Download - The Fall of Superman

SCRIPT TITLE

Written by

Name of First Writer

Based on, If Any

AddressPhone Number

EXT. SPACE - NIGHT

The red and yellow “S” against the backdrop of stars.

Superman floats at the highest reaches of Earth’s atmosphere. His eyes are closed. He is alone. Drifting.

His head snaps up, his arms shoots out into fists. There’s not enough oxygen for a sonic boom. Instead the world warps around Superman in heat waves as he shoots off.

He’s 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 there’s 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

Superman’s 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 doesn’t look up from his TV but KID does. His eyes grow wide and mouth drops open.

KIDPadre. Padre!

SHOPKEEPERQue?

KIDEs él! Es él!

Superman moves up to the counter and sees a small, crude doll that is unmistakably hand-made and fashioned after him.

SUPERMANUh, discúlpeme?

The Shopkeeper rises and takes off his hat.

SUPERMAN (CONT’D)I was wondering if I could get some aqua. I don’t 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.

KIDAqui.

Superman checks with a nodding Shopkeeper, still stunned.

SUPERMANGracias.

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 (CONT’D)You want me to sign this?

KIDSi.

SUPERMANSuper-hombre?

KIDNo. Superman.

SUPERMAN(gesturing to himself)

Yo soy Super-hombre.

KIDNo. Ustead es Super-MAN.

SUPERMANHuh...

He autographs the doll and hands it over before smiling to the father. Then he sees the news on TV.

Bogotá 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 (CONT’D)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 BOGOTÁ - DAY

CAROLINA [30s, Colombian] speaks with perfect english.

CAROLINANo information yet on how these weapons came into being or where the rebels got them from. However, they have not advanced to the President’s location. After having a shoot out with the military they’ve stopped and-

A laser blast hits the ground next to Carolina’s 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 Carolina’s head. A half-dozen men all with large advanced weapons stand behind.

There’s something off. These men don’t LOOK like rebels. They look like average Joes. Like nerds.

LUISHold 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 (CONT’D)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 Superman’s hand. The sixth runs.

LUIS (CONT’D)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?

CAROLINAUh, yes, I am.

SUPERMAN(to Luis)

Let’s have a chat.

Superman yanks Luis in to the air as he lifts-off.

CAROLINAI--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.

LOISShe’s 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 He’s taken the bait.

VOICE (V.O.)Orders?

4.

LEX LUTHORTest all systems for lethality.

VOICE (V.O.)And if I can take him out?

Lex’s brow furrows. His jaw tightens.

LEX LUTHORDo not hesitate.

INT. A WAREHOUSE - DAY

A METAL BEHEMOTH rises. Sleek and white it’s about 12 feet tall on it’s 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 Lex’s desk is triangulating. It’s 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.

SUPERMANWhere is your leader.

LUISWe don’t 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.

SUPERMANDo I need to ask again?

LUISNo! No! We don’t have a leader, I swear! We’re all broken down into various units!

5.

SUPERMANHow did you organize? Where did the weapons come from?

LUISWe were on a forum and-

SUPERMANYou met on the internet?

LUISYes! 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.

SUPERMANHold the city?

LUISYes! 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 Superman’s eyes. Luis starts to become blurry, the light is dimming, he starts to fall towards the earth. Superman reaches out but is too slow.

He’s 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 it’s 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.

VOICEMelee.

COMPUTERSwitching from Artillery to Melee.

EXT. A STREET IN BOGOTA - DAY

Parts and armor jettison off the Behemoth. It’s 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 they’re getting closer. He’s struggling to keep moving forward.


A corner of the view screen states “Firing Solution” with a rapidly climbing number.

VOICEHurry up. Hurry up.

When it hits 100% a “secondary cannon” option appears.

VOICE (CONT’D)Fire secondary cannon!


The Behemoth’s 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. He’s safe. For now.

He’s at a loss. He doesn’t 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 Behemoth’s step grow louder.

Superman’s 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. There’s 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!

COMPUTERSolution and charge not yet-

VOICEAll power to secondary cannon!

Superman crushes the car into a disc with some effort.

COMPUTER All power rerouted.

VOICEFire! Fire! Fire!

Superman throws the tire at the Behemoth like a discus, then begins walking towards the machine at a slow pace.

COMPUTERSecond cannon firing.

THE STREET

The cannon pops out of the Behemoth’s 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.

VOICEYou’re too late.

SUPERMANIt’s not too late, we need to-

9.

VOICEListen to me. I’m 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.

SUPERMANWhy are you telling me this?

VOICEMy families going to be taken care of for the rest of their lives. If they ever found out why I’d like them to think better of me.

The Voice is getting weary. His breaths are slow and deep.

SUPERMANWho hired you?

VOICEEven 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. It’s explosion is a hundred times its size but still somehow miniscule against the black void.

THE FALL OF SUPERMAN

INT. A QUAINT HOUSE - DAY

It’s a small mid-western home decorated on a light budget. Simple curtains. Pictures on the wall. It’s 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. He’s jaundiced and rail thin. He’s falling apart.

KITCHEN

Amy Lee [30s, no-nonsense] paces in front of the doctor and Brian holding a tablet.

AMYThis is insane. Please tell him that he can’t go.

BRIANI’m going. It’s too important to miss.

AMYTell him that he can’t go.

The doctor opens his mouth to speak.

BRIANI’m right here. And I’m going. Thank you, doctor.

The doctor nods and exits.

BRIAN (CONT’D)I seem to remember being your boss at one point.

AMYI’m also the only woman in your life who’s been around longer than three years.

11.

BRIANThat’s not true. There’s Daisy.

DAISY THE PUG hears her name and scampers up to Brian who responds by affectionately petting her.

BRIAN (CONT’D)We need to get going.

AMYWill you at least eat something first?

Brian shakes his head and gives a wry smile.

BRIANNot today, it already hurts.

AMYAnd yet you want to give a press conference.

BRIANAnd yet you make me argue with you before doing it.

AMYThis isn’t how--this isn’t how you’re supposed to--

Her facade breaks. She’s torn up.

BRIANWell, in all fairness, I’ve only been fatally ill once. I haven’t had a chance to work the kinks out.

Amy laughs in spite of herself and Brian smiles.

EXT. A QUAINT HOUSE - DAY

It’s a beautiful mid-western lawn with stereotypical white picket fence. Daisy bounds through the grass as Amy and Brian close the gate. He’s wearing an oxygen mask that covers a good portion of his face.

There’s 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 O’BRILLY speaks an editorial on his “news program.”

GILL O’BRILLYTonight on “My Truth.” Superman?

Clark looks up at the feed while typing. We can see he’s searched for Equus, lasers, rebel movements a dozen times.

GILL O’BRILLY (CONT’D)Exactly what kind of buffoon are you? Getting in the way of the world’s most powerful military? Hamstring American diplomacy?

Clark types faster and faster with agitation.

GILL O’BRILLY (CONT’D)I implore you. Stop putting Americans in danger with your shot-from-the-hip style. You’re a jock. You’re a bully. You’re an idiot.For once do the right thing: Do nothing.

Gill laughs wryly. Clark rolls his eyes and looks back to the keyboard. He’s punched his fingers through the thing again.

CLARKDrat.

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!

PERRY’S OFFICE

PERRY WHITE [60s, gruff] slaps his hand on the desk. Lois looks annoyed and put off in the corner, arms crossed.

PERRY WHITE (CONT’D)KENT!

CLARKBoss.

13.

PERRY WHITEKent, I need you to get your keister down to Verident for the press conference.

CLARKMe? Don’t you usually-

PERRY WHITEAll the good reporters are busy. Everyone’s trying to figure out where those weapons in Peru-

LOISColombia, chief.

PERRY WHITEWhere all those weapons came from, who made them, who SENT them. It’s scoop of the century and nobody has a clue! Now stop yammering and head down!

CLARKSure, Mr. White, I just-

PERRY WHITEKent! Press conference! Now!

NEWSROOM

CLARKHey Lois, I was wondering...

LOISHmm?

She doesn’t even look up from a briefing. Clark smiles but the nerve drains from him.

CLARKAbout 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.

LOISNo, from everything I’ve heard there’s not even a TRACE of the weapons, much less who made them. No, I’ve got a source on the inside of the security council, emergency U.N. stuff.

(MORE)

14.

(she looks up)What’s your next assignment?

CLARKI’m heading to a press conference. Mr. White assigned it to me. You were just in the room?

LOISWell that’s exciting. Dangerous.

CLARKYou’re not hearing a word I’m saying, am I?

(beat)Timbuktu.

LOISLot of news coming out of Africa--listen, Clark, I’ve got to get going. Good catching up.

Lois leaves and LANA makes her way over.

LANAHi, Clark.

CLARK(wholesome as summer)

Oh, hello Lana!

LANAWhat’s this I hear about Africa?

CLARKOh, 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.

LANAWhat’s the score?

CLARKAbout a thousand to zero.

Lana laughs earnestly, not just because she likes him.

LANASo are you on the Colombia story?

CLARKOh no, the chief has me on the big press conference.

LOIS (CONT'D)

15.

LANAThe Verident one? It’s starting in fifteen minutes. You’re not going to be able to make it.

CLARKWell shucks. I better get going. It was nice talking, Lana.

He makes his way off in a forced slow run.

LANAYou 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. There’s 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. They’re hunched forward, nervous. He’s entirely calm.

RUSSIAN AMBASSADORThese weapons you’ve created break every treaty and convention--

LEX LUTHORThey would, if I were a nation. Am I nation state? I’d pay less taxes.

16.

CHINESE AMBASSADORA loophole!

LEX LUTHORYes, because China never exploits any of those, Mr. Ambassador.

CHINESE AMBASSADORWe 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 AMBASSADORWhy.

LEX LUTHORYou’ll have to be a bit more-

US AMBASSADORWhy did you make these weapons?

Lex considers. The ambassadors shuffle, seem unnerved.

LEX LUTHORFrom 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 (CONT’D)...crack the planet open so its fiery core would boil the oceans. Forget the death of mankind. It would end the world.

US AMBASSADORThere’s no reason to assume that Superman would do such a thing.

LEX LUTHORPeace in our time?

(laughs)Let’s end this charade. You’re 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 AMBASSADORHow did you do this? How did you make these?

Lex pauses and turns.

LEX LUTHORAn 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 AMBASSADORJust the grenade?

Lex smiles like a corpse.

LEX LUTHORI’d 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 ISAACWhich is why we’re 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 (CONT’D)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 (CONT’D)The rumors are true. I’m resigning.

The gallery comes to life. Recordings go on. Chit-chat stops.

BRIAN ISAAC (CONT’D)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 one’s true just ask any of my ex wives.

Light laughter from all but Clark, who looks pained.

BRIAN ISAAC (CONT’D)Someone as vain as me wants to leave something good behind. Not just products that--

He takes a moment, a breath.

BRIAN ISAAC (CONT’D)Products that...whew, these lights.

Brian collapses in flashes and flickers.

LOBBY

Clark jots down a few notes with a scowl. Amy approaches.

AMYMr. Clark Kent?

CLARKYes?

AMYMr. 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 Brian’s voice as various needles and monitors poke and prod his frail body. Clark enters.

19.

BRIANThank you Amy.

AMYMr. Isaac, are you-

BRIANThank you, Amy.

She nods and departs. Brian points to a chair. Clark sits.

BRIAN (CONT’D)Are you feeling alright, Mr. Kent?

CLARKI feel like I should be asking you that question, Mr. Isaac.

BRIANOh don’t be such a boy scout, it’s tiresome. I’d offer you a drink but it would kill me.

Clark smiles, but it’s Superman poking through.

CLARKIs this all on the record?

BRIANYou tell me.

CLARKIt is. Mr. Isaac...

BRIANYou’re watching me die, kid. Brian.

CLARKBrian. What’s killing you?

BRIANDoctors don’t know. There’s no name for it yet but it’s 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 I’d haunt them.

CLARKYou don’t see the type to believe in ghosts.

20.

BRIANWell I’d haunt their email. Make a program to send spam FROM BEYOOOOOND THE GRAVE!

Clark laughs in spite himself. Brian appreciates it.

BRIAN (CONT’D)Come on, I want to show you something.

CLARKCan you walk?

Brian’s eyes gleam.

HALLWAY

The chair moves on it’s own accord, all the medical equipment still plugged into the back.

BRIANSo I thought to myself if this thing had a toilet it’d be perfect then I realized my kidneys don’t work anymore so that’s 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.

CLARKWhat is all this?

BRIANMy legacy.

CLARKAnd--we’re still on the record?

BRIANOh 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 they’ll be in to help me. Interfaces for the blind, blah, blah, blah. Here’s what matters.

The mosquitoes buzz and bump. They nearly fill the boxes.

21.

CLARKMosquitoes?

BRIANA+. 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.

CLARKThat’s. That’s.

BRIANYeah.

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.

CLARKHow does it work?

BRIANOh come on, boyscout, your readers don’t care let’s not bore the nice people. Headline: Handsome genius destroys threat. Everyone happy.

(see’s 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 Brian’s cheer beeps and syringe appears and injects him.

CLARK(unnerved, seen it before)

What was that?

BRIANOh, I can’t eat. I wasn’t kidding about the kidneys thing. That’s 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 (CONT’D)Do they really not know, kid?

CLARKKnow what?

BRIANWho you are. Who really are.

Clark stops and looks back with a dorky smile.

CLARKWho am I?

BRIANThis do-dad says your temperature is about 105 degrees. Feeling sick?

CLARKWell, I--

BRIANYou’re resting heart rate is that of a comatose monk.

CLARKYou see-

BRIANAnd even if that wasn’t true you’re 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.

CLARKI don’t know who you think I am...

BRIANWe both know who I think you are. But I don’t care if you admit it. I saw you punch a super-tank into space earlier I don’t 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 (CONT’D)I’m 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.

CLARKChief, you’re 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.

CLARKLois 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 they’re ready. A HENCHMAN 1 seems nervous and frayed, the black sheep.

24.

HENCHMAN 1You saw what he did to those guys in Colombia, right? And that thing?

HENCHMAN 2That’s not going to happen here.

HENCHMAN 1Okay but...why isn’t it going to happen here?

Equus doesn’t look up. He is zen. He is fluid.

EQUUSBecause those idiots were outside.

Henchman 1 doesn’t get it. He shakes his head. 2 shrugs.

EQUUS (CONT’D)Think of him like a bird of prey. If you’re 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 (CONT’D)But if he were to crash through a wall? He’d likely kill or wound a hostage. Now maybe he’d chance it except that vault is made of lead and he can’t 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 (CONT’D)All information suggests that he’ll 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 (CONT’D)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 COMMANDERAny 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.

EQUUSWell, it was a good effort.

HENCHMAN 1What are we going to do?

EQUUSIf you value your lives I suggest you surrender.

HENCHMAN 2What about the money?

EQUUSThe contract clearly stated that you’d be paid upon the death of Superman. He seems to be alive.

HENCHMAN 1You 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.

EQUUSI 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.

EQUUSNow. 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.

POLICEMANWhat do you think it is?

SUPERMANI don’t know. But I’d like to have someone check it out.

POLICEMANOui, I understand, however this is a crime scene.

27.

SUPERMANDon’t worry, I’ll take very good care of it. And I’ll have it back in no time.

POLICEMANOui, yes, of course. However it is, uh, very advanced. Do you know computers well enough to check it out?

SUPERMANI know someone who does.

INT. A QUAINT HOUSE’S KITCHEN - NIGHT

Brian Isaac prepares a small fillet mignon while wearing a clear hyberbaric suit while Daisy watches eagerly.

BRIAN (To Daisy)

It’s upsetting to me that you don’t even ask about my day anymore. Are you even listening now?

Daisy yowls and licks her lips, fixated on the steak.

BRIAN (CONT’D)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 (CONT’D)I think I like you better in the other suit. What can I do for you?

INT. A QUAINT HOUSE’S STUDY - NIGHT

Brian has the advanced circuitry in a diagnostic machine.

BRIANNow this is something else.

SUPERMANWhat do you see?

28.

BRIANI’m 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?

SUPERMANA man named Equus.

BRIANYou should really follow up with him. Something tells me he has a great deal to tell you.

SUPERMANI was going to. Until he melted.

Brian looks up from the machine.

BRIANYou shot a man with your heat eyes?

SUPERMANNo! He was a machine. The same kind of material as the weapons were made out of.

BRIANHuh.

SUPERMANWhat?

BRIANThe irony of it just hit me. You want to be the planet’s protector but you brought along some technology that we’ve used to endanger us all over again.

(beat)Good job.

SUPERMANWhile I appreciate your efforts--

BRIANOh get off it. I think I could find the source of the code. It has to originate somewhere. It’ll take some time.

SUPERMANHow long?

29.

BRIANLet me see. Based upon the known variables, which are none, let me calculate how long it would take to do something previously unheard of.

SUPERMANAre all scientists this surly?

BRIANI’m an engineer. It’s like being a scientist except we actually work.

(looks at diagnostics)And while we’re on labels, what do you want me to call you?

SUPERMANWhat do you mean?

BRIANDo you want to go by Superman or Clark?

SUPERMANI’ll think about it. I have to go.

BRIANDo me a favor? Feed Daisy your way out. Her dinner’s 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 LUTHORIsn’t trespassing illegal? Seems to go against your branding.

Superman steps out of the shadows.

30.

SUPERMANThe weapons the rebels are using. I know it’s you.

LEX LUTHORWho else would it be? You’re getting very headstrong, Superman.

Lex walks towards Superman, hands tucked behind his back.

LEX LUTHOR (CONT’D)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.

SUPERMANEnough of these games! People are in danger!

LEX LUTHORIt’s 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.

SUPERMANYou’re demented.

LEX LUTHORIt’s called a contingency, Superman. What if you went rogue, another alien warship appeared? Better to have a weapon and not need it...

SUPERMANAnd who’s 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 LUTHOREvidence. Blueprints for the weapons, where the funding came from. Recordings that prove beyond a doubt I made them. Take it.

SUPERMANWhy?

31.

LEX LUTHORBecause half the world already has it. And the other half will soon.

SUPERMANThis kind of power, in the hands of the wrong person--you’re 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 (CONT’D)The world will finally see that you pose a greater danger to it than anything else it’s ever known. Equus will see to that.

SUPERMANI’ve already stopped him.

Lex walks to a personal elevator and presses a button.

LEX LUTHORNo, Superman. He’s the one thing you can’t 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.

WOMANHelp! Help me!

A kind of relief washes over Superman’s 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 ONEThis is it!?

He breaks away from his friend to move towards the woman.

ROBBER ONE (CONT’D)There has to be more! Get up! What are you hiding!

WOMANNothing! There’s nothing else!

ROBBER ONEOh, she’s 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 doesn’t 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 Superman’s grip.

He walks around the stunned criminal to offer a hand up to the woman.

SUPERMANAre you alright?

WOMANI--I--

SUPERMANYou’re 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 (CONT’D)Do you need help getting home?

WOMAN(nodding with mouth agape)

I’m okay.

EXT. APARTMENT BUILDING - NIGHT

Superman sets the woman down on a fire escape.

WOMANWould you--would you like--

33.

SUPERMANI’m flattered, but I’m interested in someone.

The woman nods, wide eyed and enters through a window. Superman smiles to himself and takes off.

INT. CLARK’S APARTMENT - NIGHT

Clark slumps back in his chair, exhausted. He scans the Daily Planet blog and see’s that Lois took his interview and put her name on it. He sighs.

BRIAN (O.S.)Yeah, that’s a real rough one, kid. In her defense though, you did hand her a real scoop.

Clark rises and looks around suspiciously.

CLARKWhere are you?

BRIAN (O.S.)Well, I’m watching you on your webcam but I’m talking to you through your cell.

CLARKHow?


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.

BRIANI’m talking to you on my hand.

CLARK (ON MONITOR)...I’ll be right over.

LATER

Clark didn’t bother to put the suit back on. He’s in everyman clothes, not even the suit and tie.

BRIANWatch this.

Brian waves his hand at a TV monitor. Nothing happens.

34.

CLARKImpressive.

BRIANShut it or I’ll 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 (CONT’D)Hah!

CLARKHow?

BRIANOh you found something, boyscout. Think of it as wi-fi for everything. This is some advanced stuff, we’re talking literal generations ahead of its time.

Clark frowns.

CLARKLike you said earlier. About me bringing a threat.

BRIANYeah. But that’s okay, you know why? Whatever naughty little monkeys got their hands on this? They’re not as smart as your friend.

Clark smiles in earnest. Friend.

CLARKDo you think you can trace Equus down with this?

BRIANWho-quus?

CLARKThe man who melted.

BRIANShouldn’t 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 (CONT’D)Meant to do that.

CLARKI’m had a conversation with Lex Luthor in which he implied that I’d be meeting up with Equus again.

BRIANPoor Lex. I’m the one dying and I still have more hair than him.

Brian pries himself from his interest in the new tech.

BRIAN (CONT’D)Listen, it’s going to be okay. Me and Lex go way back and his bark is worse than his bite. If Equus is out there? We’ll know.

CLARKHow?

BRIANWell it’s not like there’s a lot of this stuff out there. If something is using the same frequency it’ll light up like a menora.

The gauntlet activates and glows green, as do the various other circuits on the table.

BRIAN (CONT’D)(false bravado)

See?

Brian looks to his diagnostic machine and his face falls.

CLARKWhere is he?

BRIANIf I’m right, it’s...

CLARKWhere!?

BRIANHe’s 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. PERRY’S OFFICE - NIGHT

Perry sits defiantly behind his desk while Lois stands. They eye Equus with a mixture of confusion and disdain.

EQUUSHello.

No response. Equus’ left hand turns into a barrel that fires a laser into the ceiling.

EQUUS (CONT’D)Hello.

LOIS AND PERRYHi.

EQUUSMuch better.

An alert pops up on Equus’ HUD, an identical system to the Behemoth’s.

EQUUS (CONT’D)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 (CONT’D)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.


LOISWhat do you want?

EQUUSI’m here to complain that you didn’t publish my letter to the editor.

Equus raises his gauntlet and Perry’s 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 (CONT’D)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 he’s seen with greater frequency here than anywhere in the city. Why?

PERRY WHITEI have no idea what you’re talking about.

EQUUSYou don’t know why here?

PERRY WHITEI don’t know about anything you just said.

(beat)I’m not good with computers.

38.

EQUUSI must have neglected to mention that we’re 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.

CLARKOkay, 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 wouldn’t tell you!

PERRY WHITE (O.S.)Goes for me, too.

EQUUS (O.S.)Very noble. I can’t 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 (CONT’D)(to shooting guard)

Stop that.

PERRY’S OFFICE

EQUUS (CONT’D)New game. Let’s play “Who cares that this man has a family?”

39.

EXT. A STREET IN METROPOLIS - NIGHT

Clarks’s speed increases step by step. Soon he’s 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. He’s 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 guard’s head.

GUARDPlease!

EQUUSDon’t beg me, big boy. Ask them.

Perry is stern with resolve. Lois is wavering.

GUARD(to Lois)

Please.

EQUUSWhat am I thinking?

His hand cannon powers up, glows green.

GUARDPlease!

PERRY WHITEI’m sorry.

EQUUSI have two guards to ask with...

LOISSTOP!

The hum of the hand cannon and nothing else.

40.

EQUUSYes?

LOISIt’s 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.

EQUUSI just don’t see it. But I suppose there’s no accounting for the tastes of Supermen.

LOISWhat are you going-

Equus grabs her by the throat and lifts her off the ground.

EQUUSSo. 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 Perry’s office only to catch himself in the mirror. He’s not Superman. He looks to the reflection, the office, the reflection. He HESITATES.

PERRY’S OFFICE

EQUUS (CONT’D)Given that so far Superman has evaded my traps I’m 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 (CONT’D)..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 Perry’s laptop camera.

BRIANYES!

He’s so excited he pumps the gauntlet in the air with a fist. Daisy scampers in.

BRIAN (CONT’D)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.

CLARKLois, are you?

She looks at him with hurt and betrayal. She storms out.

Perry falls into his plush chair, out of breath.

PERRY WHITEThe hell were you?

Clark doesn’t 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, it’s 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.

EQUUSI need your authorization to access the armory.

LEX LUTHOR (ON SCREEN)I’ve already put considerable amounts of money into this project.

EQUUSIt’s no longer about the money. It’s 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 (ON SCREEN)Lex Luthor.

COMPUTER (O.S.)Luthor, verified.

Equus smiles like the damned.

LEX LUTHOR (ON SCREEN)Full system authorization.

COMPUTER (O.S.)Granted.

LEX LUTHOR (ON SCREEN)Don’t 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

Brian’s imperfect gauntlet has now been incorporated into his hyperbaric oxygen helmet. He’s becoming more of a machine. Clark gives a glum look to the eggs Brian’s prepared.

BRIANI got to ask.

CLARK Ask what?

BRIANAbout a billion things. Are you solar powered or do you NEED to eat? If your skin can’t 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 (CONT’D)(to Daisy)

Yeah, good point.(to Clark)

She only yawns when I talk about science too much.

CLARKSo she yawns a lot then?

BRIANOh look Daisy, the boyscout’s back.

CLARKI don’t think you understand.

BRIANKiddo, I’m 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.

CLARKDo you think you could have made it work?

44.

BRIANOf course, but that would involve sharing and giving up power and working on myself. Not my strong points.

CLARKDo you think Lois could love me?

BRIANFor one, I think it’s a little sick that you decided to work with her.

CLARKHey!

BRIANAnd for two, isn’t she already in love with Superman?

CLARKShe seems to be.

BRIANSo you’re asking if she could love you--like this.

CLARKI am.

BRIANI can only speak for myself but--any woman who doesn’t like the real you after one conversation? She’s not right for you.

CLARKThank you.

BRIANYou’re welcome. Want to pry this helmet off and give me a kiss?

CLARKI’ll pass. I see you’re still working on that gauntlet.

(weakness)Thank you. For saving Lois.

BRIANDon’t mention it. A good deed is its own reward. Oh, and you know, getting super advanced alien loot isn’t 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!?

BRIANAmy?

Amy rushes in. She sees Clark but looks to Brian wide-eyed.

AMY(out of breath)

Brian, hurry. It’s 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 there’s Lex, back turned to the crowd. The Trio enters.

BRIANI’d ask what’s going on but I don’t care--get out of my building.

HEAD OF ENVOY(Holding up paper)

Mr. Isaac.

BRIANIs that a warrant?

HEAD OF ENVOYNo.

BRIANThen get out. Now.

HEAD OF ENVOYMr. Isaac, I need you to listen the US department of Justice using anti-trust laws has decided--

BRIANThis is not happening.

HEAD OF ENVOYTo 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 ENVOYWe encourage you to give these documents to your legal team.

Lex hears enough. He turns to leave. Clark is powerless.

BRIANHe’s the one! He’s the one who’s making the weapons! That’s who you need to break apart.

HEAD OF ENVOYMr. Luthor had made his patents publicly available and is not subject to--

BRIANThis is mine, Lex! You can’t do this! You can’t take it from me!

Lex exits with a smile that says “Oh, I very much can.”

BRIAN (CONT’D)I’m not going to--take this--

Clark reaches out for Brian as he starts to faint. Brian swipes at him.

BRIAN (CONT’D)Get off me! You can’t...

He’s out. Amy gasps. Clark catches him.

INT. STATE OF THE ART HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY

Brian’s in a hyperbaric chamber, more advanced than his home model. He’s totally entombed. Amy stands over him and Clark nearby. A doctor is droning on but we hear only snippets.

DOCTORShutting 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. We’re no longer spinning.

DOCTOR (CONT’D)I’m sorry.

He departs. Amy is shrunken in a chair bawling silently. Clark moves up the glass and puts his hand on it.

CLARKI won’t--we won’t let him get away with this.

EXT. HOSPITAL - DAY

Clark is surrounded by reporters, bloggers. Vultures. They scream at him as the cameras flash.

REPORTERSIs it true that Lexcorp has acquired Isaac’s 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?

CLARKWho said that?

A hurried murmur from the reporters. Clark puts up his hand.

CLARK (CONT’D)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--

CLARKI’m not even dignifying it with an answer. You should feel ashamed.

LOISWhy should I feel ashamed? Am I acting like a coward?

48.

CLARK(to all)

Let’s 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

Clark’s opened a file called “Rainy Day” that houses dozens of stories. He’s 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.

LANAHey, Clark.

CLARK(soft smile)

Oh. Hi, Lana.

LANAI saw you on the news.

CLARKI imagine just about everyone did.

LANAI’m sorry I didn’t 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.

CLARKThat’s very kind of you.

Clark goes back to getting up copies of his stories.

LANAIt’s just that we’re both from a small town and I know what it’s like.

CLARKWhat what’s like?

LANABeing alone when you have too much going on.

CLARKIs it that obvious?

LANAYeah. It’s a pretty human thing.

They share a moment before the booming voice.

PERRY WHITEKent! What the hell?

Lana looks mortified.

CLARKIt’s okay. We’ll talk soon.

Lana nods and heads the other way as Perry enters.

PERRY WHITELet’s ignore the fact that you’re constantly absent. Let’s pretend that I sent you to get an interview yesterday and Lois puts it up.

CLARKOkay.

PERRY WHITEIn what world is it alright to NOT report that you have a personal connection to Brian Isaac after his conference yesterday?

CLARKI didn’t--we only met yesterday.

50.

PERRY WHITEThat 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?

CLARKI’m taking some personal time.

PERRY WHITEThe world is on fire. The man responsible attacks your co-worker and you’re leaving?

(beat)I did not know I could be so disappointed in someone. You’re not on vacation. You’re 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. CLARK’S 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. He’s 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.

SUPERMANExcuse me. I’d--

The secretary holds up a finger. A beat, then he continues.

51.

SUPERMAN (CONT’D)I need the see the President. It’s a pressing matter.

SECRETARYThere is absolutely no way that someone who isn’t already on the--

She looks up. Holds up her finger again in a very different way as she picks up the phone.

SECRETARY (CONT’D)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 (CONT’D)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.

SUPERMANMr. President.

PRESIDENTSuperman. What can I do for you?

SUPERMANWell it’s about Verident and Lex Luthor.

All three sit.

PRESIDENTOut of my hands, I’m afraid. Justice department cleared it. Anti-trust, that sort of thing.

SUPERMANMr. President. I urge you to reconsider. Mr. Isaac doesn’t have much time left.

52.

PRESIDENTI understand this is important to you but let me ask you something--have you ever considered a Presidential endorsement?

SUPERMANI’m sorry?

PRESIDENTAn endorsement. For me. This is my re-election campaign manager.

Man in Suit smiles like slime.

SUPERMANI feel that political statements are outside my purview. You understand.

The President and Man in Suit rise. Superman follows.

SUPERMAN (CONT’D)About Verident...

PRESIDENTI 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. He’s the boy in the bubble now.

Amy enters holding the make-shift gauntlet. Brian doesn’t 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.

BRIANAmy.

AMYYes?

BRIANI need to tell you before I go-

AMYPlease don’t...

53.

BRIANI’ll keep it short. Just know that no matter what happens you’ll 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 it’s 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 (CONT’D)Congratulations, Lex. You’ve won. You’ve taken everything from me.

Brian flips the bird at the machine. Manufacturing begins.

BRIAN (CONT’D)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 roof’s edge. If one of them goes, they all do. The material is sleek and white like Equus’ suit.

It’s a 600 meter drop if he shoves them. Or there’s a gigantic pool on the roof, he could drown them.

EQUUSI figured he’d be here by now. Anyone want to play 20 questions?

(beat)No? Fair enough.

54.

EQUUS (CONT’D)Then let’s play another game...

Equus raises his foot to put on the back of one of the tourists. He’s 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.

SUPERMANNo matter what, I will stop you.

EQUUS(distant, metallic)

You’ll 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 can’t grab the tether, it’ll 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.

They’re all falling now.

From here it’s 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 ground’s 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

Superman’s feet are embedded into the pavement. The left foot of the helicopter is crunched into scarp metal by Superman’s 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 it’s 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.

EQUUSHello, 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. He’s 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 he’s 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 he’s 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 isn’t “alien.” He isn’t “powerful.” He’s an inspiration and sentinel.

That’s 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 it’s too violent. They can’t 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 it’s knocked out of his hands and one Jet-pack wing is punched through.

It’s Equus’ turn to be in the pool.

The other Equus squad members fire up at him but he’s 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.

EQUUSUghhhh....

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.

SUPERMANI don’t know how many more of you are and I don’t 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 (CONT’D)Got it?

EQUUSGot it.

SUPERMANGood.

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.

LOISWhere were you?

SUPERMANSigapore. Didn’t it make the news?

LOISI mean before.

SUPERMANColombia. Didn’t it make the news?

LOISSuperman...

58.

She is distraught. He gives a comforting smile.

SUPERMANI’m sorry I wasn’t there for you. But I promise, the next time you need me, I will be.

LOISWhat happened...

SUPERMANI’ve just been lost, lately. The world is--confusing.

LOISConfusing how?

SUPERMANLet’s just say I’m sure of who I am again. That’s what’s important.

(floats away a little)It’s a beautiful night.

LOISIt is.

Lois removes her scarf to reveal light bruising on her neck.

LOIS (CONT’D)Does it look bad?

SUPERMANYou could never look bad.

He floats to her and strokes her neck with his hand.

SUPERMAN (CONT’D)Fly with me.

LOISI was going to invite you in.

SUPERMANFly with me.

LOISOkay. But can you hold me by the hips, it really scares me when you--

He pulls her out the window and she shrieks. Then it’s playful screaming as he carries her off into the night over his shoulder.

59.

SUPERMANAre you hungry?

LOISYes, but I don’t have your metabolism...

INT. LEX CORP BASEMENT - NIGHT

An underground hanger, high tech, but spartan.

Superman’s BIRTH SHIP, the one that brought him here as a child, hovers off the ground. Workers in white lab-coats and goggles study feeds. They’re building copies of the ship in the background. They’re stripping it for parts.

Lex’s private elevator dings. Everyone stops what they are doing to turn and look at the doors. They open. It’s Brian.

It’s Brian in his Behemoth MKII suit. He’s 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.

BRIANWho’s in charge?

All of the scientists saunter away from one. Brian engages.

BRIAN (CONT’D)I presume you have a direct line to your boss?

HEAD SCIENTIST nods.

BRIAN (CONT’D)Be a sport and call him, will you?

HEAD SCIENTISTWhat do you want me to say?

BRIANOh, something along the lines of “Brian destroyed your space ships, meet him in your office.”

HEAD SCIENTISTBut you, but I--

Brian moves into the...

BIRTH SHIP

60.

He looks around the advanced interior as if being called.

There’s 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 it’s meaningless but looks to the crystal. Nothing, then puts it in his gauntlet. They react. The faint image of Krypton appears. Libraries. Schematics. Knowledge.

BRIANMotherload...

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 it’s just--

The computers and remaining spaceships catch electrical fire.

HEAD SCIENTIST (CONT’D)Yes, I’m quite sure it’s an emergency.

EXT. A TALL BUILDING IN METROPOLIS - NIGHT

Lois and Superman sit on the edge of the roof eating hotdogs.

LOISBefore I met you I was afraid of heights.

SUPERMANI still am.

Lois looks at him with alarm but when he gives a confident “All American” smile she shoves him. He rocks. Play acting.

LOISHave you stopped Equus? For good?

61.

SUPERMANNo. I don’t think so. But soon. Hopefully.

They look to one another. The pretense falls. They kiss.


Brian is looking over the desktop interface from before. He’s laughing as the data scrolls, and upload % climbs.

The elevator opens but Brian doesn’t turn. Footsteps.

BRIANYou’ve 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. He’s about to strike.

Then he stops dead. Frozen.

BRIAN (CONT’D)We’re going to have to have a talk, you and I.

EQUUS(struggling, frozen)

How are you doing this!?

BRIANNot you. Lex.

(turns to Equus)I know you’re in there. Aren’t you going to say something?

EQUUSYou old fool. You can’t-

Brian’s gauntlet flashes. Equus’ hand falls to the floor and his mouth shuts and lips seal.

BRIANStop sending your little errand boy. Where are you?

Brian’s 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 (CONT’D)Ahhh.

62.

He moves towards the personal elevator but stops to pat Equus on the head.

BRIAN (CONT’D)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.

BRIANElevator, last call, ten seconds.

They lower their weapons and flee to the elevator as the chopper lifts off. Brian doesn’t even raise his hand this time. He just looks, almost bored, almost pleased, at the elevator as it stops, reverses course and lands.

BRIAN (CONT’D)(to pilot)

You’re going to want to get out of here before this thing crashes.

LEX LUTHORDo not listen to him!

BRIANKid, this thing is about to explode. Go.

LEX LUTHORPilot! Do not listen to him!

BRIANCheck your navigational computer.

The pilot looks at an advanced HUD. It changes from flight data to “Seriously, I’m 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 (CONT’D)Lex. Oh Lex. I’d like you to come out now.

63.

Lex Luthor gives him a death glare.

BRIAN (CONT’D)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 (CONT’D)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. There’s 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 she’s on the roof and removes her heels. Inside her purse is a pair of plain tennis shoes. She’s done this before.


Lex rises and looks remarkably composed for a man betrayed by his own staff and helicopter.

LEX LUTHORYou have my attention.

Brian laughs. It’s like venom. It’s like hate.

BRIANI earnestly don’t know why I didn’t see you were a sociopath before tonight. It was staring me right in the face.

64.

LEX LUTHORGiven your actions tonight, I fear you may be projecting.

BRIANCool as a cucumber.

Brian starts taking slow, meaningful steps towards Lex.

LEX LUTHORWhat do you want?

BRIANI was going to give you a gift.

LEX LUTHORA present? For me?

BRIANOh you better believe it bald and beautiful. I was going to pay you back for taking the only thing that mattered from me.

LEX LUTHORAnd how do you intend to do that?

Brian’s eyes gleam with madness.

BRIANTaking away the only thing you care about.

EXT. HIGH ABOUT METROPOLIS - NIGHT

Superman reaches the chopper but sees no one driving.

SUPERMANBad 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 LUTHORIs this going to make you feel better about losing to me?

BRIANThe funny thing is, I didn’t 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 LUTHORI have more than one at this point.

BRIANAnd 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 wouldn’t have thought to use the dome for that.

LEX LUTHORNo 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.

BRIANAfter 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 Lex’s face.

LEX LUTHORYou don’t have to. The world will be a safer place if we joi--

BRIANLex?

LEX LUTHORYes?

BRIANI no longer feel the need to hear the arguments of my inferiors.

Release. Lex falls without screaming.

66.

Brian doesn’t look down either. No smile on his face. He seems to ponder what he’s 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.

SUPERMANBrian?

BRIANBoyscout...

Superman looks at the roof for someone, anyone else.

There’s 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.

SUPERMANWhy?

BRIANI came to get my company back.

SUPERMANYou--just attempted murder.

BRIANWell. It was my first attempt. Of course I didn’t get it right.

Lex rises, reborn. He sees three moves ahead of both men.

LEX LUTHORI demand you arrest him, Superman.

BRIANOh don’t you start--

Brian takes a step towards Lex, but Superman steps between.

Lex could teach the devil how to grin.

BRIAN (CONT’D)(to Superman)

Oh is that how it’s going to be?

SUPERMANI don’t have a choice Brian.

67.

BRIANHe’s been trying to kill you the last three days!

SUPERMANI know.

BRIANBe pragmatic for once in your life!

SUPERMANI can’t condone murder.

BRIANDon’t 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. He’s berserk.

But just before he’s 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.

SUPERMANI’m sorry, Brian.

(to Lex)And you--

LEX LUTHORDon’t bother. I’ve 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. He’s burdened.

BRIANI truly have no idea what you’re thinking, kiddo.

SUPERMANIt’s my code. It’s who I am.

68.

BRIANAnd how does that code benefit this situation?

SUPERMANIt doesn’t.

BRIANWell. It’s an honest answer.

Brian struggles to get up. Superman offers a hand. He rises.

SUPERMANI have to take you in.

BRIANYou have to take me home.

SUPERMANI’m serious. You’re under arrest.

BRIANUnder who’s authority, Xenu’s? Cut the crap, kid.

SUPERMANBrian.

BRIAN(true betrayed fury)

You think I’m spending my remaining days in jail? You think that’s 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.

SUPERMANBrian...

BRIANNo. Now you listen. If you touch me again, if I see you again, the entire world will know Superman’s identity.

SUPERMANStop! Lex could have surveilence--

69.

BRIANHe does. And I control it.

(in Superman’s face)Your name. Your address. The molecular structure of kryptonite. It’ll be everywhere in a heartbeat.

SUPERMANYou wouldn’t.

BRIANOh yes I will. I’ll tell that cyborg downstairs where your mom lives. Your boss.

(beat)Lois.

They stare off. They are heaving, flush with anger.

BRIAN (CONT’D)You really don’t have it in you. You could end the threat right now, one flick of your finger. But you can’t do it.

Superman’s brow is furrowed. Eyes narrowed. He...can’t.

His head bows. Brian turns to leave.

BRIAN (CONT’D)Make it real simple. You let me die on my own terms? I’ll take your secret to the grave.

(boards elevator, turns)But if I die sooner? If this suit is compromised? There’s a contingency in place. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a big, bald bastard to hunt down.


The elevator doors open revealing Brian.

BRIANCome.

Equus boards the elevator. There’s fear. The doors close.

70.


Superman picks up “Clark’s” 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.

What’s the purpose of Clark Kent anymore? Is there one?

He scrolls though his phone. Presses send.

CLARKHello, Lana?

INT. A LOW RENT DINER - NIGHT

Clark is building a “fort” out of straws. Lana enters, dressed up far beyond her work attire. She’s not good at it.

LANAClark.

He rises to offer a hand shake, she dives in for a hug. They sit in the booth.

LANA (CONT’D)You have, uh, really nice core. What’s your secret?

CLARKGood genetics. Thanks for--

LANANo, no problem! I mean with everything going on it’s not like we’re getting a lot of sleep these days at the office. Oh, should we, not talk about the office?

CLARKIt’s fine.

LANAI just--why’d you take the time off? I don’t understand.

CLARKDo you have any skeletons in your closet?

71.

LANAI didn’t think it was that kind of conversation. We all do. Right?

CLARKSomething that would change others opinions of you if they knew?

LANAI hope not. You’re starting to scare me. I can’t imagine you...

CLARKGo on.

LANAI can’t imagine you having a secret like that.

Clark smirks.

CLARKThere are things that if they get out, they would.

LANAI’m not going to ask what. Or why. Clark I...

She puts her hand on top of his to still the fort building.

LANA (CONT’D)I think you’re super. And I don’t think there’s 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 (CONT’D)You’re a good man, Clark Kent.

CLARKI think you are, too.

LANAYeah. All the good ones seem to think of me as a guy.

He gets the hint. He sees the makeup. It dawns.

CLARKLana you’re wonderful.

72.

LANABut.

CLARKNo but. You’re wonderful.

(sheepish smile)I do have a favor to ask you, though. It’s about work.

INT. LANA’S APARTMENT - NIGHT

Lana’s logged into a Daily Planet server. Clark hangs over her shoulder. They’re looking at pictures of Equus, the advanced polymers, the lasers, cybernetics and A.I.

LANAIt would really help if you could tell me what you’re looking for.

CLARKThere has to be a place where Equus is “stored.” Or where he lives.

LANAWhat are you going to do, investigate?

CLARKWell, I am a free agent. And I hear blogging is popular.

LANAAbout a decade ago, yeah.

(teasing)Maybe you do a celebrity blog. You know, talk about Apple Paltrow or Solange or the Kardashians.

CLARKWhy are you making up names?

LANA(intense focus)

Shut up. I mean, wait.

CLARKWhat is it?

LANAThere’s a--it could be nothing--butthere’s a project where all of these technologies came together. OMAC.

73.

CLARKOh-Mack?

LANAOne-Man-Army-Corp. It started about thirty years ago.

CLARKThe military?

LANAI don’t know. It’s a shell company.

(tap tap tap)...why would anyone base their operations in Kansas?

Woosh.

LANA (CONT’D)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 doesn’t happen to Presidents. He’s 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 don’t know who this is but you’re 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 it’s “National Security” but when I do it’s “Treason.” Nice gig.

74.

PRESIDENT...Brian Isaac?

BRIAN (ON MONITOR)In the rotting flesh.

PRESIDENTDo you understand the level of crime that you’re committing?

BRIAN (ON MONITOR)Sparky, you couldn’t beat me at checkers. I already said “treason.” Now let’s focus.

The President presses a button. Nothing happens. He frowns and presses it again. He rises.

BRIAN (ON MONITOR) (CONT’D)You’ll find the systems you use to be less than reliable for now.

PRESIDENTYou hacked the White House systems?

BRIAN (ON MONITOR) I’m IN the White House Systems. Sit. Down.

The President sits.

PRESIDENTYou 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.

PRESIDENTI don’t have him.

BRIAN (ON MONITOR)No. But you can find him.

PRESIDENTWhat makes you think--

BRIAN (ON MONITOR)One Man Army Corps. Manufacturing deals. A huge sum of money being paid to your campaign. That’s what.

75.

PRESIDENTI’m 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 it’s ever known. You gonna join me?

The President sits in wrathful silence.

BRIAN (ON MONITOR) (CONT’D)I’ll take that as a no. Let’s just be clear about one thing--I’muploading all the dirty money I’ve found into every newspaper server I can find.

PRESIDENT...why?

BRIANBecause screw you. That’s why.

INT. DAILY PLANET OFFICE ANNEX - NIGHT

Jimmy Olsen looks like he hasn’t 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 OLSENGosh.

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 LUTHORI don’t suppose you’re going to pay for that?

Superman ignores him and walks through the door into...

AN UNDERGROUND CHAMBER

It’s Equus’ chamber, but the suits are all gone and every weapon has been pilfered.

SUPERMANWhat was in here?

LEX LUTHORApproximately two hundred copies of the Equus suit, various large scale arms. Mmmm. An army.

SUPERMANWhat did you do?

LEX LUTHORYou think I’d be here if I’d done it? Think, Superman.

SUPERMANBrian?

LEX LUTHORGold star.

Lex continues walking. Superman follows into...

EQUUS HOME CHAMBER

There’s a hole in the middle of the room. Like something electronic was removed. Lex takes out his cell phone.

SUPERMANYou’re not mad?

LEX LUTHORMad? Turnabout is fair play. No, I’m not mad, but I am a little bit worried.

SUPERMANBecause?

77.

LEX LUTHORCall me a cynic, but you I thought it wasn’t wise to produce an army controlled by a single person unless you could control them.

SUPERMANGet to the point, Luthor.

LEX LUTHOREquus sat in a chamber in this room. If anything were to happen...

Lex lobs his phone above the hole.

LEX LUTHOR (CONT’D)Emergency.

Lasers blast from every direction. The phone is destroyed twenty times over before it hits the ground.

LEX LUTHOR (CONT’D)So you can see, you have a problem.

SUPERMANI have a problem?

LEX LUTHOR(million dollar smile)

There might be a little bit of a sub-back up where if I die--youremember what happened to that tank in Colombia?

Superman slow-walks to Luthor.

SUPERMANI don’t 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 LUTHORDevastating. Your plane or mine?

EXT. KANSAS AIRFIELD - NIGHT

Lex’s plane is in flames. A wing falls off it.

78.

Lex smiles in good humor to Superman.

LEX LUTHORAsked and answered.

EXT. HIGH ABOVE KANSIS - NIGHT

Superman can’t fly at full speed carrying Lex. He’s 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 LUTHORHey!

Superman stops to look at him through the glass.

LEX LUTHOR (CONT’D)You can’t just leave me down here!

SUPERMANYou’ll be safe.

LEX LUTHORHow do you know?

SUPERMANNo cameras. Barely any electronics at all, nothing from this century. We’re down far enough that there’s no cell phone signals.

(beat)There’s silence here.

LEX LUTHORDear lord. Everyone thinks of you as this golden child and yet--youhid underground like a rat.

SUPERMANYou’re the one in a cage, Luthor. And you’d 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 doesn’t turn.

There’s a new coat of paint on the walls.

BRIAN Equus...

Equus draws his rifle. Superman moves towards him.

BRIAN (CONT’D)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.

SUPERMANLead paint?

BRIANI’m building a little suit for Daisy all the same.

Brian gestures to a LITTLE BEHEMOTH DOG SUIT.

BRIAN (CONT’D)And a corpse and a cyborg don’t have much to worry about. Hell, I’m thinking about taking up smoking.

Brian finally turns. His wrath is frigid. Barely contained.

BRIAN (CONT’D)Where is he?

SUPERMANI’m not giving him up to you.

BRIANWe only made the deal last night, Boyscout. Already change your mind?

80.

SUPERMANI did. The world needs me more than it does Clark Kent.

BRIANYou damn idiot. You ARE Clark Kent.

SUPERMANI am Superman.

BRIANYou 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? Who’s grave do you want them to visit?

Thumps and hisses as Brian walks in his MKII suit.

SUPERMANIt’s never about what we want. It’s about what we need to do.

BRIANWhere’s that going to get you, huh? A lifetime of do good for tomorrow? I get that you’re sticking up for yourself but I can FEEL the hand of death on me so I don’t have time for this. Where. Is he?

Superman puts his hand on the suit.

SUPERMANI’m taking you in for attempted murder.

BRIANWell 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. He’s not even stunned.

SUPERMANBrian. You can’t beat me.

81.

BRIANNo, Boyscout. I can’t OVERPOWER you. But I can beat you. I can beat you like this was chess.

Superman darts forward. A HUD pops up in Brian’s 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 (CONT’D)Lex made this whole program designed to anticipate how you fight. Turns out, you don’t have that many moves. You’ve been phoning it in! Getting lazy!

A flying drone comes to life. It’s 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. It’s true. He doesn’t have to rise to challenges often.

BRIAN (CONT’D)After our little tete-a-tete I thought about this. See, I’m 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 (CONT’D)I’m 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

He’s 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.

SUPERMANNO!

Superman jolts in front of her and takes the grenade hit. It explodes in fire and she’s knocked back, but safe.

Grenades continue to swarm towards Superman. There’s too many. He shoots one down. Five. Ten. They’re getting closer.

One detonates in kyrpotnite chaff and his lasers are gone. Another, another, another. Superman wheels back as explosions rattle his body. It’s 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.

BRIANAnd that wasn’t even plan A. I told you, you may be strong. But I’m...

He stops. More smoke clears. Amy is in a bad way. He body is crumpled up. He legs akimbo. She’s still.

A scanner pops up on Brian’s 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. He’s truly pained. He lost something. It’s gone.

But there’s no time for sadness. Brainiac lifts him into the air. They look to one another. There’s no love left to lose.

SUPERMANYou killed her.

BRAINIAC (cold distant dead)

No, Superman. You killed her.

83.

SUPERMANI’m taking you down.

BRAINIACMaybe. But not before I take everything from you as you have me.

SUPERMANIt’s not too late for you, Brian. You can still turn yourself--

The chest laser from the original Behemoth pops open in the MKII suit. It’s smaller, but it’s point blank. BAM!

Brainiac drops him with one hand and knocks him through the glass to the street outside.

BRAINIACDo 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. He’s not in tatters though. He’s doesn’t LOOK hurt from the outside.

He takes off as the drones exit. We think there’s going to be a chase sequence but he turns back to look after a moment.

The drones aren’t following him. They’re forming a perimeter.

Superman frowns, then departs.


There is a moment of pained humanity on Brainiac’s 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.

EQUUSYou’re sending me everywhere?

BRAINIACNew plan. You’re a freedom fighter.

84.

EQUUSYou can’t 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 MKII’s hand raises and Equus bows over in pain. The shadowy figure within kicks, flails.

BRAINIACDo it. Or die painfully.

EQUUSI’ll do it!

BRAINIAC (turns back to screen)

You’re fighting for the future. You’re fighting for hope.You’re 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 he’s 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 he’s seeking he enters...

PERRY’S OFFICE

Perry stares daggers at Kent as he’s on the phone.

PERRY WHITE...uh-huh. Well check again!

(hanging up)What do you want?

85.

CLARKI’m here to see Lois.

PERRY WHITEI don’t have time for you, Kent.

CLARKChief--

PERRY WHITEI said I don’t have time. You want me to call security?

Clark very much does. But just for a moment.

CLARKPlease tell her I came by.

DAILY PLANET NEWS ROOM.

That’s 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) (CONT’D)Corrupt bankers in the Basque.

EQUUS (IN MUNICH) (CONT’D)Thieving politicos in Colombia.

EQUUS (IN RABAT) (CONT’D)Media elites. American dignitaries.

EQUUS (ALL AT ONCE) (CONT’D)But not you. Never you. Superman never comes to save you. So now it’s 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 can’t solve all of this. Superman can’t solve any of this. There’s 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 Superman’s 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 there’s pain. We can see it in Superman’s 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 there’s 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--it’s all wonky. He flies back out.

Superman looks to the red dome that doesn’t seem to be having any effect on anyone else. We leave his vision.

Everyone inside is fine. It’s just him.

87.

EXT. A CRUISE SHIP - DAY

Equus sits next to a CAPTAIN holding a detonator.

CAPTAINWhat are you waiting for?

A warning beep.

EQUUSThat.

Press. Boom. An implosion and the ships warning systems go haywire as Equus begins to melt.

Superman sees the melting Equus and knows he’s 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. It’s not slowing down! It’s going to crash!

No, it’s fine. Superman stops super-pushing it and instead jumps in front to slow it’s 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.

EQUUSSo you’re 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.

SUPERMANIs everyone alright?

STUDENTSYeahs. Sures. Fines.

An IMAM appears and looks horrified at the destruction.

IMAMThat 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 it’s a set up to make Superman look foolish, or protect someone whom doesn’t need protecting. He goes around the world, turning night into day, both through the passage of time and how quickly he’s 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. He’s muttered about, not shouted at. Superman drinks this in for a moment before heading towards the building surrounded by police forces.

SUPERMANOfficers, is there anything I--

The building explodes. The reaction from the crowd, the screaming, the horror--there were people in there.

Superman isn’t shocked. Or harmed. He’s 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 WHITEWhere is the information on Brian Isaac? Who’s on the scene?

JIMMY OLSENLois is outside the police barricade. Whole street’s been shut down.

NEWSROOMIEBomb threat! Capital building!

PERRY WHITEThird one this week.

JIMMY OLSENAny chance this one’s legit?

89.

PERRY WHITEAfter 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 Brainiac’s voice comes over the radio.

BRAINIACEverything 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.

BRAINIACMany of you think I’m 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

BRAINIACI 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

BRAINIACAfter 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 Square’s screens switch off.

Then comes chaos. People rising in the dead of night. Protests outside state buildings.

BRAINIAC (CONT’D)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

BRAINIACI conclude by saying this directly to Superman himself: Deny me and more will suffer.

Superman’s 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 doesn’t notice. He looks into the stasis chamber of the real Equus with an expressionless face.

91.

BRAINIACAre you in position?

REAL EQUUS still can’t be seen, but communicates through a speaker mounted on top of the chamber.

REAL EQUUSEverywhere you have specified.

BRAINIACTake comfort in knowing that when you die, you don’t do it alone.

REAL EQUUSPlease. Don’t ki--

The MKII’s suit’s gauntlet glows. Real Equus is silenced.

BRAINIACConsensus is defined by obeying me.

In the background a prototype machine hums to life. It’s 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, he’s already gone.

EXT. KENT FARMS - DAY

The hum of a turning weather vein.

INT. KENT’S 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.

CLARKI don’t know what to do.

MA KENTOh?

CLARKAbout Metropolis. It’s covered in some kind of energy that makes me weak. And, and....

Clark shakes his head. What do you call Brian?

MA KENTWell. I figured you weren’t talking about mode of transportation.

She smiles to him. He smiles back.

CLARKWhat would you do?

MA KENTI’m not sure. I barely have regular powers these days.

CLARKWhat would dad want?

She stops and looks at Clark over her glasses.

MA KENTHow many times now have you asked me that?

CLARKWhat?

MA KENTHow many times? What would dad want, when I’m sitting right here.

CLARKI don’t...

MA KENTYour father was a good man, but doesn’t own the rights to thinking what’s best for you. I’m your mother. And when we found you, I’m the one who knew I was a parent before him.

She rises, fixes another piece of pie.

93.

MA KENT (CONT’D)What I want is never worry about you again, but we both know that’s 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 (CONT’D)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 KENT’S OLD ROOM

He takes off the super suit and puts on normal clothes.

KITCHEN

CLARKI love you.

MA KENTI love you, too. Be safe.

Clark nods and exits. It’s 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.

LOISGeneral! General!

A General gives her no comment.

LOIS (CONT’D)Captain! Captain!

A police captain equally pays her no mind has he moves into an ad-hoc tent.

LOIS (CONT’D)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 Brainiac’s 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.

GENERALOpen 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.

PRESIDENTAirstrike?

US AMBASSADOREvery time a bird gets within 50 miles of Metropolis it starts to fall from the sky until it turns around.

PRESIDENTMissiles?

US AMBASSADORSilo doors wont even open and opssuspects that even if they could--

95.

PRESIDENTOptions! I need options!

BRAINIAC (THROUGH SCREEN)Temper temper, Mr. President.

The air leaves the room. Brainiac can here? Everywhere?

PRESIDENTWhat do you want?

BRAINIAC (THROUGH SCREEN)Metropolis. For now.

PRESIDENTWe’ve revoked Superman’s citizenship. We’ve charged him with espionage and publicly censured him. This wasn’t the deal!

BRAINIAC (THROUGH SCREEN)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?

BRAINIAC (THROUGH SCREEN)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 AMBASSADORWhat 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. He’s breathing steadily. He opens his eyes. It takes a moment but he can see. He tries super-vision, but it’s a no go, and as soon as he does he starts coughing violently until he leaves the field once more.

He’s not recovered when he hears it.

96.

CHILDHelp! 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. There’s no hesitation this time. Clark runs.

INT. TOWNHOUSE BEING ROBBED - DAY

Two thugs ignore the kid upstairs. They’re too busy robbing.

THUG 1 Do I grab the silverware?

THUG 2You know anyone who buys silverware?

THUG 1In the games you always steal the silverware, you know.

THUG 2Just 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)

Why’s that?

THUG 1I 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 1We don’t want to hurt anyone.

CLARKPut 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 Superman’s face. There’s...something in it. Something there. We’d expect defeat and dismay. But that’s not it at all. It’s the knowledge of “Hey. I don’t 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 wasn’t expecting Clark to dive in and smash him in the face, knocking him to the ground.

CHILDWhoa.

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? Doesn’t matter. Clark has Thug 2 down before he examines himself.

There’s 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 (CONT’D)...dude. Are you okay?

CLARKYeah. It’s just blood, right?

CHILDI guess so?

98.

CLARKYou know how to call the police?

Sirens. They’re coming this way.

CLARK (CONT’D)Guess so. You’ll 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 Brainiac’s cold smile on it.

BRAINIAC (THROUGH SENTRY)Boyscout. Out of breath?

CLARKWhat do you want, Brian?

BRAINIAC (THROUGH SENTRY)When I went to high school early the jocks called me “Brainiac.” If the shoe fits...

CLARKBrainiac.

BRAINIAC (THROUGH SENTRY)You’re already giving me what I want. Data. You’re the only mouse I test in this maze.

CLARKYou did all this to weaken me?

BRAINIAC (THROUGH SENTRY)I did all this to prove I could.

(approaching Clark)You’ve lost. You know it. At any time I can end this city. This country. This world.

CLARKI know. I realized days ago. But I don’t think you will?

BRAINIAC (THROUGH SENTRY)(bemused)

Oh?

99.

CLARKYou don’t want to hurt anyone besides me. You want a legacy. You want to die in peace. I still think there’s a good man in there. A man who thinks this world is good.

BRAINIAC (THROUGH SENTRY)Corn-fed naivete.

CLARKYou asked me who’s name I wanted on my tombstone. You remember?

BRAINIAC (THROUGH SENTRY)I do.

CLARKThe answer is--I don’t care. What’s important is doing what I think is right. That’s all I control.

BRAINIAC (THROUGH SENTRY)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.

CLARKChaos? That’s your solution?

BRAINIAC (THROUGH SENTRY)It’s only chaos until you see the patterns.

CLARKBlood will run in the streets!

BRAINIAC (THROUGH SENTRY)Better than corruption though the veins.

CLARKBrian...Brainiac. It’s not too late. You can stop this.

BRAINIAC (THROUGH SENTRY)Put on your little costume.

CLARKWhat?

100.

BRAINIAC (THROUGH SENTRY)(walking away)

See how the world treats you now. Perhaps that will educate you.

The sentry turns. It’s monitor switches from Brainiac]to Lois in the sights of a weapon, then back to Brainiac’s face.

BRAINIAC (THROUGH SENTRY) (CONT’D)Put on your costume. Come to my building. You have four hours.

Clark’s 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.

ANCHORReports coming in across the globe in what’s being dubbed the “Super Riots.”


Clark looks to the selection of suits, sans cape. Then his phone. No missed calls, again. There’s 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 let’s hear what you think. One anonymous responder saying, ‘without believing in something good, what’s the point?’


It’s been so long since Clark had to put on the suit like a human being. Slowly. Carefully. It has purpose.

LIVING ROOM

101.

Clark’s computer has a live-feed streaming on it.

LIVE STREAM ANCHORAnd at this hour the question is, “Where is Superman?”

FRONT DOOR

He’s right here.

EXT. TOP OF CLARK’S APARTMENT BUILDING - NIGHT

There’s sirens and gunshots in the distance. There’s 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. It’s super, even if it isn’t 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.

LOISCaptain! Why are you leaving! Captain! General!

A soldier comes up to her at the barricade and she immediately puts her hands up to show she’s 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.

BRAINIAC (THROUGH SENTRY)Ahh. Miss Lane. The General was just about to pull out.

LOISAnd the police?

BRAINIAC (THROUGH SENTRY)I imagine they’ll remain for as long as I allow them.

102.

The Sentry approaches her, bends down, towers over her.

BRAINIAC (THROUGH SENTRY) (CONT’D)How would you like the interview of the century?

LOISI’ve already interviewed Superman.

BRAINIAC (THROUGH SENTRY)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...aren’t you going to ask your questions?

LOISI don’t have a microphone.

BRAINIACI can assure you...

EXT. HUGE SCREENS IN TOKYO - DAY

BRAINIAC...the world can hear you.

EXT. NEAR THE ANTENNA - NIGHT

LOISWhy?

BRAINIACWhy what?

LOISWhy are you doing this?

BRAINIACTo give everyone an option.

LOISAnd what option is that?

103.

BRAINIACA world without governments. Superman. They didn’t have a choice in the creation of these things.

LOISSo you’re advocating that everyone--

BRAINIACExcuse me, Miss Lane.

Brainiac whistles sharply. Daisy comes out of the Veridentbuilding in her suit, dragging the red kryptonite disk.

BRAINIAC (CONT’D)Good girl.

Daisy drops the disk at his feet, then concurs.

BRAINIAC (CONT’D)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.


BRAINIACIf given a choice Superman will save you over any other person.

104.

LOISThat’s not true.

BRAINIACHow many times has he saved you? Raced to your rescue? More than Presidents and royals. The numbers don’t lie.

Lois can’t deny the point. It wrenches her heart.

LOISSuperman is good.

BRAINIACFor 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 (CONT’D)My point precisely.

THE POLICE BARRICADE

Superman sets Lois down. He’s rushed, but concerned.

SUPERMANAre you alright?

LOISYes, I--why did you? Where have you been? I--

SUPERMANI’m sorry. I can’t--

LOISJust--go.

A moment of reflection before he makes his way back out into the street. He’s 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. You’ve got to see this. Turn it on, quick! Video game controllers are thrown down. Families sit together wide eyed.

105.

It’s all tied in by a family in Metropolis watching what’s on TV as the camera pans out to reveal they are near the street.

BRAINIACThank you for coming.

SUPERMANI wanted to get my cape back.

BRAINIACDo you deny any allegations I’ve made?

SUPERMANNo.

BRAINIACJust...”No?”

SUPERMANJust no. If the people of this world do not want me to...”interfere” then I won’t. All anyone had to do was ask.

BRAINIACYou say that now.

SUPERMANI’ll say it tomorrow.

BRAINIAC(growing anger)

And the crimes you’ve been charged with? Espionage?

Superman steps forward. The two men are feet apart.

SUPERMANI intend to turn myself in.

BRAINIACWhen? Now?

SUPERMANJust as soon as I put you under arrest for attempted murder.

BRAINIACThat old chestnut.

106.

SUPERMAN I’d also ask the authorities to consider tacking on additional charges. Such as treason.

BRAINIACTreason? You’re the one who’s been censured for working against America’s interests.

SUPERMANI’ve been accused of that before.

(arms crossed)I’ll survive.

BRAINIAC(right on the edge)

The world doesn’t need Superman.

A long pause. A consideration.

SUPERMANI agree.

BRAINIACYou...agree?

SUPERMANThe world doesn’t 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 Brainiac’s 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 (CONT’D)I don’t want to hurt you.

BRAINIACThe road to hell...

107.

SUPERMANPlease. Surrender.

Brainiac is touched. We can see a moment of humanity in his bloodshot and augmented eyes.

BRAINIACI 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 Brian’s 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 OLSENHoly S.....mokes.


SUPERMANEveryone! Get to safety!

Some listen, some don’t. As he turns his back to the MKIII it comes up in a rush. Superman’s 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 MKIIshell. 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.

Brainiac’s 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.

BRAINIACSuperman. Show yourself.

Superman makes his way out of the building with scrapes and little specks of blood here and there.

BRAINIAC (CONT’D)Tell them how you’ve served the corrupt.

SUPERMANI’ve made mistakes. Trying to do what was right.

BRAINIAC Tell them how you’ve put Lois above all others.

SUPERMANI can’t 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.

BRAINIACWill you leave this planet? Let it return to it’s natural order?

SUPERMANThe natural order is what’s wrong with this planet.

BRAINIACIt is the corruption of the natural that has--

SUPERMANNo!

(Moving towards MKIII)We can be mean, cruel. You think I haven’t experienced it? We all have. The natural order is for the strong to take advantage of the weak. That’s 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.

BRAINIACGovernments control, constrict.

SUPERMANThey do. No system is perfect. Not yours. Not mine. But it’s only working together, for one another, WITH one another, that makes things better.

(screaming to crowd)I don’t want to be your hero! You shouldn’t want me to save you!

Clark Kent and Superman are fusing together. The strengths of each. The weaknesses of neither.

SUPERMAN (CONT’D)I didn’t, I don’t, 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 (CONT’D)I’m here, I do what I can. But just like you, I want a world that no longer needs a Superman. That doesn’t 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 I’ll remember Mom.

SUPERMAN (CONT’D)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.

BRAINIACSuperman...

An extended beat. A holding of breath.

BRAINIAC (CONT’D)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 Brainiac’s helmet. He’s 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 he’s up again.

BRAINIAC (CONT’D)Don’t 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

LOISSuperman!

SUPERMANLois! Get out of here!

BRAINIACNo, Ms. Lane. Stay. Witness.

Superman grabs a sandbag from the pile and flings it as hard and fast as he can towards Brainiac’s helmet. Big, mechanical arms try in vain to block it, but it connects with thud.

A sand cloud around Brainiac’s helmet. Little windshield wipers appear on the outside.

BRAINIAC (CONT’D)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. It’s 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.

LOISSUPERMAN!

The beat doesn’t 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.

SUPERMANUgggh....

The foot of the MKIII stomps down upon him.

LOISNOOOO!

It raises. It stomps again.

It raises. It stomps again.

It raises. Crack. A pause.

COMPUTERStructure integrity of street fail--

The street cracks open. The MKIII falls into the rapidly growing hole. The newly-made cavern stops just before Superman’s 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 it’s not enough, she’s 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.

SUPERMANIs anyone...

(fades for a second)Is anyone a very fast runner?

A woman raises her hand, mouth open. It’s like being asked to go on a quest by God.

112.

WOMANI ran track in high school. I’m training for the Metropolis Marathon.

SUPERMANYou’re 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.

LOISSuperman, I...

SUPERMANI need you to go.

LOISI don’t understand.

SUPERMANTrust 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. He’s about to fly. He’s flying.

The MKIII’s fist smashes through the Earth, grabs Superman and pulls him under.

INT. ABANDONED LINE - NIGHT

Superman’s 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 MKIII’s legs are broken. One arm is falling apart.

BRAINIACHeading towards the sun?

SUPERMANIt’s over, Brainiac.

113.

BRAINIACBefore it began, boyscout.

Shoulder mounted lasers shoot en masse at Superman, but he’s sufficently healed and dodges them quickly enough. He’s not Super-yet, but he’s a whole lot stronger than he was above.

The MKIII punches him while he’s dodging, but instead of flailing and grunting, Superman bounces back. Instead of shielding himself from the second punch he punches into the MKIII’s fist and knocks it back.

BRAINIAC (CONT’D)(pained)

DAH!

SUPERMANIt’s over.

BRAINIACNot 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 he’s 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.

SUPERMANLast chance.

BRAINIACI 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 Brainiac’s helmet, the very tip of the MKIII’s “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.

BRAINIACWhy?

Superman waits. He doesn’t understand.

BRAINIAC (CONT’D)Why save me?

SUPERMANI can’t pick and choose. I couldn’t when you were threatening Lex. I can’t 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 (CONT’D)I can’t move you. I’m too strong. It would further wound you.

BRIANLook who’s being modest.

Superman gives a sad smile. He’s about to lose his friend.

SUPERMANYou’re dying.

BRIANI know that.

(remembering)Equus...

SUPERMANWhat about him?

BRIANDown 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 EQUUSI wouldn’t have bet on this.

SUPERMANWhat are you?

REAL EQUUSA project. One of many. Are you here to kill me?

SUPERMANI’m here to free you. Do you know how I can?

She looks him up and down. She’s cynical. Tried. Wary.

REAL EQUUSOn the side of my chamber is a yellow panel.

SUPERMANI see it.

REAL EQUUSOpen 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 LUTHORI can’t allow you to do that.

Lex appears holding the ornate six-shooter. He readies the next gun in the revolver.

SUPERMANLex!

116.

LEX LUTHOROh, you do remember me. Equus. You’ve been a bad girl. You know there’s no getting out of here.

EQUUSYou bastard!

Lex keeps the gun trained on Superman.

SUPERMANHow..how...

LEX LUTHOREasy 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 (CONT’D)Easy. Easy.

Lex pulls out the yellow panel and messes with the wiring with one hand.

LEX LUTHOR (CONT’D)Brian had the right idea. You can’t murder Superman, then you’re 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 EQUUSNo!

SUPERMANWhat’s happening.

REAL EQUUS He’s 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 Superman’s face. It burns.

117.

Superman screams and gets his hands around Lex’s 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 LUTHORAnd 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.

SUPERMANHow do I stop it?

LEX LUTHORYou can’t harm me. You can’t torture me. You can’t threaten me. YOU. CAN’T. 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 EQUUSTear 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.

SUPERMANNo!

Maybe we hear it. Or only think we do. A distant, watery, “it’s okay.”

Real Equus’ body convulses. Her eyes close. She’s dead.

An Equus suit shambles into the room. It looks like it’s 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 Brian’s personal elevator.

SUPERMANIt’s okay. I’ll get Brian Isaac.

The head of this unit seems uncertain what to do about this, even as he restrains Lex Luthor. Then it clicks. He’s just doing what he thinks is right, too.

SUPERMAN (CONT’D)Please. He’s very sick and badly injured. He won’t 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.

SUPERMANBrian?

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.

SUPERMANYou’re still wearing the suit.

BRIANI think it’s stuck.

He falls back in his chair. He’s pale. He’s fading fast.

119.

SUPERMANI’m sorry.

BRIANSo 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 Brian’s lungs evens out with that in the room.

BRIAN (CONT’D)Thank you. It’s funny, smelling home.

Superman deals as poorly with mortality as the rest of us. Maybe even worse. He listens, waits.

BRIAN (CONT’D)You know of all the things I’ve 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 wasn’t.

SUPERMANNo?

BRIANNo. I built this house as a recreation of the one I grew up in because I was comfortable here. Because after working a 90-hourweek you just want to go home.

Brian’s fading quicker now. He points to the prototype and diagnostic machines.

BRIAN (CONT’D)In there...in there...

SUPERMANSave your breath.

Brian shakes his head, coughs up blood, tries again.

BRIANThere’s a crystal. It’s from your home planet. Take it to the...shipyou came here in. There’s something in there for you.

120.

SUPERMANWhat do you mean something for me?

BRIANTurns 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.

SUPERMANWhere’s my ship?

BRIANI parked it over the arctic circle. I didn’t know what to do with it.

Brian leans back fully in his chair, head against the wall. His eyes close.

BRIAN (CONT’D)Clark?

SUPERMANYes?

BRIANLead them. To a better world. You’re the only one who can.

Superman doesn’t 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.

SUPERMANWhat 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 it’s 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.


Clark’s wearing a sling over his suit. He looks for Lois but can’t seem to find her. Perry White appears.

PERRY WHITEWhat are you doing here?

CLARKMr. White. I was looking for Lois.

PERRY WHITESo you’re here to beg for your job back?

CLARK...no? I’m here to see Lois.

PERRY WHITEWhat are you bargaining for? A raise? More time off?

CLARKMr. White, it’s very kind of you but I came to--

PERRY WHITEFine, one extra week off and a 5% bump. But I don’t 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.

CLARKLois.

LOISClark.

She doesn’t look up from a piece of paper.

CLARKI’m sorry I didn’t do anything earlier. When Equus...

LOISIt’s fine. What could you do, anyway?

CLARKI wanted to talk.

122.

LOISWhat are you doing now?

CLARKI wanted to talk about us.

Lois sighs and puts the paper down.

LOISCan’t take a hint, can you?

CLARKI’m sorry?

LOISClark there is no us. We’re barely even colleagues. When the going gets tough I double down and you vanish. We’re not--you have to get over this crush you have on me. I’m sorry if that’s harsh but it’s past time. I’m not right for you.

Clark is taken aback but there is relief beneath it.

CLARKWell. I respect you for saying it.

He makes his way off, back to her.

LOISClark? Clark?

DAILY PLANET OFFICE ANNEX

But with his back to her we can see a smile. That does make things easier, doesn’t it?

LANAClark?

CLARKLana?

LANAOh! You’re back and I--Oh my gosh! What happened to your arm, is it okay?

She invades his personal space to examine the sling. She’s the only one who even noticed. It touches him.

CLARKI guess so. Lana?

123.

She looks up at him without expectations. It’s nice.

CLARK (CONT’D)I was wondering if you’d...if you’d like to get something to--

LANAYes.

She bustles away and comes back with her purse.

CLARKOh. You mean now?

INT. A CAFE - DAY

Clark and Lana are having lunch. It’s nice. It’s 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 it’s 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 it’s a 1000 times the size the man of steel.

He’s so tiny compared to it. It’s daunting.

But he lands and he walks up to the door, cape swaying.

THE END

POST CREDITS SCENE:

124.

INT. A HAYSEED’S 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. He’s reading a magazine when a landline phone rings. He picks up without paying attention.

HICKYel-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. She’s dressed as an agent and is handing it off to someone else sharply dressed.

HICK (CONT’D)Hello? I’m looking for uh, Mr. Casa-pa-rove?

(beat)Yeah, Kasparov, that’s 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 (CONT’D)Message says, “Knight-Fall. Tower-Rise. Bishop-in-Play.” Hello? Hello?

Hick makes a face as he hangs up, his nose up turned.

HICK (CONT’D)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.

Download - The Fall of Superman

Top Related