The Fall of Superman

SCRIPT TITLE
Written by
Name of First Writer
Based on, If Any
Address
Phone Number
EXT. SPACE - NIGHT
The red and yellow S against the backdrop of stars.
Superman floats at the highest reaches of Earths atmosphere.
His eyes are closed. He is alone. Drifting.
His head snaps up, his arms shoots out into fists. Theres
not enough oxygen for a sonic boom. Instead the world warps
around Superman in heat waves as he shoots off.
Hes pushing himself. Trying to fly faster than ever before.
His eyes narrow. His jaw tightens. He blurs into a red line
and his wake grows even more distorted.
Superman laughs, slows, but theres not much to snag him up
here. So he coasts until dawn. Unnatural dawn, as he flew
from the dark side of the world.
Sweet drips down his tired smile as he shifts to a standing
position, arms wide to embrace the sunlight.
We can see the fatigue lifting from him. The sweat stops
dripping. The relief washing over his face. To him this is
love and chocolate cake and inner peace.
He falls towards Earth, moving towards South America.
EXT. A SMALL TOWN IN ARGENTINA - DAY
Supermans feet touch the earth and kick up a puff of dust.
He falls into a slow walk immediately.
INT. CORNER SHOP - DAY
A bell chimes but the SHOPKEEPER doesnt look up from his TV
but KID does. His eyes grow wide and mouth drops open.
KID
Padre. Padre!
SHOPKEEPER
Que?
KID
Es l! Es l!
Superman moves up to the counter and sees a small, crude doll
that is unmistakably hand-made and fashioned after him.
SUPERMAN
Uh, disclpeme?
The Shopkeeper rises and takes off his hat.
SUPERMAN (CONTD)
I was wondering if I could get some
aqua. I dont have any money. It
falls right out the suit.
The Shopkeeper understands but is stunned. Kid sprints to a
cooler and grabs a bottle of water to offer to Superman.
KID
Aqui.
Superman checks with a nodding Shopkeeper, still stunned.
SUPERMAN
Gracias.
Superman drinks from the bottle as the kid moves behind the
counter to pick up the doll and a pen, never taking his eyes
off Superman, who is looking back in a bemused manner.
The kid offers up a pen and the doll.
SUPERMAN (CONTD)
You want me to sign this?
KID
Si.
SUPERMAN
Super-hombre?
KID
No. Superman.
SUPERMAN
(gesturing to himself)
Yo soy Super-hombre.
KID
No. Ustead es Super-MAN.
SUPERMAN
Huh...
He autographs the doll and hands it over before smiling to
the father. Then he sees the news on TV.
Bogot is under siege. Guerrillas move down the street
holding ADVANCED WEAPONS. One of them levels his gun at a
military jeep. It fires off a laser shot that destroys the
vehicle in a fiery explosion.
2.
His posture and timber shifts. Clark is totally eclipsed.
SUPERMAN (CONTD)
Thank you for the water.
(to Kid)
Listen to your father.
EXT. OUTSIDE THE SHOP - DAY
A group of kids appears. They point and shout as they see
Superman who runs into the street before being enveloped in
dust and a sonic boom as he departs.
The dust falls. The kids stare with mouths agape in awe.
EXT. SOMEWHERE IN BOGOT - DAY
CAROLINA [30s, Colombian] speaks with perfect english.
CAROLINA
No information yet on how these
weapons came into being or where
the rebels got them from. However,
they have not advanced to the
Presidents location. After having
a shoot out with the military
theyve stopped and-
A laser blast hits the ground next to Carolinas feet. She
vanishes and the camera shakes falls to the ground. The
picture is still. Then it shakes again. LUIS [30s, rebel]
appears holding a small advanced pistol to Carolinas head. A
half-dozen men all with large advanced weapons stand behind.
Theres something off. These men dont LOOK like rebels. They
look like average Joes. Like nerds.
LUIS
Hold the camera on me.
(composed)
The demands of this rebellion are
simple and they will be met.
A red blur and the six weapons are smashed, nearly cut in
half. They fall to the ground, their wielders dazed.
LUIS (CONTD)
Too long, our people have worked
for a corrupt and incapable leader.
We do not want violence. We do not
wish to harm anyone.
3.
Superman walks towards the six men who attempt to attack him.
He has to take it easy on them, hit slow and light. Four fall
like sacks of flour. The fifth hits Superman and bows in pain
as his mouth is covered by Supermans hand. The sixth runs.
LUIS (CONTD)
Today will be marked as a new dawn
for the people of Colombia and we
hope it lights a fire to all the
people in the wo-
A flash and Superman is crushing the pistol.
SUPERMAN
(to Carolina)
You alright?
CAROLINA
Uh, yes, I am.
SUPERMAN
(to Luis)
Lets have a chat.
Superman yanks Luis in to the air as he lifts-off.
CAROLINA
I--you--Superman is here now, the
rebels demands have been stated, I-
INT. DAILY PLANET OFFICE ANNEX - DAY
The newsroom is in anarchy. LOIS LANE and JIMMY OLSEN stare
at the feed.
LOIS
Shes one lucky lady.
Jimmy gives her an incredulous look.
INT. LEX CORP WAR ROOM - DAY
LEX LUTHOR looks at the feed with narrowed eyes. His desk
acts like the surface of a large, futuristic tablet.
LEX LUTHOR
Hes taken the bait.
VOICE (V.O.)
Orders?
4.
LEX LUTHOR
Test all systems for lethality.
VOICE (V.O.)
And if I can take him out?
Lexs brow furrows. His jaw tightens.
LEX LUTHOR
Do not hesitate.
INT. A WAREHOUSE - DAY
A METAL BEHEMOTH rises. Sleek and white its about 12 feet
tall on its two legs with a cannon for one arm and an
assortment of launchers on its back. It looks like a tank-
version of the advanced weapons.
INT. INSIDE THE BEHEMOTH - DAY
A screen identical to Lexs desk is triangulating. Its
searching all vectors and showing systems are nominal.
EXT. A WAREHOUSE IN COLOMBIA - DAY
The wall explodes. A moment. Then the Behemoth walks through
the street. A pair of rebels see it and are shocked.
EXT. ABOVE BOGOTA - DAY
Superman literally hangs Luis life on his pinkie finger.
SUPERMAN
Where is your leader.
LUIS
We dont have a centralized
leadership model! The rebellion-
Superman drops Luis who screams. After a moment Superman
descends and grabs Luis, pulling him back into the sky.
SUPERMAN
Do I need to ask again?
LUIS
No! No! We dont have a leader, I
swear! Were all broken down into
various units!
5.
SUPERMAN
How did you organize? Where did the
weapons come from?
LUIS
We were on a forum and-
SUPERMAN
You met on the internet?
LUIS
Yes! We were all mad at the
policies of the new government and
met someone named Equus. He told
us where to find the weapons. What
day to attack. Told us not to take
the President but hold the city.
SUPERMAN
Hold the city?
LUIS
Yes! I swear it! He said to get
the eyes of the world on us.
SUPERMAN
(processing)
Why would they-
Superman hears the hiss too late. He turns to see a rocket-
propelled-grenade soaring towards his position. He lifts Luis
to shield him as the grenade hits.
A explosion of light green. Little pieces hang in the air
like confetti. Kryptonite flakes.
We see through Supermans eyes. Luis starts to become blurry,
the light is dimming, he starts to fall towards the earth.
Superman reaches out but is too slow.
Hes falling too. Not descending, but falling.
He falls through the cloud and immediately the world starts
coming back into focus. His outstretched hand becomes a fist.
Superman swoops down to catch Luis and toss him gently to the
Earth before soaring upward.
The skyscrapers and buildings become blueprints, people are
just skeletons. This is X-ray vision. Superman is seeking.
He hears the second grenade coming. The world flashes back
into its normal color as Superman moves at breakneck speed.
6.
The grenade changes course with a perfect 90 degree angle.
Superman dives into the ocean creating a tunnel of air the
grenade follows. The tunnel collapses. The grenade detonate
harmlessly. Superman shoots to the surface.
He flies back towards the city.
A Heads-Up-Display (HUD) shows Superman flying towards the
center of a modified radar screen. The VOICE taps it and gets
a view of the outside. A box appears to highlight Superman.
VOICE
Melee.
COMPUTER
Switching from Artillery to Melee.
EXT. A STREET IN BOGOTA - DAY
Parts and armor jettison off the Behemoth. Its getting
sleeker. The rocket packs fall off and the arm cannon turns
on as its raised. It fires off rapid lasers.
EXT. ABOVE BOGOTA - DAY
Superman dodges the first few lasers with ease, but theyre
getting closer. Hes struggling to keep moving forward.
A corner of the view screen states Firing Solution with a
rapidly climbing number.
VOICE
Hurry up. Hurry up.
When it hits 100% a secondary cannon option appears.
VOICE (CONTD)
Fire secondary cannon!
The Behemoths chest opens and a smaller cannon appears. It
shots out a single, long beam that hits Superman.
7.
He falls out of the sky and crashes through a building before
digging a trench with his impact.
EXT. IN THE TRENCH - DAY
Superman inhales and exhales sharply as the laser volley
continues to fire into the ground. Hes safe. For now.
Hes at a loss. He doesnt know what to do. The world is
still distorted and faint. He hears The Voice, quiet through
static.
VOICE (O.S.)
Superman is down. Preparing to
engage.
He closes his eyes as the thud of the Behemoths step grow
louder.
Supermans eyes bolt open. He pushes into the ground with his
hands and leaps out of the trench. He dodges laser fire until
can get behind an empty car to hold it like a shield.
Safe behind the car he picks up a telephone pole and launches
it into the air.
The view screen captures the pole shooting into the air. A
box highlights it as ??? while it soars off screen.
Superman moves towards the Behemoth, pushing against the
lasers as they pockmark the car. The secondary laser fires
again punching a burning hole through the middle.
The car starts to fall apart. Theres not much time.
He gives a hard shove and starts to run in the opposite
direction, zigging and zagging and a not-so-super pace.
Arm cannon salvos follow him, the cannon fully raised until-
The telephone poll comes crashing down through the center of
the cannon. It powers down with a low hum.
8.
INSIDE
Superman is weak on the view screen. He limps towards the car
he used as a shield.
VOICE
Secondary cannon, fire!
COMPUTER
Solution and charge not yet-
VOICE
All power to secondary cannon!
Superman crushes the car into a disc with some effort.
COMPUTER
All power rerouted.
VOICE
Fire! Fire! Fire!
Superman throws the tire at the Behemoth like a discus, then
begins walking towards the machine at a slow pace.
COMPUTER
Second cannon firing.
THE STREET
The cannon pops out of the Behemoths chest and is about to
fire when car smashes into it.
The secondary cannon explodes.
The Behemoth stands motionless. Then falls over.
INSIDE
Pitch black. We hear the sound of metal ripping and see a red
countdown timer begin. Daylight pours in. Superman is opening
the thing like a tuna can.
The Voice wears a mask and is strapped into the pilot seat
with wires poking out of his skin. Blood spills everywhere.
VOICE
Youre too late.
SUPERMAN
Its not too late, we need to-
9.
VOICE
Listen to me. Im already dead.
They told me that when I signed up.
This thing has a failsafe. Explodes
if I die or has critical damage.
Superman looks to the countdown. Less than two minutes.
SUPERMAN
Why are you telling me this?
VOICE
My families going to be taken care
of for the rest of their lives. If
they ever found out why Id like
them to think better of me.
The Voice is getting weary. His breaths are slow and deep.
SUPERMAN
Who hired you?
VOICE
Even if we had enough time that
answer is too complicated.
The Voice coughs with wet violence.
Superman looks him over with sympathy.
EXT. A BUILDING IN BOGOTA - DAY
Luis and other rebels see Superman lifting the behemoth into
the sky with one hand. They look to one another, throw down
their weapons and walk away. One whistles casually.
After a moment the weapons shake violently and DISSOLVE into
small pools that evaporate into steam.
EXT. THE BRIGHT, BLUE SKY - DAY
Superman lifts the Behemoth higher and higher. He puts his
second hand on the machine and shoots up in a burst of speed.
SPACE
The red and blue blur that is Superman comes to a stop but
the Behemoth continues to climb. It soars into space.
DEEPER SPACE
10.
The Behemoth is now just a tiny little white dot, small as a
distant star. Its explosion is a hundred times its size but
still somehow miniscule against the black void.
THE FALL OF SUPERMAN
INT. A QUAINT HOUSE - DAY
Its a small mid-western home decorated on a light budget.
Simple curtains. Pictures on the wall. Its all normal until-
BEDROOM
BRIAN ISAAC [50s, charming nerd] lays in a hyperbaric cocoon.
A DOCTOR stands over him monitoring vitals. With a press of a
button and a small hiss it opens.
We can see Brian clearly now. Hes jaundiced and rail thin.
Hes falling apart.
KITCHEN
Amy Lee [30s, no-nonsense] paces in front of the doctor and
Brian holding a tablet.
AMY
This is insane. Please tell him
that he cant go.
BRIAN
Im going. Its too important to
miss.
AMY
Tell him that he cant go.
The doctor opens his mouth to speak.
BRIAN
Im right here. And Im going.
Thank you, doctor.
The doctor nods and exits.
BRIAN (CONTD)
I seem to remember being your boss
at one point.
AMY
Im also the only woman in your
life whos been around longer than
three years.
11.
BRIAN
Thats not true. Theres Daisy.
DAISY THE PUG hears her name and scampers up to Brian who
responds by affectionately petting her.
BRIAN (CONTD)
We need to get going.
AMY
Will you at least eat something
first?
Brian shakes his head and gives a wry smile.
BRIAN
Not today, it already hurts.
AMY
And yet you want to give a press
conference.
BRIAN
And yet you make me argue with you
before doing it.
AMY
This isnt how--this isnt how
youre supposed to--
Her facade breaks. Shes torn up.
BRIAN
Well, in all fairness, Ive only
been fatally ill once. I havent
had a chance to work the kinks out.
Amy laughs in spite of herself and Brian smiles.
EXT. A QUAINT HOUSE - DAY
Its a beautiful mid-western lawn with stereotypical white
picket fence. Daisy bounds through the grass as Amy and Brian
close the gate. Hes wearing an oxygen mask that covers a
good portion of his face.
Theres something odd. No street. No other houses.
Then, an elevator in the middle of the field. They enter.
The elevator descends revealing this is all on top of a large
corporate building. The big red letters say VERIDENT INC.
12.
INT. DAILY PLANET NEWSROOM - DAY
Normality has been restored and the office is buzzing. GILL
OBRILLY speaks an editorial on his news program.
GILL OBRILLY
Tonight on My Truth. Superman?
Clark looks up at the feed while typing. We can see hes
searched for Equus, lasers, rebel movements a dozen times.
GILL OBRILLY (CONTD)
Exactly what kind of buffoon are
you? Getting in the way of the
worlds most powerful military?
Hamstring American diplomacy?
Clark types faster and faster with agitation.
GILL OBRILLY (CONTD)
I implore you. Stop putting
Americans in danger with your shot-
from-the-hip style. Youre a jock.
Youre a bully. Youre an idiot.
For once do the right thing: Do
nothing.
Gill laughs wryly. Clark rolls his eyes and looks back to the
keyboard. Hes punched his fingers through the thing again.
CLARK
Drat.
He casts a look to make sure nobody is watching then crushes
the keyboard effortless into a little cube. He opens a desk
draw and sets the cube down on an identical stack of others
before pulling a new keyboard out.
PERRY WHITE (O.S.)
Kent!
PERRYS OFFICE
PERRY WHITE [60s, gruff] slaps his hand on the desk. Lois
looks annoyed and put off in the corner, arms crossed.
PERRY WHITE (CONTD)
KENT!
CLARK
Boss.
13.
PERRY WHITE
Kent, I need you to get your
keister down to Verident for the
press conference.
CLARK
Me? Dont you usually-
PERRY WHITE
All the good reporters are busy.
Everyones trying to figure out
where those weapons in Peru-
LOIS
Colombia, chief.
PERRY WHITE
Where all those weapons came from,
who made them, who SENT them. Its
scoop of the century and nobody has
a clue! Now stop yammering and head
down!
CLARK
Sure, Mr. White, I just-
PERRY WHITE
Kent! Press conference! Now!
NEWSROOM
CLARK
Hey Lois, I was wondering...
LOIS
Hmm?
She doesnt even look up from a briefing. Clark smiles but
the nerve drains from him.
CLARK
About your next assignment. Are you
heading to Colombia?
LANA [20s, girl next door] watches Clark with stars in her
eyes and Lois with bottled disdain.
LOIS
No, from everything Ive heard
theres not even a TRACE of the
weapons, much less who made them.
No, Ive got a source on the inside
of the security council, emergency
U.N. stuff.
(MORE)
14.
(she looks up)
Whats your next assignment?
CLARK
Im heading to a press conference.
Mr. White assigned it to me. You
were just in the room?
LOIS
Well thats exciting. Dangerous.
CLARK
Youre not hearing a word Im
saying, am I?
(beat)
Timbuktu.
LOIS
Lot of news coming out of Africa--
listen, Clark, Ive got to get
going. Good catching up.
Lois leaves and LANA makes her way over.
LANA
Hi, Clark.
CLARK
(wholesome as summer)
Oh, hello Lana!
LANA
Whats this I hear about Africa?
CLARK
Oh, just a little game me and Lois
play. I say something and if she
can remember what it is she gets a
point. If not, I do.
LANA
Whats the score?
CLARK
About a thousand to zero.
Lana laughs earnestly, not just because she likes him.
LANA
So are you on the Colombia story?
CLARK
Oh no, the chief has me on the big
press conference.
LOIS (CONT'D)
15.
LANA
The Verident one? Its starting in
fifteen minutes. Youre not going
to be able to make it.
CLARK
Well shucks. I better get going. It
was nice talking, Lana.
He makes his way off in a forced slow run.
LANA
You too...
EXT. AN ALLEY IN METROPOLIS - DAY
Clark whistles as he scans the alley. Camera signals and WI-
FI devices show their fields of operation. The world is under
surveillance, but the alley itself is still unobserved.
INT. ENTRYWAY TO AN ANCIENT SUBWAY LINE - DAY
Clark continues his tune as he effortlessly lifts a man-sized
iron grate off an entry-way. Theres a Superman-sized hole
punched through the bricks. He goes through them and drops
the grate back down.
ABANDONED LINE
We see the world in X-ray vision, which lights up the dark
that Superman speeds through. When the floor is dilapidated
he runs along the wall.
ANOTHER ENTRYWAY
The gate pops off and Superman comes out dusty and cobwebbed.
He tosses the gate up, spins around once, and the dust snaps
off him as he exits. The gate falls back into a perfect fit.
INT. SECURITY COUNCIL MEETING - DAY
Five ambassadors from the council nations sit opposite Lex
Luthor. Theyre hunched forward, nervous. Hes entirely calm.
RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR
These weapons youve created break
every treaty and convention--
LEX LUTHOR
They would, if I were a nation. Am
I nation state? Id pay less taxes.
16.
CHINESE AMBASSADOR
A loophole!
LEX LUTHOR
Yes, because China never exploits
any of those, Mr. Ambassador.
CHINESE AMBASSADOR
We will not be spoken to-
A tumult. The ambassadors argue against one another as Luthor
smiles in a dead stare with the US Ambassador.
US AMBASSADOR
Why.
LEX LUTHOR
Youll have to be a bit more-
US AMBASSADOR
Why did you make these weapons?
Lex considers. The ambassadors shuffle, seem unnerved.
LEX LUTHOR
From all available information,
Superman could depart from earth
this moment, be behind the moon in
a matter of minutes and just...
Lex picks up and drops a glass of water. It shatters, spills.
LEX LUTHOR (CONTD)
...crack the planet open so its
fiery core would boil the oceans.
Forget the death of mankind. It
would end the world.
US AMBASSADOR
Theres no reason to assume that
Superman would do such a thing.
LEX LUTHOR
Peace in our time?
(laughs)
Lets end this charade. Youre not
going to sanction me.
(He passes a file to all)
Blueprints for the grenade tested
in Colombia. In case one of your
defense ministers realizes that
having a contingency is more
valuable than a sound-bite.
17.
Lex rises and makes his way to the door.
US AMBASSADOR
How did you do this? How did you
make these?
Lex pauses and turns.
LEX LUTHOR
An advanced civilization crash
lands a space ship with computer in
tact and nobody goes after it. I
sometimes wonder why the world is
so fortunate as to have me.
US AMBASSADOR
Just the grenade?
Lex smiles like a corpse.
LEX LUTHOR
Id be willing to share my
blueprint for all my kryptonite
based weaponry. But I would need
your governments to help me make
an...acqusition.
EXT. VERIDENT BUILDING - DAY
The building is a monolith from below.
INT. PRESS HALL - DAY
Brian Isaac is already speaking.
Clark pulls out a pen-and-pad while all the other reporters
use various tablets, hologramed goggles and the like.
BRIAN ISAAC
Which is why were proud to
announce the new Environ.
Pre-emptive cheers. The goggles come out, sleek and sexy. He
puts them on and sees the body temperature of the people in
the room, 97 - 99 all, except for Clark, who reads 104.
BRIAN ISAAC (CONTD)
Video, music, streaming--you know
the drill by now. But cheaper,
better, lasts longer tastes great.
18.
Sweat pours down the side of his face. Streaks of make-up go
with it. His yellowing skin is coming out.
BRIAN ISAAC (CONTD)
The rumors are true. Im resigning.
The gallery comes to life. Recordings go on. Chit-chat stops.
BRIAN ISAAC (CONTD)
The refusal to go public in order
to keep everything in house. The
considerations for going employee
owned. My dying in the next year.
All of them true. Every last rumor.
(beat)
Except for me actually being a nice
guy. If you think that ones true
just ask any of my ex wives.
Light laughter from all but Clark, who looks pained.
BRIAN ISAAC (CONTD)
Someone as vain as me wants to
leave something good behind. Not
just products that--
He takes a moment, a breath.
BRIAN ISAAC (CONTD)
Products that...whew, these lights.
Brian collapses in flashes and flickers.
LOBBY
Clark jots down a few notes with a scowl. Amy approaches.
AMY
Mr. Clark Kent?
CLARK
Yes?
AMY
Mr. Isaac has requested you for an
interview.
Clark frowns in confusion, then puts on a goofy grin.
MEDBAY
Brian sits in a plush chair with a clear helmet that distorts
the atmosphere and Brians voice as various needles and
monitors poke and prod his frail body. Clark enters.
19.
BRIAN
Thank you Amy.
AMY
Mr. Isaac, are you-
BRIAN
Thank you, Amy.
She nods and departs. Brian points to a chair. Clark sits.
BRIAN (CONTD)
Are you feeling alright, Mr. Kent?
CLARK
I feel like I should be asking you
that question, Mr. Isaac.
BRIAN
Oh dont be such a boy scout, its
tiresome. Id offer you a drink but
it would kill me.
Clark smiles, but its Superman poking through.
CLARK
Is this all on the record?
BRIAN
You tell me.
CLARK
It is. Mr. Isaac...
BRIAN
Youre watching me die, kid. Brian.
CLARK
Brian. Whats killing you?
BRIAN
Doctors dont know. Theres no name
for it yet but its a nasty thing.
Auto-immune as far as they can
tell. Something hit the off switch.
I told them not to name it after me
or Id haunt them.
CLARK
You dont see the type to believe
in ghosts.
20.
BRIAN
Well Id haunt their email. Make a
program to send spam FROM
BEYOOOOOND THE GRAVE!
Clark laughs in spite himself. Brian appreciates it.
BRIAN (CONTD)
Come on, I want to show you
something.
CLARK
Can you walk?
Brians eyes gleam.
HALLWAY
The chair moves on its own accord, all the medical equipment
still plugged into the back.
BRIAN
So I thought to myself if this
thing had a toilet itd be perfect
then I realized my kidneys dont
work anymore so thats half-done.
PROTOTYPE ROOM
Various cyber suits, augmentations and advanced displays
litter the room. In the middle are two glass boxes filled
with MOSQUITOES. A SMALL DISK sits on top of each.
CLARK
What is all this?
BRIAN
My legacy.
CLARK
And--were still on the record?
BRIAN
Oh good, you are still reporting.
This was starting to feel like a
date. Over there limbs for people
who lost theirs. Working on organs
too, not that theyll be in to help
me. Interfaces for the blind, blah,
blah, blah. Heres what matters.
The mosquitoes buzz and bump. They nearly fill the boxes.
21.
CLARK
Mosquitoes?
BRIAN
A+. Deadliest vermin on the planet.
Kill over a million people every
year. Until now.
Brian activates one of the disks. Immediately half the
mosquitoes fall over dead in the shape of a dome.
CLARK
Thats. Thats.
BRIAN
Yeah.
Brian moves the disk along the top of the box. An invisible
line cuts through the pests and they drop dead. He activates
the other disk and lets it sit, a now empty dome lives in the
middle of the buzzing swarm.
CLARK
How does it work?
BRIAN
Oh come on, boyscout, your readers
dont care lets not bore the nice
people. Headline: Handsome genius
destroys threat. Everyone happy.
(sees Clark is serious)
It makes an electromagnetic field
out of a lethal dose to calcium. We
feel a slight tingle, if that. They
die. Can be turned on and off at
will.
A monitor on the back of Brians cheer beeps and syringe
appears and injects him.
CLARK
(unnerved, seen it before)
What was that?
BRIAN
Oh, I cant eat. I wasnt kidding
about the kidneys thing. Thats
vitamins and calories and god I
miss steak. You should eat a steak
for me. Two.
Brian is panting, weezing, he pulls out a kind of high-tech
magnifying glass and surveys Clark as he looks at the room.
22.
BRIAN (CONTD)
Do they really not know, kid?
CLARK
Know what?
BRIAN
Who you are. Who really are.
Clark stops and looks back with a dorky smile.
CLARK
Who am I?
BRIAN
This do-dad says your temperature
is about 105 degrees. Feeling sick?
CLARK
Well, I--
BRIAN
Youre resting heart rate is that
of a comatose monk.
CLARK
You see-
BRIAN
And even if that wasnt true youre
the spitting image of him. Tell me,
when it came time to pick a look
did you say Nah, no mask for me.
That might save loved one from
being held hostage?
Brian laughs at his own joke until he coughs.
CLARK
I dont know who you think I am...
BRIAN
We both know who I think you are.
But I dont care if you admit it. I
saw you punch a super-tank into
space earlier I dont want to get
into fight.
Brian struggles to get out of his chair. Clark moves to help
him but he holds a palm out. Let me do this. He rises and
offers a handshake.
They do.
23.
BRIAN (CONTD)
Im glad I got to meet you. Thank
you. For what you do.
Clark shakes his hand and is speechless. What now?
Clark jaunts in with a large smile.
CLARK
Chief, youre never going to guess
what I-
The news feed shows A lithe man in a suit of sleek white
armor in the same style as the Behemoth. He holds a laser non-
chalantly. He is EQUUS [30s, cold, dead eyed] and only his
face is visible. He has a team of WELL EQUIPPED MERCENARIES
that hold a group of bankers in the VAULT.
EQUUS (ON FEED)
--the sovereignty of the Basque,
like all peoples, will be
respected. Agents of American
international policing, including
Superman, will not be tolerated.
The global movement for freedom has
begun.
Clark rushes over to Lois to hand her his notepad.
CLARK
Lois I need you to do me a favor
and get this report up.
LOIS
(eyes on screen)
Of course. Hey, did you hear the
President is thinking about making
an imminent domain claim on
Verident Enterprises?
(she looks over)
Clark? Clark...?
INT. BANK IN THE BASQUE - DAY
Unlike the haphazard Luis and his men, the mercenaries are
spread out, tucked away, in formation on the first and second
floor. They have the same weapons but theyre ready. A
HENCHMAN 1 seems nervous and frayed, the black sheep.
24.
HENCHMAN 1
You saw what he did to those guys
in Colombia, right? And that thing?
HENCHMAN 2
Thats not going to happen here.
HENCHMAN 1
Okay but...why isnt it going to
happen here?
Equus doesnt look up. He is zen. He is fluid.
EQUUS
Because those idiots were outside.
Henchman 1 doesnt get it. He shakes his head. 2 shrugs.
EQUUS (CONTD)
Think of him like a bird of prey.
If youre out in the open he has
all these ways to get you, and he
can come in as fast as he can fly.
Equus points to the wall with the barrel of his laser.
EQUUS (CONTD)
But if he were to crash through a
wall? Hed likely kill or wound a
hostage. Now maybe hed chance it
except that vault is made of lead
and he cant do recon on them.
Equus rises with an inhuman agility. He paces to a standalone
camera placed in the room and raises his white gauntlet. The
palm is covered in circuitry. They react to one another.
We see from the point of view from the camera now as Equus
controls it with his hand, zoom in and out and finally
capturing the entire room.
EQUUS (CONTD)
All information suggests that hell
come from the ceil--
Superman bursts through the cement floor in front of the
vault. A few mercenaries get off pot shots as he closes the
vault door and seals himself in with the hostages.
EQUUS (CONTD)
Well now that was just clever.
25.
The camera zooms in on the vault door and Equus whistles and
makes a surround hand signal. The mercenaries get into a
storming formation. Equus himself opens the door and...
BANK VAULT
Another super-sized hole in the ground and all the hostages
are gone.
EXT. A HOLE IN THE STREET - DAY
The street is barricaded to the nines. Emergency responders
and the Spanish and French equivilent of SWAT teams surround
the bank. The hostages exit the hole, assisted by the first
responders. They are lightly frosted with dust but otherwise
fine. Superman emerges carrying the oldest banker.
SWAT COMMANDER
Any hostages left inside.
SUPERMAN
(hands hostage to fireman)
None.
The commander barks orders. Riot shields go up. Flanks form.
Equus looks at the coming team and sighs. He raises his palm
to the camera which buzzes with activity before exploding.
EQUUS
Well, it was a good effort.
HENCHMAN 1
What are we going to do?
EQUUS
If you value your lives I suggest
you surrender.
HENCHMAN 2
What about the money?
EQUUS
The contract clearly stated that
youd be paid upon the death of
Superman. He seems to be alive.
HENCHMAN 1
You son of a bitch!
26.
The Henchman fires his laser rifle into the chest of Equus
who falls forward, rather than back. A moment and he rises.
Instead of blood, wires and circuits protrude.
Equus drops his weapon and lifts the gauntlet to the side of
his face. It flashes and he begins to melt, as do all the
high tech weapons. His face flickers from skin to screen. He
deadeyes the Henchman who shot him as his body liquifies.
EQUUS
I know where your family lives.
One henchman discards his melting weapon and gets on the
ground, hands behind head. The rest follow, one by one, as
the Equus and the weapons turn to puddles and circuits.
INT. AN UNDERGROUND CHAMBER - DAY
Four Equus suits stand along a wall. The last boots up and
Equus face appears. He moves with an inhuman poise to a
screen where he waves his gauntlet. The footage from the bank
camera appears and he studies it.
EQUUS
Now. What did we learn...
EXT. STREET OUTSIDE BASQUE BANK - DAY
Superman scans through the walls and sees the mercenaries are
face down. He moves towards the door. As he does the
Commander gives him a look of resentment, then gives a
follow hand signal.
Superman strides through the double doors. He surveys the
criminals then spies the puddle of Equus. His fingers crawl
through it to pluck out some advanced looking circuitry as
the SWAT team arrests the mercenaries. A policeman squints.
POLICEMAN
What do you think it is?
SUPERMAN
I dont know. But Id like to have
someone check it out.
POLICEMAN
Oui, I understand, however this is
a crime scene.
27.
SUPERMAN
Dont worry, Ill take very good
care of it. And Ill have it back
in no time.
POLICEMAN
Oui, yes, of course. However it is,
uh, very advanced. Do you know
computers well enough to check it
out?
SUPERMAN
I know someone who does.
INT. A QUAINT HOUSES KITCHEN - NIGHT
Brian Isaac prepares a small fillet mignon while wearing a
clear hyberbaric suit while Daisy watches eagerly.
BRIAN
(To Daisy)
Its upsetting to me that you dont
even ask about my day anymore. Are
you even listening now?
Daisy yowls and licks her lips, fixated on the steak.
BRIAN (CONTD)
I will write you out of my will.
The doorbell rings. The noise is so foreign that Daisy seems
afraid and Brian looks puzzled as he takes the steak off the
skillet and moves to the front door.
HALLWAY
Brian opens the door and smirks when he sees Superman.
BRIAN (CONTD)
I think I like you better in the
other suit. What can I do for you?
INT. A QUAINT HOUSES STUDY - NIGHT
Brian has the advanced circuitry in a diagnostic machine.
BRIAN
Now this is something else.
SUPERMAN
What do you see?
28.
BRIAN
Im not quite sure but a kind of--
universal interface. Something that
could react with every kind of code
and electronics there are. Where
did you get this from?
SUPERMAN
A man named Equus.
BRIAN
You should really follow up with
him. Something tells me he has a
great deal to tell you.
SUPERMAN
I was going to. Until he melted.
Brian looks up from the machine.
BRIAN
You shot a man with your heat eyes?
SUPERMAN
No! He was a machine. The same kind
of material as the weapons were
made out of.
BRIAN
Huh.
SUPERMAN
What?
BRIAN
The irony of it just hit me. You
want to be the planets protector
but you brought along some
technology that weve used to
endanger us all over again.
(beat)
Good job.
SUPERMAN
While I appreciate your efforts--
BRIAN
Oh get off it. I think I could find
the source of the code. It has to
originate somewhere. Itll take
some time.
SUPERMAN
How long?
29.
BRIAN
Let me see. Based upon the known
variables, which are none, let me
calculate how long it would take to
do something previously unheard of.
SUPERMAN
Are all scientists this surly?
BRIAN
Im an engineer. Its like being a
scientist except we actually work.
(looks at diagnostics)
And while were on labels, what do
you want me to call you?
SUPERMAN
What do you mean?
BRIAN
Do you want to go by Superman or
Clark?
SUPERMAN
Ill think about it. I have to go.
BRIAN
Do me a favor? Feed Daisy your way
out. Her dinners on the stove.
KITCHEN
Superman peers at the steak suspiciously as Daisy licks her
lips. He shrugs and puts the plate on the floor. She goes to
town and he exits through the window.
EXT. LEX CORP BUILDING - NIGHT
The building glows with cold animosity.
INT. LEX CORP WAR ROOM - NIGHT
Lex looks over the city with an unreadable face. Then his
eyebrow raises.
LEX LUTHOR
Isnt trespassing illegal? Seems to
go against your branding.
Superman steps out of the shadows.
30.
SUPERMAN
The weapons the rebels are using. I
know its you.
LEX LUTHOR
Who else would it be? Youre
getting very headstrong, Superman.
Lex walks towards Superman, hands tucked behind his back.
LEX LUTHOR (CONTD)
There was a time where you could
have had the police, maybe even the
feds, storm this place on a whim.
But here you are now. Alone.
SUPERMAN
Enough of these games! People are
in danger!
LEX LUTHOR
Its only you and me here. No need
for the routine.
(stopping inches apart)
Everyone knows where the weapons
are coming from and nobody is
stopping them. Do you know why?
(he smiles a real smile)
The world is finally waking up.
SUPERMAN
Youre demented.
LEX LUTHOR
Its called a contingency,
Superman. What if you went rogue,
another alien warship appeared?
Better to have a weapon and not
need it...
SUPERMAN
And whos giving the speech now?
Lex laughs and walks over to his work station and pulls out a
data stick. He hands it to Superman.
LEX LUTHOR
Evidence. Blueprints for the
weapons, where the funding came
from. Recordings that prove beyond
a doubt I made them. Take it.
SUPERMAN
Why?
31.
LEX LUTHOR
Because half the world already has
it. And the other half will soon.
SUPERMAN
This kind of power, in the hands of
the wrong person--youre a mad man.
LEX LUTHOR
(screaming)
You are the one who holds too much
power. You are the one who must be
reigned in.
Lex takes a moment to compose himself.
LEX LUTHOR (CONTD)
The world will finally see that you
pose a greater danger to it than
anything else its ever known.
Equus will see to that.
SUPERMAN
Ive already stopped him.
Lex walks to a personal elevator and presses a button.
LEX LUTHOR
No, Superman. Hes the one thing
you cant stop.
(boarding elevator)
No matter how powerful you are, you
can only be in one place. Equus can
be everywhere.
The doors seal.
EXT. ABOVE METROPOLIS - NIGHT
Superman flies overhead, lost in thought. He stares at the
data stick he clutches and then back into space.
WOMAN
Help! Help me!
A kind of relief washes over Supermans face. A simple
problem. He flies downward.
EXT. ALLEYWAY - NIGHT
The WOMAN is laying on her side, hands over her face as two
ROBBERS go through her purse, one holds a gun.
32.
ROBBER ONE
This is it!?
He breaks away from his friend to move towards the woman.
ROBBER ONE (CONTD)
There has to be more! Get up! What
are you hiding!
WOMAN
Nothing! Theres nothing else!
ROBBER ONE
Oh, shes hiding something. Right?
He turns back to his cohort only to see him laid out on the
ground and Superman standing there arms crossed and scowling.
Robber One doesnt hesitate to aim and shoot. The bullet
bounces off Superman harmlessly. Robber One aims to shoot
again but before he can pull the trigger the barrel is
crushed by Supermans grip.
He walks around the stunned criminal to offer a hand up to
the woman.
SUPERMAN
Are you alright?
WOMAN
I--I--
SUPERMAN
Youre going to be okay.
Superman grabs the purse and hands it back to the woman
before ripping a storm-drain from the wall and fashioning it
into a pair of ad hoc handcuffs.
SUPERMAN (CONTD)
Do you need help getting home?
WOMAN
(nodding with mouth agape)
Im okay.
EXT. APARTMENT BUILDING - NIGHT
Superman sets the woman down on a fire escape.
WOMAN
Would you--would you like--
33.
SUPERMAN
Im flattered, but Im interested
in someone.
The woman nods, wide eyed and enters through a window.
Superman smiles to himself and takes off.
INT. CLARKS APARTMENT - NIGHT
Clark slumps back in his chair, exhausted. He scans the Daily
Planet blog and sees that Lois took his interview and put
her name on it. He sighs.
BRIAN (O.S.)
Yeah, thats a real rough one, kid.
In her defense though, you did hand
her a real scoop.
Clark rises and looks around suspiciously.
CLARK
Where are you?
BRIAN (O.S.)
Well, Im watching you on your
webcam but Im talking to you
through your cell.
CLARK
How?
We can see Clark on a monitor. Brian is holding up a make-
shift replica of Equus gauntlet. The DATASTICK from earlier
is sitting on the diagnostic machine.
BRIAN
Im talking to you on my hand.
CLARK (ON MONITOR)
...Ill be right over.
LATER
Clark didnt bother to put the suit back on. Hes in everyman
clothes, not even the suit and tie.
BRIAN
Watch this.
Brian waves his hand at a TV monitor. Nothing happens.
34.
CLARK
Impressive.
BRIAN
Shut it or Ill look up your
browser history.
(wave)
Come on you stupid thing you just--
He waves his hand again and this time the TV comes on.
BRIAN (CONTD)
Hah!
CLARK
How?
BRIAN
Oh you found something, boyscout.
Think of it as wi-fi for
everything. This is some advanced
stuff, were talking literal
generations ahead of its time.
Clark frowns.
CLARK
Like you said earlier. About me
bringing a threat.
BRIAN
Yeah. But thats okay, you know
why? Whatever naughty little
monkeys got their hands on this?
Theyre not as smart as your
friend.
Clark smiles in earnest. Friend.
CLARK
Do you think you can trace Equus
down with this?
BRIAN
Who-quus?
CLARK
The man who melted.
BRIAN
Shouldnt he be where you left him?
Brian begins to make tweaks to the gauntlet. He points to his
TV set. A moment. Then the CD tray on his computer opens up.
35.
BRIAN (CONTD)
Meant to do that.
CLARK
Im had a conversation with Lex
Luthor in which he implied that Id
be meeting up with Equus again.
BRIAN
Poor Lex. Im the one dying and I
still have more hair than him.
Brian pries himself from his interest in the new tech.
BRIAN (CONTD)
Listen, its going to be okay. Me
and Lex go way back and his bark is
worse than his bite. If Equus is
out there? Well know.
CLARK
How?
BRIAN
Well its not like theres a lot of
this stuff out there. If something
is using the same frequency itll
light up like a menora.
The gauntlet activates and glows green, as do the various
other circuits on the table.
BRIAN (CONTD)
(false bravado)
See?
Brian looks to his diagnostic machine and his face falls.
CLARK
Where is he?
BRIAN
If Im right, its...
CLARK
Where!?
BRIAN
Hes heading towards the Daily
Planet.
(honest assurance)
Go get em, Boyscout.
36.
EXT. DAILY PLANET BUILDING - NIGHT
In the dark of night vibrant green lines reflect off the
sleek white armor. Equus climbs the building with ease.
EXT. HIGH ABOVE METROPOLIS - NIGHT
Clark careens towards the Daily Planet.
INT. DAILY PLANET OFFICE ANNEX - NIGHT
Equus crashes through a window and the skeleton crew running
the office erupt in chaos as he non-chalantly walks to the
editors office waving his gauntlet at the elevator en route.
INT. DAILY PLANET LOBBY - NIGHT
An alarm blares and two security guards check the system.
They head towards the elevator but it does not respond. They
bolt for the stairs.
INT. PERRYS OFFICE - NIGHT
Perry sits defiantly behind his desk while Lois stands. They
eye Equus with a mixture of confusion and disdain.
EQUUS
Hello.
No response. Equus left hand turns into a barrel that fires
a laser into the ceiling.
EQUUS (CONTD)
Hello.
LOIS AND PERRY
Hi.
EQUUS
Much better.
An alert pops up on Equus HUD, an identical system to the
Behemoths.
EQUUS (CONTD)
Oh. Just one moment.
Equus walks to the window and hunches over. Six rocket-
powered-grenades fire off his back and into the night before
he turns around.
37.
EQUUS (CONTD)
That should buy us some time.
Lois and Perry look to one another with concern.
Superman sees the incoming grenades. They seem sleeker, more
refined, better. He narrows his eyes. They turn red. ZAP.
Lasers shoot from his eyes and connect with the first
grenade. ZAP. The second. But the third is too quick and hits
him, explodes. Superman falls as the other three sail by him.
They slowly U-turn as he struggles to make his way through
the cloud of kryptonite particles that flow around him.
LOIS
What do you want?
EQUUS
Im here to complain that you
didnt publish my letter to the
editor.
Equus raises his gauntlet and Perrys monitor flickers and
shows a stream of geo-data. Thousands of little red dots
appear in circles around the Daily Planet on a map.
EQUUS (CONTD)
Each and every one of those dots is
a confirmed video or picture of
Superman. Not only does he appear
to be native to Metropolis but hes
seen with greater frequency here
than anywhere in the city. Why?
PERRY WHITE
I have no idea what youre talking
about.
EQUUS
You dont know why here?
PERRY WHITE
I dont know about anything you
just said.
(beat)
Im not good with computers.
38.
EQUUS
I must have neglected to mention
that were playing a game called
one of you gets to go home.
EXT. A STREET IN METROPOLIS - NIGHT
Superman lands into the street, barely avoiding a crash. The
cars around him honk and screech to a halt and he looks
towards the incoming grenades. ZAP. He misses.
He tries to take off but ends up jumping slightly.
CLARK
Okay, then.
He bolts down the street, running as fast as he can. The
Grenades follow.
INT. DAILY PLANET NEWSROOM - NIGHT
The security guards make their way in through the stairwell.
LOIS (O.S.)
Even if I knew anything I wouldnt
tell you!
PERRY WHITE (O.S.)
Goes for me, too.
EQUUS (O.S.)
Very noble. I cant threaten you
with death so how about...
The guards make their way to flank Equus who appears behind
one. He grabs the man and puts him in a choke hold. The other
guard shoots at Equus, but the bullets bounce off him.
EQUUS (CONTD)
(to shooting guard)
Stop that.
PERRYS OFFICE
EQUUS (CONTD)
New game. Lets play Who cares
that this man has a family?
39.
EXT. A STREET IN METROPOLIS - NIGHT
Clarkss speed increases step by step. Soon hes running
faster than the traffic, then much faster. He turns down an
alleyway. A second later the grenades follow.
ALLEYWAY
Superman heads straight for a wall. Hes about to punch
through. Then, at the last second, he runs up a few steps.
The first grenade tries to correct course by smashes into the
wall. The next two sail up as Clark descends. He exhales and
a cold burst of air makes them wobble.
He falls to the ground, then they do, frozen. Clark takes a
breath and then begins to run again.
After a moment they detonate haplessly.
Equus holds his hand cannon to the guards head.
GUARD
Please!
EQUUS
Dont beg me, big boy. Ask them.
Perry is stern with resolve. Lois is wavering.
GUARD
(to Lois)
Please.
EQUUS
What am I thinking?
His hand cannon powers up, glows green.
GUARD
Please!
PERRY WHITE
Im sorry.
EQUUS
I have two guards to ask with...
LOIS
STOP!
The hum of the hand cannon and nothing else.
40.
EQUUS
Yes?
LOIS
Its for me. He comes here for me.
Equus looks to Perry in disbelief. He nods in return.
Equus looks to the free security guard who shrugs.
Equus throws the captive guard aside and strokes up to Lois.
He scans her intently.
EQUUS
I just dont see it. But I suppose
theres no accounting for the
tastes of Supermen.
LOIS
What are you going-
Equus grabs her by the throat and lifts her off the ground.
EQUUS
So. Are you better bait? Or does
killing you make him weak?
His cybernetic fingers tighten around her throat. Lois kicks
at his torso and Perry grabs an old iron stapler that he uses
to hit Equus in the back of the head.
DAILY PLANET OFFICE ANNEX
Clark enters and makes his way towards Perrys office only to
catch himself in the mirror. Hes not Superman. He looks to
the reflection, the office, the reflection. He HESITATES.
PERRYS OFFICE
EQUUS (CONTD)
Given that so far Superman has
evaded my traps Im inclined to
say...
The moment hangs in the air. Perry wails on Equus. Lois
pushes on his chest with booth feet and hands. Then his voice
goes an octave lower. He speaks slower.
EQUUS (CONTD)
..that...I...should...just...
Equus begins to melt and dissolve. Perry goes from the head
to the elbows. POW. BANG. An arm breaks off.
41.
Lois kick and pushes herself off him. Clark runs in but Lois
is already freeing herself.
Brian is observing the event through Perrys laptop camera.
BRIAN
YES!
Hes so excited he pumps the gauntlet in the air with a fist.
Daisy scampers in.
BRIAN (CONTD)
Daddy just stopped a super-villain.
Daisy approves.
Equus face turns into a screen. Lois pries his hand off her
and tosses it into the rapidly forming puddle.
CLARK
Lois, are you?
She looks at him with hurt and betrayal. She storms out.
Perry falls into his plush chair, out of breath.
PERRY WHITE
The hell were you?
Clark doesnt hear. He watches Lois board an elevator with a
broken heart. He steps out of the office and looks back at
the reflection.
Who am I?
INT. AN UNDERGROUND CHAMBER - NIGHT
The third suit boots up, its static face turning into Equus.
A moment, a breath of composure then he turns to fire his
hand cannon into the other two suits screaming, berserk.
A moment and Equus looks almost pleased with himself before
he leaves moves to a wall mounted screen. His gauntlet glows.
LEX LUTHOR (ON SCREEN)
Is it done.
42.
EQUUS
I need your authorization to access
the armory.
Ive already put considerable
amounts of money into this project.
EQUUS
Its no longer about the money.
Its about the job. Give me access
to the full resources of this
facility and I will kill Superman.
A DOOR with a computer screen embedded flashing ARMORY
Lex Luthor.
COMPUTER (O.S.)
Luthor, verified.
Equus smiles like the damned.
Full system authorization.
COMPUTER (O.S.)
Granted.
Dont make me regre-
Equus waves the screen off and moves into the...
ARMORY
Equus pulls out a JETPACK that attaches to his shoulder
launchers. He arms himself with a sleek looking rifle.
In the background there are dozens of dormant Equus suits.
One of them turns on as the already active Equus arms.
Equus Two makes its way over to the already functioning Equus
One. They stare at each other for a moment without warmth.
Then, they speak in unison.
EQUUS
Shall we begin?
A jolt from another model in the background. Then another.
43.
INT. QUAINT HOUSE KITCHEN - DAY
Brians imperfect gauntlet has now been incorporated into his
hyperbaric oxygen helmet. Hes becoming more of a machine.
Clark gives a glum look to the eggs Brians prepared.
BRIAN
I got to ask.
CLARK
Ask what?
BRIAN
About a billion things. Are you
solar powered or do you NEED to
eat? If your skin cant be
punctured how did you get your
vaccinations? Are you vaccinated?
Have you ever thought about letting
doctors study your blood? Because I
have this theory that--
Daisy yawns.
BRIAN (CONTD)
(to Daisy)
Yeah, good point.
(to Clark)
She only yawns when I talk about
science too much.
CLARK
So she yawns a lot then?
BRIAN
Oh look Daisy, the boyscouts back.
CLARK
I dont think you understand.
BRIAN
Kiddo, Im one of about a dozen
people who does. Three ex Wives.
Three. They loved me for this idea
they had of me, this figure in the
media. Not my abillities, not my
personality, just this idea. It
blew up. Every time.
CLARK
Do you think you could have made it
work?
44.
BRIAN
Of course, but that would involve
sharing and giving up power and
working on myself. Not my strong
points.
CLARK
Do you think Lois could love me?
BRIAN
For one, I think its a little sick
that you decided to work with her.
CLARK
Hey!
BRIAN
And for two, isnt she already in
love with Superman?
CLARK
She seems to be.
BRIAN
So youre asking if she could love
you--like this.
CLARK
I am.
BRIAN
I can only speak for myself but--
any woman who doesnt like the real
you after one conversation? Shes
not right for you.
CLARK
Thank you.
BRIAN
Youre welcome. Want to pry this
helmet off and give me a kiss?
CLARK
Ill pass. I see youre still
working on that gauntlet.
(weakness)
Thank you. For saving Lois.
BRIAN
Dont mention it. A good deed is
its own reward. Oh, and you know,
getting super advanced alien loot
isnt bad either.
45.
They share a moment of kinship, friendship. Neither has had
an equal in their life in a very long time.
AMY (O.S.)
Brian!?
BRIAN
Amy?
Amy rushes in. She sees Clark but looks to Brian wide-eyed.
AMY
(out of breath)
Brian, hurry. Its bad.
EXT. A QUAINT HOUSE IN METROPOLIS - DAY
The trio take the elevator down. Brian has no gauntlet.
INT. VERIDENT BUILDING LOBBY - DAY
An army of lawyers and US Justice enforcers. And then theres
Lex, back turned to the crowd. The Trio enters.
BRIAN
Id ask whats going on but I dont
care--get out of my building.
HEAD OF ENVOY
(Holding up paper)
Mr. Isaac.
BRIAN
Is that a warrant?
HEAD OF ENVOY
No.
BRIAN
Then get out. Now.
HEAD OF ENVOY
Mr. Isaac, I need you to listen the
US department of Justice using anti-
trust laws has decided--
BRIAN
This is not happening.
HEAD OF ENVOY
To make publicly available the
assets to your company.
46.
BRIAN
(rueful laughter)
You think these lawyers can do
that? These?
(gestures to lawyers)
My lawyers? Their assistants have
lawyers. You want me to unleash
them on you?
HEAD OF ENVOY
We encourage you to give these
documents to your legal team.
Lex hears enough. He turns to leave. Clark is powerless.
BRIAN
Hes the one! Hes the one whos
making the weapons! Thats who you
need to break apart.
HEAD OF ENVOY
Mr. Luthor had made his patents
publicly available and is not
subject to--
BRIAN
This is mine, Lex! You cant do
this! You cant take it from me!
Lex exits with a smile that says Oh, I very much can.
BRIAN (CONTD)
Im not going to--take this--
Clark reaches out for Brian as he starts to faint. Brian
swipes at him.
BRIAN (CONTD)
Get off me! You cant...
Hes out. Amy gasps. Clark catches him.
INT. STATE OF THE ART HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY
Brians in a hyperbaric chamber, more advanced than his home
model. Hes totally entombed. Amy stands over him and Clark
nearby. A doctor is droning on but we hear only snippets.
DOCTOR
Shutting down. Major organ failure.
No cure. No pain, thankfully.
Nothing we can do. Very little time
left. Full time assisted-care.
47.
Time is restored and present. Were no longer spinning.
DOCTOR (CONTD)
Im sorry.
He departs. Amy is shrunken in a chair bawling silently.
Clark moves up the glass and puts his hand on it.
CLARK
I wont--we wont let him get away
with this.
EXT. HOSPITAL - DAY
Clark is surrounded by reporters, bloggers. Vultures. They
scream at him as the cameras flash.
REPORTERS
Is it true that Lexcorp has
acquired Isaacs company? Is Brian
Isaac alive? What were his last
words? Are you and Brian lovers?
Who are you? Any comment on Brian
being behind the terrorist plots?
CLARK
Who said that?
A hurried murmur from the reporters. Clark puts up his hand.
CLARK (CONTD)
Who asked if Brian was connected to
the terrorists?
A light murmur. Lois Lane appears in the crowd, a scarf
around her neck and her voice is huskier than last night.
LOIS
(sharp eyes and tone)
Lois Lane. Daily Planet. Are you
confirming--
CLARK
Im not even dignifying it with an
answer. You should feel ashamed.
LOIS
Why should I feel ashamed? Am I
acting like a coward?
48.
CLARK
(to all)
Lets all wish Brian a speedy
recovery. Keep him in our thoughts.
He walks on as all the reporters but Lois yawl at him. He
face falls from anger to regret. He escapes in a cab.
CAB REAR
Is there anger boiling beneath the surface? Is Superman about
to come screaming out of him? Is this the man who can fly so
fast he can turn back time? It seems like yes and then...
He deflates. He looks to his phone to see no new texts. He
sees an alert saying Brian Isaac is in terrible condition, an
IPO is set for Verident.
Superman is super sad.
EXT. DAILY PLANET - DAY
Clark pays the driver and looks at the globe atop the
building. He gets his change back and shakes his head,
handing the money over. As it drives away he sees an iconic
S on the back of it. He smirks.
INT. DAILY PLANET OFFICE ANNEX - DAY
Clarks opened a file called Rainy Day that houses dozens
of stories. Hes already selected a few and is in the process
of printing them out. Lana looks sad and confused from a
distance before she moves up to engage him.
LANA
Hey, Clark.
CLARK
(soft smile)
Oh. Hi, Lana.
LANA
I saw you on the news.
CLARK
I imagine just about everyone did.
LANA
Im sorry I didnt mean...it just
seems like you have a lot going on
and I just wanted you to know that,
you know, we could talk.
49.
CLARK
Thats very kind of you.
Clark goes back to getting up copies of his stories.
LANA
Its just that were both from a
small town and I know what its
like.
CLARK
What whats like?
LANA
Being alone when you have too much
going on.
CLARK
Is it that obvious?
LANA
Yeah. Its a pretty human thing.
They share a moment before the booming voice.
PERRY WHITE
Kent! What the hell?
Lana looks mortified.
CLARK
Its okay. Well talk soon.
Lana nods and heads the other way as Perry enters.
PERRY WHITE
Lets ignore the fact that youre
constantly absent. Lets pretend
that I sent you to get an interview
yesterday and Lois puts it up.
CLARK
Okay.
PERRY WHITE
In what world is it alright to NOT
report that you have a personal
connection to Brian Isaac after his
conference yesterday?
CLARK
I didnt--we only met yesterday.
50.
PERRY WHITE
That MEANS your responsibility to
this paper is even GREATER. Instead
we have to have our ace call you
out on live TV? This headline
should have been ours.
(sees the stack)
Are you going somewhere?
CLARK
Im taking some personal time.
PERRY WHITE
The world is on fire. The man
responsible attacks your co-worker
and youre leaving?
(beat)
I did not know I could be so
disappointed in someone. Youre not
on vacation. Youre fired. Get out.
Perry leaves and Clark starts packing up his things. As he
leaves we see a picture on the news feed: A grainy
cameraphone shot of Equus with the title In Singapore?
INT. CLARKS APARTMENT - DAY
Clark opens a man-sized safe that houses an array of suits.
LATER
He slides the last part of one on and is immediately
transformed. The worry dissolves. The fear and self loathing
is gone. His face and eyes are clear. Hes Superman.
EXT. WASHINGTON D.C. - DAY
Superman sails past the Washington Monument on his way to the
White House.
INT. WHITE HOUSE LOBBY - DAY
Superman approaches a SECRETARY who is too busy to look up.
SUPERMAN
Excuse me. Id--
The secretary holds up a finger. A beat, then he continues.
51.
SUPERMAN (CONTD)
I need the see the President. Its
a pressing matter.
SECRETARY
There is absolutely no way that
someone who isnt already on the--
She looks up. Holds up her finger again in a very different
way as she picks up the phone.
SECRETARY (CONTD)
Code eighty-three. Uh-huh. Uh-huh.
(hanging up)
The President will see you. If I
could just get you to sign the
guest book.
She puts the ledger in front of Superman. He signs.
SECRETARY (CONTD)
And then this...
She slides a copy of a book about Superman over. He signs.
INT. OVAL OFFICE - DAY
Superman walks in. THE PRESIDENT and A MAN IN A SUIT walk
over to offer their hands as two secret service agents watch.
SUPERMAN
Mr. President.
PRESIDENT
Superman. What can I do for you?
SUPERMAN
Well its about Verident and Lex
Luthor.
All three sit.
PRESIDENT
Out of my hands, Im afraid.
Justice department cleared it. Anti-
trust, that sort of thing.
SUPERMAN
Mr. President. I urge you to
reconsider. Mr. Isaac doesnt have
much time left.
52.
PRESIDENT
I understand this is important to
you but let me ask you something--
have you ever considered a
Presidential endorsement?
SUPERMAN
Im sorry?
PRESIDENT
An endorsement. For me. This is my
re-election campaign manager.
Man in Suit smiles like slime.
SUPERMAN
I feel that political statements
are outside my purview. You
understand.
The President and Man in Suit rise. Superman follows.
SUPERMAN (CONTD)
About Verident...
PRESIDENT
I feel that interfering with the
Justice Department is outside my
purview. You understand.
INT. PROTOTYPE ROOM - DAY
Brian eyes the room with a cold, quiet temper from inside a
mobile hyperbaric chamber. Hes the boy in the bubble now.
Amy enters holding the make-shift gauntlet. Brian doesnt
respond as she puts it into a compressing chamber in the
machine. Hiss. Pop. Brian can reach it now.
After a moment Amy starts to walk away with sad eyes.
BRIAN
Amy.
AMY
Yes?
BRIAN
I need to tell you before I go-
AMY
Please dont...
53.
BRIAN
Ill keep it short. Just know that
no matter what happens youll be
taken care of. Thank you, Amy.
She nods and turns, puts a hand over her mouth and exits.
Brian dons the gauntlet. It activates. He points forward and
the mobile chamber moves up to the manufacturing machine we
saw earlier. A screen on the machine flickers on and its
giant arms come to life.
A schematic, a hologram, is projected. The Behemoth. It
begins to shift and change. It becomes smaller, more man
shaped, but the core design is still there.
BRIAN (CONTD)
Congratulations, Lex. Youve won.
Youve taken everything from me.
Brian flips the bird at the machine. Manufacturing begins.
BRIAN (CONTD)
Which means I have nothing left to
lose...
EXT. SINGAPORE - DAY
THE WELCOME HAND, an iconic statue of an open palm, is
situated near three towering skyscrapers joined together
under a sleek, modern roof. This is the Marina Bay Sands.
EXT. MARINA BAY SANDS - DAY
Well armed police and private security teams surround the
building. Choppers fly around and hold position. TV crews,
news vans, live feeds. The works.
MARINA BAY SANDS
A dozen INTERNATIONAL TOURISTS are shackled across their
waists along the roofs edge. If one of them goes, they all
do. The material is sleek and white like Equus suit.
Its a 600 meter drop if he shoves them. Or theres a
gigantic pool on the roof, he could drown them.
EQUUS
I figured hed be here by now.
Anyone want to play 20 questions?
(beat)
No? Fair enough.
54.
EQUUS (CONTD)
Then lets play another game...
Equus raises his foot to put on the back of one of the
tourists. Hes about ready to push when...
Superman comes in with a blur. The world is a red and blue
streak and Equus is dragged across the roof of the building.
When Superman stops we see his hand has punched through
Equus chest. Wires buzz. Sparks shoot out. Superman glares.
SUPERMAN
No matter what, I will stop you.
EQUUS
(distant, metallic)
Youll never stop--us.
Superman lets the robotic corpse fall to Earth.
One of the tourists screams.
Superman looks over. Equus has his foot on the tourist from
before. He shoves them off the roof. The rest follow. He
gives Superman a little salute with a smirk.
Superman cant grab the tether, itll cut the tourists in
half. So he jumps off the roof and knocks the rotor off a
helicopter and tosses it away. He then plucks it from the sky
and flies back to the tourists.
Theyre all falling now.
From here its a single shot. Superman in between the falling
tourists and helicopter with the ground coming closer.
One by one Superman breaks the bonds of tether and throws a
tourist into the helicopter. By the third tourist the para-
military team on board starts helping out, like a bucket
brigade. Snap, toss, situate. Snap, toss, situate.
The grounds getting close. Snap, toss, situate.
Closer. Snap, toss, situate.
CLOSER! Snap, toss, situate.
The last tourist is in AND...
The sound of metal crunching. Everyone on board the
helicopter closes their eyes. Tourists scream.
A beat. They open their eyes.
55.
EXT. THE GROUND OF THE MARINE SANDS BAY - DAY
Supermans feet are embedded into the pavement. The left foot
of the helicopter is crunched into scarp metal by Supermans
powerful hands. He holds the helicopter up for a second
before letting it down with a relieved sigh.
Everyone is too stunned to cheer. Emergency responders come
in and the tourists escape. It almost seems like its going
to be a good moment before...
The laser strike comes from the room and hits the helicopter.
It explodes. Is anyone hurt? Is anyone dead? No time.
EXT. MARINA SANDS BAY - DAY
Superman rises up out of the smoke as several Equus fire
down at him.
ROOF
Superman cuts one Equus in half as he reaches the top of the
building. He holds the torso in front of him to block the
fire of a half dozen others.
He jumps, left to right, slams into them, dismembers them.
Then the shot comes from the air. Equus with a jet-pack.
EQUUS
Hello, Supes.
Superman rises to go after him but is hit with a laser blast.
He falls into the pool.
He tries to emerge but a second shot hits him and knocks him-
UNDERWATER
He looks like sack filled with rocks. Hes sinking, eyes are
heavy and closing.
He hits the bottom of the pool. People inside the building
can see up through the glass bottom. The water seems to
dissipate the lasers that strike into it.
Superman looks as though hes given up. He turns over and he
sees them, the tourists.
PENULTIMATE FLOOR OF MARINA SANDS
Everyday average people, from all over the world. They look
up to Superman. They seem concerned. Wounded.
56.
His pain is their pain. An UPSCALE KID sees serval Equus
surrounding the pool, lasers drawn. He steps forward hands on
buttoned shirt.
The kid grabs the shirt and pulls, but hes not strong enough
to rip it open. So instead he hurriedly unbuttons.
Beneath is a cheap T. Solid and blue with a Red and Yellow S.
And it hits him. He is literally the only thing standing
between things like Equus and these people. He isnt alien.
He isnt powerful. Hes an inspiration and sentinel.
Thats who I god damn am.
ROOF OF MARINA SANDS
The Equus squad is has the pool surrounded on all sides. Jet-
packed Equus hovers over it. At once, all the Equus suits
throw a kyprtonite grenade in the pool.
UNDERWATER
Streams of bubbles as the grenades sink. Superman nods to the
boy, who nods back. Then a loud SNAP. A BOOM.
ROOF OF MARINA SANDS
The water explodes, fizzes up. Smoke. Chaos. Screaming.
The Equus squad train their rifles back and forth across the
water but its too violent. They cant see anything.
A moment, and it stills. The they can see through the water
again but instead of Superman they just see the crowd looking
back up at them.
SUPERMAN (O.S.)
Hello, Equus.
Jetpacked Equus turns to see a drenched Superman floating
behind him, arms crossed. Before he can turn to aim his rifle
its knocked out of his hands and one Jet-pack wing is
punched through.
Its Equus turn to be in the pool.
The other Equus squad members fire up at him but hes not
even trying now. With his arms crossed he kicks the remaining
ground squad members apart, zig-zagging and jolting in and
out of where they are with ease until the last one is down.
EQUUS
Ughhhh....
57.
The only remaining Equus rises out of the pool. Superman
walks up to him. Did the water slow him down? Or was it
something else? Equus hand is shaking as he tries to
activate the gauntlet and melt himself. Superman crunches off
his gauntlet and then his other wing. He lifts Equus up.
SUPERMAN
I dont know how many more of you
are and I dont care. Next time you
want a fight just tell me where and
when. Bring as many copies as you
can. A hundred. A thousand.
(pulls him closer)
But make it just you and me. Leave
everyone else out of it.
Equus gives a stunned look.
SUPERMAN (CONTD)
Got it?
EQUUS
Got it.
SUPERMAN
Good.
Superman is going to set Equus down.
Then he catapults Equus into outer space.
He rises up into the air and flies away. As he does the rotor
blade from the helicopter is seen in the Hand statue.
EXT. APARTMENT BUILDING IN METROPOLIS - NIGHT
Superman glides towards a window. He knocks twice. Lois opens
it and sticks her head out.
LOIS
Where were you?
SUPERMAN
Sigapore. Didnt it make the news?
LOIS
I mean before.
SUPERMAN
Colombia. Didnt it make the news?
LOIS
Superman...
58.
She is distraught. He gives a comforting smile.
SUPERMAN
Im sorry I wasnt there for you.
But I promise, the next time you
need me, I will be.
LOIS
What happened...
SUPERMAN
Ive just been lost, lately. The
world is--confusing.
LOIS
Confusing how?
SUPERMAN
Lets just say Im sure of who I am
again. Thats whats important.
(floats away a little)
Its a beautiful night.
LOIS
It is.
Lois removes her scarf to reveal light bruising on her neck.
LOIS (CONTD)
Does it look bad?
SUPERMAN
You could never look bad.
He floats to her and strokes her neck with his hand.
SUPERMAN (CONTD)
Fly with me.
LOIS
I was going to invite you in.
SUPERMAN
Fly with me.
LOIS
Okay. But can you hold me by the
hips, it really scares me when you--
He pulls her out the window and she shrieks. Then its
playful screaming as he carries her off into the night over
his shoulder.
59.
SUPERMAN
Are you hungry?
LOIS
Yes, but I dont have your
metabolism...
INT. LEX CORP BASEMENT - NIGHT
An underground hanger, high tech, but spartan.
Supermans BIRTH SHIP, the one that brought him here as a
child, hovers off the ground. Workers in white lab-coats and
goggles study feeds. Theyre building copies of the ship in
the background. Theyre stripping it for parts.
Lexs private elevator dings. Everyone stops what they are
doing to turn and look at the doors. They open. Its Brian.
Its Brian in his Behemoth MKII suit. Hes now seven feet
tall with only his head being visible in a clear shell. His
skin is even more jaundiced, yellow. His eyes are devoid of
the light and laughter from earlier. His cadence is slower.
BRIAN
Whos in charge?
All of the scientists saunter away from one. Brian engages.
BRIAN (CONTD)
I presume you have a direct line to
your boss?
HEAD SCIENTIST nods.
BRIAN (CONTD)
Be a sport and call him, will you?
HEAD SCIENTIST
What do you want me to say?
BRIAN
Oh, something along the lines of
Brian destroyed your space ships,
meet him in your office.
HEAD SCIENTIST
But you, but I--
Brian moves into the...
BIRTH SHIP
60.
He looks around the advanced interior as if being called.
Theres a panel on the wall that is covered with a DANGER
sticker. The universal signs for explosions, radiation. Brian
smirks and lifts his gauntlet. A hum. A glow.
The panel slides open. In it is a small sample of RED
KRYPTONITE and a DATA CRYSTAL. Brian pockets the red
kryptonite like its meaningless but looks to the crystal.
Nothing, then puts it in his gauntlet. They react. The faint
image of Krypton appears. Libraries. Schematics. Knowledge.
BRIAN
Motherload...
UNDERGROUND HANGER
After exiting Brian strolls towards the elevator. The ceiling
in the hanger opens and the Birth Ship ascends to the night.
He boards the elevator and turns to eye the Head Scientist
with a do it look before the doors close.
HEAD SCIENTIST (TO PHONE)
Uhh, Mr. Luthor?
(beat)
Well its just--
The computers and remaining spaceships catch electrical fire.
HEAD SCIENTIST (CONTD)
Yes, Im quite sure its an
emergency.
EXT. A TALL BUILDING IN METROPOLIS - NIGHT
Lois and Superman sit on the edge of the roof eating hotdogs.
LOIS
Before I met you I was afraid of
heights.
SUPERMAN
I still am.
Lois looks at him with alarm but when he gives a confident
All American smile she shoves him. He rocks. Play acting.
LOIS
Have you stopped Equus? For good?
61.
SUPERMAN
No. I dont think so. But soon.
Hopefully.
They look to one another. The pretense falls. They kiss.
Brian is looking over the desktop interface from before. Hes
laughing as the data scrolls, and upload % climbs.
The elevator opens but Brian doesnt turn. Footsteps.
BRIAN
Youve been a bad, bad boy, Lex. I
honestly had no idea.
Equus creeps up behind Brian and his suit. His hand cannon
turns into something of a laser blade. Hes about to strike.
Then he stops dead. Frozen.
BRIAN (CONTD)
Were going to have to have a talk,
you and I.
EQUUS
(struggling, frozen)
How are you doing this!?
BRIAN
Not you. Lex.
(turns to Equus)
I know youre in there. Arent you
going to say something?
EQUUS
You old fool. You cant-
Brians gauntlet flashes. Equus hand falls to the floor and
his mouth shuts and lips seal.
BRIAN
Stop sending your little errand
boy. Where are you?
Brians gauntlet flashes. He is able to see himself through
Equus eyes. Then he travels through lines and cyberspace.
Images flash. Static cameras. Cell phones. Lap tops and their
cams. Finally he sees the roof of Lex Corp and a chopper.
BRIAN (CONTD)
Ahhh.
62.
He moves towards the personal elevator but stops to pat Equus
on the head.
BRIAN (CONTD)
Stay.
He boards. The Top Floor button lights up. The doors close.
EXT. LEX CORP ROOF - NIGHT
The chopper is landing. Lex is flanked by two bodyguards.
When the elevator door opens they pull out laser pistols and
begin peppering Brian with blasts.
He walks forward undaunted as Lex jumps into the chopper.
BRIAN
Elevator, last call, ten seconds.
They lower their weapons and flee to the elevator as the
chopper lifts off. Brian doesnt even raise his hand this
time. He just looks, almost bored, almost pleased, at the
elevator as it stops, reverses course and lands.
BRIAN (CONTD)
(to pilot)
Youre going to want to get out of
here before this thing crashes.
LEX LUTHOR
Do not listen to him!
BRIAN
Kid, this thing is about to
explode. Go.
LEX LUTHOR
Pilot! Do not listen to him!
BRIAN
Check your navigational computer.
The pilot looks at an advanced HUD. It changes from flight
data to Seriously, Im going to destroy this thing.
The pilot looks back to Brian. He gives a yes, really look.
The pilot jumps out and flees to the elevator. He and the
bodyguards are sealed in.
BRIAN (CONTD)
Lex. Oh Lex. Id like you to come
out now.
63.
Lex Luthor gives him a death glare.
BRIAN (CONTD)
I asked nicely.
The helicopter tilts to a 45 degree angle and discards Lex.
Then it rights itself. It wobbles a bit, back and forth.
BRIAN (CONTD)
See, I never learned how to fly.
All the mastery you can have over
something but if you...come on,
land, damnit!
(has enough)
Screw it.
The helicopter RAPIDLY ascends.
EXT. A TALL BUILDING IN METROPOLIS - NIGHT
Superman breaks the kiss with Lois when he sees a helicopter
climbing quickly and erratically.
He is about to bolt off before he remembers. He looks to
Lois. Theres a moment of sheepishness.
LOIS
(sighs)
Go on. I know the drill.
He kisses her on the cheek and launches after it.
Lois smiles as he goes and then sighs, spins so that shes on
the roof and removes her heels. Inside her purse is a pair of
plain tennis shoes. Shes done this before.
Lex rises and looks remarkably composed for a man betrayed by
his own staff and helicopter.
LEX LUTHOR
You have my attention.
Brian laughs. Its like venom. Its like hate.
BRIAN
I earnestly dont know why I didnt
see you were a sociopath before
tonight. It was staring me right in
the face.
64.
LEX LUTHOR
Given your actions tonight, I fear
you may be projecting.
BRIAN
Cool as a cucumber.
Brian starts taking slow, meaningful steps towards Lex.
LEX LUTHOR
What do you want?
BRIAN
I was going to give you a gift.
LEX LUTHOR
A present? For me?
BRIAN
Oh you better believe it bald and
beautiful. I was going to pay you
back for taking the only thing that
mattered from me.
LEX LUTHOR
And how do you intend to do that?
Brians eyes gleam with madness.
BRIAN
Taking away the only thing you care
about.
EXT. HIGH ABOUT METROPOLIS - NIGHT
Superman reaches the chopper but sees no one driving.
SUPERMAN
Bad day for helicopters...
Then he spies the Lex insignia on everything. He stops the
Rotor blade and begins to pilot the chopper back home.
Brian holds Lex in the mid air over the roofs edge with his
non-gauntlet hand.
Lex is only slightly unnerved. He keeps his fear hidden.
65.
LEX LUTHOR
Is this going to make you feel
better about losing to me?
BRIAN
The funny thing is, I didnt come
here for this. I came for answers
but I got those on my own. Some
people have a skeleton in their
closet. You have a spacecraft in
your basement.
LEX LUTHOR
I have more than one at this point.
BRIAN
And then the files on your
computer. I wanted to know, so
badly, why my company? Why? But
then I saw it. And I have to admit,
pretty clever. I wouldnt have
thought to use the dome for that.
LEX LUTHOR
No need to beat yourself up.
Brian laughs again as he extends his hand out further. Lex is
how fully dangling hundreds of meters in the air.
BRIAN
After seeing all the effort you
went through for just a little
power. It hit me. The best thing I
can do to redeem myself? Take you
out with me.
A flare of fear in Lexs face.
LEX LUTHOR
You dont have to. The world will
be a safer place if we joi--
BRIAN
Lex?
LEX LUTHOR
Yes?
BRIAN
I no longer feel the need to hear
the arguments of my inferiors.
Release. Lex falls without screaming.
66.
Brian doesnt look down either. No smile on his face. He
seems to ponder what hes done for a moment before turning
back to the elevator.
Behind him a helicopter comes into view. Then Superman
holding it with his left hand. Then Lex in his right.
He puts the helicopter down and looks shocked to see Brian.
SUPERMAN
Brian?
BRIAN
Boyscout...
Superman looks at the roof for someone, anyone else.
Theres no one. Just Brian. Lex is taken aback. They know
each other?
Supes is Crestfallen. He puts Luthor down safely then lands
and walks towards Brian.
SUPERMAN
Why?
BRIAN
I came to get my company back.
SUPERMAN
You--just attempted murder.
BRIAN
Well. It was my first attempt. Of
course I didnt get it right.
Lex rises, reborn. He sees three moves ahead of both men.
LEX LUTHOR
I demand you arrest him, Superman.
BRIAN
Oh dont you start--
Brian takes a step towards Lex, but Superman steps between.
Lex could teach the devil how to grin.
BRIAN (CONTD)
(to Superman)
Oh is that how its going to be?
SUPERMAN
I dont have a choice Brian.
67.
BRIAN
Hes been trying to kill you the
last three days!
SUPERMAN
I know.
BRIAN
Be pragmatic for once in your life!
SUPERMAN
I cant condone murder.
BRIAN
Dont condone it just look the
other way. Here!
Brian raises his gauntlet. The blades starts up again. The
helicopter moves to crash into Lex but Superman punches it.
It collapses with a crunch.
Brian screams and charges towards Lex. Hes berserk.
But just before hes about to grab Luthor Superman has his
arms locked. They wrestle. Lex looks on almost casually.
The suit is strong, but this is Superman. He overpowers Brian
and shoves him to the ground.
SUPERMAN
Im sorry, Brian.
(to Lex)
And you--
LEX LUTHOR
Dont bother. Ive already been
cleared for my pioneering efforts
in industry.
(he whispers to Superman)
The President called. You really
should have done the photo-op.
(strolling to elevator)
Thanks for the company, Brian.
Lex vanishes behind sealed doors. Superman sits on the ledge
of the building. Hes burdened.
BRIAN
I truly have no idea what youre
thinking, kiddo.
SUPERMAN
Its my code. Its who I am.
68.
BRIAN
And how does that code benefit this
situation?
SUPERMAN
It doesnt.
BRIAN
Well. Its an honest answer.
Brian struggles to get up. Superman offers a hand. He rises.
SUPERMAN
I have to take you in.
BRIAN
You have to take me home.
SUPERMAN
Im serious. Youre under arrest.
BRIAN
Under whos authority, Xenus? Cut
the crap, kid.
SUPERMAN
Brian.
BRIAN
(true betrayed fury)
You think Im spending my remaining
days in jail? You think thats how
I die? Awaiting trail? In
courtrooms? I had a legacy! I had
the world! I was going to change
things before I left and then Lex
took that from me. So then, I
decided to make the world a better
place be taking him out, but oh no,
the moral three-year-old stops me.
SUPERMAN
Brian...
BRIAN
No. Now you listen. If you touch me
again, if I see you again, the
entire world will know Supermans
identity.
SUPERMAN
Stop! Lex could have surveilence--
69.
BRIAN
He does. And I control it.
(in Supermans face)
Your name. Your address. The
molecular structure of kryptonite.
Itll be everywhere in a heartbeat.
SUPERMAN
You wouldnt.
BRIAN
Oh yes I will. Ill tell that
cyborg downstairs where your mom
lives. Your boss.
(beat)
Lois.
They stare off. They are heaving, flush with anger.
BRIAN (CONTD)
You really dont have it in you.
You could end the threat right now,
one flick of your finger. But you
cant do it.
Supermans brow is furrowed. Eyes narrowed. He...cant.
His head bows. Brian turns to leave.
BRIAN (CONTD)
Make it real simple. You let me die
on my own terms? Ill take your
secret to the grave.
(boards elevator, turns)
But if I die sooner? If this suit
is compromised? Theres a
contingency in place. Now if youll
excuse me, I have a big, bald
bastard to hunt down.
The elevator doors open revealing Brian.
BRIAN
Come.
Equus boards the elevator. Theres fear. The doors close.
70.
Superman picks up Clarks cell. He calls Lois. No answer.
He goes to a list of received calls. All Mom and Work.
He looks around the apartment. It looks like an IKEA ad.
Clean. Neat. Tucked away. Hardly used.
Whats the purpose of Clark Kent anymore? Is there one?
He scrolls though his phone. Presses send.
CLARK
Hello, Lana?
INT. A LOW RENT DINER - NIGHT
Clark is building a fort out of straws. Lana enters,
dressed up far beyond her work attire. Shes not good at it.
LANA
Clark.
He rises to offer a hand shake, she dives in for a hug. They
sit in the booth.
LANA (CONTD)
You have, uh, really nice core.
Whats your secret?
CLARK
Good genetics. Thanks for--
LANA
No, no problem! I mean with
everything going on its not like
were getting a lot of sleep these
days at the office. Oh, should we,
not talk about the office?
CLARK
Its fine.
LANA
I just--whyd you take the time
off? I dont understand.
CLARK
Do you have any skeletons in your
closet?
71.
LANA
I didnt think it was that kind of
conversation. We all do. Right?
CLARK
Something that would change others
opinions of you if they knew?
LANA
I hope not. Youre starting to
scare me. I cant imagine you...
CLARK
Go on.
LANA
I cant imagine you having a secret
like that.
Clark smirks.
CLARK
There are things that if they get
out, they would.
LANA
Im not going to ask what. Or why.
Clark I...
She puts her hand on top of his to still the fort building.
LANA (CONTD)
I think youre super. And I dont
think theres anything I could find
out that would change that.
The smirk turns into a warm smile. Lana realizes her hand is
still on his and snaps it back.
LANA (CONTD)
Youre a good man, Clark Kent.
CLARK
I think you are, too.
LANA
Yeah. All the good ones seem to
think of me as a guy.
He gets the hint. He sees the makeup. It dawns.
CLARK
Lana youre wonderful.
72.
LANA
But.
CLARK
No but. Youre wonderful.
(sheepish smile)
I do have a favor to ask you,
though. Its about work.
INT. LANAS APARTMENT - NIGHT
Lanas logged into a Daily Planet server. Clark hangs over
her shoulder. Theyre looking at pictures of Equus, the
advanced polymers, the lasers, cybernetics and A.I.
LANA
It would really help if you could
tell me what youre looking for.
CLARK
There has to be a place where Equus
is stored. Or where he lives.
LANA
What are you going to do,
investigate?
CLARK
Well, I am a free agent. And I hear
blogging is popular.
LANA
About a decade ago, yeah.
(teasing)
Maybe you do a celebrity blog. You
know, talk about Apple Paltrow or
Solange or the Kardashians.
CLARK
Why are you making up names?
LANA
(intense focus)
Shut up. I mean, wait.
CLARK
What is it?
LANA
Theres a--it could be nothing--but
theres a project where all of
these technologies came together.
OMAC.
73.
CLARK
Oh-Mack?
LANA
One-Man-Army-Corp. It started about
thirty years ago.
CLARK
The military?
LANA
I dont know. Its a shell company.
(tap tap tap)
...why would anyone base their
operations in Kansas?
Woosh.
LANA (CONTD)
Clark? ...Clark?
INT. OVAL OFFICE - NIGHT
The President sits back with his feet on the desk talking
into a landline phone.
PRESIDENT
--but if you bundled it all
together then...hello? Hello?
He is earnestly perplexed. The doesnt happen to Presidents.
Hes about to hang up when a voice appears on the line.
BRIAN (O.S.)
Oh, did I interrupt you breaking
about twenty campaign finance laws?
PRESIDENT
(immediate authority)
I dont know who this is but youre
about to have a very bad day. No
less than six departments are
tracing your location right now.
The President hangs up. A flicker on his desktop. Brian
appears on the screen.
BRIAN (ON MONITOR)
Oh, so when you listen in on phone
calls its National Security but
when I do its Treason. Nice gig.
74.
PRESIDENT
...Brian Isaac?
BRIAN (ON MONITOR)
In the rotting flesh.
PRESIDENT
Do you understand the level of
crime that youre committing?
BRIAN (ON MONITOR)
Sparky, you couldnt beat me at
checkers. I already said treason.
Now lets focus.
The President presses a button. Nothing happens. He frowns
and presses it again. He rises.
BRIAN (ON MONITOR) (CONTD)
Youll find the systems you use to
be less than reliable for now.
PRESIDENT
You hacked the White House systems?
BRIAN (ON MONITOR)
Im IN the White House Systems.
Sit. Down.
The President sits.
PRESIDENT
You want your company back?
BRIAN (ON MONITOR)
Oh. So you do negotiate with
terrorists. Always thought that was
a line. No, too late for that. What
I want is Lex Luthor.
PRESIDENT
I dont have him.
BRIAN (ON MONITOR)
No. But you can find him.
PRESIDENT
What makes you think--
BRIAN (ON MONITOR)
One Man Army Corps. Manufacturing
deals. A huge sum of money being
paid to your campaign. Thats what.
75.
PRESIDENT
Im not going to hand a man over to
die.
BRIAN (ON MONITOR)
You really have no idea what Lex
has in store, do you?
(beat)
Ask a stupid question--Mr.
President I intend to save this
world from the greatest threat its
ever known. You gonna join me?
The President sits in wrathful silence.
BRIAN (ON MONITOR) (CONTD)
Ill take that as a no. Lets just
be clear about one thing--Im
uploading all the dirty money Ive
found into every newspaper server I
can find.
PRESIDENT
...why?
BRIAN
Because screw you. Thats why.
INT. DAILY PLANET OFFICE ANNEX - NIGHT
Jimmy Olsen looks like he hasnt slept in days. A flash comes
in and he warily looks at it. He looks around the office.
Nobody seems to have noticed yet. Dirty Money Scandal.
JIMMY OLSEN
Gosh.
EXT. THE SKIES OF KANSAS - NIGHT
Wheat fields lit by the light of the moon. Rural farms.
Superman flies over them, switching the world into his X-Ray
vision. Nothing. He puts his fist out and flies, making blue
and red streaks in the sky until he sees it. A large,
underground complex.
INT. A BUNKER - NIGHT
Superman crashes through the ceiling. Dirt and debris fall
onto the ground of what looks to be a server farm.
76.
A door slide opens and Superman turns, ready for conflict.
Lex Luthor walks through looking annoyed.
LEX LUTHOR
I dont suppose youre going to pay
for that?
Superman ignores him and walks through the door into...
AN UNDERGROUND CHAMBER
Its Equus chamber, but the suits are all gone and every
weapon has been pilfered.
SUPERMAN
What was in here?
LEX LUTHOR
Approximately two hundred copies of
the Equus suit, various large scale
arms. Mmmm. An army.
SUPERMAN
What did you do?
LEX LUTHOR
You think Id be here if Id done
it? Think, Superman.
SUPERMAN
Brian?
LEX LUTHOR
Gold star.
Lex continues walking. Superman follows into...
EQUUS HOME CHAMBER
Theres a hole in the middle of the room. Like something
electronic was removed. Lex takes out his cell phone.
SUPERMAN
Youre not mad?
LEX LUTHOR
Mad? Turnabout is fair play. No,
Im not mad, but I am a little bit
worried.
SUPERMAN
Because?
77.
LEX LUTHOR
Call me a cynic, but you I thought
it wasnt wise to produce an army
controlled by a single person
unless you could control them.
SUPERMAN
Get to the point, Luthor.
LEX LUTHOR
Equus sat in a chamber in this
room. If anything were to happen...
Lex lobs his phone above the hole.
LEX LUTHOR (CONTD)
Emergency.
Lasers blast from every direction. The phone is destroyed
twenty times over before it hits the ground.
LEX LUTHOR (CONTD)
So you can see, you have a problem.
SUPERMAN
I have a problem?
LEX LUTHOR
(million dollar smile)
There might be a little bit of a
sub-back up where if I die--you
remember what happened to that tank
in Colombia?
Superman slow-walks to Luthor.
SUPERMAN
I dont know how. Or when. But I
will find a way to put you
imprision for the rest of your
life. To dismantle Lex Corp and
wipe your stain from the book of
history.
(off silence)
You will not be remembered.
LEX LUTHOR
Devastating. Your plane or mine?
EXT. KANSAS AIRFIELD - NIGHT
Lexs plane is in flames. A wing falls off it.
78.
Lex smiles in good humor to Superman.
LEX LUTHOR
Asked and answered.
EXT. HIGH ABOVE KANSIS - NIGHT
Superman cant fly at full speed carrying Lex. Hes higher up
than he needs to be. Lex yells something but the wind is too
loud, or so Superman pretends.
INT. ABANDONED LINE TOKEN BOOTH - NIGHT
Superman puts Lex inside a defunct token booth. He pulls the
metal gates from one of the turnstiles and locks Lex in.
LEX LUTHOR
Hey!
Superman stops to look at him through the glass.
LEX LUTHOR (CONTD)
You cant just leave me down here!
SUPERMAN
Youll be safe.
LEX LUTHOR
How do you know?
SUPERMAN
No cameras. Barely any electronics
at all, nothing from this century.
Were down far enough that theres
no cell phone signals.
(beat)
Theres silence here.
LEX LUTHOR
Dear lord. Everyone thinks of you
as this golden child and yet--you
hid underground like a rat.
SUPERMAN
Youre the one in a cage, Luthor.
And youd better get used to it.
Superman wooshes off and Luthor takes off his suit jacket and
hangs it up on an old chair. Then he pulls out a stack of old
newspapers and dusts them off. He begins to read.
But his jacket is moving, swinging, ever so slightly.
79.
Inside the jacket pocket is the handle of an ornate REVOLVER.
INT. PROTOTYPE ROOM - NIGHT
Brian seems busy with his new prototype machine. Schematics
line every wall. Computers hum. A Satellite map of the Earth
is zooming in on men who look like Luthor at depots and
stations and airports around the world.
Superman kicks through the door and looks around. Daisy yaps
and Equus rises. Superman scans but Brian doesnt turn.
Theres a new coat of paint on the walls.
BRIAN
Equus...
Equus draws his rifle. Superman moves towards him.
BRIAN (CONTD)
Go walk my dog.
Equus gets stiff. His face is fury but his movements are
forced, mechanical, as he picks up a leash. Daisy runs over
to him and they exit.
SUPERMAN
Lead paint?
BRIAN
Im building a little suit for
Daisy all the same.
Brian gestures to a LITTLE BEHEMOTH DOG SUIT.
BRIAN (CONTD)
And a corpse and a cyborg dont
have much to worry about. Hell, Im
thinking about taking up smoking.
Brian finally turns. His wrath is frigid. Barely contained.
BRIAN (CONTD)
Where is he?
SUPERMAN
Im not giving him up to you.
BRIAN
We only made the deal last night,
Boyscout. Already change your mind?
80.
SUPERMAN
I did. The world needs me more than
it does Clark Kent.
BRIAN
You damn idiot. You ARE Clark Kent.
SUPERMAN
I am Superman.
BRIAN
You wish you were. But at the end
of the day, who do you want Lois to
love? Who do you want people to
call and talk to? Whos grave do
you want them to visit?
Thumps and hisses as Brian walks in his MKII suit.
SUPERMAN
Its never about what we want. Its
about what we need to do.
BRIAN
Wheres that going to get you, huh?
A lifetime of do good for tomorrow?
I get that youre sticking up for
yourself but I can FEEL the hand of
death on me so I dont have time
for this. Where. Is he?
Superman puts his hand on the suit.
SUPERMAN
Im taking you in for attempted
murder.
BRIAN
Well then I surrender.
A hiss. Hydraulics. The other arm sucker punches Superman
clean to the other side of the room and into the walls.
Various contraptions and machines in the room animate. The
Sat-Map in the room switches from a seek mode to Deploy.
Dozens of figures on the globe light up.
Superman rights himself. Hes not even stunned.
SUPERMAN
Brian. You cant beat me.
81.
BRIAN
No, Boyscout. I cant OVERPOWER
you. But I can beat you. I can beat
you like this was chess.
Superman darts forward. A HUD pops up in Brians suit and
auto punches at a vector. It connects with Superman, who is
now ready for it. The suit and Superman exchange blows as
Brian sits calmly inside.
BRIAN (CONTD)
Lex made this whole program
designed to anticipate how you
fight. Turns out, you dont have
that many moves. Youve been
phoning it in! Getting lazy!
A flying drone comes to life. Its basically a gun with wings
and as it takes off it fires a pot shot laser at Superman.
It hits. Superman is temporarily weakened. The MKII suit
nails him in his chin.
Superman wheels back. For the first time we see fire in his
eyes. Its true. He doesnt have to rise to challenges often.
BRIAN (CONTD)
After our little tete-a-tete I
thought about this. See, Im
basically a hard slap away from
death, and you know that. So you?
You gotta hold back. Me?
The shoulders drop off the MKII revealing those familiar
grenade launching holes.
BRIAN (CONTD)
Im no longer inclined to follow
your example.
The grenades fire and the room is too small. Superman tries
to dodge, fire his lasers, but salvo after salvo come out of
the MKII. Superman retreats out of the room.
VERIDENT HALLWAY
The grenades are just exploding in chaff anymore. Some of
them concuss. Others detonate in fire. Superman does his best
to evade, throw, stop them as he runs to...
VERIDENT LOBBY
Hes making his way to the front door when Amy appears. She
looks up with sunken, sleep-less and cried-out eyes in shock.
82.
One of the grenades redirects from Superman towards her.
SUPERMAN
NO!
Superman jolts in front of her and takes the grenade hit. It
explodes in fire and shes knocked back, but safe.
Grenades continue to swarm towards Superman. Theres too
many. He shoots one down. Five. Ten. Theyre getting closer.
One detonates in kyrpotnite chaff and his lasers are gone.
Another, another, another. Superman wheels back as explosions
rattle his body. Its too much.
He falls on top of Amy. He tries to shield her. A final
grenade comes in.
It explodes.
The thumps and hisses. We can barely see the MKII through the
smoke and dust. But we can hear it.
Clearing smoke. Superman, on his back, moaning, head shifting
from side to side.
BRIAN
And that wasnt even plan A. I told
you, you may be strong. But Im...
He stops. More smoke clears. Amy is in a bad way. He body is
crumpled up. He legs akimbo. Shes still.
A scanner pops up on Brians HUD. It shows Superman is alive.
It shows nothing for Amy.
Brian sees the scene. He knows his grenade caused this. His
face shakes. His mouth froths. His eyes water and teeth bare.
Brian Isaac is now BRAINIAC. He speaks at half the speed and
with a deeper, near-monotone register.
Superman recovers, slowly. He sees the corpse and his face
falls. Hes truly pained. He lost something. Its gone.
But theres no time for sadness. Brainiac lifts him into the
air. They look to one another. Theres no love left to lose.
SUPERMAN
You killed her.
BRAINIAC
(cold distant dead)
No, Superman. You killed her.
83.
SUPERMAN
Im taking you down.
BRAINIAC
Maybe. But not before I take
everything from you as you have me.
SUPERMAN
Its not too late for you, Brian.
You can still turn yourself--
The chest laser from the original Behemoth pops open in the
MKII suit. Its smaller, but its point blank. BAM!
Brainiac drops him with one hand and knocks him through the
glass to the street outside.
BRAINIAC
Do not presume to use my name.
Brianiac exits back down the hallway. A beat. Then dozens of
the winged-gun drones appear.
EXT. STREET OUTSIDE VERIDENT - NIGHT
Superman picks himself up with great effort. His buckling
under his own strength. Hes not in tatters though. Hes
doesnt LOOK hurt from the outside.
He takes off as the drones exit. We think theres going to be
a chase sequence but he turns back to look after a moment.
The drones arent following him. Theyre forming a perimeter.
Superman frowns, then departs.
There is a moment of pained humanity on Brainiacs face
before he looks to the Sat-Map. A Deploy? blinks on the
screen. A beat. It vanishes. The dots all over the globe now
have ETAs and dotted trajectories.
Equus enters with Daisy. Brianiac takes her up and puts her
in her own doggie suit without affection.
EQUUS
Youre sending me everywhere?
BRAINIAC
New plan. Youre a freedom fighter.
84.
EQUUS
You cant control me, not all those
places, not all at once.
Brianiac raises his gauntlet. A team of mechanical spiders
pulls a STASIS CHAMBER into the room. We can just barely make
out a form inside.
The MKIIs hand raises and Equus bows over in pain. The
shadowy figure within kicks, flails.
BRAINIAC
Do it. Or die painfully.
EQUUS
Ill do it!
BRAINIAC
(turns back to screen)
Youre fighting for the future.
Youre fighting for hope.
Youre fighting the bad guys.
Equus turns to go and Brainiac begins to manufacture
something. After a moment something catches his eye.
He moves over and picks up the SMALL DISK and opens it. In it
is a little calcium battery. He sets it down and pulls the
RED KRYPTONITE from a compartment within his suit.
The crystal is several times the size of the disk itself.
Superman looks at the city hes protected. He is lost, alone,
adrift. The noise and horns are too much. He ascends until
the world is faint and quiet again. He looks far into the
distance, at the rising sun. Then descends.
The room is abuzz. Clark enters and looks around the office.
When he find what hes seeking he enters...
PERRYS OFFICE
Perry stares daggers at Kent as hes on the phone.
PERRY WHITE
...uh-huh. Well check again!
(hanging up)
What do you want?
85.
CLARK
Im here to see Lois.
PERRY WHITE
I dont have time for you, Kent.
CLARK
Chief--
PERRY WHITE
I said I dont have time. You want
me to call security?
Clark very much does. But just for a moment.
CLARK
Please tell her I came by.
DAILY PLANET NEWS ROOM.
Thats when Clark sees it. A screen split four ways. Equus is
in Hong Kong and Addis Adaba and Munich and Rabat all at
once. The volume comes in.
EQUUS (IN HONG KONG)
And who does Superman save?
EQUUS (IN ADDIS ADABA) (CONTD)
Corrupt bankers in the Basque.
EQUUS (IN MUNICH) (CONTD)
Thieving politicos in Colombia.
EQUUS (IN RABAT) (CONTD)
Media elites. American dignitaries.
EQUUS (ALL AT ONCE) (CONTD)
But not you. Never you. Superman
never comes to save you. So now
its time for us to save ourselves.
All four Equus suits on screen begin to march towards
government buildings. Clark is about to jump out of his skin
to save the day when he sees another feed kick in.
Equus is on an oil platform setting explosives.
A plane is hijacked. Unconfirmed reports state...
The internet activity has ceased in the country of...
Bank accounts and balances are showing erratic...
Stock trading halted.
86.
And on and on it goes.
Superman cant solve all of this. Superman cant solve any of
this. Theres no way to be everywhere. He has to, he has to--
go to the source.
Clark runs to the bathroom. A second later Superman flies.
EXT. VERIDENT BUILDING - DAY
Superman is headstrong. He flies towards the building despite
the laser drones firing at him on all sides.
Brainiac loads the red kryptonite into a HUGE DISK. It glows
eerily, reflects and refracts off his visor. His eyes. The
glow gains in intensity, starts spreading slowly and then...
EXT. HIGH ABOVE METROPOLIS - DAY
The field expands at the speed of sound. Superman is just
about to hit the Verident building when the field hits him
first. We enter Supermans senses the moment it does.
Hearing is gone. Lost. Just like in the kyrptionian chaff
from earlier. And the world can hardly be seen at all. And
theres pain. We can see it in Supermans clenched fists. He
full-throated scream that makes no noise. He darts as high as
he can towards to sun.
ABOVE THE FIELD
The moment Superman escapes the red light he begins to
recover, but as he looks down theres a dome, a field, that
he cannot see through. He sees birds enter it, but vanish the
moment they do. Ditto with a truck.
He floats down to touch it and pulls his hand back the moment
it makes contact.
After steeling himself for a moment he pushes into the field
again. He can see, but sound, vision--its all wonky. He
flies back out.
Superman looks to the red dome that doesnt seem to be having
any effect on anyone else. We leave his vision.
Everyone inside is fine. Its just him.
87.
EXT. A CRUISE SHIP - DAY
Equus sits next to a CAPTAIN holding a detonator.
CAPTAIN
What are you waiting for?
A warning beep.
EQUUS
That.
Press. Boom. An implosion and the ships warning systems go
haywire as Equus begins to melt.
Superman sees the melting Equus and knows hes too late. He
dives beneath the ship to see the breach, too large to fix.
EXT. THE CANARY ISLANDS - DAY
The cruise barrels towards the dock with such incredible
speed that it sprays waves twenty feet high. Its not slowing
down! Its going to crash!
No, its fine. Superman stops super-pushing it and instead
jumps in front to slow its speed. A perfect docking.
INT. A MOSQUE IN RABAT - DAY
Equus sits in front of a croup of young students. An
exquisite, ancient wooden door is closed.
EQUUS
So youre telling me no pork ever?
Superman bursts through the door. The children jump up and
scream in fear, confusion, excitement. Equus begins to melt,
giving one of his sarcastic salutes.
SUPERMAN
Is everyone alright?
STUDENTS
Yeahs. Sures. Fines.
An IMAM appears and looks horrified at the destruction.
IMAM
That door--it was older than the
crusades...
Superman is super confused with no time to figure it out.
88.
From here we see a series of these events. People are
honestly in great peril sometimes and its a set up to make
Superman look foolish, or protect someone whom doesnt need
protecting. He goes around the world, turning night into day,
both through the passage of time and how quickly hes going
from location to location. Until...
EXT. A STREET IN HONG KONG - DAY
Superman comes down from the clouds and is just stared at by
the locals. Children point but are hushed by their parents.
Hes muttered about, not shouted at. Superman drinks this in
for a moment before heading towards the building surrounded
by police forces.
SUPERMAN
Officers, is there anything I--
The building explodes. The reaction from the crowd, the
screaming, the horror--there were people in there.
Superman isnt shocked. Or harmed. Hes just drained. We see
his bloodshot eyes. His slouched shoulders. He flies off to a
crowd shouting jeers and insults.
EXT. THE L.A. SKYLINE - NIGHT
A red streak across the sky. As soon as it nears the city the
top of a building explodes. The streak stops. It flies away.
The newsroom is in DEFCON 1. Screaming, panic, fatigue.
PERRY WHITE
Where is the information on Brian
Isaac? Whos on the scene?
JIMMY OLSEN
Lois is outside the police
barricade. Whole streets been shut
down.
NEWSROOMIE
Bomb threat! Capital building!
PERRY WHITE
Third one this week.
JIMMY OLSEN
Any chance this ones legit?
89.
PERRY WHITE
After the state building went up in
Indonesia? I have no idea anymore.
The news feed begins to fade and distort. Perry looks at it
as his demeanor softens.
Brianiac appears on one channel. Then all of them. He looks
inhuman, surrounded by that tech with his skin a yellowish
green and little circle monitors over his eyes.
BRAINIAC (ON SCREEN)
Greetings. I speak to you as a
citizen of the world. Some of you
may have known me as Brian Isaac.
That time has passed.
EXT. POLICE BARRICADE OUTSIDE VERIDENT - DAY
Lois see Brainiac in her phone.
BRAINIAC
This world is designed to keep you
in captivity. Like a human zoo. It
took me a lifetime to see it.
INT. CLARK FARM - DAY
MA KENT is baking as Brainiacs voice comes over the radio.
BRAINIAC
Everything I had, I made. Myself.
And after an honest life crony
capitalists and corrupt politicians
took it from me anyway. As they
will you. If they ever see fit.
EXT. ABOVE A MIDWESTERN TOWN - DAY
Superman can hear the message well enough from here. His face
is thoughtful, if sunken.
BRAINIAC
Many of you think Im behind the
Equus attacks. However, I would
argue that the governments and
corporations who made these weapons
are to blame.
90.
EXT. A CROWD GATHERED IN VIETNAM - DAY
BRAINIAC
I ask you to join me in righting
this wrong. To take to the streets
and fight for freedom. For what you
believe in. For who you want to be.
INT. A CROWDED BAR IN EUROPE - NIGHT
BRAINIAC
After this message, I will be
turning off the banks. The spy
cameras. The shutting down power to
various grids in governments all
across the world. Do what you will
with this chance.
Quick cuts as we see an ATM display an error message. A CCTV
camera network in London go to black. A satellite in space
stop blinking. Time Squares screens switch off.
Then comes chaos. People rising in the dead of night.
Protests outside state buildings.
BRAINIAC (CONTD)
I will restore these systems if the
governments of the world deny
Superman entry in addition to him
removing his cape as a symbol of
his retirement. If not, more
systems will come down.
EXT. ABOVE A MIDWESTERN TOWN - DAY
BRAINIAC
I conclude by saying this directly
to Superman himself: Deny me and
more will suffer.
Supermans face is pained, distant. A group of pedestrians
look up at him. Jeer. Insult. Implore. He soars away.
Daisy yips happily in her doggie behemoth suit. She attempts
to scratch her ear causing a mechanical leg to kick her
helmet. She runs off, greatly alarmed.
Brainiac doesnt notice. He looks into the stasis chamber of
the real Equus with an expressionless face.
91.
BRAINIAC
Are you in position?
REAL EQUUS still cant be seen, but communicates through a
speaker mounted on top of the chamber.
REAL EQUUS
Everywhere you have specified.
BRAINIAC
Take comfort in knowing that when
you die, you dont do it alone.
REAL EQUUS
Please. Dont ki--
The MKIIs suits gauntlet glows. Real Equus is silenced.
BRAINIAC
Consensus is defined by obeying me.
In the background a prototype machine hums to life. Its
building something. Something very big.
An alert pops up on a massive screen. A satellite zooms in.
Superman stares into the Camera.
EXT. HIGH ABOVE METROPOLIS - DAY
Superman, tattered and worn as he is, remains made of steel.
He is defiant, even as he unclasps his cape. He holds it up
above his head and then drops it.
The cape falls to the city.
Dozens of camera phones snap shots as it lands in the street.
When everyone looks up, hes already gone.
EXT. KENT FARMS - DAY
The hum of a turning weather vein.
INT. KENTS KITCHEN - DAY
Ma Kent puts a slice of apple pie before Clark before sitting
down. She smiles to him and then takes up crocheting.
Clark is stuck halfway between himself and Superman. The suit
is still on, but torn. Clark eats. But says nothing. Ma knows
to wait.
92.
CLARK
I dont know what to do.
MA KENT
Oh?
CLARK
About Metropolis. Its covered in
some kind of energy that makes me
weak. And, and....
Clark shakes his head. What do you call Brian?
MA KENT
Well. I figured you werent talking
about mode of transportation.
She smiles to him. He smiles back.
CLARK
What would you do?
MA KENT
Im not sure. I barely have regular
powers these days.
CLARK
What would dad want?
She stops and looks at Clark over her glasses.
MA KENT
How many times now have you asked
me that?
CLARK
What?
MA KENT
How many times? What would dad
want, when Im sitting right here.
CLARK
I dont...
MA KENT
Your father was a good man, but
doesnt own the rights to thinking
whats best for you. Im your
mother. And when we found you, Im
the one who knew I was a parent
before him.
She rises, fixes another piece of pie.
93.
MA KENT (CONTD)
What I want is never worry about
you again, but we both know thats
not going to happen. I want grand
children that live far away and I
get to spoil mercilessly. But most
importantly?
She sets the pie before Clark and takes his other plate.
MA KENT (CONTD)
I want you to finish that pie,
leave here and do whatever you
think is right. Because all that
matters is that you live up to who
you want to be.
She sits and resumes crocheting. Clark drinks it in then
rises, he kisses her on the cheek on his way up to...
CLARK KENTS OLD ROOM
He takes off the super suit and puts on normal clothes.
KITCHEN
CLARK
I love you.
MA KENT
I love you, too. Be safe.
Clark nods and exits. Its only when he does that she stops,
bows her head and moans in a fret of fear.
EXT. POLICE/MILITARY BARRICADE OUTSIDE VERIDENT - DAY
A large scale military force has joined the police.
LOIS
General! General!
A General gives her no comment.
LOIS (CONTD)
Captain! Captain!
A police captain equally pays her no mind has he moves into
an ad-hoc tent.
LOIS (CONTD)
How am I supposed to get a story if
nobody will talk to me? Huh!?
94.
A SENTRY, a man-sized robot exits the building. It has
Brainiacs face on a screen much like an Equus suit. Then
another. Then another. They start patrolling, moving out.
BRAINIAC (THROUGH SENTRIES)
Anyone who gives me the whereabouts
of Lex Luthor will be rewarded.
GENERAL
Open fire!
The sentries take a beating, but continue to move without
incident. The tanks stop firing. Then the soldiers.
BRAINIAC (THOUGH SENTRIES)
Your tanks have been shut down.
Your bullets are useless.
The soldiers are defeated. The mood is darker.
Metropolis now belongs to Brainiac.
EXT. METROPOLIS CITY LIMITS - DAY
Clark stands just outside the reach of the field. He takes a
breath and moves inside it. Instant pain, distortion of
senses. He holds the breath and then steps out, releasing.
He tries again. Lasting a little bit longer.
INT. NSA TECH ROOM - DAY
The President is guided by the US ambassador to the security
council to a screen that shows a war-room like setting around
Metropolis. Flight paths, air strikes, nuclear options.
PRESIDENT
Airstrike?
US AMBASSADOR
Every time a bird gets within 50
miles of Metropolis it starts to
fall from the sky until it turns
around.
PRESIDENT
Missiles?
US AMBASSADOR
Silo doors wont even open and ops
suspects that even if they could--
95.
PRESIDENT
Options! I need options!
BRAINIAC (THROUGH SCREEN)
Temper temper, Mr. President.
The air leaves the room. Brainiac can here? Everywhere?
PRESIDENT
What do you want?
Metropolis. For now.
PRESIDENT
Weve revoked Supermans
citizenship. Weve charged him with
espionage and publicly censured
him. This wasnt the deal!
Give me what I want or suffer.
There is no other deal.
(he shifts in pain)
Do you think the world is better
because America exists?
PRESIDENT
...what?
If every non-nuclear missile hit
the United States would the world
be better or worse off?
(off Presidential silence)
Just a parting thought.
The screen switches back to the war room motif.
US AMBASSADOR
What are you going to do? Mr.
President? Mr. President?
EXT. METROPOLIS CITY LIMITS - DAY
Clark has his palms open and eyes closed inside the field.
Hes breathing steadily. He opens his eyes. It takes a moment
but he can see. He tries super-vision, but its a no go, and
as soon as he does he starts coughing violently until he
leaves the field once more.
Hes not recovered when he hears it.
96.
CHILD
Help! Help me!
He looks up and sees a kid screaming for help from his
bedroom window as two figures make their way into a town
house. Theres no hesitation this time. Clark runs.
INT. TOWNHOUSE BEING ROBBED - DAY
Two thugs ignore the kid upstairs. Theyre too busy robbing.
THUG 1
Do I grab the silverware?
THUG 2
You know anyone who buys
silverware?
THUG 1
In the games you always steal the
silverware, you know.
THUG 2
Just take what you would be mad if
someone took it from you. Damn.
THUG 1
(pilfering TV)
I got to tell you, this has to be
my best idea in a while.
THUG 2
(pilfering computer)
Whys that?
THUG 1
I mean with the police downtown and
the cameras shut off we can take
whatever we want.
CLARK (O.S.)
Just because you can...
The two thugs freeze. They see Clark. He still LOOKS like a
Line-backer without his glasses and dorky act.
THUG 1
We dont want to hurt anyone.
CLARK
Put the things down and nobody has
to be hurt.
97.
The thugs confer with glances and reject this offer.
Thug 1 throws the computer at Clark while number two drops
the TV and pulls out a gun.
Clark is still quick. He clocks Thug 1 in the face who wheels
back and makes a noise. Is he--dying? Did Clark hit him too
hard? That noise is. That noise is...
Laughter.
THUG 1
(laughing)
You look like bouncer and hit like
a girl!
Thug 1 charges and hits Superman directly in the eye causing
him to wheel back. We see Supermans face.
Theres...something in it. Something there. Wed expect
defeat and dismay. But thats not it at all. Its the
knowledge of Hey. I dont have to hold back.
Clark wheels back up to full height. The thug makes the
universal bring it on hands. As he does the CHILD appears
on the stairs.
But he wasnt expecting Clark to dive in and smash him in the
face, knocking him to the ground.
CHILD
Whoa.
This freaks out Thug 2, who pulls out his gun. He aims it at
the kid out of reflex causing Clark to almost just be super
fast as he runs in front of the kid. Boom.
Clark wheels back in pain. Grits his teeth. Then goes after
Thug 2. Boom. Boom.
Did they hit? Did they miss? Doesnt matter. Clark has Thug 2
down before he examines himself.
Theres a hole in his Smallville hoodie. And a little bit of
blood. He dabs his finger in it and looks at it with
confusion. Then he laughs.
CHILD (CONTD)
...dude. Are you okay?
CLARK
Yeah. Its just blood, right?
CHILD
I guess so?
98.
CLARK
You know how to call the police?
Sirens. Theyre coming this way.
CLARK (CONTD)
Guess so. Youll be okay?
Child nods. Not-so-Superman exits in a run.
EXT. AN ALLEY LEADING INTO THE BIG CITY - DAY
Clark stops, out of breath, again a look of this is okay.
This is what feeling in your skin is like. Then a sentry
appears with Brainiacs cold smile on it.
BRAINIAC (THROUGH SENTRY)
Boyscout. Out of breath?
CLARK
What do you want, Brian?
When I went to high school early
the jocks called me Brainiac. If
the shoe fits...
CLARK
Brainiac.
Youre already giving me what I
want. Data. Youre the only mouse I
test in this maze.
CLARK
You did all this to weaken me?
I did all this to prove I could.
(approaching Clark)
Youve lost. You know it. At any
time I can end this city. This
country. This world.
CLARK
I know. I realized days ago. But I
dont think you will?
(bemused)
Oh?
99.
CLARK
You dont want to hurt anyone
besides me. You want a legacy. You
want to die in peace. I still think
theres a good man in there. A man
who thinks this world is good.
Corn-fed naivete.
CLARK
You asked me whos name I wanted on
my tombstone. You remember?
I do.
CLARK
The answer is--I dont care. Whats
important is doing what I think is
right. Thats all I control.
A month ago I would have agreed
with you. But now?
(deep thought)
I also no longer care what my
gravestone says. Or what my legacy
is. The systems that keep this
world going must be stopped.
CLARK
Chaos? Thats your solution?
Its only chaos until you see the
patterns.
CLARK
Blood will run in the streets!
Better than corruption though the
veins.
CLARK
Brian...Brainiac. Its not too
late. You can stop this.
Put on your little costume.
CLARK
What?
100.
(walking away)
See how the world treats you now.
Perhaps that will educate you.
The sentry turns. Its monitor switches from Brainiac]to Lois
in the sights of a weapon, then back to Brainiacs face.
BRAINIAC (THROUGH SENTRY) (CONTD)
Put on your costume. Come to my
building. You have four hours.
Clarks face reveals the dichotomy within.
Perry and Jimmy stare helplessly at the feed. Riots around
the world. Protests. Fire. Looting. The crawl across the
bottom of the screens talks about satellites malfunctioning,
banks shutting off access to preserve stores.
ANCHOR
Reports coming in across the globe
in whats being dubbed the Super
Riots.
Clark looks to the selection of suits, sans cape. Then his
phone. No missed calls, again. Theres no reason to be Clark.
He strips off his shirt, dresses his bullet wound and looks
into the mirror. Bruises. Scrapes. Wounds not healing inside
of the Red-Kryptonian field.
ANCHOR ON FEED
But lets hear what you think. One
anonymous responder saying,
without believing in something
good, whats the point?
Its been so long since Clark had to put on the suit like a
human being. Slowly. Carefully. It has purpose.
LIVING ROOM
101.
Clarks computer has a live-feed streaming on it.
LIVE STREAM ANCHOR
And at this hour the question is,
Where is Superman?
FRONT DOOR
Hes right here.
EXT. TOP OF CLARKS APARTMENT BUILDING - NIGHT
Theres sirens and gunshots in the distance. Theres a
darkness to the city that implies people are sitting at home
with their lights off, watching a military convoy leave.
Superman looks to the convoy, the darkness, the chaos. Then
to the next building leading downtown. He takes a breath.
Then he runs, and jumps. Its super, even if it isnt flying.
This is vintage Superman. The core of who he is.
EXT. POLICE BARRICADE OUTSIDE VERIDENT - NIGHT
The robotic spiders are constructing a kind of massive
antenna in the street. At the base of it is a circular hole.
Lois has stewed in her own anger for too long.
LOIS
Captain! Why are you leaving!
Captain! General!
A soldier comes up to her at the barricade and she
immediately puts her hands up to show shes cooled. The
moment he turns away she makes a break for the Tent.
INT. MILITARY TENT - NIGHT
Lois enters as a General and Sentry turn to her.
Ahh. Miss Lane. The General was
just about to pull out.
LOIS
And the police?
I imagine theyll remain for as
long as I allow them.
102.
The Sentry approaches her, bends down, towers over her.
BRAINIAC (THROUGH SENTRY) (CONTD)
How would you like the interview of
the century?
LOIS
Ive already interviewed Superman.
Indeed...
EXT. POLICE BARRICADE OUTSIDE VERIDENT
The sentry guides Lois to the makeshift antenna as the
spiders finish their work. A moment and then Brainiac and
Equus exit the building. There are cheers and jeers from the
gathering crowd. Brainiac seems immune to both.
BRAINIAC
...arent you going to ask your
questions?
LOIS
I dont have a microphone.
BRAINIAC
I can assure you...
EXT. HUGE SCREENS IN TOKYO - DAY
BRAINIAC
...the world can hear you.
EXT. NEAR THE ANTENNA - NIGHT
LOIS
Why?
BRAINIAC
Why what?
LOIS
Why are you doing this?
BRAINIAC
To give everyone an option.
LOIS
And what option is that?
103.
BRAINIAC
A world without governments.
Superman. They didnt have a choice
in the creation of these things.
LOIS
So youre advocating that everyone--
BRAINIAC
Excuse me, Miss Lane.
Brainiac whistles sharply. Daisy comes out of the Verident
building in her suit, dragging the red kryptonite disk.
BRAINIAC (CONTD)
Good girl.
Daisy drops the disk at his feet, then concurs.
BRAINIAC (CONTD)
This is a generator that amplifies
a kind of signal that weakens
Superman. It runs on previously
unknown type of kryptonite.
LOIS
(deeply concerned)
What does it do?
BRAINIAC
It makes Superman vulnerable.
(plugs disk into antenna)
Thus far only Metropolis has been
sending out this signal. But it
could be the world.
LOIS
(whispering)
Why would you want...
Brainiac finishes connecting the disk.
EXT. A SHOT OF NORTH AMERICA - NIGHT
The size of the field grows.
BRAINIAC
If given a choice Superman will
save you over any other person.
104.
LOIS
Thats not true.
BRAINIAC
How many times has he saved you?
Raced to your rescue? More than
Presidents and royals. The numbers
dont lie.
Lois cant deny the point. It wrenches her heart.
LOIS
Superman is good.
BRAINIAC
For you. For others I am no longer
sure. He is powerful, and can make
mistakes. Everyone should have the
ability to-
Superman leaps in, kicking Brainiac in the face and grabbing
Lois. As Brainiac wheels back he darts away with her.
BRAINIAC (CONTD)
My point precisely.
THE POLICE BARRICADE
Superman sets Lois down. Hes rushed, but concerned.
SUPERMAN
Are you alright?
LOIS
Yes, I--why did you? Where have you
been? I--
SUPERMAN
Im sorry. I cant--
LOIS
Just--go.
A moment of reflection before he makes his way back out into
the street. Hes moving slowly towards Brainiac as the crowd
of police and civilians grows like spectators at an
afterschool fight.
We see shots from screens around the world. People rushing
and hurrying to wake others. Youve got to see this. Turn it
on, quick! Video game controllers are thrown down. Families
sit together wide eyed.
105.
Its all tied in by a family in Metropolis watching whats on
TV as the camera pans out to reveal they are near the street.
BRAINIAC
Thank you for coming.
SUPERMAN
I wanted to get my cape back.
BRAINIAC
Do you deny any allegations Ive
made?
SUPERMAN
No.
BRAINIAC
Just...No?
SUPERMAN
Just no. If the people of this
world do not want me
to...interfere then I wont. All
anyone had to do was ask.
BRAINIAC
You say that now.
SUPERMAN
Ill say it tomorrow.
BRAINIAC
(growing anger)
And the crimes youve been charged
with? Espionage?
Superman steps forward. The two men are feet apart.
SUPERMAN
I intend to turn myself in.
BRAINIAC
When? Now?
SUPERMAN
Just as soon as I put you under
arrest for attempted murder.
BRAINIAC
That old chestnut.
106.
SUPERMAN
Id also ask the authorities to
consider tacking on additional
charges. Such as treason.
BRAINIAC
Treason? Youre the one whos been
censured for working against
Americas interests.
SUPERMAN
Ive been accused of that before.
(arms crossed)
Ill survive.
BRAINIAC
(right on the edge)
The world doesnt need Superman.
A long pause. A consideration.
SUPERMAN
I agree.
BRAINIAC
You...agree?
SUPERMAN
The world doesnt need Superman.
Just a good one.
(catches himself)
And good women, too. Good people?
Brainiac howls in rage as the MKII chest laser fires.
Superman wheels out of the way, bouncing off a column in the
Verident building structure and laying a heavy punch down on
Brainiacs helmet.
Brainiac grabs Superman who this time struggles with the grip
of two hands. A crowd is gathering on the rooftops. This is
the fight of the century.
With a scream Superman breaks open the first hand before
laying a series of punches down on the second. He breaks it
open and kicks the hands off. When Brainiac tries to fire the
chest-laser again Superman grabs and rips it off.
SUPERMAN (CONTD)
I dont want to hurt you.
BRAINIAC
The road to hell...
107.
SUPERMAN
Please. Surrender.
Brainiac is touched. We can see a moment of humanity in his
bloodshot and augmented eyes.
BRAINIAC
I am sorry, Superman. The world
cannot hold both our ideas.
Superman nods and begins to pry Brainiac out of his suit when
the shaking comes. Thud. Thud. Thud. Pieces of glass fall
from broken windows. Voyeurs move back from building ledges.
Superman looks to the Verident lobby.
An explosion shatters what remains of the lobby. The crowd
screams, many run, black smoke fills the air and there it is.
THE BEHEMOTH MKIII is several times the size of the MKI. It
is well somehow better armed but more sleek, a testament to
Brians incredible skill. The one major difference is that it
has no head, just an empty slot.
Jimmy Olsen looks at the feed in shock.
JIMMY OLSEN
Holy S.....mokes.
SUPERMAN
Everyone! Get to safety!
Some listen, some dont. As he turns his back to the MKIII it
comes up in a rush. Supermans attempt to evade comes too
late. The MKIII swats at him, sends him careening into the
Verident building.
The MKIII then finishes prying Brainiac out of his MKII
shell. For a moment, we see Brainiac for who he is. Small.
Frail. Dying. A man trapped in a bubble that keeps him alive.
This moment fades quickly as Brian is inserted into the
head of the MKIII. Only his helmet and head are visible. He
is a monstrosity.
Brainiacs voice booms from all the speakers in the city. It
has the unnerving effect of everything he says being repeated
at various volumes with a lingering whisper after.
108.
BRAINIAC
Superman. Show yourself.
Superman makes his way out of the building with scrapes and
little specks of blood here and there.
BRAINIAC (CONTD)
Tell them how youve served the
corrupt.
SUPERMAN
Ive made mistakes. Trying to do
what was right.
BRAINIAC
Tell them how youve put Lois above
all others.
SUPERMAN
I cant be everywhere. Not all at
once. I--love her and am near her.
The MKIII takes a single, massive step towards Superman.
Cracks appear in the street.
BRAINIAC
Will you leave this planet? Let it
return to its natural order?
SUPERMAN
The natural order is whats wrong
with this planet.
BRAINIAC
It is the corruption of the natural
that has--
SUPERMAN
No!
(Moving towards MKIII)
We can be mean, cruel. You think I
havent experienced it? We all
have. The natural order is for the
strong to take advantage of the
weak. Thats happened. That will
always happen.
Eyes around the world on Superman. Do they agree with him? Do
they see what he sees?
Brainiac is stunned. Superman with fire in the belly is
intimidating.
109.
BRAINIAC
Governments control, constrict.
SUPERMAN
They do. No system is perfect. Not
yours. Not mine. But its only
working together, for one another,
WITH one another, that makes things
better.
(screaming to crowd)
I dont want to be your hero! You
shouldnt want me to save you!
Clark Kent and Superman are fusing together. The strengths of
each. The weaknesses of neither.
SUPERMAN (CONTD)
I didnt, I dont, have a choice
either. About my strength. Where I
was born. Where I arrived on Earth.
Just like all of you. The only
choice I can make is who I want to
be. Is who I am when I wear this
suit.
The volume lowers. The shouting stops. The pleas end.
SUPERMAN (CONTD)
Im here, I do what I can. But just
like you, I want a world that no
longer needs a Superman. That
doesnt even remember his name.
Clark. I want Clark on my gravestone. I want to be remembered
the way I want to remember Dad. The way Ill remember Mom.
SUPERMAN (CONTD)
You could have made this world a
better place Brainiac. Even after
everything was taken from you.
(gesturing to destruction)
This is what you chose instead.
BRAINIAC
Superman...
An extended beat. A holding of breath.
BRAINIAC (CONTD)
Die.
The MKIII throws a massive punch. Superman blocks it with
both arms crossed but it still takes him thirty feet of
broken asphalt and sliding to stop the blow.
110.
When the punch is pulled back he leaps to try to get to
Brainiacs helmet. Hes swatted into the earth like a bug.
More cracks in the street appear.
The hand lifts and Superman is part of the street for a
second. He moans and turns over, bloodied. When the hand
comes down in a fist he rolls out of the way and barely
dodges the blow. Then hes up again.
BRAINIAC (CONTD)
Dont fight it, Superman. A world
without you is moments away.
Superman is still profound quicker than the MKIII. He turns
to race towards the police barricade.
BARRICADE
LOIS
Superman!
SUPERMAN
Lois! Get out of here!
BRAINIAC
No, Ms. Lane. Stay. Witness.
Superman grabs a sandbag from the pile and flings it as hard
and fast as he can towards Brainiacs helmet. Big, mechanical
arms try in vain to block it, but it connects with thud.
A sand cloud around Brainiacs helmet. Little windshield
wipers appear on the outside.
BRAINIAC (CONTD)
A design flaw.
(looking around)
Superman? Superman?
A warning beep. The MKIII turns. Superman is attempting to
pry the disc from the antenna. He does so as the MKIII starts
charging towards him. But as soon as Superman does a laser
blast sends him flying through the antenna. Its broken, but
the disk remains.
Superman gets back on his feet but is peppered with laser
blasts. He is put into a kneeling position when the chest
cavity opens and a massive beam cannon appears.
It fires and again pushes Superman into the ground, the beam
easily able to contain a man in its radius.
111.
LOIS
SUPERMAN!
The beat doesnt stop. It goes on and on. It pushes him into
the ground. We see his hand stretch out of the circle, dig
into the street to pull him halfway out.
He collapses. Thud. The beam stops. The MKIII walks over to
his corpse.
SUPERMAN
Ugggh....
The foot of the MKIII stomps down upon him.
LOIS
NOOOO!
It raises. It stomps again.
It raises. It stomps again.
It raises. Crack. A pause.
COMPUTER
Structure integrity of street fail--
The street cracks open. The MKIII falls into the rapidly
growing hole. The newly-made cavern stops just before
Supermans body and the disc housing the red kryptonite.
Superman looks to it through the blood and crawls.
Lois comes running over. She puts her body under one arm, but
its not enough, shes not enough. Then a man in the crowd
comes forward, gets under his other arm. Superman makes
fragile, almost incapable steps, even leaning on both.
Another man, another woman. More. More. They pick up the disc
and move it to him. Set it at his feet.
They look to him. What now?
He limps forward on his own ability, then kneels before the
disc and punches it open.
SUPERMAN
Is anyone...
(fades for a second)
Is anyone a very fast runner?
A woman raises her hand, mouth open. Its like being asked to
go on a quest by God.
112.
WOMAN
I ran track in high school. Im
training for the Metropolis
Marathon.
SUPERMAN
Youre putting yourself in danger
if you take this.
Woman puts it together. Nods. Takes the kryptonite and starts
running the opposite direction of the hole.
Superman has mixed feelings asking someone for help. Putting
their life at risk. He frowns as she goes, but Lois hands
find his face and grab him. She holds him. She is tender.
LOIS
Superman, I...
SUPERMAN
I need you to go.
LOIS
I dont understand.
SUPERMAN
Trust me.
(to all)
You need to get out of here. Now.
The crowd disperses, the helpers fleeing. Lois is hurt but
does as he says.
Superman rises to his feet. He looks to the sky. He takes a
breath and begins to levitate. Hes about to fly. Hes
flying.
The MKIIIs fist smashes through the Earth, grabs Superman
and pulls him under.
INT. ABANDONED LINE - NIGHT
Supermans body is slammed into the ground. It takes a moment
for him to switch to X-ray vision, but we can see Brian is
bleeding internally when he does. The MKIIIs legs are
broken. One arm is falling apart.
BRAINIAC
Heading towards the sun?
SUPERMAN
Its over, Brainiac.
113.
BRAINIAC
Before it began, boyscout.
Shoulder mounted lasers shoot en masse at Superman, but hes
sufficently healed and dodges them quickly enough. Hes not
Super-yet, but hes a whole lot stronger than he was above.
The MKIII punches him while hes dodging, but instead of
flailing and grunting, Superman bounces back. Instead of
shielding himself from the second punch he punches into the
MKIIIs fist and knocks it back.
BRAINIAC (CONTD)
(pained)
DAH!
SUPERMAN
Its over.
BRAINIAC
Not like this!
The chest laser charges up and begins to fire, but Superman
is too quick and can dodge and move around the laser,
smashing through pillars in the old subway as hes chased.
The come down one after the other. Boom. Boom. Boom.
The MKIII has to turn to aim again but Superman has no such
mobility issues. He crashes through the pillars and struts on
the other side.
The laser is ready and now Superman stands in front of the
MKIII with a stern look on his face.
SUPERMAN
Last chance.
BRAINIAC
I will never be beaten by--
Superman punches into the earth. The rubble falls. Tons of
Earth fall on top of the MKIII.
A moment and we can no longer see the MKIII. Just Brainiacs
helmet, the very tip of the MKIIIs neck.
Superman moves up in a hurry and pries Brainiac from the
suit. He does it as delicately as he can. The line is
collapsing. Superman hoists Brianiac over his shoulder.
114.
EXT. VERIDENT BUILDING - NIGHT
Superman flies out of the hole carrying Brainiac.
INT. VERIDENT LOBBY - NIGHT
Superman puts Brainiac down. There is only concern and pain
in his face. Nothing else.
BRAINIAC
Why?
Superman waits. He doesnt understand.
BRAINIAC (CONTD)
Why save me?
SUPERMAN
I cant pick and choose. I couldnt
when you were threatening Lex. I
cant now.
A sort of light dawns on Brainiac. His HUD fades away and we
can see his true eyes again. Brainiac has reverted to Brian.
SUPERMAN (CONTD)
I cant move you. Im too strong.
It would further wound you.
BRIAN
Look whos being modest.
Superman gives a sad smile. Hes about to lose his friend.
SUPERMAN
Youre dying.
BRIAN
I know that.
(remembering)
Equus...
SUPERMAN
What about him?
BRIAN
Down there.
(Brian nods to hallway)
The real Equus is in a chamber. You
have to shut it down. Lex built a
chain reaction system in. If
anything goes wrong--boom.
115.
Superman rises and heads to the hallway as Brian goes off.
The machines are all silent. The screens are switched off.
Superman makes his way to the STASIS CHAMBER. He sees the
figure inside and shows surprise.
REAL EQUUS is a woman. Frail bodied and covered with
electrodes and wires that burrow into her spine and head. We
can only see her eyes as she floats.
REAL EQUUS
I wouldnt have bet on this.
SUPERMAN
What are you?
REAL EQUUS
A project. One of many. Are you
here to kill me?
SUPERMAN
Im here to free you. Do you know
how I can?
She looks him up and down. Shes cynical. Tried. Wary.
REAL EQUUS
On the side of my chamber is a
yellow panel.
SUPERMAN
I see it.
REAL EQUUS
Open it up and--
A gunshot. Superman falls to the floor hand covering his
shoulder. When he pulls it back a hole is revealed. Superman
has a bullet hole in him.
LEX LUTHOR
I cant allow you to do that.
Lex appears holding the ornate six-shooter. He readies the
next gun in the revolver.
SUPERMAN
Lex!
116.
LEX LUTHOR
Oh, you do remember me. Equus.
Youve been a bad girl. You know
theres no getting out of here.
EQUUS
You bastard!
Lex keeps the gun trained on Superman.
SUPERMAN
How..how...
LEX LUTHOR
Easy now, Superman. Kryptonite
bullets. Over six million dollars a
round. But you know what they say.
The best things in life are very ,
very expensive.
Superman sits up, eyes narrowed on Lex.
LEX LUTHOR (CONTD)
Easy. Easy.
Lex pulls out the yellow panel and messes with the wiring
with one hand.
LEX LUTHOR (CONTD)
Brian had the right idea. You cant
murder Superman, then youre just
the villain. But you can kill him.
You can destroy the idea of
Superman. You just...have to make
him...
(snaps wire)
Fail.
REAL EQUUS
No!
SUPERMAN
Whats happening.
REAL EQUUS
Hes activated my self destruct
mechanism. Hundreds of suits are
about to--
Lex shoots the speaker off the tank, muting Equus. Superman
takes this time to jump up and crush the barrel of the gun.
The kryptonite in the barrel burns him, weakens him. Lex
elbows Superman in the throat and then takes the broken gun
and presses it into Supermans face. It burns.
117.
Superman screams and gets his hands around Lexs neck. He
begins to choke.
Lex screams as well. The wrestle. They push. Superman
releases. Superman goes limp.
Lex takes a deep breath and then laughs. He removes the gun.
LEX LUTHOR
And on that day the world would
know that the greatest mind in the
world was--
Superman sucker punches Lex in the stomach, kicks the gun
away and grabs Lex with both hands.
SUPERMAN
How do I stop it?
LEX LUTHOR
You cant harm me. You cant
torture me. You cant threaten me.
YOU. CANT. BEAT. ME.
Superman tosses Lex to the other side of the room. He puts
his ear against the tank. A murmured, watery Real Equus says:
REAL EQUUS
Tear out the panel.
Superman reaches into, pulls the entire yellow panel out. A
kind of deactivation sounds. A powering off.
Though we cannot see her smile, the Real Equus does so, her
eyes shinning and sad. A life support alert comes on.
SUPERMAN
No!
Maybe we hear it. Or only think we do. A distant, watery,
its okay.
Real Equus body convulses. Her eyes close. Shes dead.
An Equus suit shambles into the room. It looks like its
about to fire on Superman, but it collapses and falls apart.
No melting. Just gone.
Lex crawls towards the broken gun. A red boot kicks it out of
reach. Superman lifts Lex with non-injured arm.
118.
INT. VERIDENT LOBBY - NIGHT
A few special forces from the police have moved into the
lobby. Superman hands Lex to one of them and then sees a
squad ready to board Brians personal elevator.
SUPERMAN
Its okay. Ill get Brian Isaac.
The head of this unit seems uncertain what to do about this,
even as he restrains Lex Luthor. Then it clicks. Hes just
doing what he thinks is right, too.
SUPERMAN (CONTD)
Please. Hes very sick and badly
injured. He wont put up any
resistance.
The special forces head nods in appreciation for being asked.
EXT. ATOP THE VERIDENT BUILDING - NIGHT
It was all for not. The elevator has been destroyed on top of
the building. Brian leaves little to chance. Superman lands,
just inside the fence, and walks to the front door.
INT. A QUAINT HOUSE IN METROPOLIS - NIGHT
We hear a light sizzling in the background. Some comfort
music. The atmosphere is that of the end.
SUPERMAN
Brian?
BRIAN (O.S.)
In here.
STUDY
Brian has just freed Daisy from her suit as Superman enters.
She seems appreciative for it and yaps her way off camera.
They look to one another, unsure of what to say.
SUPERMAN
Youre still wearing the suit.
BRIAN
I think its stuck.
He falls back in his chair. Hes pale. Hes fading fast.
119.
SUPERMAN
Im sorry.
BRIAN
So am I. But I do want to get this
helmet off. Will you help me?
Superman struggles to remove the clear visor. A hiss as he
does and the pressure in Brians lungs evens out with that in
the room.
BRIAN (CONTD)
Thank you. Its funny, smelling
home.
Superman deals as poorly with mortality as the rest of us.
Maybe even worse. He listens, waits.
BRIAN (CONTD)
You know of all the things Ive
done the thing that I got the most
flak about was this place. People
kept saying it was about saying
screw you or trying to cultivate
an image. But it wasnt.
SUPERMAN
No?
BRIAN
No. I built this house as a
recreation of the one I grew up in
because I was comfortable here.
Because after working a 90-hour
week you just want to go home.
Brians fading quicker now. He points to the prototype and
diagnostic machines.
BRIAN (CONTD)
In there...in there...
SUPERMAN
Save your breath.
Brian shakes his head, coughs up blood, tries again.
BRIAN
Theres a crystal. Its from your
home planet. Take it to the...ship
you came here in. Theres something
in there for you.
120.
SUPERMAN
What do you mean something for me?
BRIAN
Turns out a...super advanced alien
race...had some contingency plans.
Who...would have thought it?
Brian laughs, coughs, laughs. Clark looks at the DATA CRYSTAL
and his cape, neatly folded up.
SUPERMAN
Wheres my ship?
BRIAN
I parked it over the arctic circle.
I didnt know what to do with it.
Brian leans back fully in his chair, head against the wall.
His eyes close.
BRIAN (CONTD)
Clark?
SUPERMAN
Yes?
BRIAN
Lead them. To a better world.
Youre the only one who can.
Superman doesnt know what to say. But the time has passed.
Brian is no longer breathing. He picks up his crystal and
cape and makes his way out of the study to close the door.
KITCHEN
The sizzling is another small, ultra-fine cut of meat on the
skillet. Superman smiles with sadness, takes it off the girl
and gives it to Daisy.
SUPERMAN
What am I going to do with you?
Daisy cares more about dinner than giving an answer.
Clark winces as he takes the make-shift bandaging off his
bullet wound. He holds the hole under a ray of sunlight and
its healing, but not like every other part of him. He
frowns. Changes his dressing. He makes his way out the front
door and we can see Daisy sleeping in a doggie bed.
121.
Clarks wearing a sling over his suit. He looks for Lois but
cant seem to find her. Perry White appears.
PERRY WHITE
What are you doing here?
CLARK
Mr. White. I was looking for Lois.
PERRY WHITE
So youre here to beg for your job
back?
CLARK
...no? Im here to see Lois.
PERRY WHITE
What are you bargaining for? A
raise? More time off?
CLARK
Mr. White, its very kind of you
but I came to--
PERRY WHITE
Fine, one extra week off and a 5%
bump. But I dont want to hear any
complaining about metro
assignments.
Clark is dumbfounded as Perry walks off. Then he sees Lois
and smiles. He moves up to her, ready to confront.
CLARK
Lois.
LOIS
Clark.
She doesnt look up from a piece of paper.
CLARK
Im sorry I didnt do anything
earlier. When Equus...
LOIS
Its fine. What could you do,
anyway?
CLARK
I wanted to talk.
122.
LOIS
What are you doing now?
CLARK
I wanted to talk about us.
Lois sighs and puts the paper down.
LOIS
Cant take a hint, can you?
CLARK
Im sorry?
LOIS
Clark there is no us. Were barely
even colleagues. When the going
gets tough I double down and you
vanish. Were not--you have to get
over this crush you have on me. Im
sorry if thats harsh but its past
time. Im not right for you.
Clark is taken aback but there is relief beneath it.
CLARK
Well. I respect you for saying it.
He makes his way off, back to her.
LOIS
Clark? Clark?
DAILY PLANET OFFICE ANNEX
But with his back to her we can see a smile. That does make
things easier, doesnt it?
LANA
Clark?
CLARK
Lana?
LANA
Oh! Youre back and I--Oh my gosh!
What happened to your arm, is it
okay?
She invades his personal space to examine the sling. Shes
the only one who even noticed. It touches him.
CLARK
I guess so. Lana?
123.
She looks up at him without expectations. Its nice.
CLARK (CONTD)
I was wondering if youd...if youd
like to get something to--
LANA
Yes.
She bustles away and comes back with her purse.
CLARK
Oh. You mean now?
INT. A CAFE - DAY
Clark and Lana are having lunch. Its nice. Its pleasant.
She says something and he laughs. His laugh makes her laugh.
EXT. ARCTIC CIRCLE - ARCTIC LIGHTING
Superman floats up to the homeship and enters it.
INT. HOMESHIP - DAY
Clark pulls the data crystal out and something about it sings
to him. Something about the ship moves with him and expects
him. As he approaches a console a hidden orifice opens. He
pauses, then inserts the crystal. A rumbling. A shaking.
EXT. ARCTIC CIRCLE - ARCTIC LIGHTING
Superman barely makes his way out of the ship before begins
to rapidly descend. It punctures the snow, cracks open the
ice and permafrost and then its gone. A moment later a
large, crystaline structure begins to grows. It juts out like
spines and spires. It shifts with alacrity.
EXT. OUTSIDE THE FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE - ARCTIC LIGHTING
Fully grown its a 1000 times the size the man of steel.
Hes so tiny compared to it. Its daunting.
But he lands and he walks up to the door, cape swaying.
THE END
POST CREDITS SCENE:
124.
INT. A HAYSEEDS OFFICE - DAY
A light, up tempo country song plays while a man who could
only be described as A HICK sits with cowboy boots crossed on
a cheap desk. Hes reading a magazine when a landline phone
rings. He picks up without paying attention.
HICK
Yel-low?
(beat)
Yeah? You sure?
(beat)
Okay then.
He hangs up and rises moving to a bulletin board. He squints
at it before finding a piece of paper tacked to it and pulls
it off, then dials the number on the landline. Another paper
on the billboard has an image of the woman who took the red
kryptonite. Shes dressed as an agent and is handing it off
to someone else sharply dressed.
HICK (CONTD)
Hello? Im looking for uh, Mr. Casa-
pa-rove?
(beat)
Yeah, Kasparov, thats it. I have a
message here for him.
(beat)
Well, hold on, hold on, let me read
it. Jeeze.
Hick traces it with his finger, squinting and sounding out
words before reading it into the phone.
HICK (CONTD)
Message says, Knight-Fall. Tower-
Rise. Bishop-in-Play. Hello?
Hello?
Hick makes a face as he hangs up, his nose up turned.
HICK (CONTD)
Some people, I swear.
He pins the paper back to the board and then goes back to the
magazine.
We see the paper he just read. The Voice had the symbol of a
pawn. Equus is a knight. There are two undefined pictures,
hard to make out but they are weapons denoted by a bishop and
rook. Above their pictures the term OMAC--One Man Army Corps.
Beneath it the words Operation: Checkmate.
125.
FADE TO BLACK
126.

The Fall of Superman

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