Prod. #76608

HERCULES

"The Warrior Princess"

Written by
John Schulian

Directed by
Bruce Seth Green

ALL PINK SCRIPT

Executivg Producers
Sam Raimi & Robert Tapart

Renaissance Pictures SHOOTING DRAFT
100 Universal City Plaza December 12, 1994
Universal City, CA 91608 Rev. Doc or 27, 1994 Pink

(818) 777-0088

12/27/94 - Pink

"The Warrior Princess"

Cast List

HERCULES
IOLAUS
ALCMENE

SYREENA (SY-REE-nuh)
TREMULUS (TREM-u-jus)
XENA (ZEE-nuh)
THEODORUS (THEO-dor-us)
LOCAL #1
ESTRAGON (ESS-trah-gon)
SERVANT
DRINKER #1
DRINKER #2
PETRAKIS (Puh-TRAY-kiss)

HERCULES

"The Warrior Princess"

Set List

INTERIORS:

FORGE
VILLAGE INN
IOLAUS' BEDROOM
BARN
ALCMENE'S HOME
BEDROOM IN XENA'S MANSE
COUNTRY TAVERN
MAIN ROOM IN XENA'S MANSE
HALLWAY IN XENA'S MANSE

EXTERIORS:

VILLAGE
XENA'S COMPOUND
ALCMENE'S HOME
GROVE
COUNTRY ROAD
STABLE
STREAM
HILLTOP
VALLEY
PETRAKIS' FARM
COUNTRYSIDE

HERCULES

"The Warrior Princess"

Chronology

DAY 1 SCENES #1 - 6
NIGHT 1 SCENE #7

DAY 2 SCENE #8
NIGHT 2 SCENE #9

DAY 3 SCENES #10 - 13
NIGHT 3 SCENE #14

DAY 4 SCENES #15 - 19
NIGHT 4 SCENES #20 - 22

DAY 5 SCENES #23 - 35

HERCULES

"The Warrior Princess"

TEASER

FADE IN:

1 INT. FORGE - DAY

HERCULES and IOLAUS are working inside beside, forging what will turn out to be a perfect knife. They're both shirtless and sweat is pouring down their torsos, propelled by their labor and the heat from the forge.

We see them pounding the steel into shape, tempering it in the fire, pounding it some more, dousing it in the water trough, and fitting it with a magnificent handle. When the knife is finished at last, Hercules examines it by the light of the fire and offers it to the best friend he ever had.

HERCULES
It's all yours, Iolaus.

IOLAUS
What are you talking about? You
worked as hard on it as I did.

HERCULES
The next one can be mine. How's that
sound?

IOLAUS
To tell you the truth...
(beat)
...it's the best idea you've had all day.

Smiling like a cat that just caught a canary, Iolaus grabs the knife from Hercules and pantomimes throwing it.

SMASH CUT TO:

2 EXT. VILLAGE DAY - ON IOLAUS' KNIFE

It flies through the air, rips a magificent apple off a tree branch, and pins the apple to a wooden wall 10 feet behind it.

HERCULES (O.S.)
Now that's a shot...

ANOTHER ANGLE

Iolaus, who threw the knife, preens while Hercules praises.

HERCULES
...that deserves an audience.

IOLAUS
Thank you, thank you.

He moves toward the wall so he can remove his knife.

IOLAUS
(continuing)
All it takes is years of practice,
nerves of steel, and a knife so
perfectly forged...

A WOMAN (O.S)
(interrupting angrily)
Just what in the name of Hades do you
think you're doing?

Hercules and Iolaus turn to see that the speaker is a WOMAN in her late 20s whose beauty is surpassed only by her anger.

IOLAUS
Syreena? (surprised)

SYREENA
(equally surprised)
Iolaus? Did you do that?

She points accusingly at the knife in the wall.

IOLAUS
Yes, I was testing my new knife.
Hercules and I...

SYREENA
(interrupting)
This is my house.

Iolaus shoots Hercules a look, then turns back to Syreena.

IOLAUS
You live here? I thought
it was abandoned.

SYREENA
We moved in yesterday.

IOLAUS
We?

SYREENA
You didn't hear?
I'm married now.

IOLAUS
Oh... Who's the lucky guy?

Hercules hates watching his friend suffer this way.

SYREENA
Tremulus.

TREMULUS (O.S.)
(shouting)
Syreena? Are you going to
help me or not?

SYREENA
I've got to go. He's so cute when he
needs me. Bye, Iolaus. Take it easy
on my wall, okay?

She hurries away before she can hear:

IOLAUS
Yeah.
(prying the knife free)
Maybe I'll just use this on my
wrists and and my misery.

Hercules comes up and slaps him on the back encouragingly.

HERCULES
It would be a lot less painful
to end your misery with a meal
fit for a king.

IOLAUS
(not buying it)
I loved that woman -- worshipped
her -- and she winds up marrying
Tremulus, a guy so nervous he could
make a hummingbird look like it
had weights on its wings.

HERCULES
Don't worry, Iolaus. Somewhere the
perfect woman is waiting for you.

Off Iolaus, who's too blue to believe it.

3 EXT. XENA'S COMPOUND - DAY

There's a handsome stone manse surrounded by tents, lean-tos and the corral where XENA, the proud beauty who presides the over this domain, is feeding carrots to the horses. She's dressed handsomely and she moves regally, which seemingly makes her a perfect target for the eight THUGS who suddenly attack her from all angles.

But Xena isn't fazed. She levels the first attacker to reach her with a kick in the mouth. The second gets flipped over the corral railing. When another attacker tries to grab Xena from behind, she drops him with an elbow. And so it goes, Xena kicking ass until she's standing and all her attackers are on the ground looking up at her, dazed and bewildered. She shakes her head in disgust.

XENA
Pathetic.

Two of the attackers -- the dashing, handsome THEODORUS and the darkly sinister ESTRAGON -- trade a look. Xena's tone of voice clearly hurts them more than her punches did.

XENA
If you can't fight any better than that, you're never going to kill Hercules. And I want him dead.

Off her homicidal intentions --

FADE OUT.

SMASH CUT TO MAIN TITLES

END OF TEASER

ACT ONE

FADE IN:

4 EXT. ALCMENE'S HOME - DAY

The bare-chested Hercules is muscling a cart full of large stones along a path on his mother's property.

ALCMENE (0.S.)
Hercules?
(no response; so louder)
Hercules?

Finally, he looks up and sees ALCMENE heading his way with a basket in her hand.

ALCMENE
You're working too hard.

HERCULES
I've got to do something to make up
for never being around here.

ALCMENE
Then how about stopping long enough
for a picnic? I'd rather have your
company than the wall you want to build.

Hercules sets down his cart.

HERCULES
What if I give you both?

ALCMENE
You certainly know how to make
your mother happy.

Hercules grabs his vest and slips it on an he and Alcmene make their way toward the shade of a nearby tree.

ALCMENE
(continuing)
But I really do think you spend too much time
worrying about me. I mean, this wall...

HERCULES
If it keeps you from being hurt or
robbed juit once, it's worth every
drop of sweat I put into it.

ALCMENE
I still don't think the world's that
bad a place, Hercules. Besides, Iolaus
looks in on me whenever he can.

HERCULES
He's a good man.

ALCMENE
But a lonely one, I'm afraid.

HERCULES
You see it, too?

Alcmene nods as they come to their picnic spot and begin to settle in.

ALCMENE
His clothes need mending. He
looks like he's lost weight, so
I'm sure he's not eating right.
But it's his eyes that touch my
heart. There's no joy in them.

HERCULES
It sounds like you think he heads
a woman in his life.

ALCMENE
Do you disagree?

HERCULES
(wistfully)
No, I could never do that.

For once he had Deianeira, and Deianeira made his life better than it ever will be again.

CUT TO:

5 EXT. GROVE - DAY

Xena has exchanged her armor for everyday clothes. She and the admiring Theodorus are holding their horses as they talk. There's a traveling bag at Xena's feet, a knife in her scabbard, a bolo dangling from her belt, and a bow and arrow on her back.

THEODORUS
I won't be far away, Xena.

XENA
Do you doubt that I can take
care of myself?

THEODORUS
No, of course not. But what if...

XENA
(interrupting)
You'll know when I need you,
Theodorus. I don't want to
see you before then.

THEODORUS
(resigned; obedient)
Very well.

Theodorus climbs aboard his horse and rides away. Xena's eyes are on him, but you know that her mind is on the treachery ahead.

CUT TO:

6 EXT. COUNTRY ROAD - DAY

Iolaus is walking toward town. When he rounds a bend, he is stopped in his tracks by the sight of

THE DUSTY BUT STILL BEAUTIFUL XENA

working on one of her horse's hooves. She doesn't know she has company until:

IOLAUS
Need any help?

Xena looks up, grabs her knife and sets herself for action.

XENA
(snarling)
Stay away from me!

Iolaus raises his hands, hoping to show he means no harm.

IOLAUS
Hey, take it easy.

XENA
Give me a reason to.

IOLAUS
Come on, do I look dangerous?

XENA
Looks are deceiving.

IOLAUS
If you want to stay here and
threaten every good samaritan
who comes along, be my guest.
But I'd be glad to help you
get to the village.

There's a beat as she sizes him up. He's doing the same to her and liking what he sees.

XENA
Are you sure that's what you
really want to do?

IOLAUS
Put down your knife and I'll
be glad to.

XENA.
Oh, sorry.

She seems almost embarrassed -- and almost innocent as she lowers the knife to her side.

CUT TO:

7 INT. VILLAGE INN - NIGHT

Hercules draws a lot of looks from the locals when he wanders in.

LOCAL #1
What's the matter, Hercules, run
out of monsters to slay?

HERCULES
Not if my mother's wall counts.

As he speaks, he's scanning the room.

LOCAL #1
Is it tougher than the Nemean Lion?

HERCULES
The blisters on my hands say it is.

Then he spots Iolaus sitting at a corner table. Hercules starts to wave at him, but stops. Are our hero's eyes deceiving him? Poor, lonely Iolaus has a woman next to him and she's beautiful. (It's Xena, of course.) As Hercules makes his way to the table, Iolaus spots him.

IOLAUS
Hey, look what the cat dragged in.

HERCULES
Iolaus, I was hoping you'd stop by
to help me with my mother's wall today.

IOLAUS
Sorry, something came up.

He glances at Xena, whom he clearly regards as a prize. Xena, no shrinking violet, takes the initiative in introduction. As she does, it's impossible for Hercules not to notice the medallion hanging around her neck.

XENA
Hello, I'm Xena.

HERCULES
I'm ...

IOLAUS
(interrupting)
He's my best friend in the
world, that's who he is.

XENA
But does he have a name?

IOLAUS
(laughing embarrassedly)
Oh, yeah ... Sure ... This
is Hercules.

Xena is impressed. Iolaus can't help being a tad jealous.

XENA
(to Iolaus)
Is everybody you know so famous?

IOLAUS
(deadpan)
Hercules? Famous? Whatever gave
you that idea?

XENA
(laughing; to Hercules)
Has Iolaus always been a comedian?

HERCULES
I'm afraid so -- until it's time to
get down to business. And then I
wouldn't want anyone else on my side.

Iolaus puffs up a little bit with pride.

XENA
I had a feeling he was like that.
(off Hercules' look)
My horse had gone lame out in the
countryside when Iolaus found me. He
made sure I got here without anybody
bothering me.

Hercules affectionately slaps Iolaus on the shoulder.

HERCULES
He never lets you down.

XENA
I'll have to remember that.

HERCULES
(teasing)
Don't worry, he won't let you forget.
But if he's going to talk about
himself, it might as well be over a
nice roast boar. Are you interested?

Iolaus shrugs and looks at Xena. The decision is hers.

XENA
I think I'd be better off finding a
nice, soft bed.
(to Iolaus)
Think you could help me one more time?

If there was ever an invitation for a roll in the hay, this is it. Iolaus and Hercules trade a look that says they both know it. Then Iolaus turns back to Xena.

IOLAUS
I think that can be arranged.

Off the great expectations in his smile --

DISSOLVE TO:

8 EXT. ALCMENE'S HOME - DAY

Hercules is at work on the first stages of the wall around Alcmene's house as he talks to his mother.

HERCULES
I haven't seen him since he walked
out of the inn with a big, dumb
smile on his face. That's a week ago.
What's he doing anyway?

ALCMENE
(smiling; shaking her head)
Hercules, you fathered three children.
You shouldn't have to ask.

HERCULES
That's not what I'm talking about.
It's just that I don't got to see
much of Iolaus except when we're
out staring death in the eye. I
was hoping we could do something
more normal this time. Hunt, fish,
solve the world's problems over
a few mugs of ale.

ALCMENE
Everything can't happen to fit
your schedule. You should have
learned that long ago.

HERCULES
Sorry, the only time I accept
the unexpected is when I'm dealing
with Hera's killers or a hydra that
wants to eat me for dinner. Iolaus
isn't anywhere on that list.

ALCMENE
Where human beings and love are
involved, you'd better expect
the unexpected, too.

HERCULES
But Iolaus doesn't know anything
about this Xena. What if she's
got a jealous husband?

ALCMENE
And what if she's the best possible
cure for his loneliness?
(off Hercules' look)
She could be, you know. So I think
that until you find out otherwise,
you should just be happy for him.

HERCULES
All right, you win.
(a beat)
But I'd still like to know who's
going to help me finish your wall
if Iolaus doesn't.

Off mother and son sharing a laugh --

CUT TO:

9 INT. IOLAUS' BEDROOM - NIGHT

Iolaus and Xena are steaming the place up. He's stripped to the waist; she's in a flimsy little number that he's trying to get her out of. And then she pulls away, the passion on her face replaced by sorrow. Iolaus is mystified.

IOLAUS
What's wrong?

XENA
I don't want you to fall
in love with me.

IOLAUS
It may be too late to warn me, Xena.
Did you ever think of that?

Xena nods sadly, then studies him for a beat.

XENA
I was hoping I'd be the only one to go
away from this with a broken heart.

IOLAUS
You don't have to go away from
anything. I want you right here.

She caresses his face.

XENA
I know you do. And I'd stay if...
(groping for words)
... if it didn't mean I was
letting somebody else down.

IOLAUS
You never talked about another man.

XENA
Not one man. Many of them. And
women and children, too. They're
under siege by a warlord named
Petrakis. He's trying to drive
them out of the Arcadian highlands,
and I'm building an army to defend them.

IOLAUS
So that's why you were traveling with
so many weapons. You're a warrior.

XENA
I used to think I was. But now I know
that no matter how hard I fight, I can't
beat Petrakis by myself. I need help.

And then it all becomes clear to Iolaus.

IOLAUS
You came to got Hercules, didn't you?

XENA
Yes.
(a beat)
But I found you.

IOLAUS
Then I should be the one you
ask for help.

XENA
I can't do that.

IOLAUS
(angrily)
Why? You think Hercules is better
than I am? Is that what it in? He's the
warrior and I'm some meaningless jester?

XENA
No, it's because it wouldn't turn my
life upside down if he got hurt...
or even killed.
(a beat)
But if something happened to you...

Emotion prevents her from finishing her sentence. Iolaus takes her in his arms.

IOLAUS
Nothing's going to happen to me.

XENA
You're not going to take no for
an answer, are you.

IOLAUS
I'm afraid you're stuck with me.

XENA
I like it like that.

And all the passion that was there are the top of the scene surges back to the surface as they kiss.

MATCH CUT TO:

10 EXT. STABLE - DAY
Another sizzling embrace. The passion between Iolaus and Xena seems to know no bounds. But when Xena comes up for air, we see it isn't Iolaus she's been kissing. It's Theodorus, her love-struck young lieutenant.

XENA
(breathless)
No more.

THEODORUS
But it's been so long.

XENA
Better to go without than to share a
bed with Hercules' best friend.

Theodorus flares with jealousy.

THEODORUS
I'll kill any man who touches you.

XENA
No, Theodorus. Kill the half-man, half-god who has never touched me. Kill Hercules.

THEODORUS
You would let me have that honor?

XENA
As long as you think you're worthy of it.

THEODORUS
You know I am.

XENA
Then take this.

She removes the medallion that Hercules noticed and hangs it around Theodorus' neck.

XENA
It will make you strong in battle and
bring you safely back to me.

THEODORUS
Xena...

He moves to kiss her, but she stops him.

XENA
Go. Make me proud.

THEODORUS
I will, I swear it.

Off his zeal to please Xena --

CUT TO:

11 EXT. ALCMENE'S HOUSE - DAY

Hercules is back at work on the fence when Iolaus rides up with Xena. The first thing our hero notices about then is that they've got weapons and traveling bags strapped to their steeds. And, of course, Iolaus' magnificent knife is tucked in his belt.

IOLAUS
(re the wall)
It's looking good.

HERCULES
I wish it was looking finished.
(a beat)
Where you going?

Before Iolaus can reply:

XENA
To rid my people of the
warlord Petrakis.

HERCULES
I've never heard of him.

IOLAUS
From what Xena says, you and
the rest of the world will if
this bloodthirsty marauder
isn't stopped in Arcadia.

HERCULES
Is there anything I can do?

XENA
(interjecting sharply)
No.

Hercules is stung by the force of her reply. After a beat:

HERCULES
I'm just offering my help. There's no need to got angry.

XENA
Iolaus is all the help I need.

HERCULES
Well, you know how I feel about
him. He's the best.

XENA
That's why he's with me.

Xena rides off without another word. Iolaus waits.

HERCULES
If it turns out that you do need me,
I'll be there for you.

IOLAUS
I know you will. I just don't
want you to get the wrong idea
about Xena. She's worth whatever
there risk is, believe me.

HERCULES
Then you're lucky she's in your life.

Iolaus nods and sets out after Xena.

HERCULES
Good luck, my friend.

But Iolaus can't hear him as he and Xena grow smaller and smaller in the distance.

CUT TO:

12 INT. BARN - DAY

Light from a fading sun is slanting through the wooden walls as the door opens slowly and a weary Hercules pushes his stone-hauling cart inside. As he does, a bale of hay falls out of the loft, hitting him and sending him tumbling to the ground.

The instant Hercules tries to get up, Theodorus swings down from the loft on a rope andt delivers a flying kick that knocks Hercules against a wall. All kinds of farm implements fall around our hero an he looks at Thoodorus with a mixture of disbelief and consternation.

HERCULES
You know, a true warrior attacks from the front.

THEODORUS
My commander says you attack from any
side that serves your purpose.

HERCULES
Bad manners.

Theodorus grabs a crude pitchfork off the wall and hurls it at Hercules. Our hero catches it with the greatest of ease and snaps it in two.

HERCULES
You better try something else.

THEODORUS
With pleasure.

He draws the sword at his side.

HERCULES
(under his breath)
Me and my big mouth.

Theodorus smiles coldly and advances. Hercules starts circling, one eye on his foe, the other searching for something he can use as a weapon. When he nears the pitchfork, Theodorus brings his sword down hard on it. Hercules dodges the blade, but Theodorus stays after him.

HERCULES
Enjoy this while you can.

Then Hercules dives to get back to his tools. He picks up a crude shovel just in time to use it to block another blow from Theodorus' sword. But Theodorus simply starts chopping up the shovel's wooden handle.

THEODORUS
I'm still enjoying it, Hercules.
Disappointed?

HERCULES
As a matter of fact, yes.

What follows is a madcap battle with the two of them dodging around pillars, dancing over hay bales and dodging farm implements. It comes a smashing end when Hercules knocks the legs out from under Theodorus. As he falls, his sword sails high in the air. When it comes down, it pins Theodorus to the ground. In that instant, he is transformed from warrior to dying man.

All Hercules can do in kneel beside him.

HERCULES
Why did you attack me?

THEODORUS
(growing weaker)
For love...

HERCULES
Whose love?
(Theodorus is fading fast)
Come on, tell me.

But Theodorus isn't looking at Hercules anymore. He's staring up at the shaft of sunlight that has embraced him.

THEODORUS
Xena, I'm sorry I failed you.

And then he dies, leaving Hercules puzzled as to why he would utter Xena's name. A beat later, our hero sees the medallion around Theodorus' neck, the one he saw Xena wearing. In that instant, Hercules realizes that Iolaus may be in harm's way.

FADE OUT.

END OF ACT ONE