HELLBOY 2: THE GOLDEN ARMY

Written by

Guillermo del Toro

FADE IN:

EXT. MANHATTAN STREETS - NIGHT 1

SUPERIMPOSURE:

MANHATTAN. 10.30 P.M.

Park Avenue in mid-December. On the lampposts, Xmas lights

sparkle over streets slick with slush and rain. Limousines

line up for a public function.

2 EXT. BLACKWOOD BUILDING - NIGHT 2

SUPERIMPOSURE:

BLACKWOOD'S AUCTION HOUSE

Under black umbrellas, wealthy men and women exit the limos

and enter a stately ten-story building. On the facade, a

sign reads: TONIGHT - TREASURES OF PRE-CHRISTIAN EUROPE.

A SHADOWY FIGURE lurks in an alley near the corner. His

features are hidden by a broad-brimmed hat. He watches as-

The guests present gleaming, golden invitations to the

security people at the door.

SHADOWY FIGURE

(in Elvish, subtitled)

I'll go up first. You'll enter from below-

He addresses WINK, an eight-foot tall TROLL with grey skin

and a huge scar over his left, empty, eye socket. His right

hand is missing and he sports a heavy IRON MACE instead. A

plume of breath escapes from his brutish mouth.

SHADOWY FIGURE (CONT'D)

And remember Wink-

(BEAT)

Don't be shy.

He extends his arms and with a swoop, he climbs the wall,

up, up, like a bat. Five floors up...

3

3 INT. SALES ROOM - NIGHT

CAMERA lingers on the bloated features of a stone FERTILITY

GODDESS.

HELLBOY 2 2

AUCTIONEER

Pre-Celtic votive sculpture is in granite

and has been dated circa 700 B.C.

Like the guests, the AUCTIONEER is dressed in formal wear.

TV MONITORS display the image of the statue so the bidders

can have a closer look.

AUCTIONEER (CONT'D)

We'll open the bidding at two hundred

thousand dollars.

A DISTINGUISHED BUYER raises his hand-

AUCTIONEER (CONT'D)

Two hundred and seventy-five, and... we

have three hundred, thank you Mr. Van

Hausen - Three hundred thousand once-

A FEMALE BIDDER raise her hand-

AUCTIONEER (CONT'D)

And Three hundred and fifty thousand,

thank you Mrs. Bernstein-

As the auction carries on, a STEWARD leaves the room and

heads down -

4 INT. CORRIDOR - NIGHT 4

-a darkened corridor where other STEWARDS wheel auction lots

to and from the sales room.

The STEWARD notices an open window at the end of the

corridor. He leans out and looks down. Ten stories below - a

snow-covered alley.

Suddenly, he sees the SHADOWY FIGURE above the window frame,

clinging to the smooth granite wall!!

STEWARD

What the h-

Quick as lightning, the SHADOWY FIGURE covers the steward's

mouth. When he withdraws his hand, the steward's mouth has

VANISHED!!!

The Shadowy Figure grabs the hapless man by the lapels,

hauling him outside and dangling him over the void.

Far below: a spiked wrought-iron fence.

HELLBOY 2 3

SHADOWY FIGURE

A silent human- almost as good as a dead

one...

(BEAT)

Almost.

He releases the STEWARD, who falls-

-DOWN-

-DOWN-

-down- TKKCT!!!

Flailing in utter silence. All the way. Onto the fence.

The Figure slips through the window and moves into the-

5

5 INT. SALES ROOM - CONTINUOUS

AUCTIONEER

And now, for our next item. Lot #777.

Two STEWARDS wheel in an oaken box and open it. Nestled in

maroon velvet is an eight-inch, ornately decorated arc of

gold.

AUCTIONEER (CONT'D)

A once-in-lifetime opportunity. For the

first time in auction. A piece of the

Royal Crown of Bethmoora... A precious

artifact dating from the Atrebatean

period. Exquisite workmanship in 24 carat

gold.

The lights flicker briefly, provoking MURMURS from the

audience.

AUCTIONEER (CONT'D)

Please- please- ladies and gentlemen...

may I have your attention. As I was

saying, observe the fanciful creatures

adorning the outer surface, figures from

a lost mythology...

The lights go out completely. From the sudden darkness, the

Shadowy Figure speaks up.

SHADOWY FIGURE

Lost- ? Not at all. Forgotten by you

perhaps, but very much alive.

BELLBOY 2 4

A few emergency lights come on, revealing The Shadowy

Figure, who walks down the aisle to confront the auctioneer.

AUCTIONEER

Sir, would you please identify yourself?

I see no badge or-

SHADOWY FIGURE

Shall we just say that I am the rightful

owner of this piece?

He seizes the artifact. The auctioneer grabs a phone and

hits a button.

AUCTIONEER

(to a Steward)

Security- Call Security-

This is an outrage- An-

The SHADOWY FIGURE reaches into his pockets and throws a

handful of seeds at the Auctioneer's feet.

AUCTIONEER

-Outrage of-

KRRRRR-K the seeds sprout into massive, thick branches and

roots and instantly engulfing the Auctioneer amidst coils of

wooden branches, crushing him. They grow and grow until they

crack the ceiling!!

Soon the Auctioneer disappears, and in its place stands a

compact, twisted tree. Tiny creatures emerge from its

branches and crawl around the trunk.

CRASH!!!!! Four SECURITY GUARDS come flying through the side

doors and land in the aisles with a THUD!!! The spectators

scream.

WINK walks in. He carries two large IRON BOXES on his back.

On the sides of the boxes A ROYAL SEAL, embossed in the

metal.

People cower in the corners, SCREAMING in terror and

disbelief.

WINK shrugs the iron boxes to the floor with a CLANG!!!!

Inside them, little clawed THINGS are scrabbling - mewling,

fast and hungry!!

At the Shadowy Figure's signal, the troll opens the cages...

and the people's SCREAMS redouble.

HELLBOY 2 5

SHADOWY FIGURE

May this remind you all why you once

feared the dark...

A multitude of eyes glint in the darkness, rows and rows of

tiny teeth shine greedily. They lunge at CAMERA.

CUT TO:

6 EXT. BPRD HEADQUARTERS - NIGHT 6

Guards with German Shepherds patrol the fence line.

Searchlights sweep the surrounding woods.

Super: BUREAU FOR PARANORMAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

TRENTON, N.J. 10.08 P.M.

7 INT. BROOM'S LIBRARY - NIGHT 7

A Christmas tree glows next to the fireplace; Mozart is

playing on the aquarium's underwater speakers. Floating in

warm water on a cloud of bubbles is ABE SAPIEN, lost in the

music.

A blurry figure approaches and raps a ring finger against

the tank: It's TOM MANNING, chief FBI liaison to the BPRD.

Looking dyspeptic, he presses a folder against the glass:

TOP SECRET.

MANNING

Hey, Fishstick- We gotta talk.

$ INT. FREAK CORRIDOR - NIGHT 8

As they walk down the hall, manning shows Abe.

MANNING

Look at that- Each photo costs a fortune

to suppress. And then, naturally, they

pop up on the net.

CAMERA moves in on Abe's breathing apparatus. It's sleek,

more modern, fitting snugly to his gills and neck. His

goggles are new, too.

He examines a photo of Hellboy bounding down a city street,

brandishing his mighty, high-caliber Samaritan. He's looking

straight at the camera lens.

BELLBOY 2 6

ABE

Oh, Lord- He's smiling in this one.

MANNING

I know- It's not just the money. It's the

provocation. This is asking for trouble.

His ego-

Manning leans close to a voice-recognition security mike.

MANNING

"Man-ning..."

He enunciates each syllable perfectly, then turns to Abe.

MANNING (CONT'D)

-is out of control. And I think it's all

deliberate on his part.

(BEAT)

He hates me.

Layers of steel doors trundle open in sequence.

ABE

No, he doesn't. He's just- enthusiastic.

As they approach HB's room...

MANNING (CONT'D)

How are things between him and Liz?

ABE

Oh, you know. The usual. Since they moved

in together- Good days and bad.

On cue, the concrete wall explodes!'.! A massive BALL OF FIRE

swings the final steel door open, almost tearing it off its

hinges.

ABE (CONT'D)

Then again, there are the really bad days-

Manning and Abe cower behind a pillar. Once the explosion

dies away- Hellboy's revealed, lying on the floor, his back

smoking and in flames.

HELLBOY

Oh, hi Blue- Manning-

He puts out a small flame on his forearm and steps into the

room.

HELLBOY 2 7

HELLBOY'S VOICE

(yelling at Liz)

Well- I'm not afraid of you! You hear??

Abe and Manning peek inside-

9 INT. HELLBOY'S ROOM - CONTINUOUS 9

HB stumbles around the rubble, wreathed in smoke. He holds a

bunch of blackened LPs and 8-track cassettes.

HELLBOY

(yelling at Liz)

Look- I have one rule! One- "Don't touch

my stuff -"

Liz appears, shimmering in a halo of blue flame.

HB's pulls a few LP albums out of the garbage bin.

LIZ

You have the same album on CD, LP and an

8 track- An 8 track!!!

HELLBOY

You can't listen to Al Green on a CD!!

You just can't!! Oh, and 8 track was the

way to go- one day mankind will realize

its mistake.

LIZ

What about me? I need some space! Not

much, but just enough to find- to find-

my- toothbrush.

She flares up, losing control...

HELLBOY

Is that what this is about?? Your

toothbrush's right there, behind you-

(Liz turns)

There- there- with the cat food!!

Wrinkling her nose in disgust, Liz plucks a toothbrush from

a heap of spilled cat kibble.

LIZ

Damn it, Red- there's no room for me

here. You can't just act like-

Suddenly, the alarm SOUNDS. Hellboy is elated.

BELLBOY 2 8

HELLBOY

Oh, heavenly bells are ringing!

10

10 INT. GARAGE WEAPONS AREA, BPRD - NIGHT

Surrounded by racks of weapons, Abe, Hellboy and Liz suit

up.

Tight-lipped and grumpy, Liz dons black army pants and a

leather jacket. She jams an automatic handgun into her

utility belt.

They move into a vast garage, big as a stadium. It houses a

fleet of planes, cars, boats, helicopters and tanks.

They load weapons and ammo on board their usual

transport/mobile quarters - a GARBAGE TRUCK.

The perfect gentleman, Hellboy holds the door open for Liz.

The truck interior has been refurbished with more high-tech

equipment.

As the engine starts and the headlights blaze...

CUT TO:

- NIGHT 11

11 EXT. EAST SIDE AUCTION HOUSE

The cops have surrounded the building and helicopters hover

overhead.

12

12 EXT. NEARBY ALLEY - NIGHT

The BPRD garbage truck pulls to stop.

13

13 INT. GARBAGE TRUCK - NIGHT

Completely refurbished, with a BANK OF MONITORS and a large

digital WORLD MAP, tracking each Paranormal.

MANNING

Oh, Jeez- did you see the crowds?

He offers HB a couple of cigars and lights one for him.

MANNING

This is midtown Manhattan... Will you

promise to be careful? You'll use

discretion?

HELLBOY 2 9

HELLBOY

Piece of cake. In and out... no one will

see me. You have my word-

A sarcastic guffaw from Liz.

HELLBOY (CONT'D)

(GLARING)

I can be discreet if I want to be-

They exit the truck and enter the building. Manning sighs.

CUT TO:

14 TNT. SALES ROOM - NIGHT 14

A BPRD agent (AGENT MUDD), Abe and Liz move into the big,

dark sales room, past a jumble of overturned chairs. They

use plasma-screen night-vision scanners to survey the

devastation.

LIZ

No one here. No survivors. No bodies.

NOTHING-

15 TNT. CORRIDOR - SAME 15

Two agents lead the way down the adjacent hallway. Hellboy

follows, a few feet behind.

HB trains his flashlight on a fallen display case. Broken

glass glitters.

HELLBOY

Same story here, babe-

LIZ

(on the intercom)

Don't call me babe-

HELLBOY

I said "Abe"- I'm sorry- wrong channel-

Hellboy falls back to talk privately on the intercom.

HELLBOY (CONT'D)

Liz- UM-?

LIZ

(on the intercom)

Yes?

HELLBOY 2 10

HELLBOY

(WHISPERS)

When we get home... I'm gonna clean the

place up; okay? Even the bathroom.

LIZ

That's not the problem and you know it.

HELLBOY

(WHISPERS)

What? You want to get rid of the cats?

You can't mean that-

LIZ

No. That's not the problem either-

HELLBOY

(WHISPERS)

Then, what--?

LIZ

Not now, for God's sake!

16 INT. SALES ROOM - SAME 16

Abe, Liz and Agent Mudd fan out, moving cautiously toward

the auctioneer's overturned podium.

Abe discovers an empty cage... and on the iron door, the

embossed ROYAL SEAL. Abe hears a high-pitched chitter-

chatter and looks around: Nothing.

ABE

Red- I'm afraid I do detect some activity-

As the agent and Liz inspect the other iron cages, he

extends his webbed fingers.

LIZ

What kind of creature?

ABE

CREATURES-

17 INT. CORRIDOR - SAME 17

HELLBOY

There's more than one-?

He hears a scratching noise.

HELLBOY 2 11

ABE

(on the intercom)

More- Many more-

HELLBOY

How many- ten-?

ABE

No. Maybe a hundred- or two-

HELLBOY

(HUFFS)

MPPF-

As HB nears a wall, it bulges and splits open!! The ceiling

cracks, too. He hurriedly loads a pair of lever-action

SHOTGUN.

18 INT. SALES ROOM - SAME 18

ABE

They're all around us-

Sounds of MOVEMENT from burrowing, unseen creatures-

HELLBOY

What are they???

ABE

Uh- If I'm right, we should leave now and

ask for backup.

19 EXT. EAST SIDE AUCTION HOUSE - NIGHT 19

Manning is holding forth in a sidewalk press conference.

MANNING

The situation is completely under

control. Earlier tonight, customs agents

discovered a few illegally imported

items. This caused a minor confrontation.

The reporters go wild with questions.

MANNING (CONT'D)

Federal agents have now taken over the

premises. We ask that you all step back-

Manning basks in the flashbulb glow and acknowledges a

pretty young REPORTER.

HELLBOY 2 12

MANNING (CONT'D)

(GRINS)

Yes, Debra-?

20 TNT. CORRIDOR - NIGHT 20

Plaster spills from widening cracks in the wall. Hellboy

shoots, blowing open a massive hole.

He peeks inside-

Small bodies burrow away like moles.

HELLBOY

What are they-? Abe?

21 INT. INTERCUT - SALES ROOM/CORRIDOR - SAME 21

Abe finds a human femur, wet and gnawed.

ABE

Ah, I knew it.

(BEAT )

They're vicious and cruel and-

The floor ripples with activity.

ABE (CONT'D)

Have you noticed the floor??

HELLBOY

(looking around)

Uh- thick rug, deep pile, light brown-

ABE

Red- there is no rug-

Hellboy lifts his foot, realizing he's been walking on an

inch-thick layer of- ahem- poo.

HELLBOY

Aw, crap-

ABE

Precisely...

(BEAT)

These things have a very active

metabolism. They, um- excrete as soon as

they eat and then need to eat some more.

There are no corpses 'cause there are no

LEFTOVERS-

HELLBOY 2 13

HELLBOY

Spit it out, brother blue. What are they?

22 INT. SALES ROOM - SAME 22

ABE

Alright, but-

LIZ

Damn it Abe, just tell us!

ABE

Okay, then- They're- um- tooth fairies.

LIZ

Abe, c'mon- cut the crap.

She checks her boots, sticky with poo-

ABE

Third century, the Teutoburg forest.

Famished. They feed on calcium-

(BEAT)

And they do go for the teeth first. How

do you think they got that name "Tooth

Fairies"??

Liz senses movement in the darkness. She holds out her hand

and starts a small fire on her palm.

She pans it like a torch, firelight sweeping the darkness-

NOTHING-

23 INT. CORRIDOR - SAME 23

Agent MARBLE comes upon a lonely little creature peeping out

from a crack in the wall. It's about 9 inches high, with

olive skin and almond-shaped eyes gleaming in the half-

light. It whimpers softly.

AGENT MARBLE

Hey, this guy is cute -i.

He reaches out to touch it.

AGENT MARBLE

Are you scared, buddy?

Across the room Hellboy sees the Agent nearing the Fairy.

HELLBOY 2 14

HELLBOY

No, don't-

The thing SNARLS, leaps and sinks its tiny teeth into

MARBLE's finger. Then it dives under MARBLE's shirt and goes

to work.

MARBLE gasps and drops his gun. Dozens of creatures emerge

from the crack on the wall and crawl into Marble's clothing.

Gasping, he tears open his shirt as claws and teeth dig

in.. ribs crack... blood spurts. The agent falls.

24 INT. SALES ROOM - SAME 24

Liz lights up both hands, illuminating a surging tidal wave

of hungry critters that engulfs the room, gnawing at the

wallpaper, the furniture!

The things sweep over Agent Mudd, ripping into him like

wriggling piranhas.

ABE

(backing away)

Oh, my-

25 INT. CORRIDOR - SAME 25

Hellboy protects the other agent, but he feels the things

swarming over him, reaching for his lips and ears...

Bellowing in disgust, he fires his shotguns, splattering

dozens of creatures onto the walls.

Every blast, however, reveals a buzzing, hungry mass pouring

from the walls. HB claws at dozens more, which cling to him

like baby monkeys.

26 INT. SALES ROOM - CONTINUOUS 26

The room is awash with hissing creatures, crawling over the

iron cages. For an awful moment, no sign of Liz or Abe.

HELLBOY

(sudden panic)

LIZ!!

In reply, he hears a faint scream. He bats at the things

with the SHOTGUN, wading further into the room.

HELLBOY 2 15

HELLBOY (CONT'D)

Liz!! Where are you - ?!

He sees a horde of little beasts gnawing at the metal bars

of a cage...

.Liz cowering inside. Hellboy just has time to look deep

into her eyes. A quick moment of silent communion.

HELLBOY

Do it, Liz, do it!!!

And Liz obeys. Closing her eyes she-

LIZ

(WHISPERS)

The fire's not my enemy. It is part of me-

-gets covered by a gentle film of blue flame.

ABE

UH-OH-

He takes refuge as-

LIZ

It is mine-

-the gentle flame blooms into a cloud of fire. Liz goes

supernova. BAMMM!!!

27 EXT. AUCTION HOUSE - NIGHT 27

A ball of fire erupts from an upstairs balcony. The crowd

and reporters look up, amazed.

MANNING

(MUTTERING)

Evidently we have a- gas pocket-

somewhere in-

The reporters stampede towards the explosion, leaving

Manning alone and fuming.

MANNING (CONT'D)

Hey guys, hey guys, come back!!

HELLBOY 2 16

28

â€ž, ,â€¢ 2 8 INT. SALES ROOM - NIGHT

Hellboy stomps down hard, popping some creatures, bashing

others with the butt of his shotgun. As flames leap up, the

things regroup and renew their attack.

Liz and Abe run for the stairs.

LIZ

Red, Red, this way-

Hellboy kicks the critters away, shooting again and again.

HELLBOY

No- I'll deal with them- NOW.

He dumps his backpack and pulls out a belt full of VULCAN 66

grenades. Holds it high.

HELLBOY (CONT'D)

Vulcan 66, boys! Come and get 'em-

Liz and Abe take cover on the stairs. They see Hellboy

luring the tooth fairies toward the windows overlooking the

street.

10

As the creatures climb onto him, he pulls the pins on all

grenades. Soon he's a mass of swarming, gnarly fairies and

THEN-

LIZ

(YELLING)

No, Red- Not there! Move away from the-

K-B00000MMMMMM`IN!!!!!!!!! A massive explosion-

29 TNT / EXT - AUCTION HOUSE 29

Like a cannonball, HB flies out the upper floor window.

A ball of flame, he arcs downward, covered in fighting,

writhing fairies.

Below, the onlookers scatter as the massive Red Giant lands

in their midst, cracking the pavement.

30

30 INT. SALES ROOM - SAME

Liz and Abe go to the window and look down. A TV CAMERA LENS

ZOOMS IN ON THEM BOTH.

HELLBOY 2 17

LIZ

(into her radio)

HB?? HB?? Are you alright??

31 EXT. SIDEWALK - NIGHT 31

The crowd is screaming. Half a dozen smoldering fairies

climb out of the smoking crater and snarl at the crowd.

People shrink back in horror. One of the hungry critters

jumps at a woman but-

BLAM!! Hellboy shoots it in mid-air, then calmly and

efficiently shoots its fellows.

Finally, he plucks one last creature off his coat. He holds

it up by the tail, like a rodent.

Manning hurries forward, witness to his worst nightmare. A

sea of camera flashes explodes on a grinning Hellboy.

HELLBOY

(looks at Manning)

Gee whiz, Manning-

(SHRUGS)

I guess we're out now.

CUT TO:

32 CREDITS 32

Behind the CREDITS are caballistic engravings suggesting the

power, size and weapons of a mystic, mechanical GOLDEN ARMY.

CUT TO:

33 EXT. ABANDONED RAILYARD - NIGHT 33

SUPERIMPOSURE:

WEST SIDE RAILYARDS. MIDNIGHT

Demolition has begun on abandoned factories and rail sheds

around an old ROUNDHOUSE. A sign reads: COMING NEXT SUMMER,

THREE POINTS SHOPPING MALL.

CAMERA BOOMS DOWN to a guard shack.

HELLBOY 2 18

34 INT. GUARD SHACK - NIGHT 34

Guard 1 watches TV. HB is on the screen, surrounded by press

and TV.

GUARD 1

Check it out. That guy's make-up is so

fake. I mean, come on, solid red-

Guard 2 is cleaning his gun.

GUARD 2

And what's with his forehead? Is that

goggles?

He looks out the window and sees the THE SHADOWY FIGURE

standing by the gates.

GUARD 2 (CONT'D)

Hey, we got us a wino.

He grabs his nightstick and steps outside.

35

35 EXT. RAILYARD - NIGHT

Waving his nightstick, Guard 2 approaches the intruder.

Their elongated shadows loom up above them on a brick wall.

GUARD 2

Hey- buddy- get the-

The THE SHADOWY FIGURE whirls and drops his coat. He

unsheathes a long, thin sword, slicing the air around the

guard.

The guard's shadow in the background is cut into three parts

and collapses.

36

36 INT. GUARD SHACK - NIGHT

Guard 1 tunes in a game show. Looks outside-

-no sign of his buddy. Behind him, at the window, WINK

appears. Its MASSIVE ARM punches through the wall and hauls

off the GUARD and then slams his massive IRON MACE down!!!

BAMMKM ! ! ! !

THE SHADOWY FIGURE wipes off his sword over the crumpled

remains of Guard 2. Screams and bone crunching can be heard.

WINK emerges from behind the shack.

HELLBOY 2 19

Effortlessly, the SHADOWY FIGURE vaults the chainlink fence

and walks into the roundhouse. WINK smashes the fence and

follows him through.

37 INT. ROUNDHOUSE - NIGHT 37

A few pigeons flutter through a forest of steel pillars.

Radiant fingers of moonlight shine on the old train tracks.

THE SHADOWY FIGURE and WINK stop as a dozen ROYAL GUARDS in

helmets and light armor march out from a tunnel.

After a pause, a CHAMBERLAIN joins them. He bows low in a

show of respect for the Shadowy Figure.

CHAMBERLAIN

Prince Nuada- He awaits you- Please,

follow me, Sire.

38 INT. TUNNEL - NIGHT 38

The Chamberlain leads the way down a tunnel lined with more

guards. The armed men surround the Prince as they stop at an

intersection.

The Prince prepares to unsheathe his sword- WINK growls.

CHAMBERLAIN

I beg you, your majesty. Before entering

the chamber you surrender your sword.

PRINCE

I will not.

CHAMBERLAIN

Then, I regret to say, you may not see

your father. It is the protocol, sire.

For peasant and prince alike. Please- for

the last time- surrender your sword.

A tense beat and then the Prince relents.

The guards accept his weapon, carefully pat him down-

PRINCE

Mr. Wink however- cannot dispose of his

weapon. He will wait here-

WINK snorts as the Prince is finally escorted through a

huge, rusting iron door.

HELLBOY 2 20

39 INT. MACHINE SHOP - NIGHT 39

An abandoned machine shop functions as a council chamber.

High-ranking heads of outlandish MAGICK FAMILIES are there:

goblins, trolls, dwarves and elves.

At the center sits KING BALOR The One-armed King of Elfland

and, behind him, the willowy, beautiful PRINCESS NUALA, the

Prince's sister.

Both on the King's chest and her own, a large golden piece

dangles from a chain.

Nuala's resemblance to the Prince is uncanny, down to the

fine scars marring their perfect faces. They're YING and

YANG, almost the same being.

The Prince eyes the doors closing behind him. The armed

guards watch his every move.

He bows his head and kneels.

PRINCE

Father.

(eyes the Princess)

SISTER-

The KING gestures for him to rise.

KING

Why have you done this??

His voice trembles with anger.

KING (CONT'D)

Why? !

The Prince looks at him, defiant.

PRINCE

I have returned from exile to set us

free. All of us, Father- And to reclaim

what has been taken from our people. The

land and the freedom that is rightfully

ours.

KING

No- You have broken a truce that has

lasted for centuries.

HELLBOY 2 21

PRINCE

A shameful truce, worth nothing. How can

you abide it? How- ? They have no respect

for themselves, their Gods or the earth-

(BEAT)

And they scorn us- every time they raise

a dead, cold building, destroy a forest,

or take more land-

The PRINCESS then steps forward.

PRINCESS

What they do is in their nature. We must

honor our side of the agreement-

PRINCE

Honor-?

(BEAT)

Look at this place. Is this where you

hold court??

(BEAT )

Is this how we are to live?? Amidst their

filth, in their rubble??? Picking at

scraps from their table??? Where is the

honor in that??

KING

And what would your solution be-? War?

Why?

(PAUSE)

It may just be that our days are ended...

PRINCE

It may be- but we will not go quiet. We

will not fade like this. Better to burn

than fade away... And for this...

Prince Nuada looks around, locking eyes with the heads of

the clans.

PRINCE

.we'll need the help of the Good... the

Bad... and the Worst-

He brings out the gold artifact from the auction. Holds it

high.

The crowds GASPS. The King instinctively covers the

companion piece hanging from his chest as a medallion.

KING

No- you cannot be that mad-

HELLBOY 2 22

PRINCE

Yes. I am.

KING

This is the path you wish to take?

Knowing the cost?

PRINCE

Yes, Father- it is.

The King takes the Princess' hand and mournfully lowers his

head.

KING

Then, I am sorry my son- you leave me no

choice.

(looks at his guards)

Death.

His two PRAETORIAN GUARDS unsheathe their swords.

PRINCE

(GRIM)

I agree. Death it is-

And the guards turn toward the king and stab him. The

Princess screams. The Prince looks away as the old monarch

tumbles from his throne, dead. The heads of the clans try to

flee, but are kept at bay by the other guards.

PRINCE

Hear me all!!! There are some amongst you

that have already seen the light-

(he nears the guards)

Seen the future...

The PRAETORIAN GUARDS cover his back as he leans forward to

his Father"s corpse and snatches the medallion.

PRINCE (CONT'D)

As for you- You may join us in our quest

or die now-

His gaze is fierce, inspired. He joins the pieces together,

they fuse and interconnect through the magical equivalent of

NANOTECHNOLOGY. Minute gears and hooks join the pieces

seamlessly into an almost complete CROWN. The Prince raises

IT-

PRINCE (CONT'D)

All of those in favor, make it known.

HELLBOY 2 23

All of the family heads sheepishly bow their heads, then

kneel.

PRINCE (CONT'D)

Good- I see the council is as brave as

it's always been...

(BEAT)

And now, my sister-

The Prince looks around and sees that his sister is gone.

He pushes through the mob, pulling his guards to the door.

PRINCE (CONT'D)

Find her- Find her-

His minions surge into the tunnels.

40 TNT. TUNNEL MAZE - NIGHT 40

Clutching the medallion on her chest , the Princess runs

down a tunnel. A CROWD gathers behind her, chasing her as

she zig-zags from tunnel to tunnel.

With perfect calm, she ducks into a niche, then slides down

a chute.

She lands in a stone chamber lined with bookshelves.

41 INT. PRINCESS CHAMBER - DAY 41

The Princess rushes to a small cabinet. She grabs an

ancient, leather-bound tome.

She turns to leave, but a horde of TROLLS rushes and quickly

surrounds her. One of the beasts swings a heavy, rusty

sword.

It opens a gash in the princess' left arm-

42 INT. TUNNEL 1 - DAY 42

The Prince, rushing through the tunnel with the PRAETORIAN

GUARDS, suddenly doubles over, cursing. Blood pours from a

wound in his left arm.

PRINCE

No- no- you fools-

HELLBOY 2 24

43 INT. PRINCESS CHAMBER - SAME 43

As another troll lifts his sword high-

PRINCESS

(calling out)

Yrdrig!!

YRDRIG, a hellhound the size of a tank, jumps out from an

alcove. He has multiple heads, all of them ferocious. In

seconds, he's upon the TROLLS.

Each of his many mouths tears into green flesh, lifting and

shaking the helpless monsters like rag dolls.

The Princess slips through a secret door.

44 INT. TUNNEL 2 -- SAME 44

The Prince and his guards rush through the tunnels, as troll

screams echo off the walls.

When they finally-

45 INT. PRINCESS CHAMBER - SAME 45

-reach the Princess' chamber, it's too late.

Dead and dying TROLLS lie in a heap on the floor.

The Prince finds no sign of his sister. He clutches his

bleeding arm.

CUT TO:

46 INT. HELLBOY'S ROOM - DAY 46

Liz sprawls on a sofa, watching the 20-odd TV monitors in

Hellboy's room. All the news channels feature footage of

Heliboy's "outing" the night before.

HB is grinning at the camera. Now he's signing an autograph!

HELLBOY ON TV

Yes- yes- I'd say I am that strong- I've

fought many creatures over the years but

none as strong as me-

He winks at camera. Liz rolls her eyes.

HELLBOY 2 25

Hellboy plunks himself down next to her, popping a can of

beer.

HELLBOY

I think I did good. And I looked good,

don't you think, Liz?

Abe stands behind them, juggling a dozen remote controls.

ABE

Look- there's Manning...

He raises the volume as Manning is shown, surrounded by

microphones.

MANNING ON TV

Evidently we have a- gas pocket-

somewhere in-

HELLBOY

A gas pocket??!! Ha-! I love it.

The door opens. Manning is there, holding a plastic box

overflowing with mail.

MANNING

PLEASE-

Disgusted, Manning turns off the TV's.

MANNING

Aw- this is a disaster! A disaster- you

hear?? Worse than Cheney with a shotgun.

Only Liz-

(BEAT)

Only Liz handled herself with any

dignity.

LIZ

(glancing at HB)

No one asked me anything.

Manning pulls a fistful of mail out and tosses it on a

table.

MANNING

Don't bother starting a fan club. It's

trending five to one against us.

HELLBOY

Against?

HELLBOY 2 26

LIZ

(glances at some letters)

Polls- protests- hate mail-

Liz grabs a few letters and scans them.

LIZ

(READING)

"Unwelcome species... mongrelizing...

lower orders... ungodly freaks..."

She glares at Hellboy.

HELLBOY

Ungodly freaks-? Us?

MANNING

You really did it this time- I'm under

review.

(to Hellboy)

But so are you- As of today, there's a

new team leader.

HELLBOY

New - ? What?

MANNING

Yes- You heard me. A new team leader.

We're to meet him at the conference room

at 0900-

(looks at his watch)

Now.

47 INT. SECURITY POUND BPRD - SAME 47

The SECURITY POUND is row after row of stacked cages, each

one imprisoning a different CREATURE. BPRD AGENTS patrol the

pens, feeding the occupants, cleaning the pans-

HB looks at Manning, who is edgy and nervous.

HELLBOY

What's the matter, Manning?? Don't you

trust me anymore?

MANNING

Oh- I never did- But after last night,

Washington wants a new public face for

the BPRD-

HELLBOY 2 27

HELLBOY

What about me? What's wrong with my

face???

MANNING

Or mine??? The press loves me!! But now

you've ruined it all-

HELLBOY

But, who-? Who is this guy?

MANNING

How would I know? Evidently, he's quite

the big shot-

(he reads a file)

His name is Johann Kraus-

HELLBOY

Akkk- Kraus??? He's German-

MANNING

(OVERLAPPING)

-a physical medium, head of the European

branch of the BPRD-

HELLBOY

(OVERLAPPING)

You know I have a problem with Germans-

MANNING

(OVERLAPPING)

-a Doctor in Philosophy and Occult

Practice from the University of Munich

and a very eloquent speaker-

HELLBOY

(OVERLAPPING)

-Germans make me nervous-

MANNING

I guess they need a nice open face- A

face people can trust.

Finally, next to steel cage, they meet-

JOHANN KRAUS: about 6' tall, dressed in a canvas containment

suit full of tubes and taps. His hands are encased in thick

latex gloves with exit valves at the fingertips and his

head...

MANNING

. Oh, my God-

HELLBOY 2 28

.is a translucent glass bubble, full of gas!

He is studying a drawing of the royal seal we saw on the

Fairy Cages.

Johann approaches Liz. He takes her hand and bows.

JOHANN

Johann Kraus, at your service.

His unearthly voice is velvety and warm. Almost soothing.

Liz smiles. Hellboy glowers as Kraus' fishbowl head turns

toward them.

HELLBOY

(whispers to manning)

That's an open face for you...

48 INT. CONTAINMENT AREA - DAY 48

Johann pulls out one of the dead, singed Fairies. Hellboy

and the others gather around him.

JOHANN

Poor things, bought and sold on the black

market. Smuggled in tight, cramped cages.

Let's see what they can remember-

HELLBOY

Memory gets pretty sketchy after you die-

(nudges Abe)

-but maybe I can be of help-

Nudges Abe and starts fishing for an amulet.

JOHANN

Oh, no, no- No amulets are required.

He adjusts the valves at the tips of his fingers and

approaches the lock.

HELLBOY

What are you doing?

JOHANN

I can inhabit inanimate things: organic,

MECHANICAL-

HELLBOY

INHABIT-

HELLBOY 2 29

ABE

TELEPLASTY-

JOHANN

Exactly.

A PROTOPLASMIC emanation seeps out from his fingertips,

slightly deflating his body. The tendrils enter the-

-"Dead" Fairy.

JOHANN

I can briefly take control of entities,

both mechanical and organic and

reactivate their neural system-

The "dead" Fairy snarls and bares its teeth at Hellboy. Two

more do the same from another pen.

JOHANN (CONT'D)

(points at Hellboy)

You scare him-

The fairy blabbers furiously while glaring at HB.

HELLBOY

(leering at it)

Whaddayawant??? You chewed off the tip of

my tail- Yes, you-

JOHANN (CONT'D)

Rough translation: He says you are rude,

brutish and not too bright-

ABE

Touche.

More high-pitched jabbering...

Johann replaces the little fairy in the holding pen.

JOHANN (CONT'D)

Enough. it seems our little friend here

remembers a noise. A very peculiar noise

in the last place where his cage was

traded: market sounds-

(BEAT)

Troll language-

LIZ

The troll market- ?

HELLBOY 2 30

JOHANN

Exactly, Miss Sherman.

The Fairy starts babbling uncontrollably and grows pale and

weak.

HELLBOY

Jeez- your buddy there doesn't look too

good.

JOHANN

I'm losing my grip on its limbic system-

He feels nauseous. I'm afraid he's about

to die-

HELLBOY

Wow- You have that effect on me too.

The Fairy's cheekbones hollow and it finally collapses.

Ectoplasm escapes its body and regroups at Johan's

fingertips.

ABE

How can we find the Troll market??? Its

location has been a source of speculation

for centuries

JOHANN

Yes, well- Trolls dwell under bridges-

And Vladimir Vanya 18th century occultist-

places it under Washington Bridge

ABE

We've looked there before-- Staked it out

for weeks-

JOHANN

Yes, but this time I have asked for a

very special piece of equipment-

He moves in to a large crate marked "Lot 336"

ABE

"336" The schufftein glasses??

JOHANN

(smiles knowingly)

On loan from the Smithsonian. Plus we

have this clue-

He produces the sketch of the ROYAL SEAL.

HELLBOY 2 31

JOHANN

In my mind we have enough to go by- Any

questions??

Abe is about to ask something when, abruptly, Hellboy raises

his hand-

JOHANN

Yes- what is it?

HELLBOY

If you're really German- how come you

don't have a funny accent?

JOHANN

(SIGHS)

Get ready. We are on the move.

49

49 INT. GARAGE AREA / DRESSING LOCKER ROOMS

Hellboy is suiting up. Liz and Abe do the same.

HELLBOY

What a moron!! "We are on the move" He

thinks he's so hot!! We've been looking

for that place for years and we've never

found it-

(looks at Abe)

You said so-

Abe pulls out TWO headsets of COMPOSITE GOGGLES, made of

copper and glass, full of buzzing and whirring pieces. He

tries it on.

LIZ

Get used to it. He might be here for good-

HELLBOY

For good?!

LIZ

He has a nice voice.

ABE

Yes, very commanding, very soothing.

HELLBOY

I think he's a jerk.

ABE

I like him.

HELLBOY 2 32

HELLBOY

Well, then you're a jerk, too. "The

brains of the operation-" give me a

break!

JOHANN

They head towards the garbage truck. Manning, Abe and

are waiting there.

LIZ

I think you feel threatened...

Hellboy stays behind- thinking- thinking real hard.

CUT TO:

50 EXT. WASHINGTON BRIDGE - NIGHT 50

The Garbage truck and a few other BPRD vehicles crossthe

Washington Bridge on the way to CHINATOWN.

SIGN: WASHINGTON BRIDGE 21.00 HOURS

51 INT. GARBAGE TRUCK LAB - NIGHT 51

Hellboy rides in silence- still thinking hard- then.

HELLBOY

Ha! Me? Threatened??

Glaring, at Liz:

HELLBOY

By whom? By him??

LIZ

Not just him- this whole thing you did.

The TV- the reporters-

HELLBOY

I did that?

LIZ

Yes, Red- absolutely. 'Cause you did it

without thinking- You just wanted to be

in the public's eye- well- you're there-

but so are we.

HELLBOY

Hey- We got some hate mail.

(SHRUGS)

We'll deal with it. Together.

HELLBOY 2 33

He comes closer to her.

HELLBOY

Something else bothering you-?

Liz nods quietly.

HELLBOY

So- Tell me about it-

LIZ

I will, but not now- I'm sorry if- I-

(BEAT)

I don't like being watched. I never have.

I feel like a freak only if someone's

watching me.

Suddenly: Angry YELLS... then fists pounding the walls and

fenders.

The doors open and they are inundated by reporters and TV

CREWS and cameras and flashes. There are, literally,

hundreds of them. This time from all over the world: Japan,

UK, Germany...

CUT TO:

52 EXT. WATERFRONT, BROOKLYN BRIDGE - NIGHT 52

Agents cordon off the street with yellow tape, holding the

press at bay. As the truck rolls by, hordes of bystanders

push forward, hoping for a glimpse of Hellboy.

Some of them chase run alongside the vehicle, carrying

support/hatred signs.

MANNING

May I suggest that tonight you refrain

from signing autographs.

HELLBOY

It's the garbage truck. It makes the

wrong statement. About who we are.

MANNING

You think that's what this is about?

Transportation???

HELLBOY 2 34

53 EXT. BROOKLYN BRIDGE - DOCKS - NIGHT 53

The truck stops near other official vehicles. Overhead, the

soaring roadbed of the Brooklyn Bridge.

At the sight of the BPRD team, some protestors throw eggs.

Hellboy shields Liz from the barrage.

REPORTER 2

C'mon- show us your powers-

ABE

Oh- No, no, no, it's not a parlor trick.

REPORTER 1

What are you, a mermaid??

ABE

Oh, goodness, no- I-

REPORTER 2

You say you can read things- things about

people- so read me- c'mon- read me-

The crowd of reporters and onlookers laughs and applauds.

REPORTER 2 (CONT'D)

What do you see?

ABE

Very well, if you insist.

(webbed hand on reporter's chest)

You... keep... a large, battery-operated

vibrating egg by your bedside...

A shrieking CAMERA CREW runs up loaded with video equipment.

REPORTER

You! Demon-man! Will you take a DNA test?

HELLBOY

It's "Hellboy" not "Demon-man"-

One of the projectiles hits him. The crowd roars. Hellboy

gazes back at them- seething.

JOHANN

Let me take care of this.

Johann bravely confronts the news teams and the crowd.

HELLBOY 2 35

JOHANN (CONT'D)

Ladies and Gentlemen, my name is Johann

Kraus and I beg you to allow us-

(interrupted by catcalls)

-Please, we need space to work- please-

WE-

The REPORTERS bombard him with questions. He signals for

silence.

JOHANN (CONT'D)

In due time- very soon- we will provide

all the answers you require, all the

whos, whys and wherefors- But for now-

An egg hits him in the face- hard. The crowd roars-

HELLBOY

Great P.R...

He gets ready to pummel the crowd. Liz stops him.

LIZ

Shh! Give him a chance...

JOHANN

-it's been a long... long time... for

many decades really, that the BPRD has

served you- all of you... in silence. We

have waged an unknown war - but a very

real one. Heroes have died unrewarded and

unrecognized so that you might go about

your daily life. To work, to marry, to

bid your children goodnight.

Little by little, the crowd grows quiet.

JOHANN

In exchange, we have been consigned to

the lies and racist innuendo of the

tabloids. And there we have lived without

complaint - until now.

54

54 MONTAGE

Johann's speech is replayed in broadcast TV VANS, HOMES,

PUBS and BARS all over the world to a fascinated human

population. All colors and creeds.

HELLBOY 2 36

JOHANN (CONT'D)

But perhaps soon- after learning of our

hardships and sacrifices, you may decide

that our humble lives may, in some way,

have a value... and a meaning-

- DOCKS - NIGHT 55

55 EXT. BROOKLYN BRIDGE

The camera lights reflect off Johann's glass head.

JOHANN

I pray that you will allow us to defend

your good fortune- to guarantee the

blessing that is a peaceful night's

sleep. A night free from monsters and

nightmares. And if so-

(chokes back tears)

If so- then all we ask in return... from

you... is a little respect and the

chance, remote as it may be, to prove

ourselves worthy of a tiny, tiny place in

this- God's Earth.

HELLBOY

(rolls his eyes)

This is sooo corny-

A moment of silence ensues--

Then, the wet-eyed reporters applaud- the crowd applauds-

Liz applauds, Abe applauds. Hellboy is agog!!

HELLBOY

What-?? What-??

ABE

(DAZZLED)

He has a nice voice.

All business now, Johann steps over to the group.

JOHANN

Come on. We have work to do-

56

56 EXT. ROOFTOP - NIGHT

Hellboy, Abe and Johann peer over the cornice of a bowling

alley rooftop. The CROWDS are visible in the distance.

Hellboy looks through THE SCHUFFTEN GLASSES.

HELLBOY 2 37

HELLBOY

Nothing yet, Sparky, over-

57

57 EXT. BOWLING ALLEY PARKING LOT - NIGHT

The BPRD truck is parked behind the bowling alley, directly

under the bridge. Its back door is open; Liz and manning are

at the communications center.

LIZ

I read you, Red. Keep looking-

Manning is bored, looks at his watch.

MANNING

Looking at what, for goodness sake-?

(looks at the Schufften glasses)

What do these things do-?

Liz starts locking and unlocking a series of lenses and

prisms. Both Abe and Johan wear similar gear.

ABE

In 1778 Emil Schufften, a Good friend of

Benjamin Franklin, designed these optical

sets with the intent of photographing

fairies in England...

MANNING

Let's get out of here- We're never going

to find it-

HELLBOY'S VOICE

Hey- Sparky, I think we got one.

Manning studies the image on the monitor: a bag lady pushing

a shopping cart full of cats-

MANNING

That? Oh, please, she looks as sweet as

she can-

LIZ

Red, turn on the "antiglamour" filter...

(to Manning)

Fairy folk use a spell called "glamour"

to seem human and nice-

(BEAT)

These lenses allow you to see their real

appearance...

HELLBOY 2 38

,,f 58 EXT. BOWLING ALLEY PARKING LOT - NIGHT 58

Bellboy turns a few knobs on the goggles, then raises them.

59

59 POV GOGGLES.

As a series filters enter the visual field, the bag lady

transforms into an ugly, muscle-bound troll.

60

60 INT. GARBAGE TRUCK - SAME

MANNING

Oh, dear Lord.

(PAUSE)

What about the cats?

LIZ

She eats them.

MANNING

"She??" That's a "she"?????

HELLBOY

We're moving in, Sparky-

61 BOWLING ALLEY / BACK ALLEY/ UNDER THE BRIDGE 61

HE, Johann and Abe follow the Bag Lady. She opens a service

DOOR-

/ SERVICE CORRIDOR. 62

62 INT. BOWLING ALLEY

The bag lady goes through the rear of the bowling alley and

through a basement door. The room RUMBLES with the sound of

rolling balls and toppling pins.

HELLBOY

(WHISPERS)

Maybe we can bowl a few frames, uh?

ABE

(splays his webbed fingers)

Bowling balls- they give me trouble.

HELLBOY

How about a beer, then? Now that we're

"out"- Whaddya say, Mein Herr?

HELLBOY 2 39

JOHANN

Sorry. I don't drink.

HELLBOY

SHEESH-

63 INT. BOWLING ALLEY BASEMENT 63

Hellboy and Abe enter the basement: no sign of the old

woman. Just a Warehouse-

JOHANN'

Adjust the prisms to "2"

Abe moves his glasses, Hellboy fumbles his own-

unsuccessfully.

Now the WHOLE ROOM transforms under the new optical

elements: Its geometry remains somewhat unchanged, but

instead of a pile of boxes a tree trunk and a large, mossy

rock are visible, where there were iron beams now tree

trunks and stone columns are visible...

ABE

THERE-

Where a large banner hung, now a huge, rusty mechanical

lock.

HELLBOY

What the heck is that?

ABE

A locking mechanism-

HELLBOY

Mmh- I'll take care of it-

He clenches his stone fist, rears back...

JOHANN

No- You destroy it. We'll never get in-

He adjusts the valves at the tips of his fingers and

approaches the lock.

HELLBOY

Ah, of course- the Fishbowl touch-

JOHANN

Johann's s ecto-tendrils enter the-

HELLBOY 2 4 0

64

64 MECHANISM OF THE LOCK

-filling it, making a few complex gears turn and move-

65

65 THE LOCK

Opens and the floor drops away, revealing a stone staircase.

Johann withdraws his protoplasmic tendrils and closes off

the valves.

JOHANN

Gentlemen: welcome to Troll Market.

66 INT. TROLL MARKET - NIGHT 66

Troll Market is a steamy, medieval nightmare. A labyrinth of

narrow alleys and foetid vapour.

Trolls scavenge the crumbling, marble shoreline, picking

through garbage, scattering vermin.

Muddy water trickles down from above, forming cloudy

puddles.

Roaming vendors hawk exotic objects from every culture and

century.

At kiosks and shops, Trolls peddle cats (skinned or alive)

cadres of Lovecraftian entities stroll about: Mer-men,

Goblins and a few select species unknown to any cosmology.

A dogfight of sorts is taking place in a small ring. Instead

of pitbulls, multi-limbed creatures leap at one another

while violent bettors laugh and shout.

At the rail, Abe watches in horror, then sees a woman in

rags making her way through the crowd. He catches a glimpse

of her slippered feet...

.which flash with pearls and gold embroidery. His

curiosity aroused, he follows her.

67

67 MARKET STALL

The woman inspects a pile of ancient bric-a-brac at a market

stall; her cowl swings aside, briefly revealing her face.

It's the PRINCESS. In these grotesque surroundings, her

beauty is transcendent.

HELLBOY 2 41

Abe is thunderstruck.

As she turns to leave, they briefly make eye contact. On her

bandaged arm: a bracelet adorned with the seal's coat of

arms!

ABE

(into microphone)

Brother Red!!

HELLBOY

(INTERCOM)

Not now, Abe.

As the Princess disappears into the mob, Abe hurries after

her.

68

68 EXT. SHOP - SAME

Hellboy and Johann show a picture of a tooth fairy to a

surly SHOP OWNER.

SHOP OWNER

Never seen anything like it. No one sells

`em down here - over in Jersey, maybe.

Behind him, there's a faceless CAVE BERSERKER: a tall and

gnarly ogre, his naked chest crisscrossed with scars, his

feet encased in iron shoes.

Growling, it bares its teeth at HE. HB smiles back-

HELLBOY

Hiya, Chuck-

- SAME 69

69 EXT. TROLL MARKET NARROW PASSAGES

Abe follows the Princess down an alley - and then another

one, narrow and dark. Panhandlers pull at his belt; he bats

them away.

70

70 EXT. SHOP - SAME

Now Johann shows a drawing of the royal seal to the shop

owner.

JOHANN

What about this?? Do you recognize this

seal?

HELLBOY 2 42

The shop owner's face suddenly grows pale.

SHOP OWNER

You'd better go. Now.

JOHANN

Please. We'll make it worth your while.

The shop owner claps his hands. BERSERKER takes two steps

forward, ROARING. Its iron shoes go CLOMP-CLOMP!!

SHOP OWNER (CONT'D)

He's not friendly-

Hellboy huffs and walks up to the creature.

HELLBOY

Well, neither am I-

BAMMMM!!!!! With a single uppercut, he sends it flying

toward the ceiling, shoeless. The shop keeper watches in awe

until it lands, about thirty feet away in the middle of the

dogfight.

The crowd scatters as the mongrel creatures attack the thing

with blind instinct.

Hellboy grabs the shop owner by the lapels and pulls him

close. The shop owner's head rockets back and forth like a

boxer's speed bag as HB "gently" slaps him around. Teeth fly

everywhere.

HELLBOY

Feeling more chatty now??

SHOP OWNER

It's rumors! ... just- No- don't hit me,

all right? There's talk of a revolt- a

revolt against the human world-

Hellboy releases him, then looks around.

HELLBOY

Where the hell is Abe??

He pushes his belt locator-

HELLBOY 2 43

1.,,,d 71 INT. TROLL MARKET ALLEY MAZE - NIGHT 71

The Princess has entered a shop selling MAPS and PRINTS. Abe

stays outside, watching through a window as she negotiates

to purchase a silver and crystal CYLINDER contained in a

safety holding case.

The SALESMAN denies it at first but after the Princess hands

him a gold bracelet he finally acquiesces while vowing to

her. He extracts the cylinder from its holding case and

hands it to her.

A red locator light flashes on Abe's utility belt.

HELLBOY

(INTERCOM)

Hey, Abe, gimme me your twenty-

ABE

I'm following a lead, Red. Keep your

locator -.

A large TROLL cuts him off-

ABE

Excuse me- What do you think you're

doing?

HELLBOY

(INTERCOM)

Are you in trouble? Talk to me, Abe.

Another TROLL comes up behind Abe.

ABE (CONT'D)

I don't think you-

The TROLL opens a small wooden box and extracts a nasty

looking Insect: A NARCOTIC BUG.

ABE (CONT'D)

Oh, my-

The second TROLL loads the buzzing bug - like a bullet -

into a blowpipe. Abe turns just as he blows. The bug lands

on Abe's chest and sinks its stinger deep into his flesh. He

groans.

HELLBOY

Abe? What's wrong?

HELLBOY 2 44

Abe tears it loose and crushes it underfoot. But his vision

blurs, he staggers forward and falls, face first, onto the

cobblestones.

HELLBOY

(INTERCOM)

Abe? Come in - Abe? Dammit -

72 EXT. SHOP - SAME 72

The locator's blue light dims; concerned, Hellboy and Johann

look at each other.

Seeing his chance, the shop keeper melts away into the

crowd.

73 INT. MAP SHOP - LATER 73

Abe opens his eyes and slowly gets up. He looks around: he's

surrounded by racks of ancient scrolls and musty books. The

door is locked. Instinctively he looks for his belt-

It's not there.

PRINCESS

If you are looking for your weapons, my

guards took them.

Abe turns to face the Princess, who stands only a few feet

away. She has cast off her dingy cloak and is radiant in

fine silk robes.

She is feeding slices of fruit to a cage of large,

featherless REPTILE/BIRDS.

ABE

I - I carry no weapons, madam- I assure

you...

PRINCESS

Why were you following me?

Abe is ashamed to realize the real answer. He's utterly

beguiled by her.

PRINCESS (CONT'D)

Are you seeking to join my brother?

ABE

Your brother-??

HELLBOY 2 45

PRINCESS

In his revolt against the humans?

ABE

A revolt? No, no, no, I- You are sorely

mistaken...

He takes a step forward but the YRDRIG comes out of nowhere,

barking and growling.

PRINCESS

Then answer me truthfully- Why were you

following me?

ABE

My name is Abe Sapien -

PRINCESS

(LAUGHING)

There is no such name!

ABE

Horrible- I know- but- Please, hear me, I

beg you. I am an agent of the Bureau for

Paranormal Research and Defense. If we

can assist you-

PRINCESS

Give me your hand.

Abe complies, thrilled as she runs her fingers over his

palm.

The Princess' face brightens. She smiles and gestures for

the YRDRIG to yield.

PRINCESS

Down Yrdrig - he's a friend.

The YRDRIG jumps on Abe and starts licking him with all

three tongues.

PRINCESS (CONT'D)

Yrdrig's really just a puppy.

The drooling beast pins Abe to the floor with one paw.

ABE

(WHEEZING)

Nice puppy...

A

The YRDRIG lifts Abe with one of its mouths and gives him

playful shake.

HELLBOY 2 46

PRINCESS

My father gave him to me. Yrdrig, leave

our guest alone-

The Yrdrig drops Abe onto the floor.

PRINCESS (CONT'D)

Out! Out! Bad Yrdrig!

As the animal skulks away, she helps Abe up-

PRINCESS (CONT'D)

(bows her head)

My name is Princess Nuala.

ABE

(bows his head)

Your highness, the honor is all mine.

PRINCESS

May I apologize, Mr. Sapien, for the

manner in which we brought you here...

couldn't be too sure.

She offers him the locator belt.

ABE

Please, it was nothing. Love the puppy,

TOO-

PRINCESS

And under diplomatic immunity - may I

seek asylum??

ABE

We would be... honored, I'm sure. But,

may I ask: from whom do you seek asylum?

Suddenly, a COMMOTION outside. The door flies off its

hinges. Hellboy and Johann burst in, leaping over a pile

fallen guards outside.

ABE

Red, no! I'm all right!

The Princess shrinks back, but Abe motions for calm.

ABE

Gentlemen! Some respect, please!

The Princess looks with dismay at her vanquished bodyguards.

The NARCOTIC BUGS buzz around HB, who swats them like

mosquitoes.

HELLBOY 2 47

PRINCESS

And that was my royal guard.

ABE

Red, apologize at once! We are in the

presence of... royalty!

Hellboy's never heard Abe sound like this- giddy as a

schoolboy.

JOHANN

(to Abe)

You're vouching for her, I take it. Mr

Sapien?

ABE

Oh, most definitely. She's from an

ancient, noble line -

JOHANN

- of warriors. The Children of the Earth.

(to the Princess)

I'm sorry, Princess Nuala. With such a

fierce bloodline, we cannot take your

claim of allegiance at face value.

He produces the ANCIENT SEAL.

74 INT. MAPMAKERS VESTIBULE - LATER 74

Standing at a long deal table, the Princess lights a candle

and examines the ancient seal.

PRINCESS

Where did you get this?

HELLBOY

Human side, two nights ago-

The Princess studies their faces.

PRINCESS

In ancient times a seal like this was

delivered to the enemy as a declaration

of war. A signal from the underground

realm to the entire world. It prefaced

the awakening of the Golden Army-

Johann sits down heavily.

JOHANN

I feared as much.

HELLBOY 2 48

HELLBOY

(to Johann)

What-? What-? A goblin army-?

Johann shakes his glass head, overcome with worry.

JOHANN

Golden Army. The unstoppable tide. There

has been nothing to substantiate such a

TALE-

PRINCESS

Not a tale- At the dawn of time... Even

before the great flood, man and the

Children of the Earth shared this

planet...

(she sighs)

But as man in his greed expanded his

dominion, there ensued a bitter war...

DISSOLVE:

75 EXT. MYTHICAL BATTLEFIELD - DUSK 75

Silhouetted against a crimson sky, the shadows of thousands

upon thousands of goblins, elves and fairies do battle with

hordes of men.

PRINCESS (V.0.) (CONT'D)

In those days, my people were led by my

Father, King BALOR, the one-armed king of

Elfland.

KING BALOR fights valiantly at the side of his son, the

tall, pale elf knight: PRINCE NUADA.

PRINCESS (V. 0.) (CONT'D)

The bloodshed went on year after year.

Many lives were lost.

An overview of the battlefield fades as the sun sinks below

the horizon.

76 INT. THRONE ROOM - DAY 76

Seated in an 'opulent throne room, KING BALOR addresses a

wretched guild of deformed goblins.

HELLBOY 2 49

PRINCESS (V.0.)

It was then that the King ordered the

Sigri to build him a new, invincible

army.

77 INT. BLACKSMITH FURNACES - DUSK 77

Lit by the fires of a hundred furnaces, stoked by scores of

goblins, a MECHANICAL ARMY is born. Metal plates and moving

parts are hammered into shape on enormous anvils and bolted

onto tall, ornate, golden figures.

PRINCESS (V.0.)

This was an army that would not eat,

drink or grow tired. A heartless,

ruthless force made of the purest metal,

mined from the depths of the earth.

78 INT. COURTYARD, CASTLE - DUSK 78

In perfect ranks, in eerie unison, the golden soldiers line

up, filling the entire courtyard, awaiting the King's

command.

PRINCESS (V.0.)

The Sigri worked until the winter moon

was high in the sky -

The CHIEF GOBLIN BLACKSMITH displays three curved segments

of gold. He fits them together and holds a completed CROWN

directly over the King's head.

KING

I am King Balor, leader of the Golden

Army. Is there anyone here who disputes

my right???

Silence. Prince NUADA kneels next to his father. The Goblin

crowns the King, who lifts his sword. In response-

TCHANKKKKK!!!! The new army raises its lances, hailing him.

79 EXT. HUMAN ENCAMPMENT - NIGHTFALL 79

As the humans make ready for battle, a tremor shakes the

earth. They turn their gaze to the horizon, which bristles

with the arms of the approaching troops.

HELLBOY 2 50

80 EXT. BATTLEFIELD - CONTINUOUS 80

The fight is brutal. The mechanical soldiers mow down the

humans by the hundreds, their swords replaced as needed by

battle axes, bludgeons and lances.

PRINCESS (V.0.)

But this army knew no bounds, had no

remorse, felt no loyalty, engaging in

blind battle with man, woman or child.

The horde crushes everything, with swords slicing through

armor as if it were paper. Every blow is deadly, precise.

The army marches ever onward, like a grinding machine

devouring tender flesh.

At length, there is no sign of life in the human camp.

PRINCESS (V.0.) (CONT'D)

And as the king gazed upon the earth

awash in blood and at the impassive metal

faces of the army he had created, his

heart grew heavy. Victory was gained at

too high a price. This war should never

have been waged.

The King surveys the carnage. The mechanical soldiers stand

in symmetrical ranks awaiting further instructions.

PRINCESS (V.0.) (CONT'D)

And so he arranged a truce: the surviving

men would keep to their cities and we

children of the Earth would dwell within

the forests. This pact, he declared,

would be honored by our sons and the sons

of their sons until the end of time.

Listening to his father, Prince Nuada reacts with anguish.

PRINCESS (V.0.) (CONT'D)

But my brother did not believe in the

promises of men. He marched off into

exile, vowing to return if the Sons of

the Earth ever needed him.

Prince Nuada walks away towards a dying sunset.

81

81 INT. STORAGE CHAMBER - NIGHT

The goblins lock the golden army into a huge cavern, under

the light of ten thousand flickering torches.

HELLBOY 2 51

PRINCESS (V.0.)

And the golden army was ordered to lie

dormant, locked inside the earth itself -

and there it is to this day, waiting for

the wearer of the crown to command it

again.

82 INT. MAPMAKER'S SHOP - NIGHT 82

The Princess finishes her tale. Hellboy and Johann look at

each other.

HELLBOY

Where is that crown??

PRINCESS

My father had it destroyed. Cut into

three pieces. One for mankind...

She holds up her piece of the puzzle, which dangles from a

chain around her neck.

PRINCESS

.Two for the sons of the Earth.

ABE

So, you do need our help..?

PRINCESS

I'm afraid it's the other way around.

She holds the CYLINDER she purchased.

PRINCESS

The location of the Golden Army is

contained within this cylinder--

She opens it and produces a parchment hidden inside. She

extends it: the map just shows three coordinates.

ABE

Just a global chart, Edo - that's the old

name for Tokyo - Moscow, and Renvyle here-

PRINCESS

But nothing else-

She rolls back the map into the cylinder.

PRINCESS

So far, this is a family matter. To

intervene will bring nothing but trouble.

HELLBOY 2 52

HELLBOY

Good, I like trouble.

83 INT. TROLL MARKET NARROW PASSAGES - NIGHT 83

The Princess leads the group through the surging, noisy

crowd of bizarre creatures. Hellboy, Johann and Abe bring up

the rear.

PRINCESS

No- not that way. Too risky-

They're lost in unfamiliar alleys and byways. Until-

JOHANN

(finally, pointing)

There. Stairs to the street...

BUT-

PRINCE

Hold!

The Prince appears at the top of the stairs, dressed in

black. He's surrounded by his elite guard. Stepping to the

rail, he points at his sister and addresses the crowd:

PRINCE

Hear me, o creatures of the forest! Can

you recognize a traitor? She's here to

betray her own!

He casts a disdainful look at Hellboy.

PRINCE

I'm here to recruit all of you against

the humans. Make your decision now. Those

who join me will be rewarded. The rest...

will be killed.

A sudden silence falls over the throng. Then, the sound of

CRACKING KNUCKLES. Everyone looks at Hellboy, who is

unclenching his fists and stretching his neck.

He starts up the stairs, but a couple of the GUARDS leap

down to block his path.

HELLBOY

I'm gonna put this as delicately as I

can.

CUT TO:

HELLBOY 2 53

84

84 INT. BOWLING ALLEY - SAME

A crowded BOWLING ALLEY is full of serious-looking players

in colorful shirts and shoes.

Someone rolls a ball down the center lane, and as it speeds

right at the pins...

BOWLER

Look out, Manny! Strike city..!

CRASH! Hellboy erupts from under the floorboards, fighting

the clawing monsters right behind him!

As the bowlers freeze in shock, dozens of creatures pour out

into the human world. Grunting, Hellboy punches his way

free, only to be dragged back by the tail by WINK.

Abe, shielding the Princess, demonstrates the way of the

water, a fluid martial arts display. He ducks and parries

the blows, leaping like Nureyev.

Abe scoops up a couple of bowling balls and rolls them at

the Prince's guards. He manages to knock a couple off their

feet.

As they get back up, he uses the available bowling pins as

clubs. The screaming PATRONS rush for the doors.

85

85 EXT. STREET -- CONTINUOUS

Outside, the civilians flee, but the news crews come

is back. He

running. As their lights blaze up, REPORTER 2

gapes in disgust:

Hellboy's massive hands are wrapped around the neck of a

sweet little OLD LADY! He beats her mercilessly!

OLD LADY

Help me...! Please, somebody..!

REPORTER 2

(to his cameraman)

Oh, my God!! Oh, my- Roll! Roll on this!

BELLBOY

It's not what you think -!

HELLBOY 2 54

REPORTER

(pointing at HB)

He's lost his mind! He's worse than any

of them..!

CUT BACK to Hellboy, revealing that the old lady is actually

WINK.

Liz runs over with a prism from the SCHUFFTEIN GOGGLES and

sticks it in front of the camera lens, revealing the truth.

The reporter checks his monitor.

REPORTER

OH-

86 STREET FIGHT 86

ALL the BPRD team, including Liz, is swept up in this fight.

The denizens of the troll market overturn parked cars and

knock down lamp posts, ROARING with excitement.

LIZ

(MUTTERING)

The fire is not my enemy-- it is a part

of me--

Liz yells out a warning... and then throws a barrage of

flaming bolts. A pair of crab-like THINGS shrivel and burn.

Johann melds with a heavy steel dumpster, until only his

legs are visible beneath it. Bending at the waist - SPLAT -

he brings it down on the head of the nearest creature!

WINK and HB duke it out for a few beats and then HB finally

vanquishes the Troll, Ripping his Iron Mace off and throwing

it away.

As the other monsters retreat...

.the PRINCE appears: in his hand a complex mechanical

GRENADE. Immediately worried, Abe hustles the Princess over

to the BPRD truck.

The Prince twists a timer. His bloodied trolls disperse,

screaming, renewing the panic.

PRINCE

(to Hellboy)

I will find you, young daemon -

(to Nuala)

- and you, too, my sister. Meanwhile,

here's a taste of what lies in store.

HELLBOY 2 55

He throws the grenade. Hellboy dives, just in time to catch

it. He's about to throw it down a sewer, when he listens to

its clockwork innards then: PING!!!!

HELLBOY

It's a dud, your royal assness - !

The Prince has disappeared, along with his horde.

HELLBOY

How do you like that? Just when I was

loosening up.

Then... CLACKK!!!.

Hellboy scrutinizes the grenade as it opens up like a

beans.

flower... and spews out a handful of Brightly colored

ABE

Pick them up!!

HELLBOY

Abe. relax- It's jumping beans...

Abe is scrambling to retrieve them.

ABE

Do as I say!

With a sigh, Hellboy scoops up a few.

ABE

How many do you have?

HELLBOY

Three, how about you?

ABE

Three! There's always seven! Find the

last one!!!

TO

The seventh bean is next to a manhole. It hops closer

edge...

ABE

Quick, it's going for water!

Hellboy reaches for it... but it's too late. The thing hops

into the manhole and lands somewhere below with a SPLASH.

ABE (CONT'D)

Oh, my God, evacuate the area!

HELLBOY 2 56

HELLBOY

Abe, please, get a grip.

A RUMBLE from below their feet. WHAMMMM!

A HUGE TREE punches up through the pavement, overturning

cars, knocking buildings off their foundations and ripping

up through the Bridge overpass!!

Picking up speed, the tree branches soar up, up, up... into

the moonlit clouds.

Hellboy approaches the massive, trunk, gazing up in

fascination. Birds and creatures emerge from the inside and

flutter around, grass overtakes pavement- and for a moment

Chinatown looks like the Garden of Eden.

HELLBOY (CONT'D)

Whoa. Just like the story books.

Manning and Liz take a few steps into it: a SQUIRREL-BEING

climbs on Liz's shoulder and a couple of IRIDESCENT

HUMMINGBIRDS fly around her "ala" SNOW WHITE. A small crowd

starts wandering into this idyllic scenario.

LIZ

This is so beautiful-

MANNING

So- perfect- so peaceful-

HELLBOY

Hey!!!

He spots. the prince, at the base of the tree. Knocking on it-

HELLBOY

Hey- Jhonny Apleseed- What are you-?? Oh-

Jeez did you have to do that??

Liz starts pulling Manning away and yelling at the crowd-

LIZ

Back- Go back- right now!!!

MANNING

What? What? What is he doing-?

LIZ

He's knocking on wood- summoning an

ELEMENTAL-

HELLBOY 2 57

MANNING

An elem-

LIZ

A forest spirit that lives in that tree.

He's releasing it-

MANNING

Oh, and is it that bad??

KKKRRRRCHTCH!!!!! The tree trunk rumbles and shakes under

some enormous force. Huge LEAVES tumble to the street. Even

the ever-present NEWS CREWS back away as a huge shape

descends.

BOOM!! the trunk rips in two, revealing a curled, dormant

ELEMENTAL.

Five stories high- Fierce as nature. THE ELEMENTAL steps out

of the tree and stares at Hellboy.

Uttering a weird, guttural SOUND, the Giant raises an arm

and pulverizes a GASOLINE TRUCK!

WHUMP- ! Flames leap up! The Elemental grins with delight,

turning his baleful gaze on the Princess. As she shrinks

back, her pet Yrdrig rushes at the thing, snarling. In a

single leap, it sinks its teeth into the Elemental's heel.

HELLBOY

Good dog.

(to Elemental)

Now, Woody... You want to fight someone,

you fight with me.

Hellboy humorously adopts a kung fu pose, as in Bruce Lee.

The Elemental hops forward, New branches sprout from his

limbs, shaking the Yrdrig off.

ABE

(to the Princess)

This may not be the best place for you,

your majesty. With your permission...

He offers the Princess his arm. She takes it and allows Abe

to lead her away. A moment later, the Elemental smashes the

ground where they had been standing!

Every time the ELEMENTAL moves, he trails behind roots and

branches. The roots connecting to its feet and leading to

the original tree trunk, like an umbilical cord.

Johann sees this-

HELLBOY 2 58

JOHANN

I have a plan-

He looks at Abe-

87 STANDING AT THE GARBAGE TRUCK 87

-as the fishman helps the Princess up into the rear of the

BPRD garbage truck.

Up front, behind the wheel, Liz starts the engine.

88 ABANDONED BUILDING

88

Hellboy climbs a fire escape as the Elemental's arm/branches

extend and grow over the ladder, pulling it down below his

feet. Hellboy ducks into one of the open windows as the

Elemental tears away the rest of the scaffolding. Growing

and discarding branches and roots.

89 INT. ABANDONED BUILDING - CONTINUOUS 89

Hellboy runs like a cockroach through a dilapidated KITCHEN.

Behind him, the Elemental's massive BRANCH/FIST crashes

through the wall, then pursues him as he runs down a

corridor littered with debris.

Like a wrecking ball, the Elemental demolishes each section

of the corridor as Hellboy runs.

90 EXT. LEDGE - CONTINUOUS 90

Hellboy steps out onto a ledge ten stories up, just out of

reach of the Elemental.

HELLBOY

(to the Elemental)

What now, Big Boy? You get a ladder?

The Elemental jumps up and down, trying to reach him,

barking in frustration.

Hellboy's RADIO crackles:

ABE

(on the radio)

HB? This is Blue. The Princess is fine.

HELLBOY 2 59

HELLBOY

So what?

JOHANN

So, lead him to the bridge.

Hellboy looks over the buildings and sees the Brooklyn

Bridge in the distance.

HELLBOY

That's nine blocks from here, Fishbowl!

ABE

You'll figure it out.

HELLBOY

What's at the bridge? Abe - ? Liz?

Hello???

No answer. Muttering, Hellboy climbs higher, up a buzzing

neon sign reading "Hotel".

The Elemental smashes the letters "tel"... so Hellboy climbs

the "0" to the roof.

91 INT. GARBAGE TRUCK - SAME 91

Liz drives the garbage truck toward the Brooklyn Bridge.

Johann is sitting next to her.

92 EXT. ROOFTOP - CONTINUOUS 92

Hellboy makes a running start and leaps off the building. He

sails over the alley, reaches for the approaching cornice...

and almost loses his grip! He hangs on for dear life.

Behind him, the Elemental appears, climbing onto an adjacent

roof. As his feet smash through the skylights, the Elemental

pulls down a WATER TOWER. A wall of water rolls toward

Hellboy, like an ocean wave!

Hellboy leaps to the next roof... and the water shoots over

the edge of the building, cascading onto the street below.

93 EXT. CONSTRUCTION SITE - SAME 93

Liz parks the truck near the Brooklyn Bridge. Using

binoculars, Abe peers out the back doors to see Hellboy

bringing the Elemental closer.

HELLBOY 2 60

ABE

Johann - they're almost here.

Johann moves among massive construction machinery. He stops

at a stack of heavy SPOOLS OF CABLE.

Abe comes running, pointing at the cable.

ABE

Yes. I had the very same idea...

He gets behind the levers and handles of a complex machine

which holds a half mile of steel cable.

ABE

(gazing at the controls)

.but how do you operate this??

JOHANN

If you'll permit me...

Johann opens his fingers, and plunges both arms deep into

the mechanism! Instantly, the diesel engine STARTS UP.

JOHANN

(to Abe)

Stand back, Abe.

A hydraulic strut lifts the spool, then pitches it through

the air, spinning off 300 yards of cable. It splashes down

near the far shore of the East River.

JOHANN

Now, tie it onto the pontoons on the

other side.

(seeing Hellboy coming)

Quickly, Abe!

94 IN THE WATER 94

Abe races down a pier and dives smartly into the dark water.

Then he surfaces, surging dolphin-like toward the Manhattan

shore.

95 BROOKLYN BRIDGE - DOCKS 95

Hellboy makes it to the bridge... as, behind him, the

Elemental wades into the river, pushing aside boats and

barges.

HELLBOY 2 61

96

96 IN THE RIVER

Abe makes it to the other side, surfacing with the cable,

towing it to a half-submerged pontoon.

JOHANN (CONT'D)

(on the radio)

Macht schnell! Abe - make it fast!

The cable is a yard short of the anchor point! Abe tugs on

IT-

ABE

I need more!

JOHANN

No more available!

The Elemental's feet stomp through the river; he stumbles as

he encounters the submerged cable.

97

97 UNDERWATER

Clinging to the cable, Abe is dragged down, down down...

past rusting cars, oil drums... and a couple of rotting

CORPSES, their feet in tubs of cement!

Suddenly, Abe's head strikes a sunken truck, knocking him

unconscious. Blood seeps from his wound.

98

98 AT THE BRIDGE

As Hellboy climbs one of the bridge towers, he hears someone

calling out from above:

PRINCE

(to Hellboy)

Haven't you managed to kill it yet? You,

who were so eager for a fight?

The Prince is standing on top of the tower. He points at

Hellboy, then yells at the Elemental.

PRINCE

(to the Elemental)

Over here, dear friend...

SNATCH! The Elemental plucks Hellboy off a parapet! Hellboy

wriggles in the massive wooden finger-like appendages.

HELLBOY 2 62

The Prince walks to the edge of the tower, near a steel

spire, his coat flapping in the night wind.

PRINCE

This might be a good chance for you to

come to your senses. Help us.

HELLBOY

I've been all through this! The answer's

still no!

Far below, Johann slips his right arm into the cable,

bringing it to life, whipping it back and forth, like a

steel snake!

The cable forms a huge loop, splashing down near the

Elemental and tightening around his ankles. The cable

TENSES-

JOHANN

(to Liz)

Burn the roots!!! Burn them!!i

He points at the roots trailing into the river. Liz

concentrates and a bolt of fierce white-hot energy pours out

of her hands, burning the roots at the Elemental's feet.

Johann gyrates; the cable responds, whipping up out of the

river! With a bellow, the Elemental loses his balance; he

tosses Hellboy high into the air.

On the way down, Hellboy grabs a support stay and swings

back and forth like a red monkey. He lands atop of the

Elemental's back, right behind his head.

HELLBOY

Nap time, Big guy-

He raises his stone fist and hits him straight in the back

of the neck.

The cable tenses-

-The Elemental pitches forward-

The Prince looks up to see the Elemental falling right at

him; his mouth opens as if to scream...

The Elemental goes down, impaling himself on a spire atop

the bridge... exactly where the Prince had been standing.

Putting an end, it seems, to both of them.

HELLBOY 2 63

The Creature dies, but even as it does, its branches embrace

the steel structure and grow, Ultimately, blocks and blocks

of the city are now covered in trees and grass and mossy

leaves... A strangely beatific and precious change.

Liz runs up, looking out at the river as Abe emerges,

bleeding, but alive. Abe, Liz and Johann embrace firmly,

laughing and happy to be together.

Abe eyes the Princess standing nearby, smiling back at

him...

Hellboy meanwhile observes the group from a distance,

jealous, alone.

CUT TO:

99 INT. FIRING RANGE - LATER 99

BLAM! BLAM! Deafening shots as Hellboy blasts the Samaritan

again and again at a target in the dark firing range. Hits a

button, brings the paper close for inspection.

Result: a very ragged, loose pattern around the bull's eye.

Suddenly, from the next alley, RAPID GUNFIRE. Johann leans

over, and to address Hellboy through a cloud of gunsmoke.

JOHANN

You'll permit a small criticism? You take

too much time to aim, to think. Nein.

Just point- like afinger- as if you wish

for something.

HELLBOY

Oh, I wish for something.

Johann brings his target close: a beautiful, tight cluster

of shots, dead center.

JOHANN

Speed is of the essence. You must work on

it. I'm willing to spend some -

Johann reaches for his loader, accidentally knocks Heliboy's

onto the floor.

HELLBOY

Hey, watch it! You're winding me up, I

don't like it.

HELLBOY 2 64

JOHANN

On the contrary.

100 INT. LOCKER ROOM - DAY 100

Hellboy's in the shower, glaring across the room, where

Johann stands at a mirror, polishing his glass head with a

terry cloth towel.

HELLBOY

You keep wiping that thing like she's

gonna care.

JOHANN

She- Who-??

HELLBOY

You know who- She-

(BEAT)

She's not gonna care.

JOHANN

(long beat)

You think I'm after Liz, don't you?

(Hellboy walks out)

Well, I'm not.

HELLBOY

Why not?

(BEAT)

Not good enough for you?

Hellboy wraps a towel around his waist and comes up behind

Johann.

HELLBOY

Well- From now on, you don't come near

her. You don't talk to her-

JOHANN

You forget. I'm part of the team now,

such interactions are inev-

HELLBOY

Well- you better start making them

"evitable"-

JOHANN

That's not a word-

HELLBOY

Yes, it is-

HELLBOY 2 65

JOHANN

No, it isn't-

Hellboy raises his stone fist.

HELLBOY

Now it is-

JOHANN

Oh, I see- you want to punch me- That's

how you win an argument.

HELLBOY

I try.

JOHANN

Well, you're big, I'll give you that much-

HELLBOY

"Give me???"- You don't give me sh-

JOHANN

-and you're strong- but you're slow.

HELLBOY

Slo-??

JOHANN

Very- slow- I've seen your fighting

style. Very slow-

WHAM-! Hellboy cracks Johann over the head with his massive

fist. To his surprise, the Johann's glass ball cranium

shatters!

HELLBOY

Slow enough for ya-??

With a loud HISSS, Johann's odd suit sags to the floor!

HELLBOY

Ow- Johann... buddy. Sorry- I- I- got

carried away...

(leaning over the empty suit)

Johann? You still hear me?

An ectoplasmic TENDRIL reaches out from the suit and

penetrates the closest locker.

HELLBOY

It was an accident, okay? I'll get you

some help-

HELLBOY 2 66

With a CLANG! -- the bank of lockers comes to life! Metal

doors smack Hellboy's head repeatedly, like a pinball

machine! his face imprinted in the metal.

JOHANN

See? Speed is the key.

The vaporous form of Johann's body emerges from the lockers

and wanders away. The locker room doors open and close as he

goes by.

Hellboy tries to stand, wobbles and sits.

HELLBOY

Chicken shit!

CUT TO:

- NIGHT 101

101 INT. THE LIBRARY

Abe floats in his tank, smiling at the Princess, who's at

one of the book stands, reading to him.

PRINCESS

"I sometimes have a queer feeling -

especially when you are near me, as

now: it is as if I had a string somewhere

under my left ribs, tightly and

inextricably knotted to a similar string

situated in the corresponding quarter of

your little frame."

ABE

I love this part. Keep going.

PRINCESS

"I am afraid that cord of communion will

be snapt; and then I've a nervous notion

I should take to bleeding inwardly."

She closes the book, looking troubled.

ABE

Charlotte Bronte died shortly before I

was born. It would have been a great

privilege to have known her...

PRINCESS

This "Jane Eyre"... I understand it's

only a story, but such a tie that binds,

it exists between me and my brother. I

assure you: my brother, he's not dead-

HELLBOY 2 67

ABE

How can you know? We all saw-

PRINCESS

We are twins. Even now, I can sense his

presence. This has been our way since we

were young children, in Renvyle-

ABE

Renvyle, Ireland- The ancient isles-

PRINCESS

(NODS)

A magical place in the West. A different

time. Long gone. Now, he's near and he's

looking for me. I can feel and even

understand his. hatred for mankind.

ABE

Men... usually mean well, I believe that.

But they need our help and patience.

PRINCESS

You were very brave, vouching for me. How

do you know I'm not the enemy, bringing

me here?

ABE

It's as you were saying, I suppose. From

intuition, feeling. I've never met anyone

like you... but that's my instinct.

They gaze fondly at each other through the glass, as bubbles

swirl out of Abe's gills.

CUT TO:

102

102 INT. HELLBOY'S ROOM - NIGHT

Liz is patching Hellboy's injured head. In the background

the TV's are playing up: CITY LIGHTS, WHITE HEAT and some TV

programming.

HELLBOY

He caught me off-guard- but I'll get him

next time.

He's examining a few letters, contract forms, etc.

LIZ

There shouldn't be a "next time" we're

all part of the same team.

HELLBOY 2 68

HELLBOY

We are- he's not- The guy's an egomaniac.

You can see right through him.

(PAUSE)

That's a joke, Liz.

Liz remains silent.

HELLBOY

(raises a letter)

Look!! They wanna do a cartoon series,

based on me? And this:

(he holds up a box of cereal)

Product endorsement - breakfast of

demons. And a videogame!!!

As CITY LIGHTS ends, Liz lifts the remote to turn the volume

up.

LIZ

Gosh, that was so sweet, so sad- It

always gets me- Red- There's something I

need to-

HELLBOY

(taking the remote)

No, wait.

(switching to Leno)

Look that's us-

Jay is showing some footage from the giant incident.

LENO

So- this "Hellboy" what is he?? Is he

really on our side?? I mean, he's red,

has a tail and shaves his horns- horns,

Ladies and Gentleman. Horns are never a

good sign.

HELLBOY

(CHUCKLES)

Ha- He's funny.

LENO

Maybe we should have him come over and

talk to us a little, uh? Whaddayathink??

The crowd roars.

HELLBOY

That's a great idea, don't you think??

HELLBOY 2 69

LIZ

No, I don't-

HELLBOY

Did you know that during the commercial

breaks the orchestra keeps playing so the

guest can't talk to Jay... keeps the

conversation fresh.

LIZ

How do you know these things?

HELLBOY

I read it in TV Guide.

LIZ

You're really liking this, aren't you?

HELLBOY

We should do this-

LIZ

It's a bad idea. All of it- Do you really

need everybody to like you?? What's in it

for you?? Are we not enough???

She leaves. Hellboy glances at Leno on TV: a dog outfitted

in a ballerina costume is jumping around with a red ball

balanced on its nose. Hellboy chuckles.

HELLBOY

That's funny.

CUT TO:

103 EXT. BALCONY BPRD - NIGHT 103

Liz is looking out into Trenton NJ's light landscape. Johann

approaches her.

JOHANN

Are you alright-?

Liz nods weakly.

JOHANN

May I be of assistance??

LIZ

Maybe.

HELLBOY 2 70

JOHANN

He's a big brute, isn't he??

Liz chuckles.

JOHANN

But he has a good heart. I know it. He

means well.

LIZ

I think I may have made a mistake.

JOHANN

In what way, Mein Frau??

LIZ

Just a mistake- nothing important.

(SIGHS)

But sometimes being with him is not easy-

JOHANN

It never is. I know.

Lis looks at him with renewed interest.

JOHANN

I was married once. A long, long time

ago... And only after I lost her- I

realized that my life would never be

quite the same- And my loss lead me to

become what I am today...

Johann's human face materializes inside his glass helmet.

JOHANN

I- I tried constantly to make contact

with her-

DISSOLVE STARTS :

- SEANCE ROOM - NIGHT 104

104 FLASHBACK - CIRCA 2001

Johann's mouth opens and out of it emerges a large tendril

of ectoplasm. His neck engorges and the substance continues

to flow freely out of his mouth and fingertips--

JOHANN

It was only there- in the Ethereal plane

that I ever gazed upon her again...

CAMERA close in on several ceremonial candles burning in the

room. Their flame illuminating the eerie scene.

HELLBOY 2 71

Out of the mouths of the other guests, emerge other, equally

large ectoplasmic shapes.

They cross to-

105 THE ETHEREAL PLANE 105

Once there- they reform into humanoid shapes, vaguely

reminiscent of their mortal bodies.

JOHANN floats freely, approaching another humanoid form in

the void: That of a woman, his wife.

JOHANN'S VOICE

But it was there, while he was partially

on the ethereal plane, that disaster

STRUCK-

He is about to embrace his wife's form when a horrible

rumble occurs and the void bursts in flames, destroying and

distorting everything around him-

His wife's shape screams and evaporates.

106 INT. SEANCE ROOM - NIGHT 106

BPRD agents break in on the scene. Smoke and flames billow

in the room, wax puddles stand where the CEREMONIAL CANDLES

were and seated around the seance table, charred corpses

hold hands in eternal contact. As the Agents move around a

pale, vaporous shape emerges from the soot-stained darkness:

It's Johann.

JOHANN'S VOICE

All the seance attendees were

incinerated. The only survivor -and only

to some extent- was me- Why? I'll never

KNOW--

The form moves towards its body and attempts to climb back

and reanimate it, but the CHARRED CORPSE is barely amble to

amble a few steps forward before collapsing into ash and

bone... The shape of Ectoplasm stands there, alone and lost-

Then, Professor TREVOR BROOM wanders into the scene and

approaches the form-

JOHANN'S VOICE

It was then that Professor Broom and the

B.P.R.D. devised a containment suit for

me. A new body-

HELLBOY 2 72

CAMERA pulls back to reveal-

107 BALCONY BPRD - NIGHT 107

Johann, back in the balcony, talking to Liz.

JOHANN

I owe Professor Broom everything that

I've become. He brought me back to life-

He grows silent for a brief moment.

JOHANN

But I've never been able to see her

again. My reach became limited- My loss,

infinite...

Liz puts her hand on his shoulder. Johann takes it...

JOHANN

Loss- the very threat of it makes us

vulnerable... makes us care- You can see

that, don't you?? Without her I became

but an empty shell...

Liz leans her head on his shoulder.

JOHANN

Don't give up on him. Not yet.

Liz chuckles.

LIZ

No. Not yet.

CAMERA discovers HELLBOY, watching them from behind a glass

door, a six-pack in his hand. He steps away.

108 INT. CORRIDOR - LATER 108

Heliboy walks down a deserted corridor carrying his six

pack.

He stops, puzzled. Strains of Barry Manilow are emanating

from the library.

109 INT. LIBRARY - CONTINUOUS 109

Hellboy enters the library and goes over to the tank. Abe is

there, listening to Vivaldi.

HELLBOY 2 73

ABE

Ah, hello Red. You're up late.

HELLBOY

Liz and I- we had a fight-

ABE

OH-

Hellboy eyes the CD player.

HELLBOY

Did I hear Barry Manilow just now?

ABE

(smiles hypocritical)

Barry M- oh, Gosh- no- no-

(fast, stammering)

It was er- urm- Vivaldi. Il cimento

dell'armonia I believe I particularly

admire the passage...

Hellboy hits the eject button on Abe's CD player. The music

stops and he pulls out a different CD from the changer.

HELLBOY

What's happening to you??

ABE

Ooh- Ooh-

(SIGHS)

All my life I thought I was alone, a made-

up name and a random pasted on a

cylinder. But then I saw her- She's like

me. A creature from another world...

Alone... Brother Red- I think I'm in

love.

HELLBOY

You say that like it's a good thing.

(looks at the CD)

What track?

ABE

(ASHAMED)

Track eight-

HELLBOY

(READS)

Oh, God- you're disgusting-

ABE

I know-

HELLBOY 2 74

HELLBOY

"Can't smile without you"

ABE

I'd cry, but I don't have the glands for

it..

(DESPERATE)

What am I going to do, Red????

Hellboy sighs and pops a beer, presses play and sighs

heavily, looks around-

ABE

I miss him- Father- don't you??

HELLBOY

(NODS)

Everyday.

ABE

He would tell what to do- He would tell

what's right- what's wrong-

HELLBOY

He did that for all of us...

The opening strings of "Can't Smile Without You."

ABE

(sips beer)

You know? I- I never much appreciated

Manilow's artistry that much- until now-

Now it seems to be a grand poet and

speaks directly to my innermost feelings.

HELLBOY

Jeez- You need to get out more-

The two of them sit there, growing quiet, listening to the

syrupy music. Then, slowly, the two of them start singing:

low at first and then at the top of their voices, moved and

teary-eyed.

110

110 INT. PRINCESS ROOM AT BPRD - NIGHT

The Princess hears the distant music and smiles, but then

feels a chill down her spine. She shudders and moves to the

panoramic window and gazes outside, to the woods and the

distant city lights below...

HELLBOY 2 75

EXT. BPRD - NIGHT 111

The music can be heard at a distance.

A dark figure stands on a hill, amid the trees, listening

and watching... CAMERA MOVES IN: the Prince gazes at the

building.

CUT TO:

112

112 INT. BPRD CORRIDOR - DAY

Manning strides down the corridor, followed by the BPRD

team. All of them dressed in BLACK LEATHER OUTFITS.

MANNING

This is a whole new ballgame and I want

you to take my lead.

ABE

I find these leather outfits very

UNCOMFORTABLE-

MANNING

Maybe so, maybe so- but they look- hip.

(BEAT)

When it comes to dealing with reporters

or the public, I set the tone. You all

know the old saying: the perception is

the reality.

HELLBOY

Correctamundo, chief. For one thing, we

can ditch the garbage truck, right?

ABE

Wait, Red, the lab's in it-

HELLBOY

Screw the lab. I want new wheels.

MANNING

(SMIRKING)

You got 'em-

The round a corner and enter -

113 INT. BPRD GARAGE - DAY 113

Three gleaming Hummers await them.

HELLBOY 2 76

MANNING

A gift from General Motors. One for each

of you.

Each Hummer has custom paint: Hellboy's with scenes of

Dante's inferno, Liz's with flames and Abe's with an

underwater vista.

HELLBOY

This is more like it!

LIZ

I'm not driving that-

Abe has opened the hood on his Hummer.

ABE

This is a most unfortunate vehicle. The

sheer waste of precious fossil fuels...

MANNING

An American custom, it's called product

placement! What's the harm?

CUT TO:

-- DAY 114

114 EXT. NEW YORK STREET

A mob of SCREAMING FANS outside the TV studio. The frenzy

intensifies when they see the Hummers pulling up.

As the BPRD team exits the cars, autograph seekers break

through the POLICE LINE and swarm around the heroes.

MANNING

Every agent on the field is on the case.

They will solve it--

Hellboy signs a color photo of himself with a flourish.

HELLBOY

There you go, pal. "To Jason, best

wishes, Hellboy."

FAN

(squints at the signature)

How am I supposed to read that?

BELLBOY

You don't like it?

HELLBOY 2 77

Irritated, he scowls at the fan. Manning takes him by the

elbow and leads him away.

HELLBOY

(to the fan)

That turns up on e-Bay, I'm gonna find

you, "Jason"...

115

115 INT. GREEN ROOM - LATER

A row of makeup chairs. Manning sits in the first one,

looking at himself in the mirror.

MANNING

Can you do anything about this... uh...

(lowers his voice)

-double chin?

MAKEUP GIRL

No, you're not being made up.

MANNING

Why not?

MAKEUP GIRL

They said, you're too normal. You don't

need anything.

MANNING

But- Believe me- I'm not normal at

all...

2

CAMERA MOVES to the next makeup chair, where Makeup Girl

holds a camelhair brush and stares dubiously at Abe.

MAKEUP GIRL 2

So, what color is that- green?

ABE

Carribbean Blue, actually.

CAMERA MOVES to the next makeup chair, where the very sexy

Makeup Girl 3 gingerly touches Hellboy's chest.

MAKEUP GIRL 3

Are these really scars?

HELLBOY

Well, yeah. Each one tells a story-

His grin fades as he sees Johann talking to Liz. He abruptly

gets up and goes to them.

HELLBOY 2 78

HELLBOY

That about you, glass-man? A few squirts

of Windex?

JOHANN

I'm not going on. And if I may- a word of

ADVICE-

(long beat, then sotto voce)

-it's not a good idea to hint that you

two have... a relationship.

HELLBOY

Thanks a bunch. I'll decide that.

JOHANN

You don't know how people may react.

HELLBOY

It's a love story. They'll lap it up.

JOHANN

I know you don't like me, but trust me on

this one.

(BEAT)

I knew your father- he was a friend-

Hellboy blinks, taking the information in.

JOHANN

Do as you may- But know this- he wouldn't

have approved of your behaviour.

A P.A. opens the door.

P.A.

You're on-!

JOHANN

I'll be watching from the truck lab,

where I belong- Go, enjoy your fifteen

minutes...

He walks away.

CUT TO:

116

116 INT. MOSCOW SUBWAY - NIGHT

SIGN: PATROVICK STATION, MOSCOW, 22.00 HOURS.

A busy Moscow Subway station, not very crowded at this time

of night. Sleepy patrons await the arrival of the subway.

HELLBOY 2 79

One of them, a puppet vendor, showcases his product. He

manipulates a wooden marionette: A KNIGHT in SHINING ARMOR.

In the distance- lights, bright lights and the train ROAR!!!

The Puppeteer readies his merchandise bag and quickly moves

to the edge of the platform alongside other passengers. The

lights grow in intensity and the ROAR becomes deafening. But

something's wrong, really, wrong-

PUPPETEER

Hooy na ny!

The lights are in reality, the eyes of a giant dragon and it

roars into the platfrom, demolishing pillars, crushing

people and eating the puppeteer in a matter of second.

Pandemonium ensues.

117

117 INT. GARBAGE TRUCK LAB - NIGHT

A warning light goes off on the Truck's GLOBAL POSITIONING

MAP: "MOSCOW"

But Johann and the other agents are too absorbed watching

the Leno show on the bank of monitors.

LENO

Ladies and gentlemen, yesterday we saw

some extraordinary things on TV. And

tonight you're in for more.

CUT TO:

118

118 TV SHOW

Jay Leno grins and pulls his microphone close.

LENO

Please extend a warm, warm welcome to

Hellboy, Liz Sherman, Abe Sapien, and

Special Agent Tom Manning.

Uproarious applause as the BPRD team comes out and make

their way to the couch.

119

119 INT. BPRD CONFERENCE ROOM - SAME

Alone in the BPRD conference room, the Princess is watching

the show. The massive Yrdrig is curled up at her feet.

BELLBOY 2 80

LEND

Wow, So -

He's pointing at Manning.

LENO

.what planet are you from?

MANNING

Washington, D.C., Jay. It's hot and

inhospitable to human life.

LEND

Funny.

(to Liz)

Why are you just "Liz" and not Fire Girl?

LIZ

I was born in Milwaukee, so it was just

plain old Liz ever since first grade.

HELLBOY

Hey, we do call her Sparky now and then.

A chuckle from the crowd. Hellboy smiles in satisfaction.

LEND

(to Abe)

And you, Abe. Is it uncomfortable at

night with that toilet seat around your

neck?

The Princess smiles as the camera singles out Abe for a

closeup.

ABE

Actually, Mr. Leno, my lungs are more

like gills. I need to convert the air's

nitrogen into oxygen, otherwise I'd

suffocate in five minutes.

LEND

(NODDING)

Gotcha. We call that stand-up comedy.

120 INT. GARBAGE TRUCK LAB - SAME 120

Johann is groaning. This is turning unpleasant. Behind him,

the map's lights are lightning up non-stop.

HELLBOY 2 81

LENO (CONT'D)

So, Hellboy: what's your favorite food?

Devil's food cake? Do you have a last

name?

More laughter at HB. Liz mortified. She touches HB's hand to

restrain him. Cameras zoom in on this.

LENO

Whoa. What's that- Are you two an item?

HELLBOY

Uh... I-

LENO

(to Liz)

Care to comment on that? Sounds like

you're contemplating marriage!

LIZ

(after a big pause)

You know, Jay, we are- together. We are.

Rumble of consternation from the audience.

JOHANN

Uh oh. Manning, I think your polls just

tanked.

He turns to see the map- lit like a christmas tree.

JOHANN

Mein Gott-

121

121 TV SHOW

Leno smiles at the audience, which is buzzing.

LENO

Folks, this is modern America. A guy in

Rhode Island married his motorcycle!

What's a little inter-species romance in

this day and age?

LIZ:

Scattered BOOING from the back row. Jay turns back to

LENO

Okay, here's what we've really been

wondering: Is he just like every guy? In

every respect? I mean, he looks like a

guy...

(MORE)

HELLBOY 2 82

LENO(continued)

and if so, are you using any protection?

A layer of asbestos might be in order,

don't you think?

Liz tenses up in silence. Holds tight to HB's hand.

Hellboy is ready to explode.

LIZ

As a matter of fact, Jay-

Before she can finish, the production assistant runs out and

hands a NOTE to Leno, who scans it and grows serious:

LENO

We we're getting pre-empted, ladies and

gentlemen. Please, bare with us. We'll be

right back-

CAMERA PUSHES IN on one of the MONITORS:

122 EXT. TOKYO STREETS - NIGHT 122

News footage of the Ginza features YOKAI GHOSTS on a

rampage, destroying the stores and attacking salarymen.

ANNOUNCER 1

This is a news alert. Tokyo is under

assault - repeat - this city has been

attacked. Monstrous beings, defying

description, have waded into the Ginza-

The jumpy, handheld images are full of digital interference.

The spectral BEASTS drag down power lines and hurl cars.

ANNOUNCER I

- where police are helpless and hospitals

overwhelmed. One moment, please.

Moscow... come in, Moscow...

CUT TO:

123 EXT. MOSCOW STREETS - SAME 123

Red Square, Moscow now seen in similar, shaky video.

Hundreds of citizens are running from a towering, DRAGON.

ANNOUNCER 2

This is CNN in Moscow, where a Dragon has

laid claim to Red Square. Yes- a DRAGON.

HELLBOY 2 83

The DRAGON heads towards the TV REPORTER and screeching, it

raises its PAW.

ANNOUNCER 2

Oh, my God...

CAMERA goes down, then the picture winks out.

Black screen. The HISS of static...

PAN off the monitor to Jay Leno, who sits in stunned

silence, like everyone else. Finally, he looks over at

Hellboy.

LENO

Friends of yours?

HELLBOY

(GROWL)

No -!

LENO

Then, may I ask what you're doing here?

Shouldn't you be out protecting humanity

instead of hooking up with our women?

At last, Hellboy explodes. Bellowing, he rips up the desk

and throws it through the backdrop!

CUT TO:

124

124 TNT. BPRD - SAME

The Princess snaps off the TV, looking worried.

Alone with her thoughts, she examines the curved gold piece

hanging from a chain around her neck. She closes her eyes

and shudders - trouble is near.

The Yrdgrig wakes up and whimpers.

125

125 INT. BPRD CORRIDOR - CONTINUOUS

Video cameras record the journey of the Princess as she

makes her way through the nearly-deserted corridors.

126 TNT. LIBRARY -- CONTINUOUS 126

A VIDEO surveillance camera in the BPRD library records the

Princess as she crosses to Abe's tank.

BELLBOY 2 84

She hides the gold segment within the pages of "Jane Eyre."

At that moment, the Yrdrig GROWLS -

PRINCESS

Shhh, it's all right -

BOOM-! A jolt shakes the room. A-moment later, a wall

collapses as warty, heavily muscled ARMS and FINGERS tear at

the masonry!

in seconds, a squad of TROLLS pulls itself into view! WINK

leers at the Princess. From her waistband, she produces a

long, thin DAGGER and wields it timidly.

Somewhere in the building, ALARMS start clanging.

The Yrdrig shakes himself into action and springs.

With a SNARL, it attaches its several jaws onto the nearest

trolls. As the fighting creatures crash into the spiral

staircase, the Princess hears a familiar voice:

PRINCE

Hold.

The Prince steps into the room, carrying a long spear.

The trolls are on top of the Yrdrig, ready to kill him.

PRINCE

Come-!

The trolls release the Yrdrig and bound over to the Prince.

The last troll, however, grabs the Yrdrig by the neck and

brutally twists -!

The animal's three mouths yelp and cough, fighting for air.

- the

It thrashes pathetically until, suddenly, it's over

beast is dead.

PRINCESS

No!

PRINCE

Where is your sense of shame? You mingle

with... the liars?

127 INT. BPRD GARAGE - SAME 127

ALARMS are ringing as the Hummers pull into the underground

parking garage. Manning and Hellboy jump out of their

vehicle and see -

HELLBOY 2 85

- a couple of dead AGENTS sprawled on the loading dock.

MANNING

What in God's name- ?

Hellboy, Abe, Liz and Johann race past him, disappearing

into the building. The alarm bells are deafening.

128 INT. BPRD CORRIDOR 128

Hellboy leads the way down the corridors, which are alive

with scrambling personnel. Several BPRD employees are lying

on the floor, wounded and confused.

129 INT. LOBBY 129

The top-level human agents are clustered in the lobby, their

guns drawn, all of them aiming at the Prince and his

drooling bodyguards. Standoff.

As Hellboy and the team arrive, Abe sees the Princess, her

arms tied. Her brother holds her by the hair.

ABE

Princess!

Without thinking, he darts forward. Instantly, one of the

trolls swipes at him, its claws just missing his chest-

HELLBOY

Abe! No, get back!!

Abe regains his balance and tries again, his eyes glued to

the desperate features of the beautiful young woman. Hellboy

manages to restrain him.

PRINCESS

Mr. Sapien, don't! He'll kill you!

PRINCE

I'll kill you all, if that's what you

want.

HELLBOY

No. Why don't you just start with me?

Hellboy strolls up to the Prince.

PRINCE

You challenge-me?

HELLBOY 2 86

HELLBOY

You bet your ass I do-

PRINCE

Your weapon of choice?

HELLBOY

(holds up his massive hand)

Five-fingered Mary.

In the background, Manning arrives, wide-eyed. Just in time

to see the Prince hand off his captive to one of the trolls.

He drops back, flips his spear to horizontal and waits for

Hellboy's attack.

130

130 FIGHT

Hellboy feints left, goes right and whips around, swinging

his tail at the Prince. The Prince leaps and jabs with the

spear, poking a hole in Hellboy's coat.

The surrounding crowd backs away as the combatants circle

each other. The Prince is nimble. The Prince is quick. He

thrusts the spear again and again, driving Hellboy into a

display case full of antique weapons.

The glass breaks and a number of swords and axes fall to the

floor.

JOHANN

(to Hellboy)

Arm yourself! Use the flail!.

HELLBOY

Not my style. Watch and learn, fish bowl.

He punches the Prince, hard. The blow knocks the Prince to

his knees; as he rises, Hellboy connects with a brutal

combination.

In the arms of the troll, the Princess' head rockets back

and forth, as if struck. A moan of pain escapes from her

lips.

ABE

(seeing this)

H.B., no! Stop - you mustn't harm him!

As the Prince totters, Hellboy turns to look at Abe,

momentarily distracted- Then-

HELLBOY 2 87

Hellboy grimaces and looks down: the Prince's SPEAR TIP is

half-buried in his chest...!

The Prince sneers and gives the spear a savage yank,

breaking off the blade! Hellboy's eyes roll upward; Liz

SCREAMS. She and Johann manage to catch Hellboy as he

collapses.

The Prince reclaims the Princess and turns to the humans.

His eyes seek out Abe, who has rushed to Hellboy's side.

PRINCE

(showing off the Princess)

If you want to see her again, you'll give

me what's rightfully mine. Many people

died for that crown. Bring it to me.

He and his trolls escape into the night.

CUT TO:

131 INT. MEDICAL BAY - LATER 131

Stretched out on an operating table, HB is barely conscious.

Abe, in surgical goggles, probes the wound.

In CLOSE-UP, Abe's webbed fingers lightly touch the glinting

metal that protrudes from Hellboy's sternum. The spear tip

responds, as if alive; it wriggles, producing a GROAN from

HB.

Liz is near panic.

LIZ

Abe, stop studying! Pull the friggin'

thing out, why don't you?

ABE

Liz, I'm sorry. It's a magical alloy.

Every time I touch it, it moves closer to

his heart.

(GESTURING)

Come here, I'll show you...

Liz backs away, shaking her head.

LIZ

No! I don't want to see it!

(to Johann)

We've got to do something!

HELLBOY 2 88

ABE

I cannot reverse the magic- we have to

look for the Prince or somebody that can

help Red.

LIZ

Go after that son-of-a-bitch and get him

to reverse the spell!!

JOHANN

He'll demand the gold piece-

LIZ

So? We find it! We give it to him-!!

Manning exchanges a worried look with a couple of his agents

in the b.g.

132 INT. PRINCESS' ROOM - MOMENTS LATER 132

Liz rummages in the Princess' quarters, throwing bedding

around, opening drawers.

133

133 INT. CONFERENCE ROOM - MOMENTS LATER

Liz bursts into the conference room and starts shoving books

and papers aside, hunting high and low.

134

134 INT. BPRD CONTROL ROOM - NIGHT

Johann walks into the control room. In every screen a crisis

situation is visible. JAGGED, BLURRY FOOTAGE shows a Yeti at

large in Nebraska and a Plesiosaurus at large in Scotland,

etc, etc-

AGENT AGATE

A lupgarou loose in Picadilly, a Winged

creature nesting in a skyscraper- We have

a situation in almost every point of the

map.

Johann looks back at a map with LED indicators signaling

each crisis in the globe. They keep turning on a dozen a

second.

JOHANN

The Rebellion's spreading too fast- The

only way to stop it is to stop the

Prince.

HELLBOY 2 89

135 INT. LIBRARY - NIGHT 135

Abe enters the dark, soaking library and surveys the ruins

of his tank.

He goes directly to one of the book stands, which lies in

pieces on the floor. He comes up with his copy of "Jane

Eyre."

He opens it to Chapter 23 and finds the gold piece.

LIZ

Any luck?

Liz has come in behind him. Abe quickly palms the precious

thing in his webbed hand.

ABE

No. Sorry.

LIZ

It doesn't matter.

ABE

No -?

LIZ

No. Forget the gold piece. Let's us just

find this royal asshole.

(FIERCE)

Fire and water, me and you, Abe. We'll

kick his ass.

Abe looks supremely troubled.

LIZ

Abe, let's do this for Red!

Abe nods, unable to find a good answer. He manages to tuck

the gold piece into his belt.

CUT TO:

136 INT. CONFERENCE ROOM - LATER 136

Abe stands at a lectern. Behind him, a projected image of

the Princess' map from the troll market. His finger traces

the strange, elvish text.

HELLBOY 2 90

ABE

The map contained within the cylinder

seems useless-

(BEAT)

Now the case itself proves very useful-

He moistens the holding cylinder case on a rubber stamp mat

and imprints the surface pattern on the paper map. Glyphs

and coordinates become visible.

A silhouette of a twisted, gnarly tree is visible too.

ABE

Renvyle it is- Both the Princess and her

brother were born there. They hold it

sacred.

MANNING

Even if you're right, we sit tight and

locate the gold piece, make sure he never

ever gets his hands on it. If there's any

truth to this legend, the fate of the

world depends on it.

LIZ

What about Red?? Don't you care about

him???

A moment of silence. Nobody knows what to say. Finally:

JOHANN

Liz. That may be his destiny. Manning is

right: we can't take the chance.

Liz glares at him.

LIZ

I see. Red was right about you. Welcome

to the team, Johann. And goodbye.

She leaves the room.

CUT TO:

137 INT. HB'S ROOM - LATER 137

Hellboy leans weakly against the doorway to his room. His

cats purr all around him, oblivious to his pain. He sits by

the bed. Liz enters the room. He smiles weakly at her-

HELLBOY 2 91

HELLBOY

Don't worry, Sparky- It's all going to be

ALRIGHT-

Abe stands nearby, in silence. Liz looks at him, teary-eyed.

ABE

We'll make it alright. Screw Manning- You

are right, Liz- We should just do this

together: the three of us.

Liz smiles.

CUT TO:

138 INT. PLANE - NIGHT 138

The BPRD airplane sits quietly in its hangar. In the

passenger compartment, Hellboy climbs up. He looks up to see

Liz smiling down at him.

139 INT. COCKPIT - SAME 139

Abe's sitting in the pilot's seat, leafing through the

massive airplane manual.

ABE

Engine, starting- refer to NA-7488-BD...

Liz climbs in behind him.

LIZ

We stay here much longer, we're gonna get

caught...

ABE

Just a few more minutes. Here's an easy

way to remember that "port" means "left."

They each have four-

A NOISE from the door: it's Johann.

JOHANN

Good evening, friends.

LIZ

Don't try to stop us, Johann.

HELLBOY 2 92

JOHANN

On the contrary. I've been giving it some

thought, and we should be able to save

Hellboy. After all, the Prince lacks the

gold crown. Without it, his army poses no

threat. None at all.

Abe is very quiet.

ABE

(in despair)

Its useless- I- I- can't- I can't pilot

this thing...

Johann sits down in the co-pilot seat and melds with the

controls...

JOHANN

I'll give it a try-

Abe smiles at the sound of the engines starting up.

140

140 INT. BPRD CORRIDOR - SAME

Manning bangs on a vending machine in one of the BPRD

corridors. As a dribble of hot coffee splatters into his

cup, a couple of AGENTS run up.

AGENT

Sir - you'd better come, fast -

MANNING

Got it - ow!

He burns his fingers on the coffee as he hurries after the

agents.

141

141 INT. HANGAR - MOMENTS LATER

The BPRD airplane is ROARING, amid clouds of exhaust fumes.

The plane spins around and around in tight circles, its wing

tips knocking into ladders, lights and shelves.

A bunch of agents are cowering in the doorway as Manning

arrives.

MANNING

Not ALL of them, it's not possible!

AGENT

Isn't that Johann at the controls?

HELLBOY 2 93

Sure enough, they get a glimpse of the transparent head

through the cockpit window. Abe's there, too. He raises a

webbed hand to wave goodbye.

The plane taxis outside onto the runway...

142 EXT. RUNWAY - NIGHT 142

.and takes off, barely under control, just missing the New

Jersey treetops.

CUT TO:

143 UNDERGROUND 143

The Prince pulls the Princess through fractured, roaring

tunnels. Here and there, the walls are pierced, allowing

light and ocean waves to enter.

Rounding a few corners, the Prince stops near a wall

decorated with a large, elaborate FRESCO. It shows a

stylized family tree, hunting scenes and naive renderings of

trolls, faeries and ogres.

PRINCE

Maybe this will help you remember who we

are, who you are... What our destiny is-

The Prince pushes his sister through a low doorway, out onto

A-

144 LEDGE 144

-overlooking a vast cavern, big as a stadium, lit by a

thousand torches. The mechanical ARMY stands knee-deep in

heaving seawater and foam.

PRINCE

They - they - will be mine to command,

whether you like it or not. Only after

our victory will you appreciate my

sacrifice... and yours.

145 EXT. BPRD PLANE - DAY 145

The BPRD plane exits a bank of clouds and starts its descent

upon an Irish island surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean.

HELLBOY 2 94

Massive granite mountains encircle an impossibly green

valley.

146 TNT. BPRD PLANE COCKPIT - DAY 146

Early sunlight washes over Hellboy's body, who weakly groans

in Liz's arms.

HELLBOY

(to Liz)

Where are we, Liz..?

LIZ

Near the ocean, Red.We'regonna make you

well here.

147 EXT.OPEN FIELD,IRELAND - DAY 147

148 SIGN:REYNVILLE,IRELAND. 148

The back doors of the cargo plane opens and out come Abe and

JOHANN-

149 EXT. GREEN FIELD - DAY 149

Liz and Abe help Hellboy up to a gnarled TREE, twisted by

eons of wind.

Abe unfurls the map and points at a drawing of a similar,

weird tree.

ABE

This should be the portal. By all rights-

Johann reaches the tree and inspects it carefully.

JOHANN

Abe, bring the mapcase over here.

He's found a roundish SLOT in the tree, where the lowest

branch joins the trunk. Abe slips the map back into its

crystal cylinder and holds it alongside: it looks to be a

perfect fit.

LIZ

Yes! Try it, Abe-

HELLBOY 2 95

JOHANN

Before you do anything... remember what

we're in for. A world unlike anything

we've ever known. Dangerous, deceptive...

LIZ

You're wasting time!

Abe inserts and twists the cylinder.

The tree comes to life, hauling its roots out of the ground,

bending them into a swaying arch.

JOHANN

Dangerous, deceptive... and hard to

leave.

They walk under the tree roots, into...

150

150 FAIRY WORLD

A transformed landscape. A perpetual nightland- Still

overlooking the same ocean, but now throbbing with pale

colors and twisted, Rackahm-esque contours.

The men start down the hill, into a valley bordered by a

rugged coastline.

CUT TO:

151 EXT. INLET - DAY 151

The team reaches the stony shore of a mile-wide inlet. Abe

brings out the map.

ABE

(pointing to the opposite shore)

Renvyle is over there.

They glance up and down the beach, looking for a boat.

Hellboy blinks and sniffs the air.

A GOBLIN speaks up from an outcropping of rocks in the

shallows directly in front of them. By his side, sitting

atop of a tree: A SATYR and a CROW observe the group.

GOBLIN

I bid you welcome, strangers. Would you

be seeking safe passage to Renvyle?

BELLBOY 2 96

LIZ

Yes! Can you help us?

JOHANN

(QUIET)

Careful, Liz.

SATYR

I'm sure you can come to an

understanding!

The Goblin heaves on an oar and emerges from behind the

rocks. He's standing in the stern of a sturdy little

coracle. Its wooden hull is painted in Celtic patterns.

GOBLIN

Room enough for all of you!

(looks at Hellboy)

Even your weary friend.

JOHANN

What will it cost, boatman?

The Goblin smiles, displaying a disconcerting row of

triangular teeth.

GOBLIN

Ah, next to nothing! Make me an offer.

Abe, Johann and Liz confer among themselves:

LIZ

How much?

CROW

He won't want money.

JOHANN

(to the goblin)

I have a... belt!

OF

Johann removes his equipment belt, dangling it in front

the creature's bat-like face.

GOBLIN

I have no use for such a thing.

Liz shows him her binoculars.

LIZ

Here... is a wonderful set of eyes, magic

eyes that will bring the world-

HELLBOY 2 97

GOBLIN

I already have binoculars! No, I see

something special.

He points toward Hellboy's chest.

SATYR

Under his bandage - !

Quick as a squirrel, the creature hops to Hellboy's side and

brings out a KNIFE! SWISH! In one sweep of the blade, he

reveals HB's terrible wound, and the speartip protruding

from it.

GOBLIN

That!

(points at the steel)

That - in exchange for your crossing!

LIZ

Don't you touch it - !

She rushes to Hellboy's side, pushing the Goblin back, ready

for a fight. The Goblin shrugs.

GOBLIN

Is it so precious to you? Let me pull it

out.

ABE

You mustn't. One touch can kill him.

The Goblin's eyes grow wide with understanding.

GOBLIN

Ah. I see. We must go to the Angel of

DEATH-

CROW

He'll know what to do.

152 EXT. INLET - DAY 152

The tiny boat is a dot on the golden waves of the inlet as

the Goblin rows them to the opposite shore and docks near a

cove.

The Goblin leads the way as Liz, Abe and Johann arrive and

help Hellboy up.

HELLBOY 2 98

Strange BIRDS hang upside down form the Cave's roof. A

MASSIVE CHIMNEY has been carved out of the cave's rock at

the other end. A Black, ancient figure is hunched there,

warming its skeletal hands by the fire.

A raspy voice utters something in an ancient language. The

Goblin replies, gesturing at Hellboy, who collapses on the

floor.

In a deep coma, Hellboy lies on the floor, near the

crackling fireplace. The ANGEL OF DEATH extends its FOUR

BLACK WINGS and a thin, jagged smile appears in its pale,

eyeless face.

ANGEL OF DEATH

So. This one... The boy- I remember him

well! Anung-un-Rama!

LIZ

Oh, my God. She knows - ?!

ANGEL OF DEATH

I helped bring him into this world - in

my fashion.

It pulls a set of a glowing, red-hot TONGS out of the fire.

It studies the speartip, which has buried itself deep in

Hellboy's flesh.

ANGEL OF DEATH (CONT'D)

I warn you: it is his destiny to rule

over the destruction of the Earth. Not

now, not tomorrow - but some day. You are

sure you want him to live?

LIZ

Yes, I say yes-!

Abe and Johann exchange a silent, worried look.

ANGEL OF DEATH

Very well, then- but let it be said: The

day will come when you will pay the price

fire girl: This will bring you and the

world much sorrow.

LIZ

And I'll deal with it when that time

comes. Now save him.

The creature cackles and then grips the spear tip with the

tongs. A cry of pain from Hellboy as it withdraws the bloody

point from his chest.

HELLBOY 2 99

The ANGEL OF DEATH holds up the speartip and looks at it

with distaste.

ANGEL OF DEATH

Harmless now.

(looking at Hellboy)

See - ?

Hellboy's eyes flutter open.

ANGEL OF DEATH

(to Hellboy)

Sleep now, child. Your strength, it will

return.

A guttural HISS from the corner: the Goblin is jumping up

and down, pointing at the speartip.

JOHANN

Our ferry captain - he wants his

payment...

ANGEL OF DEATH

Ach, outside with you!

She tosses the speartip to the creature, who scoops it up

and bounds out the door.

instantly, the goblins and birds leap down and crowd around

him, chattering in excitement over the latest prize.

She gazes down at Hellboy, whose yellow eyes are fixed on

her. He smiles wanly.

CUT TO:

153 EXT.. HILLTOP - DAY 153

Alone on a hilltop, Abe surveys the coastline. Through the

binoculars, he discerns a SECOND CAVE half-hidden behind

wild, breaking waves.

Glancing back at ANGEL OF DEATH's cave, Johann strikes off

on his own, headed for the cave.

154 EXT. HUT - DAY 154

Outside ANGEL OF DEATH's hut, a bandaged HB is sitting up,

blinking in the sunlight. He sips some tea and gazes at Liz,

who is happy now.

HELLBOY 2 100

LIZ

I almost lost you-

Hellboy smiles and grabs her hand-

HELLBOY

I thought you were mad at me.

LIZ

Well, no one can stay mad forever.

HELLBOY

I'm sorry for all the attention, I

thought it would be good for us.

LIZ

We're never going to make them all happy,

Red. What we have is ours and no one

ELSE'S-

BELLBOY

I can turn my back on the world. I don't

care anymore I don't- as long as you stay

with me- as long as you think I'm still a

good man.

(BEAT )

Am I a good man, Liz?? Am I??

LIZ

Yes you are. You are the best man I've

ever met.

HELLBOY

You still seem sad. Is there anything you

want to tell me-??

LIZ

Yes, there is-

HELLBOY

Say it now, then. Whatever it is, I'm

ready.

(SIGHS)

Is it about Johann-

LIZ

No- no- what are you talking about??

Before she can go on, Johann appears. He carries a poultice

and fresh rags.

BELLBOY 2 101

JOHANN

Abe and I have found the entrance to the

Golden Army's resting place- Liz come

with us-

(looks at Hellboy)

You should stay behind and get some rest-

HELLBOY

And call you in the morning, right?? Like

Hell I will. I'm keeping an eye on you,

GLASSHOLE-

CUT TO:

155

155 EXT. HILLS - DAY

Johann, Liz and Hellboy follow a rugged trail along a bluff

high over the sea. Johann refers to the map, then points to

the cave opening a half-mile ahead. Abe is standing there,

WAVING-

JOHANN

There.

Abe points at the violent sea below-

ABE

The only way in- I'm afraid we'll have to

jump in-

(looks at Hellboy)

Can you make it-?

Hellboy nods.

BELLBOY

Strange. If this is the entrance-

ABE

I know- Why isn't there more security??

With a ROAR, WINK!!!!! - jumps out and throws a CHAIN around

Bellboy's neck!

The chain is connected to his IRON MACE which now dangles

around Hellboy's neck.

The two creatures battle each other fiercely. WINK's MACE

destroys a nearby tree, like a wrecking ball and it connects

twice with Hellboy's head.

But Red gets the upper hand quickly, snapping the chain in

two and twirling the mace like a boleador.

HELLBOY 2 102

He hits Wink again and again-

HELLBOY

See?? It hurts!!! It hurts!!!

Hellboy grips the chain, pulls the creature close, then,

like a weightlifter, raises him high overhead. With a mighty

GRUNT, Hellboy tosses him overboard. WINK hits the jagged

rocks once- twice- thrice-

HELLBOY

Ouch- ouch- ouch-

(looking around)

We better go swimming before any more

ugly fellas show up-

He stares down into the swirling waters and discreetly takes

his hand to his bandaged side: He's bleeding. The wound has

re-opened.

ABE

Red, are you-?

HELLBOY

Don't say a word, Blue- Let's move on-

156

156 UNDERWATER

Johann plunges in from above, his body quickly tumbled by

the rough seas. A moment later, Liz and Hellboy are in the

water, too.

Johann swims down, leading them into the darkness of the

cave entrance.

157 INT. CAVE ENTRANCE - SAME 157

As they bob up for air, they find there's only a few inches

of breathing room between the sea and the rocky ceiling. Liz

starts coughing.

JOHANN

Hang on, people. I'll be right back.

158

158 UNDERWATER

Johann dives down to find a rusting, iron LOCK six feet

under the surface. He tries to turn the control wheel, but

can't make it budge.

BELLBOY 2 103

Seconds later, Hellboy is at his side, gripping the wheel in

his huge hands. Using all his strength, Hellboy finally

manages to turn it.

His bandage, however, floats free... and his wound opens up,

emitting a plume of blood.

Lungs bursting, he shoots to the surface. Johann stays

behind and swings open the lock, revealing...

159 A STAIRWELL 159

.carved from the living rock, leading upward into the

depths of the cliff.

CUT TO:

160 STAIRS - LATER 160

The trio cautiously climbs the stairs, finding their way

with light sticks. Hellboy stops to lean against the wall.

He dabs at his chest with a rag.

LIZ

(to Johann)

Hold up. We need to rest.

HELLBOY

Says who? I'm fine, I tell ya.

He lurches forward, pushing past the others, fighting off

his pain.

LIZ

(to Johann)

This was a mistake. He's -

JOHANN

Mein Gott--

The stairs lead to-

161 INT. CAVERN 161

-a vast underground arena where a thousand torches are

flickering.

CAMERA PULLS BACK to reveal rank upon rank of GOLDEN

SOLDIERS. Immobile. Silent. Waiting.

HELLBOY 2 104

162 AMONG THE SOLDIERS 162

Hellboy leads the way down a row of gleaming statues,

pausing to gaze up at the blank face of one of the

infantrymen.

HELLBOY

Hey, amigo. You got some gum?

Two rows away, Johann examines the lethal weaponry that

terminates the arms of each soldier.

JOHANN

Most ingenious. A versatile, highly

mobile killing machine.

LIZ

Make that machines, Johann. I see more

than one.

Hellboy taps on a soldier's mechanical chest, which booms

faintly, sending ECHOES up into the dark cavern.

HELLBOY

Wow. You hear that? Listen -

He thumps it, harder. The mechanical thing rocks

backwards...

HELLBOY

Uh oh.

CRASH!!! The thing falls onto the soldier behind it! Then,

-

the ear-shattering noise of a hundred car wrecks builds as

- a toppling LINE OF SOLDIERS races away like falling

dominoes!!

HELLBOY

Whoops.

The sound dwindles, then builds again as ANOTHER LINE of

falling soldiers bears down on them!!

Liz screams and Hellboy pulls her aside. The soldiers crash

past them until -

- the din suddenly stops. The PRINCE stands revealed at the

head of the column.

HELLBOY 2 105

PRINCE

As a boy, they say I enjoyed toy

soldiers. So do you, I see.

He strolls past the mechanical figures, pausing to kick

aside some of the weapons.

PRINCE

(to Hellboy)

You're bleeding. Most unfortunate.

Hellboy wipes at his oozing chest wound.

HELLBOY

Yeah. Now it's your turn.

PRINCE

Do you envy these contraptions? They

never bleed. They feel nothing. Not even

the zest of combat.

The Prince circles them, keeping an eye on Johann.

PRINCE

These fighting men are the very model of

patience... merely awaiting word from

their lawful commander.

AS

From his tunic, he brings forth two of the gold segments.

he fits them together...

PRINCE

You have the remaining piece, I presume.

JOHANN

We do not -

PRINCE

(SURPRISED)

Then you are most foolish.

He gestures to some troll GUARDS near a tunnel entrance.

They lead the Princess out in chains.

PRINCE (CONT'D)

You came here expecting what? Mercy?

JOHANN

The death you would unleash will never

happen! What you need is far from here

and will stay out of your reach forever.

HELLBOY 2 106

A VOICE reaches their ears from the tunnel entrance behind

them.

ABE

Stop - I have it.

Abe, dripping wet, stands there, the last gold segment in

the palm of his hand.

ABE

(APPROACHING)

Here... For her... Take it...

JOHANN

Oh, my God. What has he done?

Keeping his eyes on the Princess, Abe gives the gold piece

to the Prince.

Hellboy steps forward, feeling dizzy and betrayed.

HELLBOY

Abe -

ABE

(to Hellboy)

You cannot fight him- not without hurting

her...

(BEAT )

What would you do if it was Liz??

CLICK! The Prince fits the gold parts together and places

the resulting crown on his head!

PRINCE

I am Prince Nuada and I command my army

to life once more. Does anyone dispute my

right?

With the deep sound of gears, ratchets and springs, the army

comes to life. Up comes the lances and shields.

PRINCE (CONT'D)

(points at the team)

Kill them.

Abe is now aghast, seeing the Prince drag his sister back.

ABE

(to the Prince)

That was your price!! A ransom, you said -

paid in good faith!!

(MORE)

HELLBOY 2 107

ABE(continued)

(to Hellboy)

Why, he lied to us!

HELLBOY

Abe old buddy. If we survive this, we

need to talk.

The Army swings into action, marching toward them. The four

friends retreat, soon pressed against one of the walls.

ABE

He - he's a cad! Can you imagine, a

highborn heir to the throne, last in a

noble line of-

BELLBOY

Not now, Abe, okay?

The first phalanx of golden soldiers is upon them, their

terrifying weapons slashing in unison. Hellboy brings out

his huge gun and starts firing as Johann grabs a torch and

swings it like a club.

A couple of the mechanical soldiers go down, only to pop

back onto their feet, new weapons blossoming on their arms.

LIZ

Let me -

Liz summons up a white-hot burst of electrical fire in each

hand. With a yell, she unleashes a searing EXPLOSION at the

oncoming fighters.

The shock wave rolls through the enemy ranks, flattening

scores of soldiers. For a moment, the BPRD team regains

hope... but the endless lines of mechanicals keep coming,

marching on and over their scorched comrades.

Hellboy holsters the Samaritan and rushes forward, giving it

his best. His wound is running with fresh blood.

He punches a soldier, whose mace pounds repeatedly against

his ravaged chest; as blood spatters his face, Hellboy

groans and keeps fighting, to absolutely no effect.

At length, the mechanical arms throw Hellboy against the

wall, where he collapses, unable to carry on.

JOHANN

Invincibility!? So - the only one thing

may stop them -

Johann unzips his suit; with a HISSS, his ectoplasmic self

flows out, into the body of the nearest mechanical soldier!

HELLBOY 2 108

Instantly, the thing whirls on its companions and starts

chopping! Bits and pieces of gold machinery fly about as

Johann rips into the enemy!!

But again, fresh metal soldiers fill in for the fallen. As

the BPRD team watches in dismay, Johann's mechanical shell

is surrounded by the other SOLDIERS, who methodically

dismember it like marauding insects!

As the parts drop to the floor, twitching and useless,

Johann slithers out and re-inhabits his suit.

JOHANN

Ach. They are too many. Anyone have

another idea?

Hellboy grabs the nearest sword and hauls himself to his

feet.

HELLBOY

(a bellow)

Prince Nuada: I challenge your right to

command this army!

With a soft BOOM, the clockwork troops come to a halt! All

the mechanical heads turn toward the Prince, who stands on a

ledge with his sister.

ABE

(follows HB)

No= please- no-

Hellboy moves away from him.

HELLBOY

A challenge must be answered! Raise your

sword!

PRINCE

A challenge from you? A nobody?? You are

no one.

PRINCESS

No!! He is Anung-un-Rma- son of the

Fallen one- He has the right!

Her eyes lock with Abe's: there's no other way.

The Prince sees Hellboy coming and with a bitter smile picks

up his sword.

HELLBOY 2 10 9

PRINCE

Very well.

(to the BPRD team)

May his fate show you the cost of pride

and blindness.

As the hall rings with their first blows of their swords-

JOHANN

Hellboy's too weak-

Summoning up his last ounce of strength, Hellboy manages to

drive the Prince back into the center of the arena, where

they fight under the inscrutable gaze of the golden army.

Every time Hellboy gets a clean shot at the Prince, Abe

looks at him, pleading, and HB has no choice but to keep

parrying off his enemy.

Hellboy's sword grows heavy in his hands; he stares at it in

dismay as it trembles. His muscles can no longer respond.

The Prince is ready to kill him.

LIZ

(witness to a nightmare)

No!! NO! !

A sudden movement at the ledge, where the Princess steps

forward and...

Using her concealed DAGGER, she STABS HERSELF in the right

arm!! In silent slow motion, she drops the dagger.

Instantly, the Prince drops his arm... his hands come away

red with blood. He looks over at his sister.

They share a hard look of mutual understanding. Love and

hatred.

Hellboy raises, through supreme effort, bleeding. He quickly

raises his sword. The fight resumes, but this time, HB has

the advantage.

He fights bravely and after parrying fiercely with the

Prince, he disarms him and points his sword at his chest.

HELLBOY

I- have- won-

PRINCE

No. You have not-

HELLBOY 2 110

He impales himself on HELLBOY's sword. The blade goes

through his abdomen and protrudes on the other side. Hellboy

pulls it out, but it's too late. Both the Prince and the

Princess collapse to the ground, mortally wounded.

ABE

(GASPS)

NO-

Abe hurries to the Princess. Takes her into his arms,

blinking in despair.

The pale young creature is now a ghostly white. She lifts

her eyes to Abe's, caressing his thin, scaly face.

PRINCESS

We'll find each other again, somewhere.

And she dies in his arms.

In the center of the arena:

PRINCE

(to Hellboy)

You... think you're any different from

me? The humans - they will tire of you.

They will disappoint you. And in the end,

they will betray you. You... are living a

lie. Your time will come again. May you

make a better choice.

Then, he, too, is dead. Both him and his sister turn to

fine, pale dust. And the wind carries away the ashes from

Abe's hands...

Shaken, Hellboy lifts the crown from the Prince's head.

Looks at it carefully, as if considering the possibilities.

Suddenly, he rips it into pieces. As he crushes the first

segement...

. an entire division of the golden army collapses into a

heap of scrap metal!

Hellboy does the same with a second section of the crown and

another massive division of the army tumbles into junk!

HB is about the tear up the last segment of the crown, when

it explodes in his hands!

WHUMP! The last of the army disintegrates.

Hellboy confronts the Prince's frightened troll guards:

HELLBOY 2 111

HELLBOY

(to the trolls)

You - and your kind! Leave here. And stay

in the shadows - where you belong.

As the ogres slink back into the tunnels, Liz looks at

Hellboy. He seems angry, stung by the Prince's last words.

DISSOLVE:

163

163 EXT. HILLS - DAY

The BPRD team crosses waterfalls and stone bridges, through

the magical hills.

Liz walks at Hellboy's side, but he avoids her glance.

164

164 EXT. TREE -- DAY

They reach the strange, twisted tree. Johann takes the map

cylinder and fits it into the slot.

JOHANN

Any last minute requests?

ABE

(very quiet)

Do it, please. I - I'm ready for the real

world now.

Johann turns the cylinder. The tree roots form their arch...

and the BPRD team walks through.

165

165 EXT. RENVYLE - DAY

On the other side of the tree: Manning and a bunch of agents

have set up spotter scopes and are gazing out over the

countryside, looking for them.

Suddenly, the team appears, literally from out of nowhere.

MANNING

(STARTLED)

Whoa! Where'd you come from? We were just-

BELLBOY

I know, here to help. Well, I appreciate

that Manning.

HELLBOY 2 112

Abe steps past Hellboy and removes his gunbelt and equipment

pack.

ABE

Yes, Mr. Manning. I want to thank you,

too. For all you've done for us over the

years.

He gives his stuff to the astonished agent.

MANNING

What? What, exactly is this?

ABE

(walking away)

I quit.

Hellboy glances at Abe, then hauls out the Samaritan and

shrugs off his pack, too.

MANNING

Come on. You're resigning?

HELLBOY

Looks that way, doesn't it?

Hellboy starts to leave, but spins around and takes his gun

back.

HELLBOY (CONT'D)

I think I'll keep this.

He finally meets Liz's gaze. She crosses to him and takes

him by the arm. She walks off with Hellboy and Abe, clinging

tightly to the big, red daemon.

MANNING

Liz -- not you, too!?

(to Johann)

They can't do this. Stop them, Johann-

JOHANN

Manning, you're an asshole.

166 EXT. COASTLINE - DAY 166

Miles down the road, Abe stands on a promontory, staring off

at the ocean, which blazes with golden reflections.

Liz and HB sit next to each other on some mossy rocks.

Overhead: blue sky, puffy white clouds.

BELLBOY 2 113

LIZ

What you said before - about us living

ANYWHERE-

HELLBOY

I mean it! `Course, I'm thinking USA...

but, hey - you decide.

LIZ

(breathing deep)

Let's find a place in the country. Clean

air - green hills - fresh milk from the

farm.

HELLBOY

Milk? Yech.

LIZ

A yard... With lots of room to grow in.

HELLBOY

(he looks blank)

Grow? who gonna grow- ?

LIZ

Our baby, that's who!

HELLBOY

Our b-?

On Hellboy's immense grin: FREEZE FRAME. Roll CREDITS.

At the end of the credits-

POST CREDIT SEQUENCE

167 EXT. ANTARTICA - DAY

5 ZINCO ENTERPRISES helicopters land on the hard, icy

surface of Amundsen's glacier. A row of GUARDS in black

garb flank each helicopter.

Out of one of them exits RODERICK ZINCO, billionare, madman.

He carries a mechanized container, a little larger than a

hat box. CAMERA follows as he enters through a crevace and..

168 INT. NAZI LAB, ANTARTICA - DAY

Light shines through the ice walls and into rows and rows of

machinery.

	Hellboy 2: The Golden Army Writers : Guillermo del Toro Genres : Action Adventure Fantasy User Comments

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