This section provides a basic outline of the proposed 'Queen of the Damned' script, including characters, plot details and intended alterations. It serves as an introduction to the copy of the unofficial script that is available on this site. The following is a summary of all the vital details of the script. It is especially aimed towards fans of the books as many major changes have been made. This page provides some warning of just what to expect before reading the script or viewing the film...

CAST OF CHARACTERS:

Lestat
(Stuart Townsend)
Akasha
(Aaliyah Haughton)
Jesse
(Marguerite Moreau)
Maharet
(Lena Olin)
Marius
(Vincent Perez)
Pandora
(Claudia Black)
Khayman
(Bruce Spence)
Armand
(Matthew Newton)
David Talbot
(Paul McGann)
Mael
(Christian Manon)

Enkil
(Peter Olsen)
(Briefly featured in a couple of flashback sequences.)

Mekare
(Featured only in a lengthy flashback sequence, Mekare is shown as being pregnant. The identity of the father, Khayman, is later implied, but never fully revealed. She does not play a significant part and it is Maharet who takes over her role, and eventually defeats Akasha.)
Update: It now seems that Mekare may not be featured in the film at all! She is not on the cast list, and I have heard no news about her character being involved in filming.

Additional Characters:

Roger Smythe [Band manager]
(Tiriel Mora)

Satan's Night Out [Maudy, James, Alex, Louisa]
Several punk/biker vampires in a vampire bar
Groupies, journalists, and other Gothic/alternative extras

CHARACTERS NOT FEATURED:

Louis
Gabrielle
Daniel
Magnus
Claudia
Baby Jenks
Eric

CHARACTER RUN-DOWNS:

Lestat is 25 and, for the most part, seems true to nature.

Khayman also appears to be true to nature, as is Maharet.

Jesse is only 18, and works with David Talbot at the Talamasca.
However, she retains most of her qualities, as does David.

Marius is also rather true to nature, although slightly altered...

(Special thanks go to Jesse for providing the following descriptions!)

Marius:

"Marius is a painter in this version, and the Talamasca (which seems true to form) has a number of his paintings, which David and Jesse study. David, seemingly, has been studying Marius for some time, and Marius makes himself known to David briefly when David follows Jesse to the concert. Marius also makes an appearance at Lestat's mansion before the concert, telling him Akasha has risen and not to continue...he also leaves him a painting of Lestat as a rock star. He then shows up at the concert backstage with Lestat and then he is also at the big "gathering" at the end...so it seems he's pretty crucial in this version of the script."

**The following has a strong content warning for Armand and Pandora fans!!**

Major alterations have been made to the characters of Armand and Pandora. They are basically portrayed as 'rebels'. The vampire Armand has been turned into somewhat of a teenage 'brat'. Gone is the depth of his character, and he plays a rather unimportant role. Pandora has also been altered in the most unfortunate way. Dare I say, she has almost become a vampiric 'bitch'...

Pandora:

"There is a short scene where Pandora arises from a Tibetan temple, beneath the stone steps, and then when the vampires all meet up, she remarks that Lestat is "quite the devil" insinuating that she's quite taken with him (!). She says that all Lestat is doing is what they all wanted, which was to live out in the light (!)...she's kind of kept in the background but she does get about a half dozen lines when they meet Maharet, and Khayman briefly goes into the history of the First Brood...and when the First Brood takes Jesse she cattily remarks that Jesse is Lestat's plaything and she might be "of use" (!)...she makes a few more unimportant lines in the climax, and meets a rather unfortunate end..."

BASIC SCRIPT ANALYSIS:

'The Vampire Lestat' and 'The Queen of the Damned' have been combined. However, as the title suggests, the film focuses primarily on 'Queen of the Damned'.

A love story develops between Lestat and the teenage Jesse. It is a major theme of the movie, and much of the second half of the script deals with their relationship. Many scenes have been added to emphasise the Lestat/Jesse relationship. As a result, much of the important information that is crucial to understanding the motivation of the characters in the book has been removed.

In the novel, Lestat is created by Magnus. However, in this film, Lestat is made by Marius. He is transformed soon after his maker is entrusted with the secret of "Those Who Must Be Kept". (That is, soon after Marius takes responsibility of the King and Queen, Enkil and Akasha, and must henceforth guard and protect their bodies from harm.)

The vampiric history is touched upon, but not in any great detail. Several flashback scenes are featured to explain the brief histories of Lestat, Jesse, Akasha, Maharet/Mekare and Marius. The role of Enkil is played down since the history isn't really gone into. But he is featured and of course, killed instantly when Akasha rises.

As in the novel, Akasha is awakened by Lestat's music and appears to him at the concert. As a result, the concert is interrupted and mass mayhem ensues. However, in this film, Akasha's motivations are not fully explained. Akasha's goal is only to destroy the earth. She does not have the reasoning that is featured in the Chronicles. In the case of Maharet and Mekare, the script doesn't mention the twins' mother, the cannibalism, the funeral feast, them being witches, Khayman raping them or anything about Amel. And since Mekare is only featured in flashback, it is Maharet who must do the final battle with Akasha alone.

The other older vampires are also awakened by Lestat's music. Pandora, Khayman and Armand all rise from their graves like Hollywood type vampires. The scenes where these 'Ancient Ones' arise are, to me,  reminiscent of similar scenes in 'John Carpenter's Vampires', where Valek and his followers rise from the earth and join together to venture into the world...

Akasha's death is very much altered  It seems Lestat almost kills his beloved Jesse (to trick Akasha into thinking he wants to join her.) He almost drains her dry, but then all the vampires attack. Pandora, Armand, Mael and Khayman all try to drink from Akasha, and two of them die (better not say who!)  Then Maharet attacks, and drinks from Akasha. She gets paler and paler, then becomes a statue like Akasha once was...Maharet takes on Mekare's role...and, yes, Akasha meets the same fate as she does in the Chronicles.

For more information, please feel free to visit my 'Unofficial Script' and 'Personal Script Analysis' sections.