ALIEN: RESURRECTION by Joss Whedon This screenplay has been converted to a PDF file by ScreenTalk™ http://www.screentalk.org FADE IN:FADE IN: EXT. DEEP SPACE SILENT BLACKEXT. DEEP SPACE SILENT BLACK We sweep slowly across an endless tapestry of stars. FinallyWe sweep slowly across an endless tapestry of stars. Finally she comes into view: the U.S.S. AURIGA. A massive researchshe comes into view: the U.S.S. AURIGA. A massive research vessel that sits majestically just beyond Pluto's orbit.vessel that sits majestically just beyond Pluto's orbit. We TRACK ALONG the side of the ship, and...We TRACK ALONG the side of the ship, and... INT. AURIGAINT. AURIGA ... along the silent, empty corridors, coming at last to a... along the silent, empty corridors, coming at last to a door with two guards standing rigid in front of it. Fulldoor with two guards standing rigid in front of it. Full armour, powerful shockrifles, expressions empty and cold.armour, powerful shockrifles, expressions empty and cold. INT. MEDLABINT. MEDLAB Along a row of screens, where we see the first signs of lifeAlong a row of screens, where we see the first signs of life readouts, lights, data - all shifting and collating on thereadouts, lights, data - all shifting and collating on the blinking screens.blinking screens. As we move ALONG them, a figure in a labcoat passes throughAs we move ALONG them, a figure in a labcoat passes through the frame, then another, leading us along the lab to settlethe frame, then another, leading us along the lab to settle on what looks like a Cryogenic tube, not big enough for aon what looks like a Cryogenic tube, not big enough for a human.human. Still TRACKING around it, we glimpse inside some vague, fetalStill TRACKING around it, we glimpse inside some vague, fetal mass encased in a clear, aspic-like gel. Tubes and cables amass encased in a clear, aspic-like gel. Tubes and cables a attached to the mass, running out of the machine.attached to the mass, running out of the machine. As we still CIRCLE, the shape begins to be more coherent,As we still CIRCLE, the shape begins to be more coherent, till we can see what might even be a face. Eyes, shut tight.till we can see what might even be a face. Eyes, shut tight. Sleeping. Dreaming.Sleeping. Dreaming. ANGLE: WHEATANGLE: WHEAT A birds eyes view of a field, the soft golden waves fillingA birds eyes view of a field, the soft golden waves filling the screen. Sharp contrast to what we have seen before.the screen. Sharp contrast to what we have seen before. There is a woman wandering through the field. Beside her aThere is a woman wandering through the field. Beside her a girl, seven or eight, in dingey sundress. Both have black,girl, seven or eight, in dingey sundress. Both have black, tousled hair.tousled hair. GIRL'S VOICEGIRL'S VOICE My mom always said there were noMy mom always said there were no monsters - no real ones - butmonsters - no real ones - but there are.there are. The girl stops, looks around her. The wheat comes all the upThe girl stops, looks around her. The wheat comes all the up to her chest, and nothing else is visible as far as she see.to her chest, and nothing else is visible as far as she see. She looks back at the woman but the woman is already moreShe looks back at the woman but the woman is already more than fifty yards away.than fifty yards away. 22 .. The girl's expression becomes perplexed.The girl's expression becomes perplexed. She slaps a bug on the back of her neck. Pulls it off and isShe slaps a bug on the back of her neck. Pulls it off and is HUGE, wriggling fleshily in her hand. Her expression becomesHUGE, wriggling fleshily in her hand. Her expression becomes even more distraught, but she cannot muster forth a shout.even more distraught, but she cannot muster forth a shout. The sound of insects fills the air. Another bug lands on her,The sound of insects fills the air. Another bug lands on her, another. She looks down in growing horror and sees: Blood. Atanother. She looks down in growing horror and sees: Blood. At her feet, rising, filling the field, rising above the wheat,her feet, rising, filling the field, rising above the wheat, a sea of blood now, dark, thick.a sea of blood now, dark, thick. The girl tries again to scream, raises her arms. She isThe girl tries again to scream, raises her arms. She is completely covered in insects, a skittering black shroud ofcompletely covered in insects, a skittering black shroud of them, and when she finally does SCREAM they flood into herthem, and when she finally does SCREAM they flood into her mouth.mouth. CUT TO:CUT TO: INT. LABINT. LAB Instruments show a jolt in heart rate, blood pressure.Instruments show a jolt in heart rate, blood pressure. Scientists note it down, look over at the thing in aspic.Scientists note it down, look over at the thing in aspic. We can tell that time has passed because it is much bigger,We can tell that time has passed because it is much bigger, nearly the size of a man, and in a new case.nearly the size of a man, and in a new case. The camera moves in on the cardiograph, then moves down, toThe camera moves in on the cardiograph, then moves down, to show a second one. Tracking a smaller, much faster heartbeat.show a second one. Tracking a smaller, much faster heartbeat. CUT TO:CUT TO: INT. HALLLWAYINT. HALLLWAY Tiny, dark, and we are moving through it at impossible speedTiny, dark, and we are moving through it at impossible speed turning into another without slowing, up into an air vent,turning into another without slowing, up into an air vent, still moving, moving until we reach a chamber, some placestill moving, moving until we reach a chamber, some place where all we can see is a mass of dark, moving, inhuman fleewhere all we can see is a mass of dark, moving, inhuman flee it welcomes us in, envelops us...it welcomes us in, envelops us... ANGLE: RIPLEYANGLE: RIPLEY Lying somewhere, maybe the dark chamber - in the dream itLying somewhere, maybe the dark chamber - in the dream it keeps shifting. She opens her eyes, but they are dark,keeps shifting. She opens her eyes, but they are dark, whiteless.whiteless. She reaches for her chest and begins scratching. Hard.She reaches for her chest and begins scratching. Hard. Tearing at it, as blood wells up, spilling over her sides.Tearing at it, as blood wells up, spilling over her sides. CUT TO:CUT TO: 33 .. INT. OPERATING CHAMBERINT. OPERATING CHAMBER And the cause of this dream becomes apparent:And the cause of this dream becomes apparent: ANGLE: RIPLEY'S CHESTANGLE: RIPLEY'S CHEST Being cut open with a lasersaw.Being cut open with a lasersaw. We see her body still has a layer of the aspic-slime clingingWe see her body still has a layer of the aspic-slime clinging to it. And her skin is unnaturally blue. But as we PAN fromto it. And her skin is unnaturally blue. But as we PAN from her chest to her face her identity is unmistakable.her chest to her face her identity is unmistakable. Around her are several men in operating masks. Cutting herAround her are several men in operating masks. Cutting her GEDIMAN, a young and enthusiastic scientist. One man,GEDIMAN, a young and enthusiastic scientist. One man, seemingly in charge, stands a bit off, watching. This, by tagseemingly in charge, stands a bit off, watching. This, by tag on his coat, is DR. WREN.on his coat, is DR. WREN. WRENWREN Careful... Ready with the amnio...Careful... Ready with the amnio... Gediman finishes cutting. Another man steps in with a clamp.Gediman finishes cutting. Another man steps in with a clamp. Sets it. Pulls apart the chest.Sets it. Pulls apart the chest. GEDIMANGEDIMAN There she is...There she is... He says it like he's found a lost kitten. He reaches in anHe says it like he's found a lost kitten. He reaches in an pulls out a sleeping, fetal but nearly ready to burst ALIEN.pulls out a sleeping, fetal but nearly ready to burst ALIEN. Others work at severing umbilical threads that tie it toOthers work at severing umbilical threads that tie it to Ripley's chest.Ripley's chest. GEDIMANGEDIMAN Here we go.Here we go. He holds it up and others step in with the amnio, a sort ofHe holds it up and others step in with the amnio, a sort of incubator filled with amniotic fluid. The alien SCREAMS, itsincubator filled with amniotic fluid. The alien SCREAMS, its tiny mouth full with teeth, and wriggles out of his grasp.tiny mouth full with teeth, and wriggles out of his grasp. WRENWREN Watch it!Watch it! Everybody panics - but before the thing can get completelyEverybody panics - but before the thing can get completely away from him, Gediman grabs it and sticks it in the amnio.away from him, Gediman grabs it and sticks it in the amnio. Someone shuts the top rapidly. Everybody looks at each otherSomeone shuts the top rapidly. Everybody looks at each other for a moment.for a moment. GEDIMANGEDIMAN Well...Well... WRENWREN The host?The host? 44 .. A surgeon looks at Ripley's readings.A surgeon looks at Ripley's readings. SURGEONSURGEON Doing fine.Doing fine. Gediman looks at Wren, hopefully. Wren nods.Gediman looks at Wren, hopefully. Wren nods. WRENWREN Sew her back up.Sew her back up. Gediman and the surgeon get to work, as the others carefullyGediman and the surgeon get to work, as the others carefully remove the alien.remove the alien. GEDIMANGEDIMAN Well, that went as well as couldWell, that went as well as could be expected -be expected - Ripley's hand LASHES OUT, GRABS the surgeon's forearm. HeRipley's hand LASHES OUT, GRABS the surgeon's forearm. He yells in pain as her fingers dig into him, the othersyells in pain as her fingers dig into him, the others scramble knocking things over and we HEAR HIS BONE CRACKING.scramble knocking things over and we HEAR HIS BONE CRACKING. SMASH CUT TO:SMASH CUT TO: INT. RIPLEY'S CELLINT. RIPLEY'S CELL Sudden stillness.Sudden stillness. Ripley crouches in the middle of a small, dark chamber. She'sRipley crouches in the middle of a small, dark chamber. She's wide eyed, staring straight ahead in a state of nearwide eyed, staring straight ahead in a state of near catatonia. Hair tangled and wild. But at least she's not socatatonia. Hair tangled and wild. But at least she's not so blue as before.blue as before. The only light on her comes from directly above, from a thickThe only light on her comes from directly above, from a thick pane of glass in the center of the ceiling.pane of glass in the center of the ceiling. ANGLE: ABOVE THE CELLANGLE: ABOVE THE CELL A guard stands on the floor above, looking into the cellA guard stands on the floor above, looking into the cell through the square of glass in the floor, directly abovethrough the square of glass in the floor, directly above Ripley.Ripley. (We see other panes of glass lining the floor, indicating(We see other panes of glass lining the floor, indicating more cells below.)more cells below.) ANGLE: RIPLEYANGLE: RIPLEY She is still for a long while. Then she lifts her hands,She is still for a long while. Then she lifts her hands, looking at them. Touches her face, her skin.looking at them. Touches her face, her skin. She fingers her tunic, pulls down the neck. There is a scarShe fingers her tunic, pulls down the neck. There is a scar running along her chest. She fingers it thoughtfully.running along her chest. She fingers it thoughtfully. 55 .. She looks at her forearm. Tattooed near the crook of herShe looks at her forearm. Tattooed near the crook of her elbow is the number 8. She looks up, her face unreadable.elbow is the number 8. She looks up, her face unreadable. CUT TO:CUT TO: INT. LABINT. LAB Ripley is sitting on a table as Gediman draws blood from her.Ripley is sitting on a table as Gediman draws blood from her. He deposits it in a test beaker, studies her eyes.He deposits it in a test beaker, studies her eyes. Wren enters, looking at a chart.Wren enters, looking at a chart. WRENWREN How's our number eight today?How's our number eight today? GEDIMANGEDIMAN Appears to be in good health...Appears to be in good health... WRENWREN (noticing his tone)(noticing his tone) How good?How good? GEDIMANGEDIMAN Extraordinary. As in, completelyExtraordinary. As in, completely off our projected charts.off our projected charts. (shows him some(shows him some photos)photos) Look at the scar tissue. See theLook at the scar tissue. See the recession?recession? WRENWREN This is from -This is from - GEDIMANGEDIMAN Yesterday!Yesterday! WRENWREN This is good. This is very good.This is good. This is very good. GEDIMANGEDIMAN I'd like to run some tests:I'd like to run some tests: strength, coordination... we'restrength, coordination... we're not looking at a normal cloningnot looking at a normal cloning arc.arc. WRENWREN Approved.Approved. Wren goes up to Ripley, studies her face with satisfaction.Wren goes up to Ripley, studies her face with satisfaction. 66 .. WRENWREN Well, it looks like you're goingWell, it looks like you're going to make us all very proud.to make us all very proud. She grabs his throat with dazzling speed, applying deadlyShe grabs his throat with dazzling speed, applying deadly pressure as she brings his face to hers. Her eyes are burnpressure as she brings his face to hers. Her eyes are burn but lost.but lost. RIPLEYRIPLEY Why?Why? GEDIMANGEDIMAN Oh my god...Oh my god... He is as wide eyed as WREN, and he isn't having his windpipeHe is as wide eyed as WREN, and he isn't having his windpipe crushed.crushed. After a moment the shock wears off and he slams his hand intoAfter a moment the shock wears off and he slams his hand into the alarm.the alarm. Klaxons, red light fire up.Klaxons, red light fire up. A guard rushes in, levels his weapon at Ripley. After aA guard rushes in, levels his weapon at Ripley. After a moment of staring him down, she opens her hand. Wren falls tomoment of staring him down, she opens her hand. Wren falls to his knees gasping.his knees gasping. The guard FIRES his rifle at her - a powerful electricalThe guard FIRES his rifle at her - a powerful electrical charge lashes out and sends her flying back into the corner.charge lashes out and sends her flying back into the corner. WRENWREN No! no! I'm all right!No! no! I'm all right! The guards keep their weapons - 'burners', these shockriflesThe guards keep their weapons - 'burners', these shockrifles are called - leveled at Ripley. She has recovered from theare called - leveled at Ripley. She has recovered from the shock quickly, sits crumpled in the corner, looking atshock quickly, sits crumpled in the corner, looking at nothing in particular.nothing in particular. RIPLEYRIPLEY (wearily)(wearily) Why...?Why...? CUT TO:CUT TO: INT. OBSERVATION ROOMINT. OBSERVATION ROOM Wren and Gediman watch through a one way mirror as aWren and Gediman watch through a one way mirror as a scientist tests Ripley. With them is General PEREZ, the manscientist tests Ripley. With them is General PEREZ, the man in charge this boat. Ramrod straight and about as gruff asin charge this boat. Ramrod straight and about as gruff as you would expect, he stares at Ripley suspiciously.you would expect, he stares at Ripley suspiciously. 77 .. ANGLE: RIPLEYANGLE: RIPLEY The scientist is holding up cards with pictures on them:The scientist is holding up cards with pictures on them: house, dog, boat. Ripley gives answers we can't hear throughhouse, dog, boat. Ripley gives answers we can't hear through the glass, looking pissed off and bored.the glass, looking pissed off and bored. WRENWREN It's unprecedented.It's unprecedented. GEDIMANGEDIMAN Totally! She's operating at aTotally! She's operating at a completely adult capacity.completely adult capacity. PEREZPEREZ And her memories?And her memories? WRENWREN There are gaps. And there's someThere are gaps. And there's some degree of cognitive dissonance.degree of cognitive dissonance. GEDIMANGEDIMAN She's freaked.She's freaked. Wren shoots Gediman a stern look at his unscientific parlance.Wren shoots Gediman a stern look at his unscientific parlance. WRENWREN "It" has some connective"It" has some connective difficulties. A kind of low leveldifficulties. A kind of low level emotional autism. Certainemotional autism. Certain reactions....reactions.... Perez looks at Ripley through the glass, then exits into thePerez looks at Ripley through the glass, then exits into the hall.hall. CUT TO:CUT TO: INT. HALL - CONTINUOUSINT. HALL - CONTINUOUS The two scientists follow, pace him as he strides downThe two scientists follow, pace him as he strides down towards a second observation room.towards a second observation room. GEDIMANGEDIMAN But the thing is, we can'tBut the thing is, we can't terminate her. It.terminate her. It. PEREZPEREZ You haven't told me what you thinkYou haven't told me what you think has caused this. cloned geneshas caused this. cloned genes don't contain memory cells, notdon't contain memory cells, not even when they're brought to adulteven when they're brought to adult term. I'm right?term. I'm right? 88 .. GEDIMANGEDIMAN There's been cases -There's been cases - PEREZPEREZ Not like this.Not like this. WRENWREN Well, we don't have nearly enoughWell, we don't have nearly enough data... But in some cases there isdata... But in some cases there is a collective memory passed downa collective memory passed down generationally. At a geneticgenerationally. At a genetic level. Like instinct, only morelevel. Like instinct, only more complex structurally.complex structurally. PEREZPEREZ In some cases. You're talkingIn some cases. You're talking about the alien.about the alien. WRENWREN Yes.Yes. PEREZPEREZ You promised me there wasn't goingYou promised me there wasn't going to be any crossing.to be any crossing. WRENWREN It's not like the other ones...It's not like the other ones... Perez punches code, puts his hand on the scanner and thePerez punches code, puts his hand on the scanner and the second observation room door opens... He steps in, the othersecond observation room door opens... He steps in, the other two right behind him.two right behind him. CUT TO:CUT TO: INT. OBSERVATION ROOM TWOINT. OBSERVATION ROOM TWO Darker than the first one, and with two of the heavilyDarker than the first one, and with two of the heavily armoured guards by the door.armoured guards by the door. Apart from that, identical. Perez turns to the others.Apart from that, identical. Perez turns to the others. PEREZPEREZ But there is some genetic mix.But there is some genetic mix. WRENWREN Yes.Yes. PEREZPEREZ Will there be further mutation?Will there be further mutation? 99 .. GEDIMANGEDIMAN Mutation isn't exactly... I don'tMutation isn't exactly... I don't think so.think so. WRENWREN That's one of the things we needThat's one of the things we need to study.to study. PEREZPEREZ All right. You can keep it. ButAll right. You can keep it. But secure, under obso, and for God'ssecure, under obso, and for God's sake keep it away from here. Isake keep it away from here. I don't want any more surprises.don't want any more surprises. And as he speaks the ALIEN RISES RIGHT BEHIND HIM - it's big,And as he speaks the ALIEN RISES RIGHT BEHIND HIM - it's big, the ridges on its head indicating a young Queen - it hissesthe ridges on its head indicating a young Queen - it hisses and LUNGES at the back of his head.and LUNGES at the back of his head. The reinforced plastic window between them, which we couldn'tThe reinforced plastic window between them, which we couldn't see, stops it. As it hits, a thin laser grid buzzes to life,see, stops it. As it hits, a thin laser grid buzzes to life, sparks crackling on the alien's face.sparks crackling on the alien's face. Its bile trails darkly on the glass as it backs off.Its bile trails darkly on the glass as it backs off. Perez turns to look at it with the others.Perez turns to look at it with the others. PEREZPEREZ It took a hell of a lot to get usIt took a hell of a lot to get us here.here. GEDIMANGEDIMAN No shit.No shit. Wren shoots him another look.Wren shoots him another look. PEREZPEREZ How soon before this one'sHow soon before this one's ovulating?ovulating? WRENWREN Days.Days. PEREZPEREZ Is that normal?Is that normal? WRENWREN No way of knowing for sure, butNo way of knowing for sure, but I'd say it's accelerated.I'd say it's accelerated. (after a moment)(after a moment) We're going to need the supplies.We're going to need the supplies.