THE BATMAN

THE BATMAN 

Revised First Draft Screenplay

by Tom Mankiewicz

June 20, 1983

FADE IN:

SUPERIMPOSED ON A BLACK SCREEN:

WAYNE MANOR, NEAR GOTHAM CITY - 1960

EXT. WAYNE MANOR - SUNSET

A beautiful, sprawling suburban estate at sunset. Classic wrought-iron gates protect a winding driveway which snakes its way up through a neatly manicured lawn.

INT. WAYNE LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

ALFRED PENNYWORTH, the Wayne family butler, fluffs up a cushion in the large, elegant living room. A kind-looking man in his late forties with dark moustache and hair, he epitomizes the proper British moor domo, dressed in a morning coat and striped vest.

Alfred turns, straightens up a pile of thick-looking papers on the living room table. He picks up the top one, looks at it critically, but with satisfaction.

INSERT SHOT - CAMPAIGN POSTER

The thick-looking papers are, in fact, political campaign posters. They feature the face of a handsome, fortyish man, with the block lettered caption: DR. THOMAS WAYNE FOR CITY COUNCIL - A BETTER TOMORROW FOR GOTHAM.

DR. WAYNE'S VOICE

Bruce? Hurry up, son, we're going

to be late. Martha?

BACK TO SCENE

Alfred turns to look at DR. THOMAS WAYNE (the man on the poster) enters the room.

DR. WAYNE (CONT'D)

Now where's Martha? Alfred, have

you seen Mrs. Wayne?

ALFRED

I believe she was headed for Master

Bruce's laboratory. Sir.

Dr. Wayne checks his watch, exits, muttering.

DR. WAYNE

That nymphomaniacal hamster of his

must have given birth again...

INT. HALLWAY

Dr. Wayne heads down the hallway towards a door.

DR. WAYNE

Come on, everybody, the movie starts

in less than an hour. Let's not

keep you next city councilman

waiting...

INT. BRUCE'S LAB

Dr. Wayne opens the door. The makeshift lab room has a large work table crammed with beakers, test tubes, and other scientific equipment. BRUCE WYANE, aged ten, sits behind a microscope, peers down intently at a specimen on a slide. He does not look up as his father enters.

DR. WAYNE

(crossing)

Son, whatever you're looking at

couldn't possible be as pretty as

Audrey Hepburn, so...

Dr. Wayne puts his hand on Bruce's shoulder. Incredibly enough - it passes right through it! He recoils, shocked, reaches out to touch the body's head. His hand cuts right through the skull. Giggling is HEARD, O.S.

Young Bruce stands behind the door with his mother, MARTHA, a beautiful woman in her mid-thirties.

BRUCE

It's called a "holograph," dad. Two

Interconnecting laser beams...

(pointing)

There and there. Pretty neat, huh?

Dr. Wayne stares at the laser tubes, totally nonplussed.

MARTHA

Well, don't look at me. My side

of the family still can't figure out

why it gets dark at night. Ready to

go?

DR. WAYNE

(eyes narrowing)

How can I be sure you're the real

thing?

Martha kisses him warmly. He looks back, impressed.

DR. WAYNE (CONT'D)

Somewhat lifelike, I'll admit...

MARTH

That's all? Then hold on to your

socks, buster...

She kisses him again with passion. Bruce turns away with the typical self-consciousness of a pre-adolescent.

BRUCE

Oh, guy...

His parents break. Dr. Wayne looks down at him.

DR. WAYNE

Bruce, you may be the brightest ten

year old in Gotham City, or any-

where else, for that matter. But I

feel I ought to let you in on some-

thing.

(at Martha)

This - is definitely not a guy.

INT. PROJECTION BOOTH - NIGHT

A huge 35mm motion picture projector springs to life.

INT. THEATER

The shifting colored rays of a projected film knife though the blackness of the theater.

SCREEN VOICE

Sister, you make a beautiful nun.

ANGLE ON MOVIE SCREEN

The screen is filled by the face of AUDREY HEPBURN, dressed as a nun. We are watched The Nun's Story, as are:

ANGLE ON WAYNE FAMILY IN SEATS

Dr. Wayne, Martha, and Bruce, who downs the remains of his box of Good and Plenty.

EXT. GOTHAM MOVIE THEATER & STREET - NIGHT

Rumblings of distant thunder echo through the night sky. The Wayne family exits the theater, heads down a deserted street. Suddenly - a flash of lightning. A closer, louder clap of thunder. Dr. Wayne takes Martha's arm. Bruce straggles behind, staring at the pavement.

DR. WAYNE

I wish I hadn't parked so far away.

We're going to get soaked.

MARTHA

(over her shoulder)

Do try and keep up, Bruce. What on

earth are you staring at, anyway?

BRUCE

The cracks, Mom. It's bad luck to

step on one.

(does so)

Oh, darnit...

VOICE (O.S.)

Hold it, you people. Freeze!

A large man (JOE CHILL) partially hidden by shadows, points a gun at them. He stands in the sunken entrance to a deserted brownstone house, gestures with his weapon.

CHILL

Get down in here. Now.

MARTHA

(terrified)

Thomas...

DR. WAYNE

You're welcome to our money. Any-

thing we have. Okay?

Chill stares coldly. Dr. Wayne pulls out his money, takes off his watch. Martha and Bruce watch, petrified.

DR. WAYNE (CONT'D)

Here...just be careful with that

gun, will you? It could go off...

CHILL

You know something, Doc? You're

right.

DR. WAYNE

(expression changing)

Doc? How did you know I was a...

There is a deafening roar as Chill fires the gun, lifting Dr. Wayne off his feet, hurling him backwards.

BRUCE

Daddy!!

Martha screams. A bolt of lightning flashes. Chill turns.

CHILL

Let's have that necklace, lady...

MARTHA

Oh, my God!

Martha tries to escape but is jerked back by Chill's hand as it closes on her necklace. Bruce runs at Chill, grabs him by the leg, tries to pull him down.

BRUCE

Leave my mommy alone! Mommy!