SUPERMAN LIVES
(un-produced working
draft)
Written by
Kevin
Smith
(reported by imdb to be
rejected)
WARNER BROS.
March 27, 1997
4000 Warner Boulevard
© 1997
Burbank, California 91522
WARNER BROS.
All rights reserved.
------------------------------------------------------------------
EXT. SPACE
An Alien craft floats through the void, approaching a slow-moving
ASTEROID.
INT. ALIEN CRAFT
Two humanoid ALIENS dressed in uniforms pilot their craft nearer
to the asteroid.
ALIEN #1
Receiving a signal from an alien
system,
but there's interference on the
channels.
ALIEN #2
Once we get past this asteroid,
it should
clear up.
Suddenly, THROUGH the windshield, we see tentacles shoot out of
the asteroid.
EXT. SPACE
The tentacles wrap themselves around the craft, and electrical
energy courses between the pair. The "Asteroid" reveals itself to
be the BRAINIAC SKULL SHIP - a tentacled craft that looks like it
sounds. A set of "jaws" protrude and puncture the hull of the
small craft. It glows white hot with power.
INT. SKULL SHIP - OPERATING THEATRE
We see a surgical table, its contents obscured by the shadows,
save for the back of a malformed head. Computer banks and monitors
are everywhere. A small ROBOT works beside the table - implanting
a cable into the back of the malformed head. It throws a switch.
Raw energy blows through the cable, causing the "patient" to
convulse and writhe, screaming.
CLOSEUP - METALLIC SHAFT
as it begins to reconfigure, taking the shape of an arm. We see
the same happen to other parts of his "body" -- hands, legs,
facial features.
EXT. SPACE
The craft the Skull Ship holds then goes dark, the energy being
sucked from it having run dry.
INT. SKULL SHIP - OPERATING THEATRE
The "patient" stops convulsing, as the cable attached to its head
ceases to glow.
BRAINIAC
That was all the energy the craft
yielded?
L-RON
The craft was a short-ranger, my
Lord.
I'm surprised that can had enough
juice
to give you this much form. We
pulled 1.9
trigs out of it. There's nothing
more to
get.
BRAINIAC
(rising)
An inaccurate assessment.
INT. SMALL CRAFT
The frightened Aliens try to re-start their craft.
ALIEN #1
(off computer)
Motion detectors are picking up
something
breaching the hull!
The DOORS melt. BRAINIAC enters: humanoid in appearance, green-
skinned, black-eyed, red-lipped. Metallic, and bald. A series of
metal relays criss-cross his forehead -- three solid circles,
intersected by straight lines.
The aliens reach for LASER-GATLINGS and FIRE, but they cause no
damage. Brainiac instead grabs the weapons, jamming them into his
body -- consuming the lasers into his form, energizing. He drops
the guns, and his hands morph into tendrils, which plunge into the
chests of the terrified Aliens. He absorbs their life forces,
making them husks -- at which point they explode, covering the
cabin in goo. Brainiac inhales deeply, charged.
EXT. SPACE
The tentacles of the Skull Ship unravel from the wrecked craft.
The Skull Ship powers up and thrusts into the void.
INT. SKULL SHIP BRIDGE
Brainiac watches space part before him on the View Screen. L-Ron
joins him, holding a containment unit.
BRAINIAC
The cosmic irony, L-Ron -- I who
have
destroyed a world am now forced
to
subsist like a parasite. Once,
infinite
power was my manifest. Now look at the
pride of Colu -- feeble attempts
to
maintain even this meager
anthropomorphic
form!
L-RON
At least you have what passes for
legs.
Brainiac gives L-Ron a withering look.
BRAINIAC
What did your search of the craft
yield?
L-Ron holds up the containment jar, inside which scurries a multi-
legged fist-sized creature.
BRAINIAC
(glances at it)
Thanagarian Snare Beast. Infancy
stage.
Illegal in sixteen systems due to
the
advanced nature of their growth
patterns
outside of their own atmosphere.
(beat)
Add it to the menagerie.
Then, a BEACON sounds. On the main screen, scrambled letters and
numbers appear, forming the distorted image of Lex Luthor --
commanding, corporate, suave, bald... And ominous.
LEX (V.O)
Greetings. This message --
transmitted in
over one hundred languages -- comes to
you from Earth.
Brainiac regards the message curiously.
LEX (V.O.)
I am Lex Luthor, owner and C.E.O.
of
LexCorp -- a vast and powerful
conglomerate that dominates trade
on this
planet. To whatever life form
that may
receive this, I extend an
invitation to
our world. Non-hostile and eager
to
establish contact with
extraterrestrial
races, Earth welcomes a visit
from
whomever receives this greeting. I myself
call upon you to make contact, so
that we
may establish relations, open
trade
routes...
Brainiac turns away, disinterested. Then, the "friendly" greeting
onscreen turns darker.
LEX (V.O.)
... and discuss any information
you might
have regarding a visitor to this
planet
of Kryptonian descent.
Brainiac snaps to attention, shocked recognition crossing his
face.
BRAINIAC
My days of scavenging are over,
L-Ron.
Lock onto this transmission and
follow it
to this Earth his speaks of.
L-RON
What for?
BRAINIAC
Jor-El's most accomplished creation,
L-Ron -- the Eradicator still
exists!
Brainiac's eyes glow with intrigue. L-Ron shrugs and begins
entering coordinates. Lex's message continues onscreen.
LEX (V.O.)
From one superior intellect to
another --
whomever or whatever you may be
-- I
implore you to come to Earth, so
that we
might discuss the problem we
call...
INT. TELEVISION STUDIO
A CLOSEUP of a stiff-looking TELE-JOURNALIST fills the screen.
HOST
Superman -- friend to Earth, or
hindrance?
Tonight we take a closer look at
the Man
of Steel.
We're in a television studio. While the "Nightline"-like opening
logos play, cameras whirl and reposition. Then:
HOST
Does the existence of a seemingly
god-like vigilante impact the
world
positively or negatively?
Examining this
with us tonight is LexCorp C.E.O.
and
Metropolis' second most
well-known figure,
Lex Luthor.
Seated across from the host, LEX LUTHOR winces at the
introduction. Looking far more congenial than he did in his clip
aboard the Skull Ship, Lex is in public persona.
HOST
Mister Luthor -- you've been the
most
vocal proponent of the Wertham Act -- the
bill that seeks to outlaw
costumed
vigilantes in the greater
Metropolitan
area. Given that Superman is the
sole
individual who could fall under
this
criteria, the question begs
asking -- why
so much distrust of 'the man of
tomorrow'?
LEX
I'm no enemy of Superman, Ted --
quite
the contrary. I find his flair
for
fashion and whimsical abilities
very...
David Copperfield. Such a
crowd-pleasing
showman who makes Metropolis his
home is
a boon for the tourist trade. But
I do
question the good that Superman
represents
for the human race -- beyond
entertainment
value.
HOST
Such as?
LEX
Well -- aiding the planet at
every turn
against war, famine, natural
disaster,
for starters. It represents a
complete
freeze on the evolutionary
process. And
what of his more immediate effects on our
society? Having Superman make his
home in
Metropolis is a veritable
call-to-arms
for any psychotic with dreams of
world
domination. The Wertham Act would
be a
deterrent to those who might
consider
jumping into a pair of tights and
challenging the Man of Steel to a
battle
royale right here on the streets
of our
fair city.
HOST
An interesting position, Mister
Luthor --
but one that I'm sure your
opposition
will refute. We welcome city beat
reporter for the Daily Planet,
Lois Lane.
LOIS sits beside Lex -- beautiful yet poised... even though she
looks thoroughly pissed.
LOIS
This proposed act, which even
Metropolis'
own Governor Bree opposes, is
nothing
more than Lex's one-man crusade
against
Superman. Outlawing the Man of
Steel,
would be like removing the soul
of this
city. I mean, can anyone even remember
what Metropolis was like before
Superman
arrived?
LEX
As I recall, there were less red,
white
and yellow souvenir stands. Miss
Lane --
have you ever been able to look
past your
blind allegiance to this
off-worlder to
think that maybe he employs
criminals to
improve his P.R.? For all we
know,
they're on his books.
LOIS
In Salem, it was a witch-hunt, in
Hollywood, it was the 'Red
Scare'...
Leave it to your fertile
imagination to
come up with 'Cape-Gate.'
LEX
The vehement defense you put up
for him,
I'd say the only thing fertile
around
here is someone's hopes of
carrying a
super-brat one day.
LOIS
That's it...
Lois jumps Lex, who tumbles back in his chair. She begins laying
into him, as the Host LEANS INTO the FRAME, addressing the TV
"audience."
HOST
We'll be right back.
Fade to a commercial -- in an open field, a WOMAN spins a small
boy in her arms:
V.O.
Family -- it's the bottom line
behind
every decision she makes. Yours,
or hers.
In November, vote with your
heart.
The chyron at the bottom of the screen reads 'Paid for by the
Committee to Re-Elect Governor Bree', as the visual locks on the
small BOY in her arms.
CUT TO:
EXT. HOB'S BAY STREET - DAY
The same small Boy, exits a BISTRO, holding the hand of this
mother, GOVERNOR CAITLIN BREE. They are flanked by SECRET SERVICE
MEN. PAPARAZZI and TELEJOURNALISTS (including Cat Grant) converge
on them, snapping photos.
CAT
Madam Governor -- how was the
meal?
GOVERNOR
Excellent. This Bistro represents
the
first major step in the
revitalization of
Metropolis' historic Hob's
Bay.
CAT
Do you think the redevelopment
project
can change the public's
perception of this
area as 'Suicide Slum'?
GOVERNOR
If the meal was any indication,
I'd say
absolutely.
CAT
(to the boy)
How about it, Brodie -- what'd
you think
of the Bistro's food?
BOY
It was the bestest p'sghetti I
had in my
whole life!
The Journos laugh. The Governor kisses her son's head and hugs
him, then turns back to the cameras.
GOVERNOR
I want Metropolitans to know that
there
is no danger in Hob's Bay.
Suddenly, across the street, the side of the building EXPLODES,
raining debris on the crowd. The Governor covers her son.
Five crudely-masked THUGS pour from the hole in the building,
opening fire, sending people running.
Then, from the still-smoking blast-hole, DEADSHOT emerges. Clad
completely in silver and red, featureless (save for the glowing
red gun sight covering his right eye).
The Secret Service Men covering the Governor draw their guns.
Deadshot takes aim with his WRIST-REVOLVERS and shoots the pieces
from their hands. The thugs clear a path for their leader.
The Governor looks up to see Deadshot standing over her.
GOVERNOR
This city will not bow down to
terrorism
of any kind!
DEADSHOT
Maybe not...
He drops the Governor and grabs the boy by his collar.
DEADSHOT
...but I'm sure you will. Won't
you...
mom?
Deadshot holds his wrist-revolver to the scared Boy's head. A
crimson laugh echoes out from behind his mask.
EXT. DAILY PLANET BUILDING ROOFTOP - DAY
We still hear Deadshot's laugh, but from someone else's
perspective - a super-hearing perspective. A very familiar pair of
BOOTS steps to the edge of the building, then steps off
disappearing in a flash of red.
EXT. HOB'S BAY STREET - DAY
A SONIC BOOM fills the air. Deadshot looks to THUG #1.
DEADSHOT
Tell me that was your
stomach.
High above, a streak of RED descends at a rapid rate, rocketing
into the pavement, leaving a hole in the ground.
DEADSHOT
Oh, shit...
The street beneath their feet explodes, and the same red streak
flashes past Deadshot, taking with it the Boy in the blink of an
eye. All immediately mobilize.
DEADSHOT
GRAB THE BROAD AND LET'S GET OUT
OF
HERE!!!
The thugs grab the Governor as a VAN screeches up.
EXT. TOP OF BUILDING - DAY
The Boy is set down lightly on the roof. He opens his eyes, which
then go wide. Before him stands SUPERMAN (um... 90's style),
licking his hand.
SUPERMAN
Mmmm -- Spaghetti.
(hand on the boy)
You okay?
BOY
Can we do that again?!
SUPERMAN
First I gotta beat up the bad
guys.
BOY
My mom thinks you're cute.
SUPERMAN
That's why I voted for her.
Superman winks and leaps into the air, disappearing.
INT. VAN - DAY
The Governor under Deadshot's gun, Thug #1 revs the engine.
Suddenly, through the windshield, Superman explodes up through the
hood of the Van, adorned in engine parts.
DEADSHOT
GET OUT THERE AND VENTILATE
HIM!!!
EXT. HOB'S BAY STREET - DAY
Superman pulls himself from the Van, and hurls the engine at two
of the Thugs. The remaining three open fire. The bullets bounce
from Superman's chest.
EXT. SPACE - SOMEWHERE OVER EARTH
The Skull Ship slinks into our atmosphere.
INT. SKULL SHIP
On the view screen, Brainiac and L-Ron watch Superman fight the
masked thugs.
L-RON
Ugh. Do they all dress like that
on this
planet?
BRAINIAC
That symbol on his chest. It's a
seal of
scientific office. From...
(gets it)
Krypton! It's the
Kryptonian!
L-RON
It can't be him. Kryptonians were
never
known to manifest above-average
strength
or invulnerability.
BRAINIAC
Perhaps he derives his power from the
Eradicator...
L-RON
I don't know -- he's not wearing
any
technology.
BRAINIAC
Get us to this Lex Luthor of
Earth... now!
CUT TO:
EXT. HOB'S BAY STREET - DAY
As bullets bounce off Superman's chest, the Man of Steel's eyes
glow red. Two HEAT BEAMS seer into the machine gun in the hands of
one of the Thugs. The gun glows red, and the Thug drops it.
Superman repeats this with the remaining four thugs, until they're
all disarmed, waving their hands in the air to cool them, looking
as if they're waving goodbye. Superman waves goodbye back at them.
Then we hear...
OC DEADSHOT
Hey - boy scout!
DEADSHOT'S POV THROUGH GUNSIGHT
Superman turns, his face falling into the crosshairs.
Deadshot, holding the Governor, FIRES a single kill SHOT.
Superman's head jerks backwards and pauses momentarily. When he
brings his dead forward, we see the bullet is caught in his teeth.
He rocket-spits the bullet out...
...which hits Deadshot's wrist-revolver, throwing the villain's
arm back, away from the Governor. In a flash of red, Superman is
in front of Deadshot, shaking his head.
SUPERMAN
Look at your outfit. What is this
--
Gotham?
He grabs Deadshot's wrist-revolver, and then finger-flicks the
villain in the head, knocking him out.
People emerge from the Bistro, cheering as the terrorists are
collected by the Authorities.
Superman dusts the Governor off and nods at her.
SUPERMAN
Madam Governor...
He disappears in a flash and a gust of wind, then reappears
holding the Boy.
SUPERMAN
... your most important
constituent.
The Governor hugs first her son, then Superman.
GOVERNOR
Thank you, Superman.
Superman blushes slightly, rub's the Boy's head, and walks away.
He glances down at Deadshot's wrist-revolver.
SUPERMAN'S X-RAY VISION POV
We see first the weapon, then through the weapon and into the
components that make it tick. ZOOM IN ON a set of microscopic
serial numbers, etched into a tiny chip.
BACK TO SCENE
Superman shakes his head and sighs.
SUPERMAN
What a shock. Luthor.
The wrist-revolver EXPLODES in his hands. He drops it to the
ground, where it continues to burn.
EXT. GBS BUILDING - NIGHT
Lex exits the building, flanked by MISTY, his gorgeous but lethal
bodyguard. He holds a small icepack to his cheek.
LEX
I can't believe the bitch tagged
me. What
do I pay you for?
Then JIMMY OLSEN shows up, out of breath. He looks at LEX,
panting, then nods to Luthor's shiner.
JIMMY
Superman?
Lex seethes, as Lois emerges from the building.
LOIS
It was the Joker, Jimmy. He was
mad that
Luthor stole his act.
LEX
I thought journalists were
supposed to be
impartial.
LOIS
I thought humanitarians were
supposed to
be human.
(takes out pen and
pad)
Care to comment?
LEX
Pithy to the last.
Lex hurries to his limo.
LOIS
(to Jimmy)
Pithy. Who uses that word
anymore?
JIMMY
Chief wants you back at the
Planet, Miss
Lane. something big just broke
out in
Hob's Bay!
LOIS
Superman?
JIMMY
There and gone.
They climb into the taxi that pulls up.
INT. LEX'S LIMO - NIGHT
Lex puffs on a cigar. Sipping brandy from a snifter, he clicks on
the TV news, which shows SUPERMAN at Hob's Bay. Lex goes white hot
and wide-eyed with rage.
Up front, Misty rolls her eyes.
EXT. LEXCORP BUILDING - NIGHT
Lex exits his limo and marches bitterly toward the LexCorp
building followed by Misty.
LEX
Six months of planning, and all
for
nothing! With Governor Bree in
line, I
could've taken back control of
this city
from that... that... alien!
INT. ELEVATOR - NIGHT
Metropolis shrinking behind him, Lex watches the digital numbers
rise, seething. Then, the elevator stops abruptly. Misty catches
Lex, setting him upright again.
Suddenly, the hatch at the top of the elevator is ripped off. A
blue-clad arm reached in, pulling Lex out.
INT. ELEVATOR SHAFT
Superman holds Lex in his grip.
SUPERMAN
Fifth floor - hair care
products.
LEX
One of these days, they're going
to pass
the Wertham Act, and then one of
these
nights, I'll be able to blast
your
pajama-clad ass out of the sky...
legally!
SUPERMAN
Speaking of acts of violence --
did you
hear the one about Hob's Bay?
See, this
guy wants to get his anti
Superman bill
passed. So he hires a few masked
goons to
threaten the Governor to speed
the bill
along.
Lex yawns slightly, as if bored.
SUPERMAN
But here's the punchline -- he's
got such
a big ego, he demands that a serial
number from his company show up
somewhere
on the hardware he provided his
hired
mercenaries, thus implicating him
in a
federal offense. Isn't that a
gut-buster?
Lex arches his eyebrows slightly. Then, a pissed Superman yanks
Luthor to him, bringing them face-to-face.
SUPERMAN
I'm putting you behind
bars!
LEX
No... proof... loaded... hardware
with...
self-destructs... triggered by
the...
radiation waves of your... x-ray
vision!
Superman glares at Lex, knowing he's right.
SUPERMAN
Then maybe I should save the
courts of
Metropolis the time -- make
myself the
judge, jury...
Superman hooks his foot under a bar on the elevator and starts
'towing' the car up the shaft at an alarmingly fast rate.
SUPERMAN
... and especially
executioner.
Luthor looks up.
LUTHOR'S POV - The fast-approaching top of the shaft -- jagged and
deadly. If his head so much as touches it, he's a dead man.
Lex panics, as the top of the shaft gets closer. Superman
nonchalantly checks the nails on his free hand.
The ceiling gets closer. Lex jams his eyes shut. Then, Superman
stops, thus stopping the car as well. Luthor's head is a half-inch
from a nasty spike. He opens his eyes slowly, looking from the
spike to Superman.
SUPERMAN
You're hardly worth the
effort.
He drops Lex, and disappears in a burst of red.
EXT. SPACE
The Skull Ship slips into Earth's orbit, menacingly.
EXT. DAILY PLANET BUILDING - NIGHT
The globe spins atop Metropolis's once-largest skyscraper (Lex
built his bigger). All the windows ark dark... except one. And
THROUGH it, we see Lois.
INT. DAILY PLANET CITY ROOM - NIGHT
Lois -- alone at her desk -- types on her laptop. In the midst of
the tapping her fingers create against the keys, ANOTHER PITCH OF
TAPPING joins in. Lois spins around to see Superman floating
outside the window.
Lois trips over a desk or two rushing to the window.
LOIS
Superman!
SUPERMAN
'Evening, Miss Lane. Late
night?
LOIS
I'm just... filing my piece on
Hob's Bay.
Nice bit of work there.
Superman flies in, setting down beside a desk. The nameplate on
the desk says "CLARK KENT."
SUPERMAN
Mister Kent's desk?
LOIS
This is Mister Kent's
fastidiously
immaculate work station -- I call it
Smallville Central.
SUPERMAN
He's not around tonight?
LOIS
Thankfully, no. If I had to
withstand
Clark Kent day and night, I'd be
at my
therapist's twice a week as
opposed to
one.
SUPERMAN
Doesn't take super senses to
detect a
little friction there. Not a fan
of
Mister Kent, Miss Lane?
LOIS
Clark's Clark, you know. He's
great and
all, don't get me wrong. But he
is kind
of a... Dudley Do-right. It's
hard for me
to relate to a man like
that.
SUPERMAN
And why's that?
Lois looks him dead in the eyes. The costumed Adonis gives it back
as good as she's giving. Lois slams down the lid of her laptop and
stands up.
LOIS
Well, Superman, I'm not into all
that
Kansas Boy Scout babble. I'm the
kind of
woman...
(moves closer)
... who like a man...
(brings her lips to
his)
... in tights.
And Lois plants one on Superman -- long and passionate. Superman
breaks the kiss and steps back.
SUPERMAN
Miss Lane... I have something to
tell you.
He pulls Clark's glasses from his cape and slips them on.
SUPERMAN
I'm really Clark Kent.
Lois goes wide-eyed and faints. Superman rushes forward and
catches her. Then she opens her eyes and shakes her head.
LOIS
Really, Clark -- must we go
through this
every night?
They kiss. He brings her back to her feet.
LOIS
Nice job with the bad guys, babe.
I was
proud of you.
SUPERMAN
'Smallville Central.' Who calls
it that?
LOIS
Try everybody, Clark. Even
Jimmy.
SUPERMAN
(shakes his head)
And I loaned that kid twenty
bucks last
week. Ungrateful slacker.
(beat)
How about dinner?
LOIS
Not Burger King again. Let's just
eat at
my place.
SUPERMAN
Why, Miss Lane, you underestimate
me. I
was thinking a more...
monumental
dinner...
INT. LEX'S OFFICE - NIGHT
The nerve center of Lex Corp. A bank of monitors with a vast array
of channels adorns one wall, over which hangs an alarmingly
increasing digital readout titled 'ACRES OF LEXCORP-CLEARED RAIN
FOREST'. In the center of the room, a monolithic desk, backlit by
a large picture window.
Misty sits on the couch, reading a magazine. Lex enters, fuming,
covered in grease. He puts up his hand.
LEX
Don't ask! Just draw me a
bath.
Misty heads off for the huge, sunken marble tub at the far end of
the office and runs the water, while Lex crosses to his desk. He
passes the bank of TV's, all of which detail SUPERMAN'S HOB'S BAY
ENDEAVOR. He pours himself a drink and sits, not noticing L-Ron
resting atop the desk.
L-RON
Greetings --
Lex goes wide-eyed at the robot and leaps from his chair.
LEX
BOMB!!!
Grabbing the robot, Lex charges by Misty and hurls L-Ron into the
tub. He dives onto the floor, hands over his head, awaiting the
blast. After a beat, he looks up.
L-Ron slowly rises from the tub. It discharges water from its
circuits and SPUTTERS.
L-RON
Go with entrance 'B.'
Then, the PICTURE WINDOW EXPLODES. Brainiac glides in, god-like,
much to Luthor's shock. Misty leaps in front of her boss/lover as
the ALARMS sound.
BRAINIAC
Lex Luthor of Earth, I am
Brainiac!
A pair of LexCorp SOLDIERS burst through the doors.
LEX
Kill it!!!
The soldiers open FIRE at Brainiac. He absorbs the bullets. Then,
pulls his energy-suck maneuver (from the first scene). Lex and
Misty stare, wide-eyed.
BRAINIAC
I come to discuss the Kryptonian
you
mentioned in your homing
message.
LEX
(beat; to Misty)
Clean up what's left of those
guys.
Misty nods, backing away. Lex and Brainiac eye each other
cautiously until Lex motions toward his desk. Brainiac follows,
but stops short at Lex's impressive computer setup. He seems
astonished.
BRAINIAC
This technology...
Brainiac sharply raises his hand between he and Lex. Lex startles
a bit as Brainiac's hand then reconfigures into something that he
inserts into the computer. Downloading sounds are heard, as
Brainiac cocks his head, as if sampling wine.
LEX
LexTech Prime. My computers
division
builds these things.
(touches computer)
It's the most cutting-edge, the
most
sophisticated, the most...
BRAINIAC
Primitive. Ancient.
Brainiac extracts his appendage, which reconfigures anew.
LEX
(beat)
Yes, well -- you obviously know
whereof
you speak.
BRAINIAC
This Kryptonian you mentioned --
I know of
him as well.
LEX
Unit nine -- full display.
The images on the monitors align into one single visual of
Superman in action, from earlier that day.
LEX
He's my mortal enemy, the object of my
ire, the...
(change of tone)
You're not a... friend... of his,
by any
chance... Are you?
BRAINIAC
Where I come from, we destroy
that which
impedes our progress. Why have you
not
done the same?
LEX
Kill Superman? Look, I've had
everyone
who was ever a thorn in my side
done away
with. From my third-grade teacher
to my
third wife, nothing eases
friction like...
(mimes a gun to the
head)
Pow -- you know what I'm saying?
Superman
would've been dead as white
weddings if
it weren't for the fact that he's
from
Krypton -- whatever the hell that
is --
which means he can't be
killed.
BRAINIAC
I watched Krypton die screaming,
Lex
Luthor. Invulnerable is something
its
inhabitants weren't.
(beat)
He is aided by technology of some
sort --
a machine?
LEX
Far as we can tell, Pinocchio has
no
strings.
BRAINIAC
(thinking aloud)
Then it's his chemistry -- it
must be
affected by this planet. Radioactive
shards of our destroyed home
world would
be toxic to his system.
LEX
Kryptonite.
Brainiac whirls back.
LEX
I've spent the last two years
and
millions of LexCorp dollars
trying to
synthesize the stuff. You know
what it
yielded?
Lex reaches into a drawer and pulls out a pottery shell, covered
in mossy grass.
LEX
The 'Chia Pet.'
Lex places it on his desk, beside a model of a SPACE STATION WITH
LARGE MIRROR PANELS. Brainiac analyzes the model curiously.
LEX
One of LexCorp's long-range goals
-- a
solar conductor. One of these
days, this
puppy's going to make me a
multi-
billionaire -- going to draw
energy
directly from the sun's surface
and sell
it to the masses.
Brainiac presses something on the model and huge gun turrets pop
out, with accompanying cannons. Lex smiles.
LEX
That's the long, long-range goal
-- a
massive solar-powered
cannon.
As Lex speaks, Brainiac's attention is drawn from the model, to
the footage of Superman in action, then back to the model. A plan
begins formulating.
LEX
We're thinking concentrated
sunbeams might fry a hole
through the man of steel. It's a stretch -- but a guy's gotta have
a dream.
BRAINIAC
(quickly turns)
Blasting him with a solar beam
will only
enhance his power. This world is
fueled
by the light of a yellow sun, is
it not?
LEX
Last time I checked. Why?
BRAINIAC
Krypton, too, was fueled by a sun
-- a
red sun.
(thinks)
The actual construct of this --
is it
operational?
LEX
Maybe in twenty years. But for
what it's
worth, it's up there
already.
BRAINIAC
Surrender it top me. I'll augment
it with
my own technology. Provide me
with this,
and you will not only have your
solar
conductor twenty years ahead of
schedule,
but this Super-man will be...
(mimes gun to head)
Pow -- as you say.
LEX
(catches on)
All the capital, material,
and
technologies of my company are at
your
service... if you can kill
Superman. You
accomplish that, and to this
planet's
inhabitants, I'll make you a
god.
EXT. LEXTECH DYNAMICS - NIGHT
A RADAR DISH reconfigures, as we hear...
SHUSTER
(V.O.)
Mister Luthor -- you can't do
this!
INT. LEXTECH DYNAMICS CONTROL ROOM - NIGHT
A scientist, SHUSTER, argues vehemently with Lex, as Misty
oversees a TECHNICIAN.
LEX
Who pays the bills here, Shuster?
I want
the solar conductor reconfigured
to these
coordinates.
SHUSTER
But it's not durable enough to
travel
this far out of Earth's
orbit!
Lex nods to Misty, who puts the kibosh on Shuster, dropping him to
the floor. Lex glares at the Technician, who feverishly works on
his computer.
MISTY
I would never presume to tell you
your
business, but it seems you're
trading one
alien for another.
LEX
Never trust anyone with the
stones to
call himself Brainiac. I equipped
that
rocket we gave him with a
diagnostics
scanner that'll get me a
complete
breakdown of what makes him and
his
technology tick. And when we have
that,
LexCorp will be the most
powerful
corporation in the world.
MISTY
Because Superman will be
gone?
LEX
Because I'll have harnessed
the
capabilities of an
artificial
intelligence so advanced, it can
hold a
conversation with people... not
to
mention the computers that make
up the
defense systems of every NATO
nation on
Earth.
MISTY
An extortion racket?
LEX
The extortion racket, my dear.
EXT. SPACE
The SOLAR CONDUCTOR (a huge version of the model) powers up. It
rockets deeper into the stars. We pan down from those stars to
see...
EXT. MOUNT RUSHMORE - NIGHT
A nice VIEW of the Presidentially-sculpted mountain. On top of
Washington's head, we see a small fire burning.
EXT. MOUNT RUSHMORE - ATOP WASHINGTON'S HEAD - NIGHT
Clark and Lois sit on a blanket, looking out over the vista. There
is a campfire going, and the remnants of their dinner lay strewn
about the open picnic basket. Lois sips wine from a glass. Clark
drinks orange juice.
LOIS
Monumental. You're such a
goof.
CLARK
Thank Pa for that. He was the
punster of
the family. Ma's the one who
taught me to
cook, though.
LOIS
Ma also teach you how to reheat
chicken
with your eyes?
CLARK
Some things a boy has to learn on
his own.
LOIS
(beat)
Did it ever bother you -- being
the
'adopted' child? Never knowing
your real
parents?
CLARK
If I ever did, it was only
because I
couldn't help but feel my destiny
might've been stolen from
me.
LOIS
How so?
CLARK
I'd start wondering what I was
supposed
to do in life -- what would I be
like if
Krypton hadn't... you know? Who
were my
parents? Would I have ever left
the
planet? Would I have ever come to
Earth?
(beat)
Would I have ever met you?
LOIS
No. But you'd probably still read
me.
You'd say to yourself "If I
could only be
half the writer this Lois Lane of
the
planet Earth is!"
CLARK
(chuckles; then)
I know it sounds silly -- where
do I get
off complaining? Me -- the guy who's
faster than a speeding bullet,
more
powerful than a locomotive...
what's the
last one?
LOIS
Something about tall
buildings.
CLARK
Right. But all that aside, I'm just
a
person, you know? I have what-ifs
like
everyone else. What if I'd grown
up under
a red sun, and never had these
powers?
LOIS
(smiles)
Who would save me, again and
again and
again?
CLARK
Somehow I doubt you'd have any
trouble
getting along without me.
LOIS
Trouble? No. Fun? Yes.
They kiss deeply, as we cut to...
INT. SKULL SHIP
Brainiac and L-Ron watch the solar conductor on their view screen.
BRAINIAC
Launch the hybrid
technology.
L-Ron presses a button on the control panel.
INT. ROCKET CARGO HOLD
Technology extremely alien in appearance fills the cargo hold. It
begins vibrated, then explodes, "growing" out of the smoke. It
spreads throughout the cargo hold and...
EXT. SPACE
...out through the rocket's seams. It consumes the rocket from
within, covering it in bio-metallic tendrils.
In the midst of the Solar Conductor, an Earth made rocket labelled
LexTech 37 grows white hot with energy. Then, lasers burst out of
it from all sides, striking and bouncing off the mirrors of the
solar conductor, creating a 'net' across the miles-wide diameter.
The 'net' begins to slowly prevent sunlight from passing through.
The light that shone on Earth now fades slightly, as Brainiac's
SHADOWCASTER goes to work.
EXT. MOUNT RUSHMORE - NIGHT
Packing up, Clark doubles over slightly, as if suddenly woozy. He
rights himself and shakes it off, smiling.
CLARK
Indigestion. Maybe I didn't cook
the
chicken long enough.
LOIS
You know what I was just thinking
about?
The rocket -- the one you told me
brought
you to Earth... whatever happened to
it?
CLARK
It's at the fortress.
LOIS
Ah -- the He-Man Woman Haters
Club.
(laughs)
Do you ever study it? Try to
learn
something more about where you came
from?
About your parents even?
CLARK
I know all I'm ever going to know
--
there was a planet. It blew up.
End of
story. I'd rather dwell on the
present...
and the future.
(hugs her)
Which is something I'd like to
talk to
you about...
LOIS
(gently moving
away)
No-no. Let's talk about flying
home and
going to bed. We both have work
tomorrow.
CLARK
Why do you always get like this
when I
try to talk about where out
relationship
is going? All I'm saying is that
I love
you...
LOIS
And I love you too...
CLARK
... and I'd like to talk about
something
more... permanent.
Lois' eyes go wide. She stares at him for a beat, then looks down.
LOIS
You know, the first time I heard
about
you, I thought you were a hoax.
'Flying
Man Stuns City,' the paper said.
'Yeah,
right.' I said. But then I saw
you land
that downed shuttle on your back.
And in
that moment, every jaded bone in
my body
believed that a man could fly...
(touches his face)
The first time I met you -- as
Clark -- I
thought you were the squarest
hick to
ever escape Kansas. But when you
called
me 'Miss Lane'... you were so polite
and
even gallant, that you made me
feel like
a princess.
(her head on his
chest)
The first time you told me
about... well,
about your other job, there was a
moment
of shock. And then it all made
sense. Who
else but Clark Kent could care so
much
about people he didn't even
know...
(smiles)
And the first time we
kissed...
(gets teary)
... I knew it was you. You were
the
person I'd stopped believing in
years
before -- the one my mother told
me about.
(beat)
And the first time you left me in
the
middle of the night to rescue
that luxury
liner, I knew that you didn't
belong to
me. You belong to the world.
She steps back and looks at him.
CLARK
Lois --
LOIS
(finger to his
lips)
Your responsibilities are huge. I
can't
possibly expect you to divide
your time
between a wife and the world.
What about
children... if that's even
possible?
CLARK
I could slow down -- pace
myself...
LOIS
And feel the weight of a death
you
couldn't prevent because you were
too
busy bringing the kids to the
video store?
Lois shakes her head sadly. Clark's eyes are downcast -- her words
truer than he can bear.
LOIS
There's nothing I'd want more
than to
share a life with you...
(beat)
But I won't settle for a
half-life.
Clark takes it in somberly. Then he lifts his head, as if
listening to something far away.
CLARK
(beat)
A plane's in trouble over
Paraguay.
(looks at her)
Lois...
LOIS
Go ahead. Just don't forget to
come back
for me.
Clark becomes a blur that turns into Superman. He leaps off the
cliff.
EXT. SPACE - CONTINUOUS
The ShadowCaster seals off a large section of sunlight.
EXT. MOUNT RUSHMORE - CONTINUOUS
Suddenly, Superman is struck, as if shot. He falters in mid-air
and falls against the edge of the cliff.
Lois shrieks and grabs his hand, catching him in the nick of time.
Superman looks up at her, wide-eyed. He throws his other hand up
to Lois. She digs her heels into the ground and pulls, as Superman
climbs up to the safety of the level ground. He collapses to his
hands and knees, breathing heavily. Lois is on top of him,
checking his pulse, feeling his head.
LOIS
God, Clark - are you okay?!
What
happened?! Was it
Kryptonite?!
SUPERMAN
It wasn't a toxic reaction. It
was
something else.
LOIS
We've gotta get you home...
SUPERMAN
(leaps to fly)
I'll be okay - that plane won't
if I
don't leave now.
LOIS
(pulls him back)
Are you out of your mind?! You
almost
fell of a cliff, Clark!
You!
Superman gently extracts his cape from her grip, touching her
face. He then lifts off the ground, hanging there -- apparently
back to normal. He shrugs at her, and disappears in a flash of
red, leaving behind a worried Lois.
EXT. SPACE - NIGHT
The Skull Ship looms through the vacuum of night.
INT. SKULL SHIP - CONTROL ROOM - NIGHT
Brainiac punches some buttons, and the specs on the Eradicator
fill the screen.
L-RON
But how do you know the
Eradicator will
even show up? It's been years, my
liege
-- the technology could be
ancient
history by now.
INT. MENAGERIE - NIGHT
DOORS HISS open, and they enter the vast MENAGERIE -- a zoological
collection of various species collected during Brainiac's journey
through the cosmos. Brainiac heads to one in particular -- a knee-
high, translucent tube, filled with what looks like the contents
of a Lava-Lamp.
Brainiac opens the case, extracting an embryonic protoplasmic life
form. It looks harmless, if ugly, letting out a meager YOWL. He
places it into a missile-looking tube, sealing it closed.
BRAINIAC
Jor-El was no fool -- he would
not have
sent his only child to an alien
world
without the protection the
Eradicator
would provide. The technology is
out
there, L-Ron, and absorbing it
will
provide me with enough power to both
maintain my body permanently and
make me
a god!
L-RON
Right. Let's kill the cape.
A hole opens in the wall, and Brainiac slides the tube into it. He
pushes a large button on the panel.
EXT. SKULL SHIP - NIGHT
The tube rockets from the rear of the ship, and heads toward
Earth.
EXT. METROPOLIS PARK - NIGHT
The capsule rockets into the atmosphere and pierces the ground,
imbedding itself deep within the Earth, unseen.
EXT. DAILY PLANET BUILDING - DAY
The streets of Metropolis bustle below, as we hear...
PERRY
(V.O.)
One more time, Olsen -- in
English,
please: how did we get these
shots again?
INT. PERRY WHITE'S OFFICE - CLOSEUP - COMPUTER MONITOR
We scroll through photos of the Hob's Bay incident.
JIMMY
(O.S.)
Like I said, Chief -- I'm
wired.
PULL BACK to reveal Clark and Lois sitting in front of Perry's
way-too-busy desk, watching Jimmy clicking on a mousepad. PERRY
WHITE, the Planet's venerable old editor, watches, befuddled.
JIMMY
I'm linked to thousands of
other
photo-journalists around the
world. We
exchange images all the
time.
CLARK
Jump into the cyber pool with the
rest of
us, Mister White.
PERRY
And we're allowed to run these
pictures?
JIMMY
Free and clear, with a photo
credit.
LOIS
Give the kid a break, Perry. He's
all
about the paper.
PERRY
Lois -- my office. MY
office.
CLARK
Lois works here under the
assumption it's
hers as well.
LOIS
Eat it, Smallville.
PERRY
Alright, Olsen. You can keep
your
computer-thing up. Mow
vamoose.
Jimmy shuffles by Lois, who pats him on the back. Perry slumps in
his chair.
PERRY
Down to brass tacks -- what have
either
of you got?
LOIS
A top LexTech scientist, a Dr.
Shuster,
went missing last night.
CLARK
Got a call from a technician who
said
that Shuster and Lex got into a
heated
argument over the altered
trajectory of
that LexTech experimental space
station.
PERRY
The one Lex has yet to disclose
the
purpose of to NASA? What else?
LOIS
The boys in weather fed me this
one --
seems that dawn was eleven
minutes behind
schedule this morning.
PERRY
Cause?
LOIS
Unsubstantiated rumors of
something
spotted by the fellas up at
the
observatory. Sounds like a story
up
Smallville's alley.
CLARK
I believe Mister White gives out
the
assignments here, 'Laney.'
LOIS
Don't call me that.
CLARK
Then don't call me
Smallville.
The PHONE RINGS. Perry pounces on it.
PERRY
White -- go!... What?... I'll be
right
there!
(hangs up)
Both of you stay here and hash
out who
gets the space-thing. I'll be
right back.
Perry storms out of his office, leaving Clark and Lois alone.
There is some silence. Then...
CLARK
I'm sorry I didn't stay over last
night.
LOIS
I'm an adult, Clark. I'm not
throwing a
hissy just because you missed
my
sleepover.
CLARK
I'm having a hard time
understanding what
I said that was so wrong.
LOIS
You didn't say anything wrong,
Clark. You
said everything a woman spends
her whole
life waiting for a man to say to
her.
CLARK
Then why your reaction? Why this
distance?
LOIS
Because you're not a man, Clark.
You're a
god.
Clark attempts to say something, but pauses. He listens to
seemingly nothing.
EXT. METROPOLIS PARK
From the hole in the ground the pod made, smoke begins to rise
ominously. There's a rumbling sound.
INT. PERRY WHITE'S OFFICE - DAY
Clark is still listening. Lois looks at him, puzzled.
LOIS
What is it?
INT. DAILY PLANET CITY ROOM - DAY
Journalists look up from there keyboards, as the ROOM begins to
SHAKE.
EXT. METROPOLIS PARK
The ground shakes; thunderous roars emit from the hole.
INT. PERRY WHITE'S OFFICE - DAY
Lois looks slightly panicked. Clark unbuttons his collar.
LOIS
Earthquake?
SUPERMAN
Can't be - I checked the crustal
plates
just last month.
INT. METROPOLIS SEWER SYSTEM
At a dank and dripping cross section, a pair of SEWER WORKERS
check a pipe that's broken loose. The tunnel begins to shake
violently, and the sewerage begins bubbling. The workers look at
it, then head for the manhole. Suddenly, something erupts from the
muck, looming huge in the shadows behind the fleeing workers.
Whatever it is pulls them beneath the sewerage.
EXT. METROPOLIS PARK - DAY
Suddenly, the GROUND EXPLODES, throwing passersby flying, leaving
a six foot crater.
INT. PERRY WHITE'S OFFICE - DAY
Perry bursts in, as Clark quickly re-buttons his collar.
PERRY
There's a report of an explosion in the
sewer beneath Metropolis
Park!
LOIS
(grabbing Clark)
We're on it, Chief.
She pulls Clark out of the office at a speedy clip.
EXT. STAIRWELL - DAY
The door flies open and Lois and Clark rush in. Lois slams the
door closed behind her.
LOIS
Sounds like a job for...
CLARK
(pulls off jacket)
I want you to do me a favor --
whatever
you do, stay away from Metropolis
Park.
I've got a bad feeling about
this.
LOIS
I've got a good feeling that
whatever it
is is news. And me being a
journalist...
CLARK
Lois -- no!
Lois looks in to his eyes. He seems almost afraid.
CLARK
(softening)
Last night -- the cliff...
LOIS
You slipped, Clark. That's
all.
CLARK
But it happened when I grabbed
the plane,
too. Something didn't... feel
right. My
strength...
(hands on her arms)
Just, please -- stay put until I
know
everything's alright.
LOIS
(smiles and nods)
Go find a phone booth.
Clark dashes away, taking the stairs two at a time, then five. In
the blur that travels at more-than-human speed down flight after
flight, the colors that emerge from the gray of Clark's suit are
the familiar blue and red.
EXT. DAILY PLANET BUILDING - DAY
Through the revolving doors shoots the Man of Steel, creating a
SONIC BOOM in his wake, sending the papers, trash and hair of
Metropolitans flying.
EXT. METROPOLIS PARK - DAY
Superman arrives at the crater. He looks into the darkness. Then,
he hears something above.
EXT. SPACE
The ShadowCaster seals off another section of sun.
EXT. METROPOLIS PARK - DAY
Superman looks down again, then up. He's about to leap into the
air to investigate the sound from above. Suddenly, two gray, meaty
paws erupt from the Earth, pulling Superman underground.
INT. SEWER TUNNEL - DAY
Superman emerges from the muck spitting out waste. He wipes his
eyes clean and looks up to see...
An unearthly monster -- ferocious and gray in appearance, leathery
skin pock-marked with rock-like protrusions.
Doomsday has arrived.
The beast leaps at the Man of Steel. the pair begin their fight,
throwing punches and kicks. Doomsday grabs Superman by his cape
and swings him through the side of the tunnel.
Doomsday pulls aside concrete, giving himself a clear passage into
the other tunnel, when Superman appears from no where,
uppercutting the tremendous beast, sending him flying...
EXT. METROPOLIS PARK - DAY
... through the crater, into the park. Superman shoots out of the
hole behind him, landing beside the beast.
SUPERMAN
(to BYSTANDERS)
CLEAR OUT OF HERE! NOW!
Doomsday kicks Superman in the back, but Superman rallies.
INT. SKULL SHIP
On the main screen, we see the combatants fighting.
L-RON
He's incredible. He just keeps
going.
BRAINIAC
I call it 'Doomsday.'
L-RON
Not that thing -- Superman. Look at him
battle!
Brainiac offers the little robot a dour expression. L-Ron
deflates. Brainiac pushes a button on the control board.
BRAINIAC
I wouldn't lay wagers on the
Kryptonian
just yet.
EXT. SPACE
The ShadowCaster goes full throttle, completely cutting off what
little sunlight was seeping out.
EXT. METROPOLIS - DAY
The sun -- eclipsed by Brainiac's device -- disappears, plunging
the Earth -- and the city -- into the darkness of moonlight.
INT. DAILY PLANET BUILDING - NIGHT
Lois and Jimmy watch from the windows. The City Room's in a panic.
Perry joins them.
JIMMY
Hey! It's only noon! What's going
on with
the sun?
PERRY
(handing them
photos)
This just came in from government
weather
satellites...
The photos show the ShadowCaster in its dormant and operative
mode.
PERRY
I can only hope Kent's out there
covering
this...
(to Lois)
The same place you should be,
although
from a safe distance.
LOIS
But Chief, I promised...
PERRY
Olsen -- you go with her. I want
some
candids of whatever that thing
is
Superman's fighting.
JIMMY
I'm on it, Chief! C'mon, Miss
Lane!
Jimmy drags Lois out. Perry calls after them.
PERRY
And hurry! If I know the Man of Steel,
this rumble's going to be over
before
it's started.
EXT. METROPOLIS PARK - NIGHT
Superman takes a hit from Doomsday and goes stumbling backwards.
He pauses and notices the fading sunlight. Then, it dawns on him:
his power source is being cut off.
Doomsday plows into him. Superman fights back valiantly, but knows
that he's being depleted. He begins to falter. Doomsday grabs him
and hurls Superman back into the hole.
INT. SEWER SYSTEM
Superman lands, and Doomsday is on him anew, holding Superman in a
headlock. Superman flips Doomsday off his back and drop kicks him
down the tunnel, out of sight.
Then, we hear a HIGH PITCH SHRIEK sounding. Superman winces -- the
sound filling his head. The SHRIEK FADES, and we hear TAPPING, as
if on a MICROPHONE, and...
LEX (V.O.)
Is this thing on?
(chuckles)
Hello, Blue-boy. It's your better
--
Luthor -- speaking to you from
a
frequency that only super-hearing
can
detect.
INT. LEX'S OFFICE - NIGHT
Lex looks out upon the prematurely-darkened Metropolis -- a
microphone in his hand.
LEX
Things don't look too good for
you, alien.
It seems I've finally found your
Achilles
heel: the Earth's yellow
sun.
EXT. SEWER DROPOFF DRAIN
Superman enters cautiously.
LEX (V.O.)
Without it, you're not that
impressive.
Look at you -- alone, beaten,
nearly
broken. Where are all the good
people
you've put your neck on the line
so many
times for? You'd think they'd
return the
favor.
Then, Doomsday drops from the ceiling, crushing the Man of Steel.
They fight through the current, heading toward the dropoff.
Superman pulls himself from D-Day's grasp, but Doomsday double-
fists the floor, shaking the ceiling loose, which comes down
around Superman, pinning him.
Doomsday winds up and gives Superman a right-hook, sending him
falling into the churning muck below.
EXT. METROPOLIS STREETS
Lois slides across a cab's hood, rushing toward the park. She
muscles through the crowds that keep their distance.
INT. SEWER DROPOFF
Doomsday studies the muck below.
Superman explodes from the sewerage. howling up at Doomsday in a
flash, catching him with his fists. The pair...
EXT. METROPOLIS STREETS
... shoot through the pavement, spraying debris everywhere.
Superman goes ballistic, racing at the beast anew, pummelling him.
But Doomsday rallies back, throwing punches that actually draw
blood. The Man of Steel drops to his knees, Lex's voice still
filling his head.
LEX (V.O.)
You'd think the solar energy that
you
store would last longer, wouldn't
you? I
mean, you fly at night, and
there's no
sun then? Why are you weakening
now?
(chuckles)
Apparently, soaring through the
sky,
catching muggers, and rustling
the
occasional cat burglar doesn't
take the
effort it's taking you to hold
your own
against the mindless wonder
there. Any
stored solar energy you may have
is being
exhausted. Plainly put -- you're
running
out of gas, and the pumps are
closed.
Doomsday leaps atop Superman, beating him down, savagely.
Superman's running out of time.
EXT. ANTARCTIC
The snow is almost blinding, even in the darkness. We PAN ACROSS
the tundra and DROP INTO a large canyon.
INT. ANTARCTIC CANYON
Buried deep in the snow, we see the FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE --
Superman's home away from home. Outside the massive front doors
stand two statue-like POLAR BEARS.
INT. FORTRESS
Amongst various trophies and keepsakes, hangs a ROCKET - an escape
craft that brought Superman to Earth, all those years ago.
INT. CRAFT
In the cabin, electrical pulses start to ignite. A screen forms,
igniting with a series of random numbers and Kryptonian letters,
until they form the "S" insignia.
CUT
TO:
EXT. METROPOLIS STREETS
The torn "S" insignia on Superman's chest, dripping with blood.
Superman gives it his all against the mindless Doomsday, the voice
of Lex still filling his head.
LEX (V.O.)
I really just called to tell you
that
your reign is over. You're being
replaced.
And this city... this world is
about to
fall on its knees before LexCorp
and its
C.E.O.
We hear Superman's HEARTBEAT -- and it's not that strong.
INT. CRAFT
Back in the Antarctic, the HEARTBEAT FAINTLY ECHOES through the
cabin. The "S" on the screen gives way to a vital signs graph,
including a heart-rate monitor. All the signs are dangerously low,
as indicated by the readout.
INT. FORTRESS
The body of the rocket dislodges from the ceiling, falling to the
snow. It begins transforming, growing a body.
EXT. METROPOLIS STREETS
Superman and Doomsday go at it, both weakening. But it's clear
Superman's the worse off.
Lois pushes through the crowd, followed by Jimmy. Her eyes go
wide.
LOIS
Clark! Go! Fly away! Get out of
here
before that thing kills
you!
His power diminished, the Man of Steel is on the ropes. His lethal
opponent, too, appears to be reaching for the grave. But neither
relents. And even now, Superman has Lex's voice in his head.
LEX (V.O.)
You had no business here from the
start,
Kryptonian -- but here you'll
die...
CLOSEUP - SUPERMAN
who allows himself a quick, pained glance at...
CLOSEUP - LOIS
-- eyes filled with tears.
CLOSEUP - SUPERMAN
as he manages a final weak smile, as if to say good-bye.
LEX (V.O.)
I just wanted you to know who it
was that
beat you, boy!
CLOSEUP - LOIS
She at first smiles through her tears as well, until she realizes
what it means.
LOIS
(shaking her head;
screaming)
Noooooo!
And the pair throw their last punches, connecting with one
another's heads. The shock of their mortal BLOWS EXPLODE like a
sonic boom throughout Metropolis.
CLOSEUP - LOIS
Wide-eyed.
CLOSEUP - JIMMY
Who stops snapping photos and looks up.
INT. LEX'S OFFICE - CLOSEUP - LEX
Who stares down at the tiny spectacle from high above, smiling.
EXT. METROPOLIS STREETS
And in a moment that seems like an eternity, the two mighty
combatants fall to the ground.
INT. FORTRESS
... And the Eradicator comes on-line. He stands erect, taking in
his surroundings. He moves to a nearby computer and hooks into it.
A map of the world fills the screen. We digitally race through it
and land in...
EXT. METROPOLIS STREETS
The city is paralyzed. Then, the crowd starts to move -- news
crews and military personnel converge, crowding around the fallen
Superman.
Lois fights her way through the masses, dropping to her knees
beside the fallen Man of Steel. She lifts his head from the
rubble, cradling it. He opens his eyes, partially, muck, filth,
and blood obscuring his vision and suit.
SUPERMAN
(weakly)
Is... is it...
LOIS
Shhhhh... you did it, Clark. You
did it.
SUPERMAN
(looking into her
eyes)
Lois...
He goes limp. Lois breaks down. The crowd's in shock.
Superman is dead.
INT. SKULL SHIP
Brainiac and L-Ron smile at the same image on the ship's view
screen.
BRAINIAC
Throw out a wave-pulse net. If
my
calculations are correct, the
technology
will be coming on-line soon.
INT. FORTRESS
The Eradicator stares up at the mapping system, with a flashing
red light indicating the fallen Superman's location.
ERADICATOR
Metropolis.
INT. SKULL SHIP
L-Ron looks up from the monitor on the control panel.
L-RON
So far, nothing, my Liege.
BRAINIAC
Patience, L-Ron. He'll
come.
INT. FORTRESS
The mapping on the screen transposes, and rises above Metropolis,
landing on a diagram of the Skull Ship. Over the image flashes the
message "predator detected."
ERADICATOR
Brainiac? Here?
The image disappears, replaced with "activating cloaking
device."
The Eradicator then concentrates on the map.
ERADICATOR
Now -- how to get to Kal-El
without being
detected...
(thinks)
Or get Kal-El... to me!
The Eradicator types at the computer he's hooked into. The screen
begins filling with numbers, letters, and an array of binary
codes.
INT. SKULL SHIP - ON CONTROL BOARD
A signal BEEPS. Brainiac punches a button anxiously, only yo be
greeted by Lex's face on the view screen.
LEX
What are you waiting for? phase
two! If
this is going to work, we have to
move to
Phase Two, now!
Brainiac scowls at the screen and switches off.
BRAINIAC
Insolent hunk of meat.
(sighs)
Animate the carcass.
EXT. METROPOLIS STREETS - NIGHT
CLOSEUP - DOOMSDAY'S EYES
A HIGH-PITCHED CHARGE is heard, and the dead eyes snap open.
The CREATURE stirs, then sits bolt upright, GROWLING.l The crowd
begins screaming.
The tearful Lois looks up from her fallen lover, to see Doomsday
moving.
INT. SKULL SHIP
L-Ron enters codes and presses buttons, animating Doomsday's
corpse, which we see on the view screen.
BRAINIAC
Finish this mess so we can find
the
technology!
L-Ron hits a button.
EXT. SKULL SHIP
From the Skull Ship's bow, a red beam emits, cutting through
space.
EXT. METROPOLIS STREETS
The beam strikes the animated dead body of Doomsday, incinerating
it. People leap out of the way as DOOMSDAY EXPLODES.
Metropolitans look skyward for the source of the blast, but find
nothing.
Lois is among them, for a beat. She then goes back to cradling her
lover's head. Jimmy comforts her, then sadly stands, looking
through the eyepiece of his camera.
JIMMY
Rest in peace, big guy.
We HOLD on the FROZEN PHOTO IMAGE of the Man of Steel held by his
secret love.
DISSOLVE
TO:
EXT. METROPOLIS SKYLINE - NIGHT
The next day, the city is dark -- both in mourning and in lack of
sun.
EXT. METROPOLIS STREETS - NIGHT
On the streets below, artificial light is cast from high-powered
LexCorp kliegs. It's the same straight down the avenue -- LexCorp
lights, everywhere.
And people, as well. The crowds are enormous -- all wearing black
arm bands emblazoned with Superman's "s" shield. They scramble to
get a look at...
A horse-drawn carriage, in the midst of which is a casket. Its
open top reveals Superman -- eyes closed, peaceful, his cape hangs
over the lid.
EXT. METROPOLIS - NIGHT
Its backdrop draped in black, with a blown-up photo of Superman
adorning the center, the viewing stage hold various city and world
dignitaries, who stare mournfully at the approaching carriage.
Cat Grant addresses her camera team, flanked by Lois.
CAT
Cat Grant here, bringing you W.G.B.S.'s
continuing coverage of what the
President
has called 'the world's darkest
hour.'
Offering her perspective on this
sadly
historic day is Daily Planet
reporter,
Lois Lane -- whose name is
synonymous
with the Man of Steel's.
LOIS
While we here in Metropolis say
goodbye
to a friend, around the globe,
crisis
management teams are working
tirelessly
to counter the effects of the
eclipse.
EXT. FOREIGN LOCALES
While Lois speaks, we see LexCorp kliegs powering up, at sights
around the globe. LexCorp trucks empty LexCorp food supplies.
LOIS (V.O.)
Financial analysts have predicted
that
LexCorp will make billions from around
the globe as the sole supplier
of
available energy.
EXT. METROPOLIS PARK - NIGHT
Lois continues.
LOIS
The burial monument, commissioned
by Lex
Luthor himself, strikes this
reporter as
being built in a remarkable
expedient
fashion. When questioned on this,
Luthor
responded evasively, "We had
our
differences, but a man such as
this
deserves an equal
memorial."
CAT
Lois, perhaps the greatest
memorial to
his efforts is that so far,
zero
casualties have been reported
from this
city-wide battle.
LOIS
Although my...
(choking it back)
My... colleague, Clark Kent is
still
missing, presumably killed during
the
fallout from the battle. Rescue
teams
have been sifting through the
rubble, but
so far there's no sign of... of
him.
CAT
More on that story tonight, but
right now,
the procession has reached the
tomb.
The carriage stops, and a priest says a blessing over the Man of
Steel's body, closing the casket lid. But before it closes, we get
a glimpse of two small blinking lights attached to his suit.
INT. SKULL SHIP
On the view screen, an outline of Superman's body has the same
corresponding blinking red lights. L-Ron notes this.
EXT. METROPOLIS PARK
Pallbearers carry the casket toward the MONUMENT: a huge, bronze
replica of Superman in his up, up, and away stance.