open_flame | Liz Sherman’s Appearances in the Hellboy Script

Liz Sherman’s Appearances in the Hellboy Script

Scene Five

(Here is the fifth in a series of cuts from the Hellboy script. These are to serve as a reference for me and for anyone interested in how Del Toro originally wrote Liz. Again, Movie!Liz and Comic!Liz vary greatly, so I used personal digression to make up her unique character traits.

The first part and the third part are in the theatrical version, however the middle scene was cut completely. As with the cab scene, it was expanded in the Director's Cut including an adorable ad libbed exchange between Myers and Liz where he plays with her rubber bands and she smiles at him AGAIN and laughs. I was sad to see this cut from the flick. It shows how Liz really is a TRYING to be happy, and trying to be friendly, but it scares the hell out of her to do so with people who know her history and how "dangerous" she can be. But someone new, someone "pure" like Myers, she's not afraid to let her guard down that much more. I think that's why she always runs when things go horribly wrong. New people who don't know how "horrible" she can be are nicer to her, and she craves that like most people crave air or water.

Also, GDT didn't note that Al Green is playing in HB's room when he wants to read Liz the letter. I like that little detail considering the fight Liz and Red have in Hellboy II. )

INT. B.P.R.D. - MAIN HALL AREA - DAY

A new space. Office corridors radiate out from a brass B.P.R.D. logo on the floor. A few agents monitor computer stations and tactical glass boards. Liz and Myers walk in, carrying her suitcases. She looks around and sees BROOM coming down the hall.

BROOM: Welcome back.
LIZ: It's only for the weekend, Professor Broom. Then I'll be on my way --
BROOM: (impeccable courtesy) Come and go as you please. (beat) Find your way back. We've made quite a few changes --

CRASH!!! Liz screams and Myers draws his gun. Smashing through a glass partition, the mangled steel LOCKER lands in the middle of the hall in a rain of glass and aluminum studs. Next, Manning appears, retreating but unharmed.

MANNING: (gasping) I want that thing locked up, starting now -- Now!!! You hear me??!! (He flees.)
LIZ: (to Broom) Nothing's changed. Home, sweet home.

Mortified, Broom hurries after Manning. Hellboy calmly steps through the hole in the wall.

HELLBOY: (seeing her) Liz? Liz!!

She spins on her heel and walks off. Hellboy turns to Myers.

HELLBOY: You!!! You did it, buddy --

Myers holsters his gun and follows Liz. Hellboy is all alone now.

HELLBOY: (oblivious) Myers? Pop?

INT. B.P.R.D. - LIZ'S ROOM - DAY

A familiar cell. Fireproof insulation covers the walls. Liz throws her bags on the bed. Myers lingers in the doorway. She reflexively pulls on one of the rubber bands on her wrist, then lets it snap.

LIZ: A little something I learned in therapy. I'm depressed -- (snaps a rubber band) One rubber band. I'm impatient: two rubber bands...

He sits by her side on the bed.

MYERS: I'll get you a fresh pack.

INT. HELLBOY'S DEN - DUSK

A cat bats at a ball of paper. On it, two words are visible: DEAR LIZ. Hellboy's tail scoops up the paper and throws it in a brimming wastebasket. He's sitting at a stainless steel desk, deep in concentration, writing with evident difficulty. The floor around him is covered with more crumpled pages. In the background, the projector is showing DUCK SOUP. Myers pushes in a cartload of CHILI.

MYERS: Where do you --
HELLBOY: Shh! Just a second.

Myers sets the tray on the table.

HELLBOY: Myers, you're a talker. What's a good word -- a solid word for "need" --
MYERS: "Need" is a good, solid word.
HELLBOY: Nah, too "needy."
MYERS: Start in, you got nachos coming.
HELLBOY: Mmmm. Nachos.

As he goes out, Liz appears in the doorway. Hellboy quickly stops writing.

LIZ: (notices the small feline army) Oh, my God... Look at them all! Who had babies? C'mere, Tiger...!

Liz plays with a cat. Hellboy lifts the piece of paper, which looks like a postage stamp in his stone hand.

HELLBOY: Um... Liz -- I -- there's something I'd like you to -- something I need you to hear.
LIZ: Well. Is it long?? I'm going out, but --
HELLBOY: Out? Out out?
LIZ: For a cup of coffee, but go ahead, read.
HELLBOY: You're going alone?
LIZ: No. Myers is taking me.

Hellboy stands up, walks towards her.

HELLBOY: Him!! Why him? Why not me?

Myers walks back in pushing a tray of nachos.

MYERS: (to Hellboy) Hey, your chili's getting cold --
HELLBOY: (sits back down)Not hungry.
LIZ: What did you want me to hear -- ?

Hellboy folds the paper.

HELLBOY: It's nothing. Just a list -- It's not finished --
LIZ: Oh, okay then. Maybe later then.

She leaves. Myers smiles.

MYERS: Anything else you --
HELLBOY: (snappy) Not from you.
MYERS: Well good n-
HELLBOY: (furious) Goodbye.