

INT. LAND ROVER - DAY

Neville climbs behind the wheel. The interior of the vehicle is outfitted with emergency medical supplies, flares, heavy-duty flashlights, lamps, rope, wire, tools. The dog settles an a blanket an the floor. Neville hits a few switches and CLOSED-CIRCUIT MONITORS flicker to life. Via video, they show the side and rear views from the Land Rover. Neville starts her up and the souped-up engine ROARS to life. We stay within the Land Rover as it ascends the ramp.

NEVILLE

(donning sunglasses)

Another beautiful day.