Excel's SUPERMAN rewrite

[Excel]

S U P E R M A N



















A rewrite of JJ Abarmas SUPERMAN by Excel










FADE IN

INT. TV MONITOR – DAY

TIGHT ON a video showing of a press conference inside of police station, but there isn’t anybody there. Just an empty
Podium.

Odd.

Suddenly, an older official appears behind the podium-53, and in a hurry. A large breathe can be heard at the podium as murmors in the unseen crowd before can be heard. It’s disturbing he looks, desperate by trying preach control-

OFFICIAL
Ladies and gentleman, this is a brief statement again I will keep this as brief as possible. Roughly 5 minutes ago, we got word from Westover that the alien forces were headed in the direction of this city-

-murmers from the crowd-an annoying amount of noise-


OFFICIAL
So It is my duty to urge you-all of you out in the crowd and those watching at home-to go and seek shelter underground immeadietly. Anywhere you can-anywhere you can find-

The crowd of reporters amongst him can be heard leaving in dash, as the speaker continues.

OFFICIAL
In this hour, all we know is that there are indeed alternate vistors on our planet and they have chosen Earth as a grounds to settle whatever conflict they have. The destruction has already amounted in hundereds of lives and trillions of dollars of money. The areas hit parts of Metropolis, Tokyo, and sections of Washington D.C…are perhaps all gone

This man clearly wants to get the hell out of there-we now realize we’re closely getting closer to his face-

OFFICIAL
It goes without saying that only weeks ago, this would have seemed…ludicrous…but that was before Superman.
(beat)
Perhaps our faith was premature, perhaps our hopes and prayers were not answered…All we can do now is…hope that, the word isn’t a grave as it appears, and we may god be with us.

Something urgent is bellowed from the back round-the official looks off, horrified-but yells something that’s muffled out by the sounds of SHATTERING-a distant rumbling suddenly growing louder and louder until EVERYTHING is violently ripped upwards, out of the frame as the screen goes static-

EXT. METROPOLIS-NIGHT

-- a massive line of power lines has collapsed in the middle of a completely leveled blocked. Total destruction of this street-an entire city block completely leveled-when one of the afore mentioned “visitors” touches down in the middle of the quiet street-dressed in a tight black body suit with sleek black boats, jet black hair-presides over the street-flipped and burning cars strewn everywhere.

This young mans name is JOHN CORBEN, but he is better known as METALLO-29 years old, looking off past us as a slight whisteling can now be heard-a sly, small smile begins to curl one the side of mouth at the sound-a dark, evil presence is instantly felt by his site, and his eyes have a conspiring conviction; haunting and memorable.

WHIP back 100 yards away, angle still on Metallo – inches off the pavement, when two BRIGHT RED boots smash infront, leaving small craters were the land, the whistling coming to an instant, satisfying halt.

He’s here.

The camera slowly begins to rise – up the bright boots, revealing brilliant, patrioticly blue suit, and a glowing red cape, swirling over an yellow belt, around the body of a 30 year old soldier; his spectacular blue and red suit and billowing cape; an iconic S logo on his muscular chest, and the face; crisp tan, eyes awash in determination, black hair hung with a curl from the battle.

But our first view of the man of steel isn’t the triumph one expects. While fierce and imposing, this Superman at the moment is, tired. His suit in shreds, handsome face bloodied, his iconic cape SLASHED-

Bruised and battled, Superman eyes Metallo feriouscly, like a lion stalking is prey, two boxers in the instant before the final round.

For a moment, all is still in the middle of the golden American city-two superhuman titans are facing off like in wild gunslingers of the old west. Then, with a powerful leap, Metallo LIFTS OFF THE PAVEMENT-shooting into the sky-Superman Blasting off in pursuit-

What follows is a frantic, mid-air battle with the camera quickly orbiting around them as the two collide-exchanging, deadly blows that would send a bus hurtling out of the atmosphere-

they smash through buildings – stick and move – a brutal battle of equal and powerful stregnth, Metallo putting Superman into a full nelson-Superman begins to drop infront of us-Superman flips him over his shoulder and shoots him into the air; Superman soars high above the buildings into the night sky and turns 180 degrees and swoops down, somersault kicking Metallo downard-

Metallo is thrown back, thundering into the streets-shell shocked, Superman bullets down to finish the job- Metallo rises, and grabs the back end of a large OIL RIG TRUCK-he swings it as if hes Mark McGwire-he SMASHES the thing into Superman-the tank hitting the man of steel with blinding force-a EAR SPLITTING EXPLOSION in midair as Superman and the tank meet-the force of the explosion sends Superman reeling backwards-out of control-we FOLLOW him in SLOW MOTION as he smashes through a building; people fleeing out of the way and screaming, one person video recording it, and smashes again out the back wall-

Still in mid-air in a back alley, 10 stories above the ground, he catches himself, and –- god be with him – heads back for more. Metallo, on a rooftop, spots him coming, turns and run, LEAPS off the building, rocketing into the air and sailing out of site-superman booming after him-

EXT. EAST COAST-NIGHT

SONIC BOOMS as Metallo shoots up between the clouds-Superman in pursuit-both shattering the sound barrier-Metallo, unable to fly, only jump, dissappears beneath the clouds, Superman following.

EXT. KENNEDY SPACE CENTER-NIGHT

Shuttles, rockets, and statues-Superman lands fast as we close up-sweating, panting-Superman is like a machine. A distant CLING! And his head JERKS to the side-eyes scanning as if a security monitor-

In a blur, hes out of the frame-

EXT. NASA HANGER-CONTINUOUS

A massive warehouse. Rocket boosters and old Apollo equipment visible on display. Superman enters the frame-suddenly we dart into his eyes-X RAY VISION-specificed concentration, areas rocketing closer and into focus like a magnifying glass-scanning empty rooms until he find a large, steel ACCESS DOOR, hinges snapped, lying beside it’s frame.

INT. NASA TESTING CENTER-CONTINUOUS

Superman enters the frame, a long, dark corridor-a dead end, with 8 doors on the left side, all bolted, metallically shut, but Metallos in here.

Superman begins scanning, but something is up-HE CANNOT SEE THROUGH THE WALLS-instead he sees dark glowing objects and he cannot see past them. A chilling voice

VOICE(V.O.)
Kal-el…

Superman looks up-visible fear in his eyes-what the hell is that?

VOICE(o.s.)
Lead walls.
(beat)
…as if your almost human, isn’t it?

Having had enough-determined-Superman hurries down the hall-POWERFULLY ripping each door off its hinges and tossing them aside, revealing various space equipment-finally ripping off one door-he FREEZES-eyes revealing terror hidden off screen-he gasps-

SUPERMAN
No…

Overcome with pain he COLLAPSES to his knees, concrete shattering beneath him-WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON! He tries to move when the voice returns-

VOICE(O.S.)
I want to hear you cry, Kal-el.
(beat)
Cry the way SHE cried..

Superman looks, DYING, his eyes bloodshot-heads ready to explode-

VOICE(o.s.)
(amused)
…Cry for me…“Super”man.

Superman head jerks up, and he bellows a deafening, collosal SCREAM that would shatter glass- cause avalanches-SMASH CUT TO:

EXT. FIELD-DAY

Silence. Peace. Nature. The only sound the gentle brushing of wheat. An endless field, adjacent to a thick forest, snowy mountains off the distance. Three moons visible in the crisp blue sky.

KRYPTON: 29 YEARS EARLIER

Suddenly, from out of the frame, a man in early 40’s comes racing through the grain on a racer-a kind of like a flying canoe-gliding through the wheat. This is JOR-EL(43). Dressed in a bright blue body suit with red over cloak-we realize their the same colors, albeit a different outfit, as Superman’s costume. In fact, Jor-el looks exactly like we’d expect a 45 year old Superman to look. On his chest, he wears his family symbol-the S logo.

As if in a hurry, he speeds away from the mountains at 100’s of miles per hour; panning with him to reveal he’s racing towards a huge, massive city in the distance.

EXT. TAGA-KRYPTON CAPITOL-DAY

Roughly 5 P.M. at the universe’s largest city. Thousands of castle like sky scrappers with immense towers seeming to touch the stars. The city is seemingly endless, and elevated on a series of massive cliffs, with bridges connecting the different areas of the city. Aircraft everywhere.

TAGA: KRYPTONION CAPITOL

Close up a huge, important looking white building-the senate house.

INT. SENATE HOUSE-CONTINUOUS

Dolly fast behind Jor-el as he races through a hallway-the image is shaky and fast and the building feels imposing-Jor-el crashes through a door into

INT. SENATE MEETING ROOM-CONTINUOUS

A magnificent meeting space; the heart of the political system. 6 species are visibly represented there, with 45 senate members, 4 monarchs, and a king (jor-el). As this moment; it is CHAOS. Constant arguing-it’s a mess. All heads turn to Jor-EL as he enters. All chatter stops.

Jor-el races to the forefront, where he quietly whispers something to the four monarchs, all who look stunned.

A senate member rises:

MEMBER 1
Well, what did you find?

Jor-el CLEARLY doesn’t want to say it, but he forces himself to:


JOR-EL
The gases are closer then we thought.

The senate members are STUNNED-gasps-looks of disbelief-

MEMBER # 2
How much closer?

JOR-EL(grave)
A lot. The gases are roughly 24,000 feet from the planets outer layer.
(beat)
Where we live. Their 24,000 feet from us, and getting closer….

MEMBER #2
What does this mean?

Jor-el turns to an old; Strangelove looking scientist in a chair, maniac-ly doing calculations of some sort.

JOR-EL
Dr? Do you have a conclusion?

DOCTOR
Yes. I have concluded that
(beat)
When the gases within the planet, breach the final layer, all life on Krpyton will end.

Gasps-disbelief-even Jor-el visibly doe not believe it-

JOR-EL
Are you sure? Have we heard from Kaas?

DOCTOR
My dear King, general Kaas is dead. The gas has already got to where he was staying underground.

Jor-el absorbs this devastating news-

INT. DISASTER ROOM-LATER

Like a war room, only for disasters. Holographic charts mount the walls showing 3-d models of the planet-the green gas visibly getting closer, even as we watch-Its chaos on here-jor-el bursts into the room, his generals following him-

GENERAL 1
It looks like it could breakthrough at any moment-

GENERAL 2
It’s momentum just keeps growing and growing;

JOR-EL
What about the counter activators? The Brainiac detectors-

GENERAL 1
They had no effect, sir. The Brainiac system took itself off-

Clearly ALARMED-Jor-el moves to another screen, calling up icons with the whip of a his hand; mid air invisible controls-

GENERAL 2
We have no defenses left-

Jor-el eyes his general; enraged-

GENERAL
Sir, look at the scenario-tell me you see a way out.

Jor-el looks back at the screens, as we close up, becoming visibly shaken as he realizes his people, are for the time being, doomed.

JOR-EL
Go to your family.

GENERAL
Sir; what-I have a job to do HERE-

JOR-EL
Get to them.

The general realizes he has no way out-

JOR-EL
That’s an order.
(beat, FORCEFUL)
GO.

Unsure, the General nods, and heads off, as we close up on Jor-el, alone, looking off as wit gets increasingly silent-

EXT. TAGA-LATER

The massive, glorious capitol-panning through its aircraft to see a glorious, incredible palace in the distance. A kryptonion castle with towers, balconies; perched high up on a hill overlooking the capitol city-

INT. HOUSE OF EL PALACE-CONTINUOUS

Jot-el hurries down a corridor, his wife Lara behind him, following-crying-SOBBING-BEGGING

LARA
Please-Jor-el-

But he’s determined-as he walks

JOR-EL
Lara you knew this day might come-

LARA
Please there MUST be something else we can do

JOR-EL
There isn’t. I wish there was-

But she yanks his arm-turns him around-physically

LARA
He is our SON-And I will not send him away!
(cries)
My baby!

Jor-el holds her, and looks into her eyes; understanding-he feels exactly as she does.

JOR-EL
If we’re not strong enough to do this…he has no future. My love…there is no time.

He looks deeply into Lara tear filled eyes-

JOR-EL
Are you READY?

She just cries, defeated, its all she can do.

INT. LAUNCH CHAMBER-CONTINUOUS

With a shockingly loud hiss, a portal opens and we’re inside a massive, futuristic observatory of sorts, in highest tower of the palace. In the heart of the room lies a small, sleek CAPSULE which we see a baby-little 9 month old Kal-el-slides into, in his krypton ion diapers.

This child-who will one day grow up to become the man of steel-looks up hopefully at his parents-he truly is a little bundle of joy, and their sending him away…off their planet. Their reactions are as expected.

The child, oblivious, just SMILES as his parent stare down at him for one last, heart rendering moment.

Jor-el touches his sons cheek, a small smile coming to his face; bittersweet, as we see just how devastating this is for him-

JOR-EL
Look at us now…so that one day, you might remember us.

A distant thundering and the whole room visibly shakes for a moment….and then it stops, and the entire mood has changed: Its time to get the show on the road.

Jor-el wields his holographic keyboard with skill, as we see the doors on the capsule CLOSE around little baby Kal-el. We spy him through the window, as a clear, thick, oxygenized LIQUID flows into the cabin, as he floats into it-

Jor-el continues the operation, as some kind of metallic, silver shell GROWS on the outside of the pod-The high ceiling separates at 4 triangles, all pointing towards the bright blue heavens above-

JOR-EL
We have to go.

Launch alarms BLARE-Jor-el takes his wifes hand as the ship slowly excels upwards-they flee the room; unmoved at first, before getting the hell out of there-

INT. PALACE GARDEN-CONTINOUS

Jor-el and Lara flee through the labyrinth garden as behind the, the ship zooms out the tip of the tower behind them; massive exhaust gases visible-bright and glowing-as Jor-el and Lara turn to look, almost being BLOWN OVER by the force-

The couple rise; watching the pod blasting across the sky. Lara withes with distain; but Jor-el grabs her-

JOR-EL
We must go-

Jor=e; grabs his wifes hand, and The couple comtinue running through their garden, towards the east balcony, where a a hovercraft with 4 wings and a massive, burning engine on the end is waiting; ready-Jor-el barks commands in an alternative language to the holographic lifeform in control of the ship-He helps Lara into the vehicle; and tightens her seatbelt-she looks at him-

LARA
Your comingwith me-

JOR-EL
I will see you again.

(beat-off distant rumbling)

JOR-EL
I promise you!

She tries to keep herself together; but her heart has just died. Sh eknows this is their final moment; as Jor-el barks for the machine to go far - FAST-

And with-the ship is LAUNCHED into the air and out of sight; whizzing blindy past us.

EXT. KRYPTON CITY STREETS-CONTINUOUS

Thousands are in the streets; with strewn aircraft everywhere. Decked in the kryptonion outfits; they sit...waiting...waiting for the end. The rumbling getting LOUDER AND LOUDER-the entire place begin to shake-suddenly immense cracks appear between the planets surface-glowing red GAS seeps outs slowly...the people aorund scatter away, as it beginsd appearing more and more; until a massive, glowing red ENERGY BEAM bursts through the surface-decimating everything-

EXT. HOUSE OF EL-CONTINUOUS

Jor-el-out of breathe, enters his palace bedroom when he hears explosions off screen-his heads jerks and he runs past us; we dollying behind him as he heads up to a balcony on a tower; and sees chaos below in the city-

EXT. KRYPTON CITYS-MONTAGE-CONTINUOUS

A montaghe of the mega destruction of this citymassive star scrappers in all their glory are splintered from the bottom up as the energy beams tear through the uildings-decimating the buildings into millions of particles-a masssive wall of destruction appearing; like a flaming tidal wave; it destroys everything the glowing red touches-we see a crowd ofpeople running when their overtaken by gases; the entire place buring up-buildigs collapses-a set of twin skyscrappers are hit and blown back, before toppling over and explodings-massive destruction-the planet is self-destructing-

EXT. KRYPTON-SPACE

A shot so long that you can make out the curvature of the planet. And than the pod comes-rockeing past us; on a mission, as we stop panning as we can see the planet as a whole-KABOOM! It explodes into a million pieces; glowing green rocks that smash into us; one hitting the camera-cutting us to: