The Fantastic Four

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FADE IN:

CLOSE ON A MASSIVE STEEL HEAD

Our first thought: DR. DOOM? But it's not moving. A

welder's torch sparks into frame in the hands of a sculptor

on scaffolding. This is art, an epic 20 foot statue going up

of a business mogul (VICTOR VON DOOM) in whose generously

extended hands sit two intertwined columns of DNA. His face

is chiseled, angular, perfect (too perfect). Past sparks, we

MOVE down to pick up...

EXT. STREET/VON DOOM INDUSTRIES TOWER - DAY

REED RICHARDS and BEN GRIMM head toward the soaring glass-box

atrium of VDI Headquarters. Designed to inspire awe, it

does.

REED:

High open space, exposed structural

elements. Obviously aimed at first

time visitors to create feelings of...

smallness, inadequacy.

Ben glances at Reed, who looks a little nervous.

BEN:

Good thing it ain't workin... Reed,

what are we doing here? This guy's

fast-food, strip-mall science --

REED:

This wasn't our first stop, in case

you forgot NASA. And Victor's not

that bad. He's just a little...

(seeing the statue)

Larger than life.

INT. VON DOOM INDUSTRIES TOWER - DAY

They move past the statue, into the sprawling atrium.

REED:

He's financed some of the biggest

breakthroughs of this century.

BEN:

You'd never know it.

He motions to a high-tech ORB, showing FOOTAGE of VDI's

accomplishments:
a safe and clean nuclear facility, the first

private Space Station.

All images have VICTOR front and center, glad-handling George

Bush, Tony Blair, shady International Leaders. The last

image is Victor holding the AMERICA'S CUP.

BEN (CONT'D)

Jesus. That too?

They reach three stern RECEPTIONISTS.

REED:

Reed Richards and Ben Grimm to see --

A receptionist cuts him off, handing them each a pass.

FEMALE RECEPTIONIST

Executive elevator, top floor.

BEN:

What's the price for a smile round here?

They head for the elevator. Reed carries a small, black box.

As they enter the elevator, steel doors shut and we CUT TO --

INT. VON DOOM INDUSTRIES TOWER - OFFICE - DAY

A large, dark office. Ben in the corner. He yawns,

watches...

BRIGHT HOLOGRAMS: Stars. Planets. They hover in the air,

making the room feel like a majestic portal into outer space.

REED (O.S.)

My research suggests that exposure to

a high-energy cosmic storm born on

solar winds might have triggered the

evolution of early planetary life.

REED stands among the holograms, speaking to a MYSTERIOUS

FIGURE in shadow behind a desk. An ominous, PULSATING RED

CLOUD covers the stars. It washes over a hologram of EARTH.

REED (CONT'D)

In six weeks another cloud with the

same elemental profile will pass

Earth's orbit. A study in space could

advance our knowledge about the

structure of the human genome, and

help cure countless diseases, extend

human life --

The SHADOW clears his throat. Reed speeds up, emotional.

REED (CONT'D)

Give kids the chance to be stronger,

healthier, less prone to --

SHADOWED FIGURE:

Turn it off. Please.

The figure's DEEP VOICE pierces the darkness.

REED:

But I haven't fully explained my --

SHADOWED FIGURE:

Yes you have... Imagination.

Creativity. Passion. Those were

always your trademarks.

Lights brighten, revealing the face behind the voice: VICTOR

VON DOOM. 35, handsome, commanding. He looks almost...

airbrushed. He drops a WIRED magazine to the desk. REED is

on the cover over the words: RICHARDS BANKRUPT, GRANT

CUTBACKS.

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