Script Analysis: “Logan” — Scene By Scene Breakdown

Here is my take on this exercise from a previous series of posts — How To Read A Screenplay:

After a first pass, it’s time to crack open the script for a deeper analysis and you can do that by creating a scene-by-scene breakdown. It is precisely what it sounds like: A list of all the scenes in the script accompanied by a brief description of the events that transpire.

For purposes of this exercise, I have a slightly different take on scene. Here I am looking not just for individual scenes per se, but a scene or set of scenes that comprise one event or a continuous piece of action. Admittedly this is subjective and there is no right or wrong, the point is simply to break down the script into a series of parts which you then can use dig into the script’s structure and themes.

The value of this exercise:

• We pare down the story to its most constituent parts: Scenes.
• By doing this, we consciously explore the structure of the narrative.
• A scene-by-scene breakdown creates a foundation for even deeper analysis of the story.

Today: Logan (2017). You may download the script here.

Logan
Scene-By-Scene-Breakdown
by Mark Furney
Gointothestory.blcklst.com

Opening credits …. over Spanish hip hop music.

On the border near El Paso, gang bangers jack up a stretch limo to steal a wheel. Inside, a drunken LOGAN awakens. Older now; in bad health; not lookin’ good. (The script includes an italicized explanation that Logan isn’t what he used to be, that the ADAMANTIUM — the metal which forms his claws — is leeching, causing him pain, health problems). Logan stumbles out; asks the gang bangers to move along. A shotgun blast sends Logan to the ground. But not for long. Logan, in a fury, wins the pitched battle, but he takes quite a beating in the process. (To pg. 3.8)

Logan drives to a filling station. An i.d. tag says Logan is JAMES HOWLETT. In a bathroom, he tends his wounds, expels the bullets from his body, and puts on clean clothes. *A radio broadcast reveals it’s 2029; the battle to get rid of mutants has basically been won. Logan drives paying customers around. Logan looks longingly at a printed advertisement for a 70 foot SUNSEEKER yacht located in the Gulf of Mexico. “Asking $60,000.” (To Pg. 5.8)

Logan gazes at a bereaving family at a grave-side service. It’s raining, dreary. A 35 year-old disheveled Spanish-speaking woman says “Wolverine…I knew it was you.” Logan smells crazy. She pleads for help. Logan walks away and helps his paying customers into the limo. The crazy lady drives by in a beat up FIAT. Logan notices a young girl in a RED RAIN COAT gazing at him from the back seat of the Fiat. (To pg 6.75).

Logan, at a hospital emergency room parking area, meets an orderly in scrubs. Logan gives him cash in exchange for something in a bag. The transaction is watched by a man — in a car not far away — with a mechanical hand. *Logan, in his limo now, is startled when PIERCE (the guy with the mechanical hand) gets into the Limo. Pierce: “Here he is — Wolverine — a junkie now.” Logan: who are you and get the fuck out. Pierce: “Has she, Gabriela, found you yet? I’m looking for someone who is looking for you. This Gabriela took something I’m responsible for.” Pierce eyes the bag Logan paid cash for. “Where is he? South of the border?” Pierce flicks a business card to Logan and asks for “cooperation.” The card says that Pierce is head of security for TRANSIGEN RESEARCH, DIVISION OF ALKALI.” Pierce to Logan: “I’m a fan, by the way.” (To pg. 8.75)

Logan, at a border crossing to Mexico, is on his cell phone negotiating to purchase the Sunseeker boat. Getting this boat — NOW — is important to Logan. *Logan drives through a remote area to an abandoned smelting plant. He is met by CALIBAN (an older mutant albino, sensitive to sun light) Caliban is Charles’ caretaker. Charles is in bad health; his mental state is dicey. The medicine in the bag isn’t enough to get Charles through the week. Logan: “I’m working on it.” Caliban: Charles says he is “communicating with someone.” How can this be? The tank Charles is held in is supposed to prevent Charles from “communicating.” Logan says the meds for Charles should help. (To pg. 10.8)

Logan goes into a huge round plated tank, pitched on its side. CHARLES XAVIER, in his 90s, rolls around in his wheel chair, babbling incoherently. Does he even know who Logan is? Logan tries to administer medicine to Charles, who resists, bringing on a PSIONIC BLAST. THE RINGING LOUD AND UNBEARABLE. (To pg. 12.25)

Caliban, back in his digs, fights an induced paralysis. *Logan struggles, but manages to inject Charles with medicine. The psionic blast subsides. Charles now recognizes Logan but still does not want to take the pills. Charles says there is a new “speciation — a new mutant” out there, “and forces are trying to kill them.” Logan: “too bad you aren’t in that business anymore — the Statute of Liberty days are over — and there are no new mutants. Were we God’s plan, or his mistake?” Charles: “they want your help, not mine.” Charles is disappointed that Logan, who was a mere “cage fighter” when Charles took him into the mutant family, is now a drug-addled loser. And Charles hates that he is in this tank “waiting to die.” (To pg. 15.25)

A train passes the smelting plant. A series of shots emphasize Logan’s deteriorating physical and mental condition. Caliban emphasizes the meds are not of a sufficient dose to suppress Charles’ seizures, which brought on the psionic blast. Logan: I wasn’t in a position to negotiate for more. Caliban, “I found it in your shirt pocket,” and hands an ADAMANTIUM BULLET to Logan. Caliban: “If you are considering killing yourself, please wait until you are on the high seas to do it.” Logan doesn’t need this crap, but Caliban is worried for Logan, “something is happening to you — on the inside — I can smell it.” And Caliban is selfishly worried too, for it is Logan who is supposed to be “leading us somewhere.” (To pg. 17.99)

Logan drives a group of bawdy bridesmaids around. His cell phone rings … a new fare? … Logan arrives at a cheap motel with a neon sign of the Statute of Liberty outside. The young girl in the red rain coat bounces a BALL nearby; the Fiat, close too. The mother from the grave side encounter: “Logan — we need your help. My name is GABRIELA LOPEZ.” Logan — not interested. He walks away. She offers him $50,000. Logan: the people after you are now after me. Not happy. The little girl breaks a glass window. The motel’s manger gets nasty with the girl, which upsets Logan. (To pg. 20.5)

In Gabriela’s motel room, Logan sees files, print outs, clippings, toys, a medical kit. Gabriela has been injured. She hands Logan a bloodied MANILLA ENVELOPE ($20K inside) with an address and a set of numbers written on the outside. She wants Logan to take them to North Dakota. Gabriela says the money is “from her boyfriend. He wants to hurt me and the girl.” Logan: “I can’t leave right now.” Gabriela: We must be there by Friday, or we miss our chance to cross into Canada.” Logan looks at the money; enough to get the boat? Logan says he’ll do it, but there is something he must do first. Gabriela wants to go with him, but no. The little girl watches Logan like she is a sentinel. (To pg. 22.25)

Back at the plant, Logan drops a new bag of meds on Caliban, saying “I got a new job, pays enough to change things, but I have to go away for a week.” Logan, swigging a bottle of liquor, goes to see Charles. *Logan to Charles: I have to go away for a week. When I get back, we go to the gulf and live on a boat. Logan gets a text, “please hurry.” Charles: and you’ll be safe there from the people who are after you? (To pg. 23.5)

Back at the motel, Gabriela’s room has been broken into. Logan goes in. A mess. Gabriela, bloody and dead. Logan finds Gabriela’s cell phone. He goes outside, looking for the young girl, but she’s not around. Sirens get nearer. (To pg. 24.5)

At the plant, Logan tells Caliban “the job wasn’t right.” Caliban and Logan look at the now open trunk of the limo. Logan sees a small back pack and a BALL. Pierce’s Jeep approaches. Caliban goes to tend to Charles. *Logan tells Pierce, now at the plant, to “leave!” Pierce, “is this where you keep the old man, the man whose mind is a weapon of mass destruction?” Logan: “he’s been dead a year.” Pierce: I need the girl. Logan: what girl? Logan and Pierce begin to face off when Pierce is hit in the head by a lead pipe. The girl did it. The girl flings a pipe at Logan. Charles intervenes, saying “Logan, this is LAURA.” Charles says to the girl, “we’ve been waiting for you.” *Logan tells Caliban to drive Pierce into the brush and dump him. Logan gives Caliban a gun … in case he needs it. (To pg. 28.75)

Charles chats with Laura, who scarfs a bowl of cereal. They get along well. Logan and Laura scuffle over her backpack. Logan tells Charles “we have to leave; it’s no longer safe here. And take your meds!” Charles: “The woman was not the child’s mother, but the child is the mutant I told you about.” (To pg. 30.5)

Caliban is unsuccessful in disposing of Pierce. In fact, Pierce now has Caliban. A caravan of all-terrain vehicles approaches the smelting plant. *Laura can sense the approaching convoy. Federales and mercenaries (high tech goons called REAVERS in the script) approach. *Logan hurries to get the wheelchair-bound Charles into the limo. Logan administers a hypodermic syringe to Charles. The chase is on, as the approaching bad guys bust through the gate. Charles: you must go back for her! Logan: She’s not our problem. *Laura, inside eating cereal, calmly observes the chaos outside. Logan, Pierce and Charles exchange pleasantries. Pierce wants the girl. The bad guys overwhelm Logan — too many of them. *Federales go into the building, looking for Laura. She sits calmly at a table, her back to the approaching cops. *Outside, the crew hears sounds from inside the building. *Laura steps out and kicks a severed head to Pierce’s feet. Laura approaches Pierce, who tries to persuade her to be calm, “you want to see your friends, right?” Pierce head-signals to the Reavers, who prepare a containment tank and a harpoon system designed to subdue Laura. *The chief Federale wants to make the collar. His men move in on Laura. Laura’s claws extend — Logan, in shock at what he sees from Laura’s hands. Laura and Logan spring into action. Logan, surprised to see adamantium claws extend from Laura’s feet, which Laura skillfully uses in the battle. *Logan gets into the limo and executes an escape, Laura hangs onto the out side of the limo. Charles to Logan: “as I said, she is a mutant, very much like you, in fact….” Laura shields Charles from bullets; her body quickly expels the bullets. *Logan speeds from the plant grounds, bad guys chasing. *A train is outside the grounds; Logan executes a move where he cuts in front of the train. The train blocks the pursuers, enabling Logan’s limo to proceed. (To pg. 38.8)

Pierce, back at the smelting plant, removes a hood from Caliban’s face. Caliban is a “tracker” who once worked for Pierce’s side of the fence. Pierce cruelly persuades Caliban to track Logan, Charles and Laura. (To pg. 41.5)

Close on a cell phone, and V.O. of Gabriela Lopez, with scenes from the research facility in Mexico City where Laura and other young children were “manufactured”. Gabriela was a nurse there. Laura (and others) were test tube creations, designed to be soldiers. A series of shots show the cruelty of the endeavor. Gabriela says as a child she learned English by reading X-Men comic books … The phone’s battery dies. (To pg. 44.25)

At a truck stop, Logan gives Charles his meds. Charles surreptitiously spits out the pill. How far to North Dakota? You took their money, Charles says. Logan stares at Laura, who rides a mechanical bronco pony next to the store. Logan to Charles: “What is she?” Charles: She is your daughter; they had your genetic code. Logan doesn’t want to hear about it. Charles has to pee. (To pg. 45.25)

Logan gives Laura a quarter for one more pony ride. The peeing is difficult. Logan, outside the restroom, notices Laura is no longer on the pony. Rather, she helps herself to potato chips and cheap sunglasses (without paying). The clerk confronts her about this. She puts him on the ground with one swift move. Logan intervenes, but manages to grab cigars and a phone charger (also without paying). (To pg. 46.9)

The limo, parked under a star-filled view of an Oklahoma night. The cell phone, now charged, continues with Gabriela’s V.O., The phone reveals there are other children with mutant powers. As the children grew older they became hard to control, “they taught them to kill but they did not remove their hearts.” “A soldier who cannot be controlled is not a good soldier.” We see, walking with Pierce, A RED HAIRED MAN (a research doctor, very nervous). Gabriela says something went wrong with the experiment; they started putting the children “to sleep.” And that’s when she and others decided to try to save as many as they could. Gabriela says: “if you are watching this, it means I’m dead. I’m sorry; I have no more money, that was a lie that I could pay you more. But please, try to help Laura” Logan reacts to this. He looks in his rear view mirror at Laura. (To pg. 49.75)

The limo, at a casino outside Oklahoma City. Charles awakens, bothered by the flashing neon lights. They’ll clean up, get new clothes, and get a new vehicle. The valet is circumspect upon seeing the bullet-riddled vehicle. Laura is entranced by the flashing action and sounds of slot machines. Logan finds new clothes for the group. In an elevator, Laura of course wants to punch every floor button. *In the hotel room, Charles and Laura watch “Shane” on the TV. Charles: “it’s a classic, Laura; I first saw it nearly 100 years ago.” Logan examines Laura’s backpack. Files reveal the talents of other mutant kids. He finds Laura’s file. Her DNA source: James Howlett. Logan also finds X-Men comic books. His reaction: “…For fuck’s sake.” (To pg. 52.5)

Pierce and Reavers take over the truck stop. In the back of a van sits a beaten Caliban, Laura’s red rain coat in his lap. A Reaver lifts Caliban’s hood, exposing him to sun light, a form of torture. (To pg. 52.9)

In the hotel room, Laura and Charles watch the scene where SHANE kneels down and says goodby to little Joey. Shane says “a man has to be what he is … there’s no living with a killing … no going back … right or wrong, it’s a brand … go to your momma and tell her there aren’t any more guns in the valley.” *Logan asks Laura if she’s been reading the comic books. Laura grabs the comic book and her backpack. Logan: “these books are bullshit; the stuff didn’t happen. In the real world, people die.” Charles says he thinks Laura understands life’s impermanence. Charles nudges Logan to go and get them a “new ride.” Logan tosses the pill bottle to Laura (she deftly catches it), and reminds Charles to take a pill in an hour. (To pg. 54.5)

Logan cruises a crappy neighborhood to a used car lot. Thugs hang around. Logan removes things from the limo and finds pills (that Charles should have taken) wedged into the car seat. Logan: “fuck.” He tosses the limo’s keys to the thugs. *At the car lot, a sales woman says the Ram truck Logan wants is $10K. Logan, “I’ll give you $12K if we can skip the paper work.” She says, “Okay, but the tires are bald. A new set will be on in an hour.” Logan goes to a near by dive bar where he reads one of Laura’s X-Men comics, titled “EXODUS TO EDEN, MUTANT TRAIL OF TEARS.” Wolverine, in his yellow suit, is in the comic. The comic says that Eden is the last stop on the mutant underground trail to Canada. The comic shows numerical coordinates on a mapping device. Logan looks at the numbers on his cash ENVELOPE. The numerals are the same. Logan glares, realizing his road trip is to an imaginary place in a forty-year old comic book. The bartender asks Logan where he is headed. Logan, “I don’t know.” (To pg. 56.5)

Logan, with his new used truck, is at the valet at the casino. He sees a cyborg with a prosthetic hand holding a cell phone. Logan, alarmed, looks for a side entrance. A ringing sound hits; cars crash into each other. Casino patrons, frozen in place, struggle to breathe. *Pierce and Reavers, in a van, see Logan from a command console. But Pierce, the Reaver and Caliban are paralyzed from the psionic wave. Pure action follows as Logan battles the psionic wave and the chaos it creates in the Casino. Logan’s claws emerge; he guts two Reavers … Logan finds a way to the hotel room. He battles more Reavers. Laura too battles Reavers and the wave, but she finds a way to get the hypodermic syringe to Logan who empties it into Charles. The psionic wave subsides. In a brutal fight, Logan and Laura kill several Reavers. Logan to Charles: we have to go. (To pg. 58.99)

Logan wheels Charles out the casino. Charles, upon seeing the chaos he caused, says “I’m so sorry. Oh God…” Laura is taken in by watching a medic give CPR to a man. *Outside, sirens all about. Logan lifts Charles into the Ram. *Pierce and several Reavers burst out of their van, gasping for air. Caliban watches them. (To pg. 60.25)

Logan et.al in the Ram, on an Oklahoma highway. The radio reports the casino incident is similar to one last year in Westchester, NY. Logan angrily turns off the radio. Laura is click, click, clicking the door lock. Logan, irritated, “knock it off.” Charles: “She’s a child, Logan. In point of fact she’s your …” Logan: “How long since you took your meds?” Charles: “two days.” Logan chastises Charles for causing such pain at the casino. Charles: “I did what I had to do to keep those men from taking Laura.” Logan and Charles have a parley about how difficult Charles has become, Charles’ disappointment in what Logan has become (self-loathing, angry, a coward). Laura observes this and, for the first time since we’ve met her, she displays nervousness. Charles is disappointed that Logan takes no pride in the fact that he is to help this young mutant and the others that await. Logan says it means nothing to him since “nurse Gabriela made Eden up, based on comic books.” Logan tosses a pill bottle to Laura, who catches it. He tells her to give two pills to Charles. Tense argument over taking the pills, when a highway patrol siren appears behind the Ram. He was speeding. The law officer quizzes Logan — “that your daughter, your father.” (To pg. 64.75)

Pierce and the Reavers stand by in a parking area. A flat bed truck is fitted with a huge box strapped to the back of the truck. Law enforcement vehicles nearby. Pierce gazes at a helicopter in the sky. *Caliban, in the control truck, watches as a RED HAIRED MAN approaches the big box, from which come pounding and screaming sounds. The RED HAIRED MAN, carrying a medical bag, goes into the big box. The sound subsides. (To pg. 65.5)

Logan, on the highway, swears at a careless driver. Charles admonishes Logan not to swear in front of Laura, a child. He tells Logan that Laura’s foot claws are a result of her gender, that a lioness has claws in back to protect her pride. *Laura gazes at a truck towing horses. She makes eye contact with a teen boy in the towing cab, who is with his mother and father. A nice farm family …. Suddenly, oncoming traffic threatens Logan’s vehicle. A mash-up on the highway. The horse wagon tips … out come four horses … Danger, everywhere. Charles: we have to help them. Logan: Someone else will come along. Charles: someone has come along. *The farm family is out, trying to save their horses. ON CHARLES: who has closed his eyes, concentrating, and the horses come to a stop, calm. Laura, mesmerized, her eyes on young NATE, who rides and tends to the horses. Logan offers help to the father (WILL MUNSON). KATHRYN (the wife) thanks Logan and Laura and offers them “a decent meal.” Logan wants to hit the road. Charles says, no, let’s have a nice meal. (To pg. 69.99)

The RED-HAIRED MAN has an IV attached to Caliban. The man tells Caliban of the research mistake which created killer bees in Brazil. THE MAN offers Caliban the chance to save Charles and Logan, in exchange for Laura, who “was not created by nature. She is a mistake of my own making.” He introduces himself as DR. RICE, and offers creme to soothe the sores on Caliban’s skin. (To pg. 72.2)

The Munson family and the “Howlett family” share a meal. Discuss family vacations. Laura studies the dynamics of a family meal, something she’s never seen. Her eyes are glued to Nate. Kathryn asks if Logan is married. Charles says “no, his wife passed.” Charles jokes “he killed her.” Kathryn convinces them to stay at the farm house for the night. … Upstairs, Logan says there are too many reasons to keep moving. Charles says he and Laura deserve to have a nice night. We get Laura to North Dakota “then you and I will buy that sunseeker.” (To pg. 75.99)

The water pressure goes off in the house. Will explains the pump supplying pressure sometimes goes off (by nefarious forces). The fix is a mile away. Kathryn convinces Will to go fix it tonight. Logan volunteers to go to where the trouble may be. *Logan tucks Charles into a bed. Charles: “You know, this is what a family life should be. A place. People who love each other. Take a moment. Feel it. You still have time.” Logan: “The world isn’t what it was, and this place, Eden … it’s not real. It comes from a comic book.” Charles: “To Laura, it is real.” (To pg. 78.5)

Logan sees Will get a gun from a cabinet. Will says, “don’t worry, we won’t need it.” *Will and Logan, next to a pump house, and nearby are un-manned mechanical combines, cutting cloned super corn. Will explains he wouldn’t sell out to the corporation running this show, so they screw around with Will’s water supply. The equipment in the pump room is broken badly. (To pg. 79.66)

Laura looks at Nate, in his room plastered with rodeo pictures, trophies, and cool kid stuff. Nate explains how he won rodeo trophies. Nate offers to let Laura listen to a country song. Nate says “I got to do my homework.” Laura quickly does the equations with the stylus on Nate’s tablet. Nate notices the ridges on Laura’s hand. *Laura goes to where Charles is asleep and curls up on the floor next to his bed. With earbuds in, she listens to the music Nate gave her and clings to a wrinkled photo of her fellow mutant friends. (To pg. 81.25)

In the pump house, Will and Logan talk about the perils of fatherhood. The pump fixed. *Outside the pump house, a truck approaches. Will says “I will handle this.” A corporate security heavy, JACKSON, hassles Will. Logan says: You need to leave. Logan and Jackson exchange words. Logan grabs Jackson’s rifle and butts Jackson in the face. Quick. Will, amazed. They convince the security contingent to leave. (Pg 84.25)

Logan and Will walk the drive to the farmhouse, Logan saying how he would like a drink. *In Charles’ bedroom, Charles looks at BAD LOGAN [here, we are introduced to X-24, a perfect clone of Logan, but X-24 is feral. Bad.] Charles, not knowing this is BAD LOGAN, talks about what “a perfect night this has been.” Charles reflects upon how badly he feels about the pain he caused at the casino and how he now understands how Logan must feel when Logan kills. But X-24 puts his claws into Charles’ chest. Laura springs into action, trying to save Charles. Nate, with a baseball bat, tries to rescue. (To pg. 86.5)

[pure action follows; — the major beats — ]

*Pierce and Caliban watch (via a camera on X-24) the action in the farmhouse from the command vehicle. Caliban, upset at the betrayal, “you said you only wanted the girl!” The box on the flat bed truck is open. Reaver vehicles are all about.

*Kathryn, holding a shot gun, tells X-24 to put Laura down. X-24 steps over Nate’s gutted body. (O.S.) Will calls out for Kathryn, who tells Will to stay downstairs.

*Outside the house, Logan senses something inside is wrong.

*X — 24 dispatches Kathryn and Will. Laura, in a restraining device, is in a rage.

*Logan enters the house … his eyes meet the eyes of BAD LOGAN, who carries Laura. Logan goes up stairs to Charles, who is still but barely alive.

* X-24 carries Laura down the drive-way. *Logan carries Charles, wrapped in a quilt, down the stairs.

*X-24, with Laura, heads for the ALKALI CONVOY.

*Logan, carrying Charles, heads for the Ram truck.

*Dr. Rice watches his X-24 creation, to see if it “passes his first test.” Rice explains to Caliban that you “can’t nurture rage. You just design it.”

*Another vehicle convoy (Jackson’s crew) comes down the road.

*Logan puts Charles into the Ram truck.

*Jackson shouts out “Will Munson, come out here!” Jackson sees BAD LOGAN and says “hello, asshole.” Pierce watches as BAD LOGAN puts Laura down and heads for Jackson. Jackson’s men cock their weapons. A shot is fired. BAD LOGAN’S claws come out. Jackson, decapitated.

*Caliban, watching a camera, is confused.

*Logan, at the Ram truck, hears Charles’ last words which are … “our boat … our Eden.” Logan notices the carnage around him. A rage starts to build in Logan.

*BAD LOGAN, in a rage, slashes the last of Jackson’s crew. Dr. Rice yells to BAD LOGAN, “get Laura, come back here.”

*Back in the command van, Caliban has dispersed grenades, which detonate, creating the diversion necessary for Logan to do battle with BAD LOGAN. Bad Logan is getting the better of Logan when a truck, driven by a badly injured Will Munson, approaches and gores X-24. Logan grabs Laura, throws her into the pickup, and they race through cornfields to get away.

*Laura sees that Charles is dead. Upset, she panics. Logan hacks away the manacles that restrain Laura’s hands. They say nothing to each other as they drive through the night. (To pg. 94.75)

The next morning, Hazmat crews clean up the dead bodies. Dr. Rice tends to X-24’s wounds and gives X-24 a pep talk. *At an isolated lake in Wyoming, Logan stands over the grave he’s dug for Charles. Logan offers words … Laura takes his hand, but Logan can’t handle it, refusing her hand. Logan’s body is ravaged from his battle with X-24. The Ram truck won’t start. Laura notices a station wagon down the hill. (To pg. 96.5)

Logan, hooked to IV feeds. A doctor at an urgent care center tends to Logan and says he always hoped to get to care for “one like you — there are so few of you left.” Logan wants to hit the road. Doctor: something inside you is poisoning you. You need rest. Logan: “I know what is poisoning me.” Logan rips the IV feeds and tells the doctor “you want to save a life — save your own and let us leave.” (To Pg 97.75)

In the station wagon, Logan says “I don’t know how you got me here, but thanks.” Laura replies, “De nada.” Logan, shocked: You can talk? Laura begins babbling in Spanish. Laura points to the coordinates on the cash envelope. To Eden, my friends, Laura pleads. Logan tries to tell her it’s fictional. Laura is insistent, points to the map and chants “Jonah, Gideon, Rebecca, Delilah and Rictor.” (The names of her friends) Logan: “enough!” (To pg. 100.9)

At a make-shift infirmary, Pierce’s wounds are tended. Corpses piled everywhere, Dr. Rice engages with military types about how successful the mission has been (getting rid of Charles) and that it needs to continue, despite the physical damage that is being done “in the continental United States.” Dr. Rice orders that DNA be taken from Caliban, “very high IQ, a good tracker.” *Pierce hands Dr. Rice a comic, taken from Munson’s house, with the coordinates in North Dakota. Pierce and Rice look at a Wiki article on the X-Men comic “Eden Exodus.” (To pg. 103.5)

Logan nods off as he drives. Laura, “let me drive.” Logan: no. Laura: “You want to die. Charles told me that.” Logan: what else did he tell you? Laura: “not to let you.” She makes Logan pull the car over. Laura takes over the driving …. through the night … the next morning, Logan awakens in the car, alone. Laura approaches and takes Logan to a clearing where they can see a box canyon, a structure above it. Laura smiles for the first time in the movie. Logan can tell this is the scene of Eden from the comic. Logan passes out. (To pg. 105.99)

Logan, on a board attached to ropes, is pulled up to an observation building above the canyon. Logan sees it is mutant kids who have pulled him up. Logan, weak, again fades out. *A flicker of light; Logan awakens on a bed. RICTOR (a leader of these kids) supervises as LIZARD BOY administers to Logan a fluid from a GREEN BOTTLE. Logan grabs the green bottle, asks: where did you get this? RICTOR: from where we come from; it makes us strong to fight; it will heal you. Logan: it makes you crazy — it will kill you. Rictor: not in small doses. Logan again fades out. (To pg. 107.5)

Logan awakens; Laura tends his wounds. They discuss nightmares. Laura pulls out the Adamantium bullet. Logan tells Laura she’ll have to get used “to killing people.” Laura: they are bad people. Logan: all the same. He admits he has contemplated suicide. He fades out, the bullet in his hand. Laura grabs it. (To pg. 108.99)

Logan watches the kids happily play soccer. One of the kids uses his mutant power harmfully. Rictor makes him stop. Logan looks better, but he’s still weak. He again sleeps. After awakening, Logan admits to one of the kids that “Sabertooth was real.” The kid says to Logan, “but now you are doing good things?” Logan: “I don’t know what I’m doing.” (To pg. 110.5)

Sounds of snipping scissors and kids giggling. They have trimmed Logan’s beard into mutton chops so that he looks like he did when young in the X-Men comic books. Rictor tells Logan he has been asleep for two days. Logan says “you must get out, before they get here and kill you.” Rictor says, “It was the plan to stay until today; give all a chance to get here. We leave tomorrow, for Canada.” (To pg. 111.5)

The kids pack, ammo, supplies. Rictor listens on a short wave radio. “They are ready for us.” Logan joins Laura at a mounted telescope and they view the escape path. Rictor, in thanks for the help he gave Laura, offers Logan the remaining cash in the manilla envelope. Logan refuses, “you need it. Buy Laura cereal.” (To pg. 113.1)

Its night. Logan and Laura converse. Despite Laura’s desire, Logan will not go with the kids. Laura asks: and what will become of you? Logan: I’ll go to the nearest bar, for starters. Laura goes outside, looks at the stars, and fights off tears. (To pg. 114.5)

Logan awakens. Morning. Next to him, the green bottle with a note from Rictor saying “not all at once.” Its quiet. Logan realizes the kids have gone. He starts toward his station wagon but hears drones overhead. At the telescope, Logan sees a military convoy and Alkali vehicles on a path toward the escape route. Logan grabs the green bottle and syringe, throws it into a backpack, his eyes fixed in alarm. (To pg. 115.5)

Logan runs through the woods, short of breath, his wounds reopening. He hears gun fire, the kids screaming. He’s about to fade out … fills the syringe and administers a huge dose from the green bottle. The medicine hits his bloodstream; his eyes widen; he screams and joins the battle. (To pg. 115.99)

The Reavers and mutant kids battle. Chaos, violence everywhere. The kids battle bravely, each displaying assorted mutant powers. Logan battles; tries to find Laura, who battles bravely. She is about overcome when Logan finds her, but Pierce and Dr. Rice, with a huge gun, level Logan (he’s starting to lose his power, the medicine is wearing off). Reavers surround Laura. Pierce and Dr. Rice converse with Logan about the ethics of all the mutant killing; creating a test tube mutant like Laura. Logan cuts off Pierce’s mechanical hand … X-24 (BAD LOGAN) is released … A huge battle to the death ensues … X-24 getting the better of Logan when…. Laura takes the Adamantium bullet from her shirt, places it in a gun, and blows X-24’s head off, thus saving Logan. (To pg. 124.5) [Note: there are many action beats from pg 116 to this point — best just to read it for great action writing]

Logan, fading fast, tells Laura “go, with your friends, they will still be after you. But don’t be what they made you.” Other mutant kids emerge from the woods, watching Logan and Laura’s interaction. Logan fades. Laura takes his hand. This time, he lets her do so. Laura: “Daddy.” Logan looks at her. He takes a short breath; his eyes have a sense of wonder. Logan: “So this is what it feels like.” And he dies. Laura (O.S.) “A man has to be what he is, Joey. You can’t break the mold.” And we transition to a simple burial site and Laura, with the other mutant kids nearby, “There’s no living with a killing …” (From Shane). A simple cross marks the grave. As the kids walk off, Laura stays behind and tips the cross on its side so it makes an “X”. Laura walks toward the other mutant kids…

FADE TO BLACK. (To pg. 125.75)

Writing Exercise: I encourage you to read the script, but short of that, if you’ve seen the movie, go through this scene-by-scene breakdown. What stands out to you about it from a structural standpoint?

To download a PDF of the breakdown for Logan, go here.

Major kudos to Mark Furney for doing this week’s scene-by-scene breakdown.

For 100+ movie scripts broken down scene by scene, go here.