The Talent

THE TALENT:

Screenplay by

Tania Meneguzzi

Based on the novel by Carter

DRAFT ONE:
01/16/2018

FADE IN:

EXT. MIAMI, FLORIDA - DAY

ESTABLISHING SHOT. WIDE. OVER the country's third-tallest

skyline, featuring the 84-story Panorama Tower. The sound of

a CROWD CHEERING WILDLY...

SUPERIMPOSE:
“MIAMI - 1993.”

EXT. FOOTBALL STADIUM - CONTINUOUS

The AFC New York Lightning and the NFC California Cougars are

playing in the biggest game of the year. It’s the Super Bowl.

Meet JASON STALLINGS (30). Star quarterback for the Cougars.

He’s 6’6” and 255 pounds, easy-going, instantly likable...and

his number 12 shirt is covered in blood. He looks up. Sees...

KIM STALLINGS (30) looking at him from the stands. Kim is

beautiful and fit. She mouths the words: “I love you.”

Jason hits his chest indicating the “I love you too” signal.

INT. PRESS BOX - SAME

The professional commentators having their own pre-game talk.

COMMENTATOR #1

As one of the best quarterbacks in

football history, Jason Stallings

has an impeccable QB rating and

broken records for the most passing

touchdowns and most passing yards.

The commentator’s V.O. CARRIES OVER:

EXT. FIELD - CONTINUOUS

Where the players get into formation to begin the next play.

COMMENTATOR #1 (V.O.)

He is already on his way to the

Hall of Fame. The boy was born with

natural talent.

The referee blows the WHISTLE and the kick-off begins... We

FOLLOW Jason running and then move to Jason’s left guard,

MARK MULLENS (29)...

He gets distracted and lets the left defensive end, JAMES

FORD (32), around the corner... Suddenly --

CRACK! Jason and James smash in a helmet-to-helmet collision

whereby Jason goes flying, flipping wildly into the air.

JASON:

F*CK!!!

And tumbles over his neck, his head crashing to the ground

with a THUD as his burly body keeps sliding...

NEW ANGLE - Kim holding her hand to her mouth in the stands.

KIM:

Oh my God, Jason!

SPECTATORS scream at Jason just laying on his back. Dead

still.

FADE TO BLACK.

FADE UP:

EXT. FIELD - A MOMENT LATER

Jason opens his eyes.

JASON’S POV

AUDIO FX -- There’s a cold and hollow SILENCE...

VISUAL FX -- OVERCRANKED CAMERA

Jason looks around... sees only fractured pieces... BRIGHT

LIGHTS... BOOTS RUNNING... PANIC-FILLED FACES...

The referee mouths “Are you OK, Jay?”... Barely audible...

The crowd surges forward...

Then a RINGING starts in Jason’s ears.

BACK:

The referee helps Jason into a sitting position. He blinks

his eyelids several times. NORMAL SOUND comes back...

JASON:

Where’s Drew?

2.

JASON’S POV AGAIN

The RINGING returns but his vision gets clearer. Jason sees

the referee looking right at him but can’t understand --

REFEREE:

Who?

BACK:

Jason looks around for someone, dazed. But all he sees are

players, coaches, and THREE DOCTORS surrounding him.

DOCTOR #1

Are you hurt anywhere?

No response. The doctor looks down. Sees... Jason wiggling

his feet, his legs, then his body.

JASON:

Yeah, I’m okay.

And starts to get up with help from his offensive teammates,

one of which is the hottie wide out TRAVON JACKSON (28). The

crowd CLAP and CHEER as Jason gingerly walks off the field.

JASON (CONT’D)

What happened?

TRAVON:

You just got sacked. You were out

for a few seconds, bro.

JASON:

What’s the score?

TRAVON:

The score is tied, and there’s only

four minutes left in the game.

Off Jason’s look, we move to...

INT. PRESS BOX - CONTINUOUS

Where the commentators are lapping up the drama.

COMMENTATOR #2

Have the Cougars just lost their

starting quarterback in the most

important game of the season? This

doesn’t look like the fairy-tale

ending the Cougars were hoping for.

3.

EXT. SIDELINES - CONTINUOUS

Jason sitting on the bench, his head down. The three doctors

performing a series of physical assessments.

DOCTOR #1

Do you have ringing in your ears?

Jason shakes his head. Then, someone catches his eye. Sees...

The Cougars head coach SIMON PARR (50s) talking to BILLY

WRIGHT (30), their backup QB. Billy’s ego is astronomical.

Back to Jason watching them while the doctor keeps examining.

DOCTOR #2 (O.C.)

Do you know where you are?

Jason’s looks right at the doctor.

JASON:

Look, I wasn’t knocked out. I was

just a little dazed and trying to

get my bearings back there.

Jason grabs some water and starts to walk around, the doctors

watching his every move. Coach Parr approaches the head doc.

PARR:

What’s the verdict?

DOCTOR #1

Well, he answered the level of

consciousness questions correctly

but I believe he has a concussion.

Parr catches Jason’s eye. He looks pained, angry.

INT. PRESS BOX - CONTINUOUS

The commentators watching the monitors closely.

COMMENTATOR #1

Stallings has 11 fourth quarter

comeback wins in his 10-year career

with the Cougars...

Now the other commentator is chiming in with his piece.

4.

COMMENTATOR #2

With four minutes left in the game,

the Cougars have the ball on their

own 20 yard line with 82 yards to

go for a touchdown. A field goal

could win them the game if they can

stop the other team from scoring or

just run out the clock.

EXT. SIDELINES - CONTINUOUS

Jason hesitantly looks out at the field. Sees...

-- Billy finishes the cadence and then hands off the ball to

the running back who gets seven yards and is taken down.

-- Billy snaps the ball and backpedals, faking a handoff to

the running back, who begins blocking for the QB.

-- Billy throws to his tight end over the middle open but the

ball ends up in the hands of the defender—interception.

-- The opposing player weaves to the end zone and scores.

-- The Lightning crowd goes wild.

JASON:

(to himself)

What a loser.

INT. PRESS BOX - CONTINUOUS

The commentators shaking their heads.

COMMENTATOR #1

Now the Lightning has a seven-point

touchdown lead with 3 minutes and

24 seconds to go in the game.

EXT. SIDELINES - CONTINUOUS

Jason spots Coach Parr and quickly walks over to him.

JASON:

I want back in, coach.

Off Parr’s look -- you gotta be kidding.

JASON (CONT’D)

I passed the doc’s tests. I’m good.

5.

Parr looks out at the field. Sees... The Cougars and

Lightning getting ready for the kick off. Parr turns back to

find Jason staring right at him. A long beat. Then --

PARR:

Then hurry up and get ready.

Parr starts to walk away.

JASON:

(calling out)

I was born ready.

Parr turns back, shakes his head. Jason smiles wide.

EXT. FIELD - MOMENTS LATER

The offensive players, coaches, etc., standing in a huddle.

JASON:

Okay, guys. I’m back. I just needed

a break. Besides, we needed a

little drama at this Super Bowl.

Jason grins as the players LAUGH and CHEER. Travon pats Jason

on the back, shaking his head.

CUT TO:

EXT. FIELD - DAY

The players at the 20 yard line. It was a touchback. The

offense runs onto the field while Jason struts behind... The

crowd ROARS as Jason’s image is projected to the jumbo-tron.

Jason walks up next to Mark (the left guard we saw earlier).

JASON:

If you let anyone sack me again,

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