SUPERMAN LIVES

SUPERMAN LIVES  

Written by

Kevin Smith

EXT. SPACE

An Alien craft floats through the void, approaching a slow-moving

ASTEROID.

INT. ALIEN CRAFT

Two humanoid ALIENS dressed in uniforms pilot their craft nearer

to the asteroid.

ALIEN #1

Receiving a signal from an alien system,

but there's interference on the channels.

ALIEN #2

Once we get past this asteroid, it should

clear up.

Suddenly, THROUGH the windshield, we see tentacles shoot out of

the asteroid.

EXT. SPACE

The tentacles wrap themselves around the craft, and electrical

energy courses between the pair. The "Asteroid" reveals itself to

be the BRAINIAC SKULL SHIP - a tentacled craft that looks like it

sounds. A set of "jaws" protrude and puncture the hull of the

small craft. It glows white hot with power.

INT. SKULL SHIP - OPERATING THEATRE

We see a surgical table, its contents obscured by the shadows,

save for the back of a malformed head. Computer banks and monitors

are everywhere. A small ROBOT works beside the table - implanting

a cable into the back of the malformed head. It throws a switch.

Raw energy blows through the cable, causing the "patient" to

convulse and writhe, screaming.

CLOSEUP - METALLIC SHAFT

as it begins to reconfigure, taking the shape of an arm. We see

the same happen to other parts of his "body" -- hands, legs,

facial features.

EXT. SPACE

The craft the Skull Ship holds then goes dark, the energy being

sucked from it having run dry.

INT. SKULL SHIP - OPERATING THEATRE

The "patient" stops convulsing, as the cable attached to its head

ceases to glow.

BRAINIAC

That was all the energy the craft

yielded?

L-RON

The craft was a short-ranger, my Lord.

I'm surprised that can had enough juice

to give you this much form. We pulled 1.9

trigs out of it. There's nothing more to

get.

BRAINIAC

(rising)

An inaccurate assessment.

INT. SMALL CRAFT

The frightened Aliens try to re-start their craft.

ALIEN #1

(off computer)

Motion detectors are picking up something

breaching the hull!

The DOORS melt. BRAINIAC enters: humanoid in appearance, green-

skinned, black-eyed, red-lipped. Metallic, and bald. A series of

metal relays criss-cross his forehead -- three solid circles,

intersected by straight lines.

The aliens reach for LASER-GATLINGS and FIRE, but they cause no

damage. Brainiac instead grabs the weapons, jamming them into his

body -- consuming the lasers into his form, energizing. He drops

the guns, and his hands morph into tendrils, which plunge into the

chests of the terrified Aliens. He absorbs their life forces,

making them husks -- at which point they explode, covering the

cabin in goo. Brainiac inhales deeply, charged.

EXT. SPACE

The tentacles of the Skull Ship unravel from the wrecked craft.

The Skull Ship powers up and thrusts into the void.

INT. SKULL SHIP BRIDGE

Brainiac watches space part before him on the View Screen. L-Ron

joins him, holding a containment unit.

BRAINIAC

The cosmic irony, L-Ron -- I who have

destroyed a world am now forced to

subsist like a parasite. Once, infinite

power was my manifest. Now look at the

pride of Colu -- feeble attempts to

maintain even this meager anthropomorphic

form!

L-RON

At least you have what passes for legs.

Brainiac gives L-Ron a withering look.

BRAINIAC

What did your search of the craft yield?

L-Ron holds up the containment jar, inside which scurries a multi-

legged fist-sized creature.

BRAINIAC

(glances at it)

Thanagarian Snare Beast. Infancy stage.

Illegal in sixteen systems due to the

advanced nature of their growth patterns

outside of their own atmosphere.

(beat)

Add it to the menagerie.

Then, a BEACON sounds. On the main screen, scrambled letters and

numbers appear, forming the distorted image of Lex Luthor --

commanding, corporate, suave, bald... And ominous.

LEX (V.O)

Greetings. This message -- transmitted in

over one hundred languages -- comes to

you from Earth.

Brainiac regards the message curiously.

LEX (V.O.)

I am Lex Luthor, owner and C.E.O. of

LexCorp -- a vast and powerful

conglomerate that dominates trade on this

planet. To whatever life form that may

receive this, I extend an invitation to

our world. Non-hostile and eager to

establish contact with extraterrestrial

races, Earth welcomes a visit from

whomever receives this greeting. I myself

call upon you to make contact, so that we

may establish relations, open trade

routes...

Brainiac turns away, disinterested. Then, the "friendly" greeting

onscreen turns darker.

LEX (V.O.)

... and discuss any information you might

have regarding a visitor to this planet

of Kryptonian descent.

Brainiac snaps to attention, shocked recognition crossing his

face.

BRAINIAC

My days of scavenging are over, L-Ron.

Lock onto this transmission and follow it

to this Earth his speaks of.

L-RON

What for?

BRAINIAC

Jor-El's most accomplished creation,

L-Ron -- the Eradicator still exists!

Brainiac's eyes glow with intrigue. L-Ron shrugs and begins

entering coordinates. Lex's message continues onscreen.

LEX (V.O.)

From one superior intellect to another --

whomever or whatever you may be -- I

implore you to come to Earth, so that we

might discuss the problem we call...

INT. TELEVISION STUDIO

A CLOSEUP of a stiff-looking TELE-JOURNALIST fills the screen.

HOST

Superman -- friend to Earth, or hindrance?

Tonight we take a closer look at the Man

of Steel.

We're in a television studio. While the "Nightline"-like opening

logos play, cameras whirl and reposition. Then:

HOST

Does the existence of a seemingly

god-like vigilante impact the world

positively or negatively? Examining this

with us tonight is LexCorp C.E.O. and

Metropolis' second most well-known figure,

Lex Luthor.

Seated across from the host, LEX LUTHOR winces at the

introduction. Looking far more congenial than he did in his clip

aboard the Skull Ship, Lex is in public persona.

HOST

Mister Luthor -- you've been the most

vocal proponent of the Wertham Act -- the

bill that seeks to outlaw costumed

vigilantes in the greater Metropolitan

area. Given that Superman is the sole

individual who could fall under this

criteria, the question begs asking -- why

so much distrust of 'the man of tomorrow'?

LEX

I'm no enemy of Superman, Ted -- quite

the contrary. I find his flair for

fashion and whimsical abilities very...

David Copperfield. Such a crowd-pleasing

showman who makes Metropolis his home is

a boon for the tourist trade. But I do

question the good that Superman represents

for the human race -- beyond entertainment

value.

HOST

Such as?

LEX

Well -- aiding the planet at every turn

against war, famine, natural disaster,

for starters. It represents a complete

freeze on the evolutionary process. And

what of his more immediate effects on our

society? Having Superman make his home in

Metropolis is a veritable call-to-arms

for any psychotic with dreams of world

domination. The Wertham Act would be a

deterrent to those who might consider

jumping into a pair of tights and

challenging the Man of Steel to a battle

royale right here on the streets of our

fair city.

HOST

An interesting position, Mister Luthor --

but one that I'm sure your opposition

will refute. We welcome city beat

reporter for the Daily Planet, Lois Lane.

LOIS sits beside Lex -- beautiful yet poised... even though she

looks thoroughly pissed.

LOIS

This proposed act, which even Metropolis'

own Governor Bree opposes, is nothing

more than Lex's one-man crusade against

Superman. Outlawing the Man of Steel,

would be like removing the soul of this

city. I mean, can anyone even remember

what Metropolis was like before Superman

arrived?

LEX

As I recall, there were less red, white

and yellow souvenir stands. Miss Lane --

have you ever been able to look past your

blind allegiance to this off-worlder to

think that maybe he employs criminals to

improve his P.R.? For all we know,

they're on his books.

LOIS

In Salem, it was a witch-hunt, in

Hollywood, it was the 'Red Scare'...

Leave it to your fertile imagination to

come up with 'Cape-Gate.'

LEX

The vehement defense you put up for him,

I'd say the only thing fertile around

here is someone's hopes of carrying a

super-brat one day.

LOIS

That's it...

Lois jumps Lex, who tumbles back in his chair. She begins laying

into him, as the Host LEANS INTO the FRAME, addressing the TV

"audience."

HOST

We'll be right back.

Fade to a commercial -- in an open field, a WOMAN spins a small

boy in her arms:

V.O.

Family -- it's the bottom line behind

every decision she makes. Yours, or hers.

In November, vote with your heart.

The chyron at the bottom of the screen reads 'Paid for by the

Committee to Re-Elect Governor Bree', as the visual locks on the

small BOY in her arms.

CUT TO:

EXT. HOB'S BAY STREET - DAY

The same small Boy, exits a BISTRO, holding the hand of this

mother, GOVERNOR CAITLIN BREE. They are flanked by SECRET SERVICE

MEN. PAPARAZZI and TELEJOURNALISTS (including Cat Grant) converge

on them, snapping photos.

CAT

Madam Governor -- how was the meal?

GOVERNOR

Excellent. This Bistro represents the

first major step in the revitalization of

Metropolis' historic Hob's Bay.

CAT

Do you think the redevelopment project

can change the public's perception of this

area as 'Suicide Slum'?

GOVERNOR

If the meal was any indication, I'd say

absolutely.

CAT

(to the boy)

How about it, Brodie -- what'd you think

of the Bistro's food?

BOY

It was the bestest p'sghetti I had in my

whole life!

The Journos laugh. The Governor kisses her son's head and hugs

him, then turns back to the cameras.

GOVERNOR

I want Metropolitans to know that there

is no danger in Hob's Bay.

Suddenly, across the street, the side of the building EXPLODES,

raining debris on the crowd. The Governor covers her son.

Five crudely-masked THUGS pour from the hole in the building,

opening fire, sending people running.

Then, from the still-smoking blast-hole, DEADSHOT emerges. Clad

completely in silver and red, featureless (save for the glowing

red gun sight covering his right eye).

The Secret Service Men covering the Governor draw their guns.

Deadshot takes aim with his WRIST-REVOLVERS and shoots the pieces

from their hands. The thugs clear a path for their leader.

The Governor looks up to see Deadshot standing over her.

GOVERNOR

This city will not bow down to terrorism

of any kind!

DEADSHOT

Maybe not...

He drops the Governor and grabs the boy by his collar.

DEADSHOT

...but I'm sure you will. Won't you...

mom?

Deadshot holds his wrist-revolver to the scared Boy's head. A

crimson laugh echoes out from behind his mask.

EXT. DAILY PLANET BUILDING ROOFTOP - DAY

We still hear Deadshot's laugh, but from someone else's

perspective - a super-hearing perspective. A very familiar pair of

BOOTS steps to the edge of the building, then steps off

disappearing in a flash of red.

EXT. HOB'S BAY STREET - DAY

A SONIC BOOM fills the air. Deadshot looks to THUG #1.

DEADSHOT

Tell me that was your stomach.

High above, a streak of RED descends at a rapid rate, rocketing

into the pavement, leaving a hole in the ground.

DEADSHOT

Oh, shit...

The street beneath their feet explodes, and the same red streak

flashes past Deadshot, taking with it the Boy in the blink of an

eye. All immediately mobilize.

DEADSHOT

GRAB THE BROAD AND LET'S GET OUT OF

HERE!!!

The thugs grab the Governor as a VAN screeches up.

EXT. TOP OF BUILDING - DAY

The Boy is set down lightly on the roof. He opens his eyes, which

then go wide. Before him stands SUPERMAN (um... 90's style),

licking his hand.

SUPERMAN

Mmmm -- Spaghetti.

(hand on the boy)

You okay?

BOY

Can we do that again?!

SUPERMAN

First I gotta beat up the bad guys.

BOY

My mom thinks you're cute.

SUPERMAN

That's why I voted for her.

Superman winks and leaps into the air, disappearing.