Post by Deidre Warren on Mar 30, 2021 21:55:16 GMT -5
CHARMED
screenplay by
Deidre Warren
based on a story
“The Power of Three”, a novelization written by Eliza Willard, based on the screenplay by Constance M. Burge
based on Charmed season 1, episode 17 “That 70s Episode”
written by Sheryl. J Anderson
based on Charmed season 3, episode 17 “Pre Witched”
written by Chris Levinson and Zach Estrick
based on characters from CHARMED created by Constance M. Burge
SCREENPLAY - WRITERS DRAFT 2 (VERSION 2)
FILM RELEASE DATE: OCTOBER 8, 1998
OTHER NOTES: The first in a possible three part trilogy of films.
OTHER NOTES: The first in a possible three part trilogy of films.
FADE IN:
EXT. SALEM MASSACHUSETTS – 1692 – DAY
We open to Salem, Massachusetts in a town square. Where we see the a woman, aged 30, with a chain around her neck and hands tied.
MELINDA (V.O.)
My name is Melinda Halliwell. I used to want to save the world and protect the innocent.
The distant SOUND OF TOWNS PEOPLE YELLING AND SCREAMING can be heard.
MELINDA (V.O.)
To those who don’t know me, I was known as the kind and friendly neighborhood midwife...
THE CROWD GETS LOUDER as Melinda walks through the crowd towards the middle of the town square.
MELINDA (V.O.)
...But to those who did, I was a witch…
CLOSE UP ON THE MELINDA’S FACE with tears going down her face, as the towns people scream at her and call her a witch.
MAN #1
DIE WITCH!
WOMAN
I let you around my children, Melinda.
MAN #2
Be hanged like the rest of your coven.
MELINDA (V.O.)
...and the protector of the innocent.
CUT TO:
ENT. COLONIAL VIRGINIA MASSACHUSETTS – 1662 – DAY
We see CHARLOTTE HALLIWELL (22), holding her new-born daughter.
MELINDA(V.O.)
I was born to two non-magical parents, as neither of them were witches or gifted.
INT. SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS – 1678 – DAY
MELINDA (V.O.)
After the death of my father, Me and my mother soon moved from Colonial Virginia to Salem, Massachusetts during the Witch Trials. I learned to control my three special gifts, the power to move things with my mind, the power to freeze time and the power to see into the future.
We see Melinda using her powers to help innocents in town.
INT. SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS – 1686 – DAY
MELINDA (V.O.)
When I was twenty years old I gave birth to my own daughter named Prudence Halliwell.
We see Melinda (aged 24) with her daughter Prudence (aged 4).
MELINDA (V.O.)
I kept a book with all my spells and potions, known as the Book of Shadows. I hoped to pass this down to my daughter and future generations.
Melinda is seen writing in a large book, which will later be famously known as “the book of shadows”.
MELINDA (V.O.)
But, long story short, it didn’t end well for me. I was eventually found guilty of witchcraft, and sentenced to death. But, I didn’t care, I only cared about the safety of my only daughter, who I sent away for protection.
We see Melinda kissing Prudence goodbye for the last time, and then we cut to Melinda being thrown into a jail cell.
CUT TO:
EXT. SALEM MASSACHUSETTS – 1692 – DAY
Melinda is taken to the middle of the crowd and the executioner takes her to the spot she is going to be hanged, as the towns people continue to yell and boo at her.
Melinda suddenly is hit with a vision of the future, we do not see who she saw, but we see Melinda’s face filled both sadness but joy because whatever she saw was a good thing.
MELINDA
You may kill me, but you cannot kill my kind. With each generation, my line will grow stronger and stronger — culminating in the arrival of three sisters. Together, these three sisters will be the most powerful witches the world has ever known. They will be good witches and vanquish all kinds of evil. They will be known as the Charmed Ones.
As Melinda drops from being hanged, we CUT TO BLACK.
MELINDA (V.O.)
And that was the end of my story, and now is the beginning of another..my descendants and the beginning of the story of the greatest witches the world has ever known….THE CHARMED ONES.
CUT TO:
EXT. SAN FRANCISCO - 1980 - NIGHT
Grey clouds pass over a full moon. Lightning pierces the sky. Thunder crashes. And rain pelts the city below.
INT. APARTMENT - KITCHEN – NIGHT
A WOMAN, mid 20s, performs a ritual many single women do every night. She pours herself a 9 ass of wine and feeds her odd-looking cat, who sports an unusual collar. She does not notice as she leaves the kitchen that the cat.
IN THE LIVING ROOM
Illuminating a small altar. On this altar are tools of Wiccan ritual: a wand, candles, a bell, censer, and a ceremonial knife. The woman starts to say an incantation spell in Latin and touches the wick of each candle, magically lights up. "lighting" them as She then kneels inside a circle, closes her eyes and begins to chant.
WOMAN
Ancient One of the forest deep, Master of moon and sun.
I shield you in the ancient way, here in my circle round. Asking you protect this space, And offer your Sunforce down.
Suddenly, the phone rings, and she stops her ritual and walks over to the phone and answers it.
WOMAN
(into phone)
Hello?
INTERCUT WITH:
INT. QUAKE – NIGHT - MEANWHILE
PATTY HALLIWELL (aged 30), on on a pay phone in the back room of the restaurant Quake, where Patty works as a waitress.
PATTY
(into phone)
Pauline?
PAULINE
I was just performing my nightly ritual.
PATTY
I didn’t interrupt you, did I?
PAULINE
Yeah, but it’s okay. I was nearly done. You off work?
PATTY
I can’t wait to go home to see my girls.
PAULINE
I wish I could have children some day, and see the joy they bring you myself?
PATTY
Really? You can barely manage babysitting mine?
PAULINE
Is that why you always let Mom babysit.
PATTY
Very funny. Look, I was calling, because, Mom is certain we’re dealing with a new demon or warlock, who has the ability to take the youth away from its victims. She needs a hand, but...
PAULINE
..You promised Victor no magic for the anniversary tonight.
PATTY
Yeah.
PAULINE
I’ll stop by to help her. Okay, love you.
PATTY
Love you.
Patty puts the phone down, and grabs her belongings and is ready to go home.
EXT. HALLIWELL MANOR – NIGHT
We see Patty walking up the steps of the manor and entering the house.
INT. HALLIWELL MANOR – FOYER - NIGHT
Patty puts her coat on the rack, and then suddenly two little girls PRUE (aged 8) and PIPER (aged 5) come running through the house towards Patty. Prue hugs her mother’s legs tight.
PRUE
Mommy. Andy gave me something today.
PATTY
That’s nice sweetheart. What did Andy give you.
Prue shows her mom a necklace Andy made Prue, and Patty smiles. Piper who had been finger painting and has red hands rubs them onto Patty’s shirt.
PATTY
And what have you been doing?
But before Piper can answer, we hear:
PENNY (O.S)
Patty, I’m so sorry, but the girls have been finger painting this afternoon, and Piper took it a little bit too far.
REVEAL PENNY HALLIWELL (aged 48) who comes up to Patty and greets her hello.
PATTY
They were not too much trouble were they?
PENNY
No. They were fine. Phoebe is asleep in her room upstairs.
Patty nods at Penny and then looks at Piper’s hands.
PATTY
Prue, why don’t you take your sister and go wash up.
Prue and Piper then walk towards the kitchen.
PATTY
Did Victor call?
PENNY
No. I’m still surprised you two made it work, and the two of you decided to give it another try after Phoebe was born.
PATTY
(rolls her eyes) Oh, mother.
PENNY
So, have you and Victor made a decision yet?
Patty knows exactly what she is asking.
PATTY
No. Victor wants them to be raised as normal girls. I think back to how you raised me and Pauline as witches growing up.
PENNY
(shakes her head) And you agree with him?
PATTY
I haven’t made my mind up yet.
PENNY
You better make a decision soon. She may be two, but you remember Prue and Piper when they turned 3.
PATTY
I know. Believe me. Well, I better hurry for my anniversary dinner tonight and have a shower.
CUT TO:
INT. HOTEL – NIGHT
Patty walks into the hotel complex, and walks to the desk.
PATTY
Excuse me, I had a reservation for 7:00 pm under Victor Bennett and Patty Halliwell.
HOTEL STAFF
(looks at clipboard) Ah, yes. Here you are. Your husband asked me to tell you he is in the hotel room that you both are planning to stay the night in. He wants to meet you there until your dinner reservations. Room 231.
PATTY
(smiles) Thank you.
CUT TO:
INT. HOTEL ROOM 321 – NIGHT
Patty walks to room 321 and knocks on the door.
VICTOR (O.S)
Come in Patty, I’m very much looking forward to our anniversary dinner.
Patty smiles, hearing Victor’s voice, and opens the door and comes inside. But just as she enters and shuts the door behind her, someone grabs her.
PATTY
Victor? What is going on.
Victor handcuffs her hands together, as Patty freaks out wondering what the heck Victor is doing to her.
VICTOR
(laughs) I won’t let you freeze me, Patty.
Patty’s face cannot believe what is going on, but before long Victor’s face changes into the appearance of another older man.
Patty’s face eases knowing it wasn’t her husband, but worried for who this might be instead.
PATTY
You’re a warlock. Where’s Victor?
WARLOCK
Not here. Bait for the hook.
PATTY
(raises voice) What did you do to him, we were suppose to have dinner plans.
WARLOCK
Don’t worry. He’s alive at least…
Patty hits the Warlock in the stomach and tries to make a run for it.
PATTY
What do you want?
WARLOCK
What does any warlock want? I want your power Patty. At least I wanted it first….until I realized you were the mother of the Charmed Ones.
PATTY
You’ve been watching me and my family for some time haven’t you…
WARLOCK
That I have for a very long time. I’ve heard about the prophecy of the Charmed Ones. But, I couldn’t let you know who I really am. I have many faces, Patty.
PATTY
I beg you. Don't hurt them.
WARLOCK
There is another option, Patty.
Off Patty's wondering look.
CUT TO:
SCENE TO BE WRITTEN
CUT TO:
SCENE TO BE WRITTEN
CUT TO:
SCENE TO BE WRITTEN
CUT TO:
EXT. DOWNTOWN STREETS
Patty walks down the streets to her car, happily excited to pick up Prue from Jonathan and Margret’s house and then get home to her girls and husband Victor, and be together again as a family.
As Patty continue to walk down the dark streets at night, We SEE (the back of)a MAN who follows them.
CUT TO:
INT. PATTY’S CAR – NIGHT
Sometime later. Patty and Prue (aged 8) are in the car on their way back home.
PATTY
So how was Andy, Prue?
PRUE
He was great Mommy. He gave me his lucky bracelet.
Prue lifts her arm and shows Patty, who smiles.
PATTY
Ah, So cute.
Patty, SUDDENLY, notices a hooded figure on the side walk, and we notice it as the same man from earlier following Patty outside Quake, Patty loses concentration on the road, and swirls her car off the road, and loses focus, the car picks up speed, and goes off the road heading straight for a nearby tree in the woods. Prue begins to scream, and Patty THEN, waves her hand, as the car magically stops moving.
EXT. WOODS – NIGHT
Patty checks on Prue, who is scared, and helps her out of the car.
PATTY
We’re okay sweetie. It is going to be okay. We’ve run a flat, and the engine won’t start, but I saw a lake house nearby. So we’ll get help.
CUT TO:
EXT. LAKESIDE – NIGHT - LATER
Patty and Prue exit the Lake-house, having just finished calling for help and proceed to walk back to car.
Patty notices something up on the dock that catches her eye. She notices a small child crying with a torch in his hand.
PATTY
Prue, wait inside the Lake-House, I’ll be right back. Go inside.
PRUE
But mommy...
PATTY
Please! I Love you.
PRUE
I love you mommy.
Prue does as she is told, and Patty walks up to the docks.
EXT. LAKESIDE – DOCKS – NIGHT
PATTY
Are you lost? Where are your parents?
CHILD
They killed them?
PATTY
I’m sorry?
CHILD
My mommy was murdered by a warlock..
PATTY
Warlock! I’m going to look protect you.
CHILD
Can you take me home.
Patty walks up to the child and leans down and puts her hand out to him, who grabs her hand. Patty leads the child off the dock. Suddenly Patty can no longer feel the touch of the child holding her hand no more, instead she spins around and sees nothing. Sensing something is off, Patty immediately RUNS the other direction to find Prue.
As she keeps running, at the end of the dock she sees THE MAN, standing in front of her. Patty waves her hand, and the man suddenly freezes.
Off Patty’s relived face, It worked.
She tries to run past him, but then sensing his presence again, she spins around. Her initial fear fades to recognition -- she knows this person.
PATTY
(pleasantly surprised)
What are you doing here?
She rises to face him. Without warning, a knife, its handle covered in ornate stones, is raised in response. Patty's surprise turns to confusion. Before she can respond, the knife plunges downward. Her SCREAMS are drowned out by THUNDER.
EXT. WOODS – NIGHT
We see Patty’s car has been found and with tow truck drivers preparing to drag it out.
A vehicle arrives and parks alongside a police car, we see it is PAULINE who gets out of her car, in a mad panic, as an officer approaches her.
COP
Excuse me!
PAULINE
I’m Pauline. That’s my sisters car. (panics) Where is my sister and niece?
MAN’S VOICE (O.S)
Leave it to me.
Pauline turns around to see, JONATHAN TRUDEAU, 30s, who has a very sad look on his face.
PAULINE
Jonathan. Where’s Patty? Prue? Tell me, Jonathan.
CUT TO:
SCENE TO BE WRITTEN
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. LAKE – DAY
A crime scene, POV darts under yellow police tape – through the chaos of ambulances and investigators – to a gurney on the end of the dock, as we CLOSE UP on a body bag which is zipped up closed over to reveal..PATTY HALLIWELL. Camera pans around to reveal POV is of Prue.
PRUE
Mommy!
Prue rushes forward but is caught by Pauline on a bent knee who takes her into her arms.
Over her shoulder, Prue watches, crying as the gurney is loaded into the ambulance. The doors close and Prue turns to look out across the dock. As tears roll down her cheeks.
TO BE FINISHED....