[SCREENPLAY] Passing the Lantern
So, I tried out something new recently. This is my first ever screenplay and I wanted to try writing about something that’s exciting me currently, that happens to be DC’s Lanterns TV show.
I wrote this as practice for something else and it was a nice rabbit hole to go over on the weekend. I enjoyed this way more than I expected and might write out more in the future. Before I give context on the screenplay, SPOILER ALERT!! You’ve been warned.
This was written after the end of episode 6 and before I saw episode 7 (happens to be my favorite episode till now, waiting for episode 8 at the time of writing). The scene is how I would imagine John finally becoming Green Lantern. There’s gaps for sure and it’s for a specific moment and from a screenplay writing perspective, so much can be improved. Considering this is the first one, I’m actually happy about this one and had fun writing it.
EXT. MALTUS - NIGHT
JOHN STEWART
I don't know how much longer I can hold this...
HALOGRAM
You don't really have a choice. If you give out, we'll be dead.
Well, mostly you, I'm already dead.
John looks at Halogram with an incredulous look. Halogram reads his expression.
HALOGRAM
Sorry, too soon.
JOHN STEWART
Worst case scenario, I'll die with somewhat of an apology from Hal Jordan.
Halogram is about to give John the same look and in the midst of it,
they flinch as a pulse of energy
beams at the shield construct that John had created.
ANOTHER PERSON (O.S)
I must admit, you're not a coward. Well..., not completely.
There is a small pause between the energy pulse targetting Halogram and Jordan.
They notice an opening and make a run for it, climbing swiftly down the hatch
to their right and close it soon as they are inside.
The ambience inside is that of yellow lights trailing everywhere along the walls.
JOHN STEWART
What do we do now? The ring doesn't have-
RING (V.O)
Ring charge - 1%
Both look at the ring.
HALOGRAM
That won't happen to be the reserve energy now, right?
JOHN STEWART
Is there no spare lantern anywhere on this planet?
HALOGRAM
The Guardians abandoned this planet long ago.
Crazy guy doing some experiments which messed with time and fabric of reality,
whatever that means.
Halogram looks down, purses his lips, in thought.
HALOGRAM
There is one way, I am not completely sure it'll work but let's just say I got a gut feeling.
JOHN STEWART
Let's hear it
HALOGRAM
Make the lantern itself as a construct and recite the oath
JOHN STEWART
You have got to be kidding me.
The hatch above is pierced with a massive needle felting tool,
yanks the hatch open to reveal a familiar face.
SINESTRO
I'm going to need that ring, John
Sinestro, points the tool construct at them both and shoots it directly
at John with the help of his newly forged yellow ring.
John created a bunker rooftop construct just in time.
Sinestro can only see the the rooftop, not John or Halogram.
For him, he has already won.
HALOGRAM
It's now or never
JOHN STEWART
Even if I create the lantern...
I don't remember the oath
John starts struggling to hold the construct.
Charge is being depleted every second.
There is no other way to escape.
John starts to doubt.
Doubt births fear.
The needle felting construct begins to pierce the rooftop construct, more and more with each second.
HALOGRAM
Just create the damn lantern. Just repeat the oath after me
John closes his eyes.
He starts to create the lantern.
The rooftop construct coming closer each second.
Lantern is ready. John opens his eyes to see it.
Happy. Proud. Still holding fear.
Halogram sharing the first two feelings. He smirks at John.
SINESTRO
John, how much longer will the ring keep you alive?
From what I can sense, fear will break your willpower before the ring runs out of charge.
HALOGRAM
Repeat after me.
In brightest day...
JOHN STEWART
In brightest day...
HALOGRAM
In blackest night...
JOHN STEWART
In blackest night...
Halogram continuing with the oath, John following with a word or two behind.
HALOGRAM AND JOHN
No evil shall escape my sight
Let those who worship evil's might
The rooftop construct, now pierced more to give Sinestro a glimpse of what's happening,
sees the lantern construct
SINESTRO
NO
Sinestro constructs yellow walls, below and around them, to squish them to death in an instant.
The rooftop construct converts into a bubble, preventing crushing them.
John looks around the bubble, confused because he didn't create it. Halogram did.
John looks at Halogram.
John smirks. Admiration. Thankful. Conqured fear.
HALOGRAM AND JOHN (IN UNISON)
GREEN LANTERN'S LIGHT
The bubble expands into a blast, pushing Sinestro miles away.
A green light comes out through the opened damaged hatch.
It's John, with a green outline around. The Green Lantern logo on his chest. He has the suit.
RING
Ring charged
John looks to his side. Halogram beside him. Both in the air.
HALOGRAM
The clock is gonna strike 12 for us both.
It's the end of the previous era, and a birth of a new one.
JOHN STEWART
Thank you, Hal. For everything.
RING
New owner found. Archiving previous backups.
Halogram sighs.
HALOGRAM
Just so you know, I did like you, Junior.
Halogram fades away into the archives, disappearing in front of John.
Sinestro is no where to be found. Yet.
Green Lantern heads back to Earth.
Consequences follow him.
Well, that was that. Hope this was somewhat fun to read as much as it was to write. I’ve become such a huge fan of Green Lantern, especially Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan. Here’s to more screenplays :)