Logline: Earth's mightiest heroes must come together and learn to fight as a team if they are going to stop the mischievous Loki and his alien army from enslaving humanity.
Theme: Good vs. Evil. When a challenge is too great for one person, only teamwork will lead to victory.
1.EXT. Throne Room, Space - NIGHTStory Beat: Opening ImageNotes: The "MacGuffin" of the movie is introduced immediately. The time spent focusing on the Tesseract's importance helps the object feel like less of a plot device used just to get the Avengers to assemble - that's exactly what it is, but at least we understand its importance, power, and danger from the first few scenes alone.
5.INT. radiation Facility - CONTINUOUSNotes: Since Loki is a character that most audiences are already familiar with, he truly needs no introduction, allowing his entrance to be purely visual and still be enough.
6.INT. RADIATION FACILITY - CONTINUOUSNotes: Loki's hypnosis and capture of Hawkeye give the Avengers more of a need to track him down. He doesn't just have the magical fantasy device, he also has their friend. And for someone like Natasha, that's the deciding factor in taking on a task of this magnitude.Theme: Explored
9.EXT. New Mexico Desert - CONTINUOUSStory Beat: Catalyst
10.INT. RUSSIA, SOLENSKI PLAZA, 3RD FLOOR NIGHTNotes: Natasha has a very hard, no-nonsense exterior, but she goes along with Coulson's plan only when she hears that Clint's in trouble, showing that she truly cares about her friends and stays loyal to them, and might have a soft spot for one in particular.
11.INT. indian Shack - NIGHT
12.I/E. Little Girl's Shack - NIGHTNotes: Banner is a ticking time bomb from the moment he appears on-screen. We know he's going to turn into the Hulk at some point, but because of his internal dilemma that's been introduced, it makes turning into Hulk a dangerous point of conflict instead of just a display of superpowers.Theme: Challenged
13.INT. S.H.I.E.L.D. ANALYTICAL ROOM - NIGHT
14.INT. Brooklyn Gym - NIGHTNotes: Captain America's an easy one for Fury to bring on board, since he's already aware of how harmful the Tesseract can be.Theme: Explored
15.INT. ocean Floor - NIGHT
16.EXT. manhattan - NIGHT
17.I/E. STARK TOWER, PENTHOUSE - NIGHT
18.INT. quinjet - DAYNotes: Was Coulson responsible for the tightness of Captain America's new suit? Maybe so.
19.INT. underground lab - NIGHT
20.INT. THRONE ROOM, SPACE - NIGHTNotes: Though Loki likes to present himself as the leader and the untouchable on Earth, this scene shows that he's still vulnerable. The threats from the Chitauri General frighten him, because he knows he's not immune to consequence.
25.I/E. STUTTGART MUSEUM - NIGHTStory Beat: Promise of the PremiseNotes: Loki's flashy way of bringing torture and chaos is frightening in its own sense. It puts his sadistic and narcissistic nature on display, and it also plays into his mischievous ways, that everything is a game to him.
26.EXT. STUTTGART MUSEUM - CONTINUOUSTheme: Explored
27.INT. QUINJET - NIGHTNotes: Rogers might be pushing 100 years old, but he can sense danger better than most. Tony refuses to consider that he may be correct, and instead strokes his own ego for saving the day.Theme: Challenged
28.EXT. mountain top - NIGHTNotes: If there's something you can always count on Thor to do, it's try to convince Loki to change his ways. Thor has seen that vulnerability that Loki hides so well, and will relentlessly try to find it.
29.EXT. Forest - CONTINUOUSNotes: The in-fighting between Avengers shows that at this point, there isn't one Avenger that's undoubtedly stronger than the rest. They all have their own weaknesses, which are demonstrated well in scenes like this.
Act IIb
59.EXT. HELICARRIER - CONTINUOUSTheme: Challenged
60.INT. HELICARRIER, DETENTION SECTOR - MOMENTS LATERStory Beat: All is LostTheme: Explored
61.INT. HELICARRIER BRIDGE - DAYStory Beat: Dark Night of the SoulNotes: Coulson gives the Avengers something to fight for. Now that they're personally affected by one of Loki's sinister plays, they can't help but be more determined to fight back.Theme: Stated
65.INT. HELICARRIER, DETENTION SECTOR - DAYStory Beat: Break Into ThreeNotes: Tony and Steve come to their "aha moment" together. Instead of them being competitors, they're now a team.Theme: Explored
69.INT. HELICARRIER BRIDGE - MOMENTS LATERNotes: Fury's constant manipulation, however unethical, is very in line with his character. Even when he's dealing with the death of a close friend, he can still find a way to trick someone into doing what he wants them to do.Theme: Challenged
70.EXT. STARK TOWER, ROOF - DAY
71.EXT. STARK TOWER, PENTHOUSE - CONTINUOUS
72.INT. STARK TOWER, PENTHOUSE - CONTINUOUSTheme: Stated
73.EXT. stark tower - CONTINUOUS
74.EXT. STARK TOWER, ROOF - CONTINUOUS
Plot threads
The Chitauri
Intro to the Chitauri enemy.
Loki has a visit from the Chitauri General.
Loki can't control the Chitauri or their leader.
The Chitauri enter Earth.
The Chitauri are defeated.
S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Phase II Secret
Fury wants to secure the Phase II prototypes.
Coulson gathers up the prototypes.
Fury pretends Phase II is about sustainable energy.
Tony plants a bug to get to the bottom of Phase II.
Tony's bug is hacking S.H.I.E.L.D.'s system.
Rogers finds the Phase II weaponry.
Rogers brings a Phase II gun into the lab. Fury is forced to explain.
A Phase II weapon is shown in action.
Hunt for the Tesseract
The Tesseract gives off gamma radiation and creates portals.
Banner is a gamma radiation expert.
Banner is ready to start tracking the Tesseract.
Banner works on finding the Tesseract.
They think they tracking system found the Tesseract.
They can no longer track the Tesseract.
Tony realizes that the Tesseract is at Stark Tower.
Tony locates the Tesseract and stops Dr. Selvig.
Romanoff & Clint
Romanoff decides to help Coulson once he tells her that Clint's been compromised.
Romanoff fights the hypnotized Clint.
Romanoff helps Clint after his hypnosis is gone.
Banner's fear of the Hulk
Banner has learned how to contain the Hulk.
Banner quips about the Hulk being set loose on the Helicarrier.
Loki's presence has an effect on Banner.
Banner knows that the cage was built for the Hulk.
Tony wants to know Banner's secret for containing the Hulk.
Tony suggests that the Hulk may have some good in him.
Banner reveals that the Hulk stopped him from killing himself.
Banner turns into the Hulk, despite trying to suppress it.
The Hulk tries to destroy the ship.
Banner's secret to controlling the Hulk is revealed.
The Hulk saves Tony's life.
Characters
Tony Stark (iron Man)42 · White · Male · HeroBillionaire. Playboy. Philanthropist.What does your character want?: To be in charge and get his way.How will your character attempt to get it?: By ignoring Nick Fury's authority and bugging S.H.I.E.L.D.'s computer system.What does your character need?: To learn how to work as a team and not put his own selfish needs in front of others.How will your character realize it?: When he chooses to self-sacrifice in order to save an entire city.
Steve Rogers (captain America)94 · White · HeroA WWII veteran who was frozen for 70 years. Honorable, serious, and determined. Doesn't quite know how be around someone as witty and relaxed as Tony Stark.What does your character want?: To be an effective leader.How will your character attempt to get it?: By using his prior military knowledge, planning ahead, and taking his job seriously.What does your character need?: To know that not everything can be done in a noble manner.How will your character realize it?: When he decides to sneak into the S.H.I.E.L.D. storage room once Tony places doubt in his mind about Fury's motives.
Loki1047 · White · Male · VillainGod of Mischief.What does your character want?: To rule Earth as a servant of Thanos.How will your character attempt to get it?: By stealing the Tesseract from the humans.What does your character need?: To get out from under Thanos' control.How will your character realize it?: He doesn't. He still remains a villain at the end, just a captured one.
33.INT. HELICARRIER Lab - LATERNotes: Tony has planted a seed of doubt in Rogers' mind, but Rogers refuses to acknowledge that Tony may be right, since is goes against Rogers' own ideals of loyalty and trust.Theme: Explored
34.INT. HELICARRIER LAB - CONTINUOUSNotes: Banner feels like an outcast within himself, and also within the Avengers. He's the only one who Fury built a death cage for, just in case. His severe discomfort and anxiousness makes it all the more interesting that a powerful, raging beast is stuck inside him.Theme: Explored
38.INT. HELICARRIER, DETENTION SECTOR - NIGHTNotes: Natasha has something that the other Avengers lack - communication skills. She has a good read on Loki and knows exactly how to give him what he wants, while still coming out on top herself.
44.INT. HELICARRIER, equipment Room - CONTINUOUSNotes: Now the in-fighting between Avengers has become dangerous, since Hulk doesn't fight to win an argument, he fights to kill.Theme: Challenged
45.EXT. HELICARRIER, starboard engine bay - CONTINUOUSTheme: Explored
46.INT. HELICARRIER, EQUIPMENT ROOM - CONTINUOUS
47.EXT. HELICARRIER, STARBOARD ENGINE BAY - CONTINUOUSNotes: Tony is putting his life in Rogers' hands - not like he really has a choice, but it does show that there's some level of trust between them, despite their differences.
51.EXT. HELICARRIER, STARBOARD ENGINE BAY - CONTINUOUSTheme: Explored
52.INT. HELICARRIER BRIDGE - CONTINUOUSStory Beat: Bad Guys Close In
53.EXT. HELICARRIER, STARBOARD ENGINE BAY - CONTINUOUSTheme: Explored
54.INT. HELICARRIER, DETENTION SECTOR - CONTINUOUSNotes: Loki knows Thor better than anyone. While Thor keeps trying to get Loki to change, Loki knows that Thor never changes, and uses that to his advantage. When he can accurately predict Thor's actions, he can trick him into almost anything.
56.INT. HELICARRIER, DETENTION SECTOR - CONTINUOUSNotes: Loki's committed terrible acts of violence before this, but seeing it happen to someone as innocent as Coulson makes it hit a thousand times harder.
57.I/E. glass holding cell - CONTINUOUS
58.EXT. HELICARRIER, STARBOARD ENGINE BAY - CONTINUOUSTheme: Explored
Story Beat: Finale
Notes: Loki's plan has worked, and it appears to be way more than the Avengers can take on themselves. This final battle goes on for approximately 30 minutes, and since the army they're fighting is so large, it can hold that runtime without issue, and without being repetitive. They show how each hero's powers interact with the enemy, and how the heroes can team up and use their powers together for extra strength.
75.EXT. STARK TOWER, PENTHOUSE Deck - CONTINUOUS
76.EXT. MANHATTAN - CONTINUOUS
77.EXT. MANHATTAN - CONTINUOUS
78.EXT. MANHATTAN, Street Level - CONTINUOUS
79.EXT. STARK TOWER, PENTHOUSE DECK - CONTINUOUSNotes: Even in the midst of alien soldiers falling down from the sky, Thor still tries to plead to Loki instead of resorting to violence.
80.EXT. MANHATTAN, STREET LEVEL - CONTINUOUS
81.EXT. MANHATTAN, STREET LEVEL - CONTINUOUSNotes: This is the moment where the Avengers officially become a team, but it's not all uphill from here. This could've been placed more towards the end, with only a victorious fight to follow, but the heroes still have some losses to take after this, showing that it's never going to be easy.Theme: Symbolized
82.EXT. MANHATTAN, STREET LEVEL - CONTINUOUSNotes: Rogers moves into his natural role as a leader, and no one objects. This isn't the time to debate who's in charge.Theme: Explored
91.INT. HELICARRIER BRIDGE - CONTINUOUSNotes: The Security Council adds another layer to this battle, one of urgency. There wasn't a strict clock for getting this battle overwith, but the Security Council are about to provide one.Theme: Challenged
92.EXT. MANHATTAN - CONTINUOUS
93.I/E. STARK TOWER, PENTHOUSE - CONTINUOUSNotes: Loki's defeat is both humorous and brutal, something that he would love to watch if he weren't on the receiving end of it (enter: Thor Ragnarok).
94.EXT. STARK TOWER, ROOF - CONTINUOUSTheme: Explored
95.EXT. MANHATTAN - CONTINUOUS
96.EXT. MANHATTAN - CONTINUOUS
97.EXT. MANHATTAN, roof top - DAY
98.I/E. HELICARRIER - CONTINUOUS
99.EXT. MANHATTAN, STREET LEVEL - CONTINUOUS
100.EXT. OCEAN - CONTINUOUSNotes: The clock has started, and the stakes are even higher.
101.EXT. MANHATTAN, STREET LEVEL - CONTINUOUSTheme: Explored
102.EXT. STARK TOWER, ROOF - DAY
103.EXT. OCEAN - CONTINUOUSTheme: Explored
104.INT. HELICARRIER - CONTINUOUS
105.EXT. MANHATTAN - CONTINUOUSTheme: Explored
106.INT. HELICARRIER BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
107.EXT. space - CONTINUOUS
108.EXT. MANHATTAN - CONTINUOUSTheme: Challenged
109.EXT. SPACE - CONTINUOUS
110.EXT. MANHATTAN - CONTINUOUSNotes: Banner's character development is shown through Hulk not only being able to fight off an enemy, but save his friends. Tony was right, there is some good inside Hulk.Theme: Explored
111.EXT. MANHATTAN, STREET LEVEL - CONTINUOUS
112.INT. STARK TOWER, PENTHOUSE - MOMENTS LATERStory Beat: Final ImageTheme: Symbolized
113.MONTAGE - DAYTheme: Stated
World Security Council
Fury butts heads with World Security Council.
The Security Council reacts to Fury's plan.
The Security Council calls for a nuclear strike.
The bomber is deployed.
The nuclear missile is fired.
Fury bested the Council.
Coulson
Coulson expresses his affinity for Captain America.
Romanoff mentions Coulson's Captain America trading cards.
Coulson asks Captain America to sign his trading cards.
Coulson is stabbed after trying to kill Loki.
Coulson dies.
Coulson's blood-stained trading cards are shown to Rogers and Tony.
Selvig's Device
Dr. Selvig's building a new device for the Tesseract.
Selvig's new device needs Iridium.
Hawkeye steals the Iridium.
The Iridium is the key element to Loki's plan.
Selvig uses the Iridium.
The Tesseract device opens the portal.
Selvig built a power safety into the device.
The portal closes.
Rogers & Tony
Tony ignores Rogers' request to create a plan.
Rogers tries to break up Tony's fight with Thor.
Rogers feels that Tony is all about style.
Rogers claims Tony would never sacrifice himself to save others.
Rogers & Tony are forced to work together.
Rogers and Tony make the decision to work together.
Rogers and Tony assist each other in battle.
Tony chooses to sacrifice himself, proving Rogers wrong.
Thor & Loki
Thor steals Loki from the Avengers.
Thor tries to reason with Loki.
Thor explains to Fury how Loki's mind works.
Loki traps Thor inside the holding cell.
Loki drops Thor to what could be his death.
Thor fights Loki after conversation fails.
Loki stabs Thor.
Thor takes Loki back to Asgard as a prisoner.
Thor1048 · White · Male · HeroGod of Thunder.What does your character want?: To reason with his brother and bring him back to Asgard.How will your character attempt to get it?: By constantly appealing to Loki instead of believing the Avengers when they say he's dangerous.What does your character need?: To fight his brother.How will your character realize it?: After Loki stabs him, showing Thor that Loki will do anything for power.
Bruce Banner (hulk)43 · White · Male · Sidekick(Ally)Turns into a giant monster when he's angry.What does your character want?: To never turn into the Hulk again.How will your character attempt to get it?: By controlling his power for as long as he can.What does your character need?: To accept himself as he is, the Hulk included.How will your character realize it?: When he's able to use his power for good in the final battle.
Natasha Romanoff (black Widow)28 · White · Female · Sidekick(Ally)
Clint Barton (hawkeye)41 · White · Male · Sidekick(Ally)