Marna
Adapted from the book written by Jason Hauger
Screenplay by Steve B. Sanchez
Draft 3: 27 March 2026
Draft 2: 25 March 2026
Draft 1: 20 March 2026
FADE IN:
1 EXT. SKY — DAY 1
A vast, endless BLUE SKY. Bright. Peaceful. Sunlight glows
across soft white clouds.
The faint sound of WIND. A gentle, airy SCORE begins to rise.
The camera begins a slow, drifting descent through the
clouds.
Light shifts as we pass through them —
And then — BREAK THROUGH.
TITLE:
MARNA
The title floats against the open sky.
A single MONARCH BUTTERFLY flutters across frame, catching
the sunlight. It dances on the air for a moment —
Then drifts downward.
The camera follows, continuing its descent.
Below: the tops of TREES sway gently in the breeze.
Sunlight flickers through leaves.
The butterfly dips lower.
The neighborhood begins to emerge. Roofs. Streets. Backyards.
The distant sound of CHILDREN LAUGHING begins to bleed in.
The butterfly continues downward. The camera follows as we
descend toward —
A NEIGHBORHOOD POOL. FULL OF LIFE. SPLASHES. LAUGHTER.
SUMMER.
We settle into the world —
Flowing directly into:
2 EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD POOL — LATE AFTERNOON 2
Late summer sunlight reflects off the water.
Kids shout and splash. A group races toward the diving board.
Another pushes a friend into the pool. Laughter echoes.
DAVID, 10, sits on the edge with his feet in the water.
Quiet. Watching.
Nearby, kids cluster in groups — talking, joking, daring each other. No one talks to David.
He glances over at them. Waits a beat. Nothing.
He pulls his feet out of the pool. Grabs his towel. Dries off
slowly.
A kid runs past him, bumping his shoulder without noticing.
David steadies himself. Doesn’t react. He reaches into his
bag and pulls out his phone.
INSERT — PHONE SCREEN
“Coming home.”
He hesitates for a second, then hits send.
BACK TO SCENE
David slips the phone into his pocket. Shoulders his bag. He
takes one last look at the pool — at the kids laughing
together.
Then he turns and walks toward the gate.
The sounds of splashing and laughter continue behind him as
he exits into the quiet street.
3 EXT. SIDEWALK / FLOWER PATCH — CONTINUOUS 3
The sounds of the pool fade behind David as he walks down a
quiet sidewalk. A light breeze. Leaves rustle.
David slows. Something catches his eye.
A MONARCH BUTTERFLY rests on a small flower growing through a
crack in the curb.
Its wings are closed.
David steps closer. Careful. Quiet.
DAVID
Oh my gosh! A monarch butterfly!
2.
He kneels down. He studies it — completely still. Softly, to
himself—
DAVID (CONT'D)
Well hello there! Mom said there
used to be a lot of you guys...
He leans in slightly, careful not to scare it.
DAVID (CONT'D)
Now, I guess, you are really rare.
A beat.
DAVID (CONT'D)
You might be the only one I see
this year.
He slowly pulls out his phone. Frames the shot. But doesn’t
take it yet. He waits. Patient. Still.
The butterfly begins to move— Its wings slowly open. Bright
orange. Black veins. Alive in the sunlight.
David smiles — small, but real.
CLICK. He lowers the phone. Watches it for just a moment
longer.
4 EXT. FLOWER PATCH — CONTINUOUS 4
David kneels by the butterfly, still and focused.
A voice cuts in —
GAVIN (O.S.)
Well if it isn’t sissy little
David...
A shadow falls over him.
GAVIN (O.S.) (CONT'D)
...taking a sissy picture of the
flowers.
David looks up. GAVIN, 11, stands over him. Smirking.
Before David can react — Gavin SNATCHES the phone from his
hand.
GAVIN (CONT'D)
Let me see this.
3.
He looks at the screen.
GAVIN (CONT'D)
You’re taking pictures of bugs now?
He laughs.
GAVIN (CONT'D)
That’s so sad.
David stands.
DAVID
Give it back.
Gavin ignores him. Turns the phone over in his hands — Then
DROPS it. CRACK.
David flinches.
Gavin crouches near the flower. Sees the butterfly. Leans in.
GAVIN
Oh… you like this thing? I don't
see what's the big deal.
A beat. He hovers his fingers just above it.
GAVIN (CONT'D)
It’s just a bug.
David steps forward slightly. Tense.
DAVID
Don’t—
Gavin glances back at him. Smiling.
GAVIN
Watch this.
A beat.
GAVIN (CONT'D)
I’m gonna rip its wings off.
David freezes. The butterfly sits between them. A breath—
Then David moves.
He steps between Gavin and the flower.
DAVID
Leave it alone.
4.
Gavin looks up at him. Surprised. Then amused.
GAVIN
What are you gonna do?
David doesn’t move. He holds his ground.
5 EXT. FLOWER PATCH / STREET — CONTINUOUS 5
David stands between Gavin and the butterfly. A beat—
Then— He SHOVES Gavin.
Gavin stumbles backward — crashes into a low bush.
GAVIN
Hey!
David drops to his knees— Careful. Precise. He cups the
butterfly gently in both hands. Protecting it.
Gavin scrambles up behind him.
GAVIN (CONT'D)
You little—
David turns and RUNS. Down the sidewalk. Fast.
Gavin chases a few steps — then stops.
GAVIN (CONT'D)
You better run! You sissy!
David keeps going. Holding his hands close. Shielding the
butterfly.
His breathing quickens. He glances down at his hands—
DAVID
(softly)
It’s okay...
He runs.
DAVID (CONT'D)
I need to get you somewhere safe.
The butterfly rests in his palms. Still. Calm.
David disappears down the street.
5.
6 EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS — CONTINUOUS 6
David runs. Fast. Shoes slapping pavement. His hands cupped
tight — protecting the butterfly.
Behind him — faint—
GAVIN (O.S.)
You better run!
David turns a corner. Another. The neighborhood blurs—
- FENCES whip past.
- A DOG barks as he rushes by.
- A SPRINKLER sprays across the sidewalk —
David dodges through it, water mist catching the light.
He doesn’t slow. His breath sharp. Panicked.
He glances down at his hands— Checks the butterfly. Still
there. Still safe.
He keeps running. Past driveways. Past mailboxes. Past
everything.
The sounds of the world begin to shift— The noise fades. The
rhythm changes.
His pace slows. Slightly. Then more.
The sunlight softens — golden now. Late afternoon turning to
sunset.
David’s breathing steadies. He’s no longer running from
something— He’s running toward something.
HOME. He turns into his yard.
7 EXT. DAVID’S BACKYARD — SUNSET 7
He slows to a stop. Bent over. Catching his breath. Still
holding his hands carefully.
A beat.
He looks around. Quiet. Safe.
The warm glow of the setting sun fills the garden. Flowers
sway gently in the breeze.
David straightens. Exhausted. But something else—
A small, quiet pride.
6.
8 EXT. DAVID’S BACKYARD — SUNSET (CONTINUOUS) 8
He slowly opens his hands. The MONARCH BUTTERFLY rests for a
moment — Then lifts.
Flutters onto a nearby flower. Safe.
David exhales. A small, relieved smile. He pulls out his
phone. Frames it again.
CLICK.
He lowers the phone. Just watches. Quiet.
After a moment, he lies back in the grass. Looking up at the
sky. Sunlight flickers through the trees.
His eyes grow heavy. He closes them.
TIME PASSES
The light softens. The breeze continues.
David stirs. Opens his eyes. He sits up— And freezes.
A GIRL sits beside him. MARNA. Barefoot in the grass.
Delicate MONARCH WINGS rest behind her — gently shifting in
the breeze.
She watches him. Calm. Curious. A soft smile.
David blinks. Trying to understand.
DAVID
...Hi?
MARNA
Hi.
A beat.
DAVID
Where did you—
He gestures.
DAVID (CONT'D)
Were you... the butterfly?
Marna nods.
7.
MARNA
My name is Marna. Thank you for
keeping me safe.
DAVID
My name is David.
David looks at her wings. Concerned.
DAVID (CONT'D)
I didn’t hurt you, did I?
MARNA
No.
She touches her wings gently.
MARNA (CONT'D)
A butterfly is nothing without her
wings.
Her tone shifts — softer now. More serious.
MARNA (CONT'D)
It’s dangerous for us butterflies.
David listens.
MARNA (CONT'D)
Sometimes cats chase us.
She glances toward the fence.
MARNA (CONT'D)
Or frogs try to eat us.
A beat.
MARNA (CONT'D)
And sometimes...
She hesitates.
MARNA (CONT'D)
...boys chase us with nets.
David tenses slightly.
MARNA (CONT'D)
They put us in jars.
A beat.
8.
MARNA (CONT'D)
Or pin us to boards.
She looks down. Quiet.
MARNA (CONT'D)
And hang us on walls.
Silence. David shakes his head. Firm.
DAVID
I would never do that.
Marna looks up. Studies him.
DAVID (CONT'D)
I just wanted you to be safe here.
David looks away. Smaller now.
DAVID (CONT'D)
I don’t really... fit in. Here.
He shrugs.
DAVID (CONT'D)
The other kids—they...
He trails off. Doesn’t finish.
MARNA
You’re not like them.
David looks back at her.
MARNA (CONT'D)
You stood up for me. Protected me.
A beat.
MARNA (CONT'D)
Most people only protect
themselves.
She reaches out— Takes his hand. Soft. Careful.
She pauses. Feeling it.
MARNA (CONT'D)
Your hand is so warm.
David looks down. Then back at her. A small, honest smile.
9.
DAVID
Sometimes I wish I could just...
He looks up at the sky.
DAVID (CONT'D)
Fly.
MARNA follows his gaze. Then— She smiles.
MARNA
Do you want to see how I fly?
David looks at her. A spark of excitement. He nods.
9 EXT. DAVID’S BACKYARD — SUNSET 9
Marna stands, holding David’s hand.
Her wings begin to UNFOLD— Slow. Expanding. Catching the
golden light.
A soft shimmer surrounds them. Tiny SPARKS of glowing dust
lift into the air.
David watches— Nervous now.
MARNA
Hold on to me.
She tightens her grip. The air shifts. The grass bends
beneath them. Then— They LIFT.
David’s feet leave the ground. He PANICS.
DAVID
Wait—wait—!
He grips her hand tighter. Looks down—
The ground already pulling away.
DAVID (CONT'D)
I’m gonna fall—
MARNA
You won’t. I promise.
Calm. Certain. She steadies him. They rise higher.
David’s breathing quick. His body stiff. He doesn’t trust it
yet.
10.
MARNA (CONT'D)
Don’t fight it.
(A beat.)
Just stay with me.
David looks at her. Still scared. But, he nods. A small one.
His shoulders loosen. Just a little.
They rise past the fence. Past the roofline. The neighborhood
opens beneath them.
David risks another look down— His fear spikes—
DAVID
This is really high—
MARNA
Don't worry. I’ve got you.
She adjusts her grip. Guides him. His body begins to follow
her movement. Less rigid now. More fluid.
The wind rushes past. David inhales. Sharp. Then again.
Slower. He realizes— He’s not falling. He’s flying. Then—
A small laugh escapes him. Surprised.
DAVID
…We’re flying.
Marna smiles. They glide forward— A trail of SPARKLING DUST
behind them.
David loosens his grip, just slightly. Tests it. He leans—
And the air catches him. His eyes widen. Then— He LAUGHS.
Bigger now. Freer.
DAVID (CONT'D)
I’m flying! I'm really flying!
They soar over rooftops. Over streets. The world shrinking
beneath them. Cars move below— Tiny. Like ants. David points.
DAVID (CONT'D)
Marna, look!
He turns, laughing— Unfiltered now. Pure joy. They rise
higher—
Into the clouds. Soft white mist. David reaches out. His hand
passes through it.
He spins slightly. Unsteady. Then steadies again.
11.
MARNA
You’re doing it, David!
David grins. Breathless. Alive.
A SHADOW glides beside them. A HAWK. Effortless. Powerful.
For a moment— They fly together.
David watches it, then looks at Marna.
DAVID
It’s not scared?
MARNA
No.
David looks out— At everything. Then back at her. No fear
left. Only wonder.
DAVID
Me neither.
10 EXT. SKY ABOVE NEIGHBORHOOD — CONTINUOUS 10
They hover in the golden sky. The world stretches endlessly
around them.
Below: David’s house. Small. Still. The neighborhood reduced
to shapes.
David takes it in. Breathing slower now. Grounded in the air.
He looks at Marna. Still holding her hand.
MARNA smiles at him. Open. Unafraid. Sunlight pours through
her wings, glowing orange and gold.
MARNA
You’re not alone up here.
David looks at her. He nods. He believes it.
They drift together. Two small figures in a vast sky. Held in
light. Still connected. Still flying.
11 EXT. SKY ABOVE BACKYARD — CONTINUOUS 11
David and Marna drift downward from the golden sky. The house
grows larger beneath them. The yard rises to meet them.
They descend— Light. Effortless. Their feet touch the grass.
A soft landing. David stumbles slightly.
12.
DAVID
Whoa!
He spins around. Still catching his breath. Laughing. Full of
energy.
DAVID (CONT'D)
That was so fun!
He looks up at the sky, still in disbelief.
DAVID (CONT'D)
I can’t believe we just did that!
He looks back at her. Bright. Open.
DAVID (CONT'D)
If I had wings, I’d fly every day!
He shakes his head, still smiling.
DAVID (CONT'D)
I’d never come down.
Marna watches him. Smiling softly. Taking in his joy.
DAVID (CONT'D)
Thank you...
That lands differently. Quieter. More sincere.
DAVID (CONT'D)
For showing me that. For taking me
with you.
A small beat. He means it. Then, a grin again.
DAVID (CONT'D)
You’re the coolest friend I ever
had!
Marna takes that in. A soft warmth in her expression.
MARNA
I’m happy we met.
She gently pulls her hand back. Her wings fold in behind her.
Resting. They stand there— Breathing.
The last glow of sunlight around them. Not just wonder now—
But friendship.
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