When I was given the chance to read "The Shadow" screenplay I was geeked up for the opportunity. Not because I was a fan of the character, I knew nothing about the character or the universe going in, but because I love reading scripts. I've read them and edited them as a secondary form of income, I've written them and enjoyed a couple of failed meetings, but getting to read one and review it was something I hadn't been given the chance to do, until now. I actually looked at it as a good thing that I wasn't familiar with anything related to the character of The Shadow, never read the graphic novels or heard any audio from the radio shows. Didn't see 1994 film or catch any footage from the failed television attempts.Although I can never be categorized as such, I was going into this as close to being "the general public" as possible. No inside information, no affinity or distaste for the character, I was "Joe Moviegoer" if only for a night.

The script was written by Siavash Farahanl, and what I had in my virtual hand was the 2nd draft dated 8/01/09. From what I can gather from some quick research, this is a debut script by Farahanl, but he did take on director duties on a project titled "Ingenue" in 1999. From page one you are thrown into a dark and gloomy version of New York City, as a girl in her twenties contemplates suicide teetering on the beams of the Brooklyn Bridge. This is the readers first look at Margo Lane. The name certainly caught my attention, a hybrid of Margot Kidder & Lois Lane I thought to myself, not realizing that the character of Margo Lane made her first appearance in 1937. Before there was a Lois Lane. The young suicidal girl is hesitant and ends up loosing her balance falling fast off the bridge, only to be caught by a laughing "Shadow" who gives her a second a chance at life. "The Shadow" who knows a little too much about her sad past, propositions her with a new life which later leads to money and heart thumping adventure as an agent working under his umbrella.

Let me just say Margo Lane and The Shadow are characters you care about, Farahanl plays up the mystery of The Shadow against the vulnerability and naivety of Margo Lane, and they remained connected even though their story lines criss-cross throughout the script. Although the possible film could be looked at as an ensemble piece because of the plethora of characters, these two characters are the backbone of the script. You never get sick of The Shadow's viewpoint on the world around him and his role as the ultimate anti-hero. He's menacing, he can break bones with his bare hands, and mow down an entire room of thugs with his Colt 45's. Margo Lane is that fish out of water that you grow with. She goes from a helpless lost soul to an empowered heroine because she has to. Being thrust into a word of murder and mayhem would force anybody to learn the way of the gun and you really believe in her character development.

Farahanl does a decent job of balancing the rest of the characters and believe me, it is a tall order, many of said characters are agents working under The Shadow. The best way to describe them are as much less campy versions of Doc Savage's "The Fabulous Five". You are introduced to the Shrevvy early on, he acts as a cab driver, bringing Margo to the beginning of her new life at the Metrolite Hotel. The loyal Shrevvy can be found through out the course of the script, providing transportation at all the right times for Margo. That same night we are introduced to Inspector Cardona at Trinity Church, in a twist Father Francis is confessing to him about a "supervillian" who is called Mr. Remorse. Remorse is responsible for various slayings and a kidnapping. The murderer confesses his deeds to Father Francis who in turn shares them with the Inspector.

At the church is where we are first introduced to Mr. Remorse, he storms the confessional with deadly white German Shepards, which completely bungle Father Francis. Remorse is an imposing figure clad all in white to match his crazed dogs and sports a gas mask in the vein of a human skull. Sounds like a sick visual to be viewed on screen. Of course The Shadow puts down the Shepards and saves Cardona, you can tell they have somewhat differing views on justice. Although The Shadow doesn't have a shadowy face to white mask showdown with Remorse at this point. There is plenty of that to be had throughout the script.

The Shadow and Remorse tango everywhere from outside the New York stock exchange during a Christmas tree lighting to an epic battle involving trains. Remorse comes at The Shadow with everything from a flamethrower to an assault rifle while The Shadow relies on his hand to hand combat skills and his trusty Colt 45's. This script definitely doesn't lack action. From car chases to the gun battles, which occur not only when The Shadow graces the pages, but when the storyline with Margo elevates and she gets her legs about her. Her first assignment as an agent at the Metrolite Hotel involves a stake out in which she witnesses a murder and gets shot at before being driven away by the always reliable Shrevvy to meet agent Claude Fellows at a secret local who reveals more about her role in The Shadow's twisted world.

I'm not going to give you a line by line account of the entire storyline but I am going to tell you the script was more than solid. The action is balanced and as I mentioned above you really care about the two main characters which is most important in any form of written or visual media. I think the general public seeing The Shadow on screen for the first time would be akin to the first time they laid eyes on Blade or Nolan's Batman in "Batman Begins". You get that sense of wonder just from reading Farahanl's descriptions of the character and that world of mystery never fails you as you reach the end of the journey. Margo's character journey is impressive and realistic. You sympathize with her, you cheer for her as she grows, and you reach the last page wanting more of her.

The problem I see with this venture is that the general public will feel a sense of, "haven't we seen this all before?". Even though "The Shadow" was a trailblazer in regards to comics the average moviegoer will be comparing this possible film to "Batman", "Daredevil", "The Punisher", "Wanted" and other similar films. Some of the lines voiced by The Shadow echo "Batman Begins", which isn't necessarily a bad thing. The way he approaches a criminal situation are very similar to "The Punisher" and "Batman". His vigilante reputation, where he is still looked at as a criminal by the police and the public, echoes the ending of "The Dark Knight" and the agents give you a taste of "Wanted". I hope that if this film does indeed make it to screen because if you are a comic-book fan you will love this script and a possible film, it is the general public that might not get on board as they should.

Another factor working against possible commercial success is the content. There is nudity and some brutal fight scenes. A man thrown into meat grinder and coming out as ground beef on the other side. Broken bones at every turn. Body parts strewn around a train station. Hookers servicing males. You're looking at an "R" rating which ultimately can hurt box office if not given right type of marketing. Columbia Pictures doesn't want this to become the next "Watchmen" or "Punisher: War Zone" but if you go to a PG 13 you lose the ferocity of "The Shadow" that Farahanl so meticulously crafted. Farahanl has done the character justice and has turned at least one individual into a fan of "The Shadow", I hope to be in my usual row in the middle of the theater when this film previews.

"The Shadow" is currently set up at Sony with Sam Raimi (having recently walked from the "Spider-Man" films) lined up to produce. However, we are hearing from our sources that Raimi is itching to get back in the director's chair ASAP and wants "The Shadow" to be his next directorial feature. He loves the character and flipped over this latest draft.

Remember, we called the "Spider-Man 4" troubles first. Even when the parties involved either pleaded the fifth or just denied it outright. So we are aware of what’s going on over at Sony as well as Raimi's camp. Whether Raimi gets his way remains to be seen.

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