S A N T A  C A T A L I N A - T-ISLAND SCREENPLAY

 

 

 

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Skeleton Island, curse of the Golden Skull

 

 

SKELETON ISLAND - Was a pirate secret location, known only to a small number of captains by that name. But as piracy became unfashionable with mass hangings, the numbers of those in the know, dwindled. Until, all that remained was a location carved in wood. Generally hidden somewhere safe by the pirate concerned. This location was useless without a chart giving the exact position that each pirate buried their stash. The maps made on parchment, were handed down to the next generations, by way of inheritance free of taxes.

 

 

 

 

<<< SCENE 12

 


EXT. CARIBBEAN SEA - CHAGRES RIVER MOUTH - DAY (FLASHBACK - 1502)

A CARAVEL, sails billowing, navigates a wide, muddy river. CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS (50s, weathered, determined) points towards the lush jungle lining the banks.

COLUMBUS (in Spanish, subtitled)
This river… a vital artery.

EXT. PANAMA - ISTHMUS - DAY (FLASHBACK - 1534)

MULE TRAINS laden with chests of gold trudge along a muddy track – CAMINO REAL DE CRUCES. SPANISH SOLDIERS escort them.

VOICEOVER (authoritative, historical)
By fifteen thirty-four, Spanish gold flowed across the isthmus… a tempting prize.

EXT. CHAGRES RIVER MOUTH - FORT SAN LORENZO - DAY (FLASHBACK - 1671)

SPANISH GALLEONS lie at anchor near a formidable stone FORTRESS perched atop a high reef. HENRY MORGAN’S (40s, bold, ruthless) ships approach.

VOICEOVER (authoritative, historical)
To protect their treasure, Spain built Fort San Lorenzo… but even stone could not deter Henry Morgan.

Morgan’s ships, including the SATISFACTION, strike a submerged reef – LAJAS REEF – their hulls splintering. Despite the loss, the remaining ships press the attack.

INT. FORT SAN LORENZO - BATTLE - DAY (FLASHBACK - 1671)

Cannon fire and the clash of steel. Morgan’s buccaneers storm the fortress.

VOICEOVER (authoritative, historical)
The fort fell… a prelude to the sacking of Panama… Morgan’s greatest, and most perilous, triumph.

EXT. CARIBBEAN SEA - OFF PANAMA COAST - DAY (PRESENT DAY)

A research vessel equipped with MAGNETIC SENSORS scans the seabed. DATA POINTS flicker on a monitor.

VOICEOVER (scientific, factual)
Three centuries later… magnetic anomalies revealed… heavy metal objects… consistent with cannon…

EXT. CARIBBEAN SEA - UNDERWATER - DAY (PRESENT DAY)

DIVING TEAMS from TEXAS UNIVERSITY explore the seabed. They discover six CANNONS, encrusted with coral.

VOICEOVER (scientific, factual)
Confirmation of historical accounts… Morgan’s lost ships…

EXT. CARIBBEAN SEA - INTERNATIONAL WATERS - DAY

The sleek, zero-emission ELIZABETH SWANN cuts through the waves. Her RADAR dish spins. A NICARAGUAN COASTGUARD PATROL VESSEL is visible in the distance.

INT. ELIZABETH SWANN - HELM - DAY

JOHN STORM (40s, focused) stands at the helm. DAN HAWK (20s, tech-savvy) monitors the radar. CLEOPATRA (ageless, observant) watches the approaching patrol vessel through high-powered binoculars.

JOHN STORM (to himself, thoughts relayed via BioCore)
Hal… monitor their comms.

HAL (V.O. - synthesized, calm)
We have been detected, John. They are observing our trajectory. Our coordinates have been transmitted to Armada de Mexico and the Panamanian National Aeronaval Service.

JOHN STORM (aloud)
Hmmm. They didn’t waste any time. Not a Blue Shield op. The Swann sticks out like a sore thumb. And our recent itinerary… Jamaica, Haiti

CLEOPATRA
A red flag to a bull, as they say. 

 

Chuckles to herself.

HAL (V.O.)
We are within international waters, John.

JOHN STORM
True, Hal. But down here… rules are… fluid. They have a serious drug problem. We’re not exactly inconspicuous. They might think we’re a floating pharmacy.

John chuckles dryly.

JOHN STORM (aloud)
Keep an eye on them, Hal.

EXT. CARIBBEAN SEA - HISPANIOLA - DAY (DISTANCE)

The HISPANIOLA, a more traditional survey vessel, plods along in the distance.

INT. ELIZABETH SWANN - HELM - DAY

John picks up the comms mic.

JOHN STORM
Swann to Hispaniola. Swann to Hispaniola, come in. Over.

INT. HISPANIOLA - HELM - DAY (LATER)

CAPTAIN TREMAINE (50s, professional) answers the radio. LORD HUNTINGTON (60s, anxious) stands beside him.

CAPTAIN TREMAINE
Hispaniola to Elizabeth Swann, Captain Tremaine here. Hello, Captain Storm. Over.

JOHN STORM (V.O.)
Hello, Scott. We’ve had a… warm welcome. Three navies aware of our southbound track towards Santa Catalina. Be warned. Expect a boarding and search for contraband. Over.

CAPTAIN TREMAINE
You mean drugs, John? Over.

JOHN STORM (V.O.)
That I do. Offensive, but chin up. We’re heading to Muelle de Barcos, Providencia. Mooring at the dock, resupplying. Our story: soaking up Henry Morgan’s history. Seriously keen to see Morgan’s Point. Suggest a similar narrative. Your vessel… well, less ‘tourist-friendly’ than ours. Technically, we’re sightseeing. No shovels. Over.

Lord Huntington snatches the mic.

LORD HUNTINGTON
Hello, John. Huntington here. Roger that. Rendezvous at Providence boat dock. Muelle de Barcos. Not a shovel in sight. Sobre y fuera.

EXT. CARIBBEAN SEA - APPROACHING SANTA CATALINA - DAY

The Elizabeth Swann approaches the lush coastline of Santa Catalina. The Nicaraguan patrol vessel SOVEREIGNTY closes in.

INT. ELIZABETH SWANN - HELM - DAY

HAL (V.O.)
They are hailing us, John. Identifying us via AIS.

EXT. CARIBBEAN SEA - ALONGSIDE SOVEREIGNTY - DAY

The Nicaraguan COASTGUARD VESSEL SOVEREIGNTY, a Damen Stan patrol boat, maneuvers alongside the Elizabeth Swann. A voice booms over a loudspeaker.

NICARAGUAN COASTGUARD (O.S.) (in Spanish, subtitled)
Attention Elizabeth Swann, stop all engines. Allow us to board for routine customs inspection.

JOHN STORM (into radio)
Calling coastguard patrol Soberanía, this is the Elizabeth Swann. Powering down. Please board via the portside sponson. Welcome aboard. No cargo, only crew.

A small, rigid inflatable boat (RIB) armed with a machine gun and three COASTGUARD CREW is lowered from the Sovereignty. It bounces across the choppy water towards the Swann. John throws them a line.

JOHN STORM (to the approaching RIB)
Welcome aboard our humble, zero-pollution vessel, Lieutenant.

A slightly overweight NICARAGUAN LIEUTENANT (30s) climbs onto the Swann’s sponson, looking around in surprise.

LIEUTENANT (in slightly accented English)
Señor Storm? Thank you for your cooperation. An… interesting vessel. Do you mind if my men… look around?

JOHN STORM
Not at all, Lieutenant. Be our guest.

John salutes. The Lieutenant returns the salute, his eyes still fixed on the Swann’s unusual design.

FADE OUT

 

 

>>> SCENE 14

 

 

 

ABSTRACT: The Columbian Archipelago that includes San Andreas, Santa Catalina and Providence Islands, is swarming with naval ships. Columbian, Mexican, Panamanian and Nicaraguan navies routinely patrolling close by, triggered by the discovery of Henry Morgan's ship 'Satisfaction' at Lajas Reef between 2008-10, the military of these countries have been alive to the possibility of a claim on the Aztec gold, looted by the Spanish Conquistadors. Then re-acquired by the Welsh privateer momentarily in 1671, to be lost again.



 

 

 

HURRICANE IOTA NOVEMBER 2020 - Providencia (boat dock) and Santa Catalina were ravaged by extreme weather when heading into 2021.

The small Colombian island of Providencia was hit hard by the powerful Category-5 hurricane Iota, which caused severe damage to the majority of local’s homes and the already scant public infrastructure.

At that time, Colombia’s President, Ivan Duque, said it is the first Category 5 – the most serious of hurricanes – to hit the Andean nation in its history.

Providencia island had a population of 5,000 people and is part of the Archipelago of San Andres, Providencia and Santa Catalina located in the Caribbean Sea about 775km (481 miles) northwest of mainland Colombia. Geographically, it is closer to the central American country of Nicaragua.

 

The hurricane was first considered a Category 2 but just before passing Providencia it developed into a Category-5 tropical cyclone which NASA said can have wind speeds of up to 253km/h (157mph) and has the ability to cause catastrophic damage.

Neighbouring larger island San Andres also faced damage to its infrastructure, albeit less intense. Northern Colombian coastal cities, like Cartagena, have flooded and are battling high winds.

According to the United States Office of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2020 has had the highest hurricane activity in the Atlantic since official records began in 1851.

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

PANAMA NORTH COAST - The remains of the mighty Fort San Lorenzo stand surrounded by the sparkling Caribbean Sea and over 30,000 acres of protected rainforest in the jungles of the Panama Canal watershed. Built to protect the entrance and exit of the main route to the Americas, the construction of the fort was ordered by Spanish King Felipe II in 1598, with limited effectiveness. In fact, between the years of 1596-1740, the fort was under almost constant attack by now-famous pirates such as Sir Francis Drake, Sir Henry Morgan and the English Admiral Edward Vernon.

Recognized today as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the massive fortress was made by the Italian engineer Juan Bautista Antonelli, and is considered an extraordinary example of 17th and 18th century military architecture. When you visit, take some time to wander around the majestic ruins, and imagine what life might have been like over 400 years ago when pirates and enemy ships had their eyes on San Lorenzo. You’ll get to walk through the same dark, musty hallways of the colonial era, and view the heavy cannons nestled behind the walls. Take in the stunning views of the Chagres River, and on out to the Caribbean Sea. The historical area is not only great for exploration and introspection, but it’s also an excellent place for birdwatching. 
 

 

DAMEN STAN PATROL SHIPS - Nicaraguan patrol vessels based on the Damen Stan 4207 design seen above. The vessels were commissioned as Soberanía I (409) and Soberanía II (411), primarily for coastguard duties, including drug smuggling prevention. Unlike many other nations vessels, which are designed solely for coast guard or environmental monitoring, the Nicaraguan ships have added a military sensor suite and a deck gun. Militarizing the vessels boosted their cost from $20 million USD to $65 million USD.

 

 

 

 

PROLOGUE: ROYAL AFRICAN COMPANY - King Charles II, Royal Charter James Stuart II, transport goods from Africa: Bloody Triangle.

SCENE 1. THE BATTLE OF OCRACOKE - Lt Robert Maynard, Blackbeard's curse, beheading & torturous interrogation on the Adventure 

SCENE 2. EARTHQUAKE JAMAICA - Present Day - An earthquake hits Port Royal, disturbing the sunken city & Palisadoes cemetery.

SCENE 3. BLUE SHIELD ENGLAND - Blue Shield, Newcastle UK, UNESCO requests Storm catalogue underwater city UNEP World Heritage Site.

SCENE 3.1. SWASHBUCKLING - John tries out Dan's VR sword fencing program, then duel with real pirate cutlasses, Hal keeping score.

SCENE 4. HENRY MORGAN'S DEATH - Henry Morgan has a heart attack; funeral ceremony at Palisadoes cemetery, old Port Royal.

SCENE 5. SUNKEN CITY SURVEY - Present Day, Swann's sensors scan the ocean bed, revealing mausoleum former Governor of Jamaica.

SCENE 6. JUNE 1692 TSUNAMI - Jamaica, June 7th, an earthquake hits Port Royal, then a tsunami washes the pirate haven under the sea.

SCENE 6.1. GHOSTS BLACKBEARD & MORGAN  - Spectral figures cheer on John Storm as he searches Henry's Palisadoes crypt for clues.

SCENE 7. HENRY MORGAN'S COFFIN - John Storm & ROV, comes face to face with Henry's skeletal remains. Finds interesting wooden engraving.

SCENE 8. BBC JILL BIRD - London. John Storm's finds lost Henry Morgan's pirate remains. "And for those of you wondering, there was no treasure."
SCENE 9. OPERATION HISPANIOLA - British Geographical Society, & Royal Navy fund Lord Huntington's expedition to recover relics in the Caribbean.

SCENE 10. SHIP'S COOK - William Gray helps John Long's cut-throats to crew for Huntington's Hispaniola, Long a dab hand on the galley.

SCENE 11. ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOS - Huntington (BGS bigwig) asks John Storm for help with shipwreck survey - meet in the Caribbean, Haiti.

SCENE 12. SKELETON ISLAND - Intrigued by map proffered by Lord Huntington, John agrees to switch attention to location, to coast of Panama. .

SCENE 13. SANTA CATALINA - Colombian, Mexican, Panamanian, Nicaraguan patrols re: 'Satisfaction' & hunt for Aztec gold, Spanish Conquistadors.

SCENE 14. TREASURE ISLAND - Hurricane Iota erased map clues, Isla Providencia. Longstride believes location of Blackbeard's/Morgan's treasure.

SCENE 15. KIDNAP - Black Jack & Billy Bones kidnap Dan, Cleopatra - lock in Hispaniola with Tremaine. Hal alerts John to events via BioCore.

SCENE 16. DOUBLE CROSS - Maynard pact with Spanish Navy to blockade Caribbean to capture John & Swann. Longstride deal Aztec Golden Skull.

SCENE 17. BLACKBEARD'S CURSE - John retakes Swann, Hal immobilizes Black Jack and Billy Bones and rescues prisoners on Hispaniola.

SCENE 18. MORGAN'S TREASURE SHIP - John deciphers carving code helped Dan and Cybercore Genetica. Dives to find privateer's shipwreck.

SCENE 19. BILLION DOLLAR DEAL - John negotiates with Panama, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador & Blue Shield for % salvage based on wreck video.

SCENE 20. BLOCKADE RUNNER - Swann navigates through Spanish Armada & Royal Navy blockade in stealth mode, invisible to radar.

SCENE 21. BERMUDA TRIANGLE - Pirates head into Bermuda Triangle, Colombian Navy in pursuit: BBC Sky News. Never to be seen again.

 


 

John Storm and Elizabeth Swann get to Treasure (Skeleton) Island

 

 
 

 

  SANTA CATALINA & PROVIDENCIA, SPANISH CONQUISTADORS GOLDEN AZTEC SKULL - TREASURE ISLAND - BLACKBEARD'S CURSE & PIRATES GOLD

 

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