Script revised

EXT. CENTER OF THE EARTH, SURROUNDED BY COLUMNS THAT REACH THROUGH TO THE SKIES

Atlas is standing in the center of the columns, some of which he holds with his two arms and others of which pierce through his skin. His other wounds consists of a distortedly crooked neck, torn achilles and skin, and crushed knees. Though he appears strong, one can tell the years of strain have withered his body.

ACT ONE

Atlas is shown trembling with pain as he struggles to continue to hold up the pillars, which support the heavens for earth.

Closeup of Atlas' eyes close shut as he lowers his head. Different scenes show parts of his deteriorating body. Atlas loses his grip and the pillars slowly drift down while he tightens his hold. His eyes flash back open, he looks to his left side, and he tightens his grip on the column. He looks to the left and does the same. 

Anger and hatred creep onto his face as scenes flash across his mind. With each passing glimpse, his grasp on the pillars tighten and bit by bit, they begin to actually crack as pieces fall deeper into the depths.

Atlas' face is shown again, and as he looks up, the camera slowly zooms out to reveal his surroundings, Tartarus. The pillars shake and pieces of the sky fall.

Text slowly fades onto the scene.

Release the burden that the gods have condemned you with Atlas. What is keeping you from doing so?

Camera pans on close up of Atlas' face, then onto his eyes which close once more.

ACT TWO EXT. EDGE OF THE MOUNTAINS OF OLYMPUS

Atlas' eyes dart open as the camera zooms out again to show Atlas free, standing before Mount Olympus. In the distance, the original titans fall into the ground in what appears to be Tartarus. 

Text appears. 

Do you remember, Atlas? The war which brought you to where you are now?

Atlas picks up his weapons and leads his forces up the mountain. As they ascend the cliff, some followers fall. At the top of the mountain only Zeus stands, who greets the only remaining titan, Atlas. 

The skies swirl into a vortex, as pillars slowly descend from them, then quickly fall into Atlas. As he is trapped, Zeus delivers the final strike, causing Atlas to fall into the earth. 

Atlas looks up with little strength and sees Zeus over him.

Text fades onto the screen as Atlas is scene struggling to break free in the background. 

The last stand of the titans results in your ultimate failure. You, who fought only for what originally belonged to your fathers, are cast into Tartarus. The sentence, to live the remainder of your eternal life holding the heavens for the gods. So what keeps you from releasing your burden? 

A zoom closes in on his eyes which shift angrily from side to side. The camera then zooms out as he slowly closes his eyes. 

Text appears.

Release it Atlas...

The camera faces the side of Atlas' face as he fades into a silhouette.

Text again appears.

RELEASE IT!

Conflicted, he imagines the sky falling and people in panic and chaos. A zoom shows the gods laughing at the people's misfortunes, which angers Atlas even more. He closes his eyes as he seems to have discovered the answer to his question.

ACT THREE

Atlas is now completely exhausted from the weight on his shoulders. His vision drifts in and out. Through his eyes, in a hazy form, he believes he sees Zeus, the target of his hatred. As he opens his eyes in surprise, it is not Zeus, but a frail old man with the same beard featured for Zeus. The man smiles and slowly back away, as Atlas drifts off into consciousness.

Atlas awakes and sees a small offering left for him at his knees. Atlas is sure of what he needs to do. Although he shakes, he slowly stands to his feet and uses his final strength to grasps tighter hold of the pillars. With a determined look on his face, regardless of his several wounds, he looks strong. He realizes what sacrifice he has to make and bravely accepts his fate.