My draft for the 'Superman Returns' sequel...

[enommaz]

...well partial first draft anyways.

This is more than a few pages of a draft I'm thinking of completing (emphasis on thinking) regarding my idea for the 'Superman Returns' sequel ( I posted this on bluetights months ago). I'm aware that writers Michael Dougherty and Dan Harris are already working on the sequel...I just wanted to see what I could do with it. Let me know what you all think about this partial draft.

Take care,

enommaz

 

[enommaz]

OPENS with a brief overview of what happened in Superman Returns.

EXT. OUTER SPACE –EARTH – LISTENING STATION – NIGHT

With eyes closed, Superman is yet again performing his near daily ritual of deep concentration, hovering above the Earth at his Listening Station; with his SUPER-HEARING he hears the hustle and bustle of the world, listening for the cries and pleas for help that usually accompany this ritual…yet in this rare moment, there is nothing that requires his immediate attention.

Superman opens his eyes, contemplates for a few moments, and then slightly grins; satisfied that all is seemingly well with the world. In his mind though, he knows he has personal matters, matters of priority to attend to.

EXT. THE ARCTIC – NIGHT

Superman flies at a relaxed speed over the arctic.

EXT. THE ARCTIC – FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE – NIGHT

We see the Fortress of Solitude in all its glory and majesty.

Superman comes within range of the Fortress, but still a great distance from it.

Superman pauses, hovering in mid-air, as he looks at the Fortress with a look of deep concern for a few moments.

Moments later, Superman descends into the Fortress from above.

INT. FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE – NIGHT

Superman gently lands inside the Fortress, briefly looking around, observing its structure and architecture; seconds later he begins walking towards the control center. A slight look of sadness is on his face. He’s remembering that the “Father crystal” containing Jor-El’s images, words, and wisdom, including other important crystals of his heritage were taken by Lex Luthor.

By placing his hands within the invisible censor range, Superman activates the control panel;

Superman then re-positions his left hand, and motions it subtly in a different direction; this begins unlocking another level of Kryptonian crystals within the console;

Next he then re-positions his right hand, and motions it subtly in an alternate direction, readjusting his left hand back to its original position

 

[enommaz]

INT. FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE – NIGHT (continued)

Superman’s last subtle hand movement bring the crystals forward into his reach.

There are about 25 CRYSTALS of different size, and length displayed. Superman picks a crystal of about 6 inches in length; with an ENGRAVED “S” similar/identical to the “S” symbol on his chest.

The engraved crystal begins to PULSATE, emitting a powerful luminous white light.

Superman looks at the crystal pulsate, and holds it in the same way that young Clark Kent (Jeff East) did with the green crystal in “Superman: The Movie” right before he threw it a great distance and built the Fortress of Solitude.

Superman begins to contemplate deeply, going deep into his memories.

FLASHBACK EXT. THE ARCTIC – 18 YEARS AGO

AN EIGHTEEN WHEELER TRUCK moves slowly and carefully down a snowy and icy road.

FLASHBACK INT. DIESEL TRUCK – SAME TIME

A YOUNG ADULT BOY around 18 years of age is sitting on the passenger side of the huge Diesel. A MAN in his late 40’s is driving the rig. The young adult is CLARK KENT.

CLARK
I really appreciate the lift.

The trucker nods, acknowledging Clark’s appreciativeness. The trucker continues to watch the road, while reaching into his flannel shirt pocket, pulling out A PACK OF CIGARETTES. He offers Clark a cigarette in a non-verbal manner. Clark shakes his head no.

CLARK (continues)
(respectfully)
I don’t smoke.

The trucker removes the pack of cigarettes away from Clark, and takes A CIGARETTE out of the pack for himself. Moments later HE LIGHTS the cigarette, and begins to smoke.

TRUCKER
(referring to smoking)
It’s a bad habit to get caught up in son.

 

[enommaz]

FLASHBACK INT. DIESEL TRUCK – SAME TIME (cont’d)

CLARK
So why do it?

TRUCKER
(slightly grinning)
If I knew the answer to that I wouldn’t be smoking.

CLARK
(slightly smiles)
My mother never was much into it, she used to be kinda’ hard on my dad whenever he wanted to smoke his old pipe…

TRUCKER
(interrupting Clark)
Sounds like my old lady.

CLARK
Yeah, that was a long time ago though, he stopped when I was around 10 (years of age) or so.

TRUCKER
(smiling)
Your Ma, finally get to him?

CLARK
(thinking for a moment)
Nah…he had some health problems.

TRUCKER
Oh.
(beat)
So how’s he doing now?

Clark reflects for about 10 seconds on the Trucker’s question.

TRUCKER (continues)
(anticipating Clark’s answer)
Kid?

CLARK
(a look of sadness on his face)
He died a few months ago.

 

[enommaz]

FLASHBACK INT. DIESEL TRUCK – SAME TIME (cont’d)

The Trucker pauses, contemplating Clark’s answer.

TRUCKER
(sympathetic)
Sorry to hear that…

FLASHBACK EXT. DIESEL TRUCK – SAME TIME (cont’d)

The big diesel coasts down the snowy and icy road.

DISSOLVE TO:

FLASHBACK EXT. ROAD SIDE – DIESEL TRUCK – LATER

The big diesel pulls over to the SIDE OF THE ROAD.

FLASHBACK INT. DIESEL TRUCK – SAME TIME

TRUCKER
(to Clark)
This is far as I can take you…legally anyways.

Clark looks outside the windshield, with a look of concern on his face. Inside he feels anxious, not knowing exactly what he’s doing or getting himself into. He just knows that he’s being called to journey north; as far north as he can possibly go. Clark is indeed fearful of the path that lies before him.

TRUCKER
(slightly probing)
I still don’t understand what someone your age could be doing out this far…in this kind of weather…
(looks at Clark’s clothing)
…wearing that light of a jacket.
(beat)
You sure, you’re not running?

Clark slightly grins.

CLARK
My mother knows where I’m headed.
(beat)
The cold’s never bothered me that much.

 

[enommaz]

FLASHBACK INT. DIESEL TRUCK – SAME TIME (cont’d)

TRUCKER
(emphasis on COLD)
This just isn’t cold kid…its COLD.
(slight beat)
I mean this is frostbite country…and you’re going into it like it’s the middle of Fall.

Clark turns his head toward the Trucker, pretending to listen to the Trucker’s words of concern. Clark knows that even the bitterly cold winds of the arctic have no effect on him.

TRUCKER (continues)
What do you have some sort of special heater in that backpack?

Clark slightly grins.

CLARK
I guess I should be on my way.

The trucker shakes his head in disbelief at Clark’s willingness to go and brave the bitter cold and dangers of the arctic landscape.

Clark extends his hands out toward the trucker, to shake hands in appreciation for the ride, and the advice.

TRUCKER
You’re basically heading into miles of nowhere, in the middle of no where…

FLASHBACK EXT. DIESEL TRUCK

YOUNG CLARK KENT (Stephan Bender) wears a jacket and backpack (similar to the jacket and back pack worn by Jeff East’s Clark in “Superman: The Movie”) begins his trek through the bitterly cold Arctic landscape.

FLASHBACK EXT. THE ARCTIC – 18 YEARS AGO – MOMENTS LATER

Clark crosses over a few ice planks which are floating on water.

The Arctic wind BLOWS very hard. Clark’s hair blows and his jacket ruffles due to the strong wind. Clark still feels unsure as to what he’s doing. He just knows that something deep inside is pushing him further;


Clark stops. He looks back in the direction from which he came. He takes a deep sigh; you can see the cold air vapors from his mouth as he exhales.

 

[enommaz]

FLASHBACK EXT. THE ARCTIC – 18YEARS AGO –MOMENTS LATER (cont’d)

DISSOLVE TO:

FLASHBACK EXT. THE ARCTIC – 18 YEARS AGO – HOURS LATER –EVENING

It’s evening, and THE SUN is going down behind an ice capped mountain.

Clark’s been braving the harsh arctic conditions for a few hours now; none of which is having any effect on him. Clark looks at his hand; remembering what the Trucker had told him hours earlier about the Arctic being frostbite country.

Clark OBSERVES HIS HANDS, with no gloves on them; Clark knew that the cold didn’t have an effect on him…but even he wasn’t one hundred percent sure the effects of a prolonged exposure to the Arctic’s subfreezing temperatures would have on him…in all honesty he had never been to the Arctic before…maybe his powers did have some limitations he thought.

Moments later; Clark looks forward, toward the ARCTIC HORIZON. The wind begins to settle down, until the wind completely stops blowing; the landscape becomes DEAD SILENT. Nothing can be heard.

Clark begins to feel something stirring inside of him; A look of concern and anticipation fills his face. He slides his backpack off of his back, continuously gazing towards the beautiful horizon, and the setting sun.

Clark pauses for a moment taking in the awe of the landscape. He then unzips the backpack.

FROM THE OPEN BACKPACK’S PERSPECTIVE, a pulsating light continues to illuminate, and de-illuminate upon Clark’s face as he looks inside the backpack; Clark observes the strange luminosity as he reaches in the bag.

FLASHBACK EXT. THE ARCTIC -18 YEARS AGO – EVENING – SAME TIME

We now see Clark in the center of the Arctic FROM AN AERIAL VIEW/DISTANCE as he pulls THE PULSATING/ GLOWING OBJECT from out of his backpack. The object which is a crystal seems to be emitting a kind of sound or frequency; a sound we hear faintly from the aerial distance.

Moments later; we see a CLOSE UP of Clark; Clark looks intensely at the object which is Off Screen. The light from the glowing object PULSATES AND EMITS A STRANGE SOUND (similar to the sound the green crystal made in The Kent Barn during Superman: The Movie when Young Clark Kent “discovered” it), illuminating and de-illuminating its glow on Clark’s face.

 

[enommaz]

FLASHBACK EXT. THE ARCTIC – EVENING – SAME TIME (cont’d)

The CAMERA SLIGHTLY ZOOMS OUT and shows A CLEAR CRYSTAL in Clark’s hand; Clark appears to be studying the crystal; listening to it…as if its communicating with him.

The white light emanating from within the crystal has specks of RED, BLUE, AND YELLOW light dancing within the bright luminosity.

THE WIND begins to pick up again…Clark’s hair starts to move because of the wind; his JACKET RUSTLES; We HEAR the sound of the rustling jacket;

The wind BLOWS STRONGER now. Unbeknownst to Clark, the wind is bringing with it an INCREDIBLE BLIZZARD OF SNOW, intermingled with FRAGMENTS OF ICE.

FLASHBACK EXT. THE ARCTIC – BLIZZARD – EVENING – SAME TIME

The sky is gray. We see a MAJESTIC SHOT of the Arctic; we HEAR the wind blowing strongly; and then a HUGE GUST OF SNOW AND ICE, blanket the screen white.

FLASHBACK EXT. THE ARCTIC – EVENING – SAME TIME

Clark’s SUPER HEARING kicks in; he listens and begins to feel something powerful is approaching from a distance.

Clark OBSERVES that the RED, BLUE, AND YELLOW lights dancing within the crystal’s bright luminosity begin to DANCE FASTER. The white luminosity PULSATES HARDER.

FLASHBACK EXT. THE ARCTIC – EVENING – MOMENTS LATER

The Blizzard is covering the Arctic landscape rapidly; nearing Clark at an incredible speed. Clark FACES THE DIRECTION that the Blizzard is coming in. (Beat). Clark gets into a throwing position, as he raises the pulsating crystal. (Two Beats). Clark LAUNCHES WITH GREAT MIGHT the crystal in the direction of the coming Blizzard (which Clark cannot see visually).

The Crystal is flying through the air at an incredible speed. Clark observes how far he’s thrown the crystal; the glowing crystal seems to disappear into a thick cloud of something. That something is the blizzard.

Clark notices that an INCREDIBLE SNOW STORM is heading his way, and has seemingly swallowed the crystal. Clark looks oddly at the storm.

FROM THE BLIZZARD’S PERSPECTIVE it is nearing Clark at a rapid speed. Clark just stands in odd awe of the coming storm.

 

[enommaz]

FLASHBACK EXT. THE ARCTIC – EVENING – MOMENTS LATER (cont’d)

Clark maintains his gaze on the glowing crystal, as it travels a great distance through the snow storm. The BLIZZARD RUNS INTO CLARK.

FLASHBACK EXT. THE ARCTIC – EVENING – SAME TIME

We see a WIDE SHOT of the landscape, and Clark being encompassed by the blizzard for a few seconds.

CLARK’S POV: Out of pure instinct, Clark places his hand out in front of him (similar to the way Charlton Heston did as Moses in “The Ten Commandments”, when he braved the powerful desert sand storms when he was cast out of Egypt) trying to block ice slivers and particles from entering his eyes; Clark’s trying to see where the glowing crystal is headed.

Moments later, Clark realizes that he may in fact have the ability to see through the storm; he remembers his recently discovered ability to see through walls, and wonders if he can do the same through the blizzard.

UPCLOSE: Clark uses his X-RAY VISION.

CLARK’S X-RAY VISION POV: Clark only sees white (snow and ice); given that’s all there is to see from his “normal” point of view. There’s nothing he can really see through, given that the glowing crystal is now out of his normal viewing range. Clark begins to focus his X-Ray vision harder, hoping to lock on to the crystal.

FLASHBACK EXT. FLYING CRYSTAL – EVENING – SAME TIME

We see a LIGHT working its way through the blizzard; the light is emanating from the crystal as it moves steadily through the snow storm; the crystal becomes more identifiable as it nears the screen. THE CRYSTAL IS SHOWN (briefly) IN FULL VIEW as it continues on its path; the crystal travels further, seeming to get smaller as it moves further away.

FLASHBACK EXT. THE ARCTIC – EVENING – MOMENTS LATER

Clark still shown focusing, begins to see something;

CLARK’S X-RAY/TELESCOPIC VISION POV: We see FAINT IMAGES OF TWO POLAR BEARS, A MOUNTAIN, ETC… JET TOWARD AND PAST CLARK’S VIEW IN SUBTLE, QUICK, AND PROGRESSIVE LAYERS as he searches through the storm; Clark’s telescopic vision has “kicked” in…working like the zoom feature on a camcorder.

 

[enommaz]

FLASHBACK EXT. THE ARCTIC – EVENING – MOMENTS LATER (cont’d)

CLARK’S X-RAY/TELESCOPIC VISION POV: Clark’s telescopic vision ZOOMS in and he sees the GLOWING CRYSTAL still traveling; the crystal has been thrown approximately 3 miles from where he now stands.

Clark starts walking in the direction of the crystal, continuing his trek through the arctic landscape.

FLASHBACK EXT. FLYING CRYSTAL – EVENING – MOMENTS LATER

The crystal is slowing down, even more so due to the strong harsh wind. The crystal finally lands on a snowy surface. We see the crystal lying on the ground, the light pulsating within the crystal doesn’t seem as strong as before.

FLASHBACK EXT. THE ARCTIC – EVENING – SAME TIME

Clark is now WALKING SLOWLY upon a HUGE SHEET OF ICE. He’s navigating himself carefully as not to fall through. The WIND IS HOWLING LOUDLY. Clark’s jacket and other clothing rustle with the wind.

FLASHBACK EXT. FALLEN CRYSTAL – EVENING – MOMENTS LATER

The crystal is sinking into the snow, melting through the snow. The crystal has a glowing blue-white sheen of heat surrounding it (The color blue-white usually seen in gas stoves).

The CAMERA FOLLOWS THE CRYSTAL DOWN, as it melts quickly through the ice and snow. The camera follows the crystal for a few moments more.

FLASHBACK EXT. THE ARCTIC – EVENING – SAME TIME

Clark continues to CREEP SLOWLY over the huge sheet of ice; continuing to brave and trek through the blizzard.

FLASHBACK EXT. SINKING CRYSTAL – EVENING – SAME TIME

For a few seconds more, the camera follows the crystal; the crystal then stops. The crystal has hit a hard surface. Though the audience can’t see what the hard surface is. The CAMERA SLOWLY ZOOMS IN on the crystal; the camera zooms slowly IN AND THROUGH THE CRYSTAL, MOVING THROUGH THE LUMINOUS LIGHT, AND OUT THE CRYSTAL, AND THEN THROUGH A SEMI-THICK SHEET OF ICE until we are…

 

[enommaz]

FLASHBACK EXT. UNDERWATER – EVENING – SAME TIME

UNDERWATER POV: We see the light within the crystal slowly pulsating; the blue-white sheen of heat continues to surround the crystal as we see it faintly through the ice.

It’s DARK underwater; the slow pulsating light from the crystal barely illuminates it.

FLASHBACK EXT. THE ARCTIC – EVENING – SAME TIME

The blizzard begins to slow a bit.

Clark SENSES something; you can see it by his facial expression.

FLASHBACK EXT. CRYSTAL – EVENING – MOMENTS LATER

We see the crystal sitting atop the ice, due to the fact that more of the snow has melted around it.

The crystal finally melts through the semi-thick ice and falls into the water.

The CRYSTAL INSTANTLY GLOWS VIBRANT, more vibrant than we’ve seen. The screen itself has been filled with this strong, vibrant glow.

FLASHBACK EXT. HUGE SHEET OF ICE – EVENING – MOMENTS LATER

The blizzard slows a bit more. Clark’s jacket rustles less.

The ice floor (sheet) begins to VIBRATE.

Clark looks down at the vibrating ice floor. He then begins to LOOK AROUND, observing his surroundings; He has A LOOK OF UNCERTAINTY ON HIS FACE; thinking to himself, questioning himself, as to why and what caused him to hurl the crystal out into the middle of nowhere the way he did; wondering if he did the right thing.

FLASHBACK EXT. UNDERWATER – EVENING – MOMENTS LATER

A CRYSTAL ROOT PLUNGES DEEPLY AND STRONGLY INTO THE ARCTIC FLOOR. CRYSTAL BRANCHES OF VARYING SIZE AND LENGTH ARE FORMING OUT OF THE MAIN ROOT AT AN INCREDIBLE RATE.

We no longer see the original crystal that Clark threw; but the crystal remains intact. The original crystal upon making contact with water, released several thousand micro-seedlings which are nurtured inside by the pulsating white light (energy).

 

[enommaz]

FLASHBACK EXT. HUGE SHEET OF ICE – EVENING – MOMENTS LATER

The huge ice floor VIBRATES INTENSELY.

Clark slightly LOSES HIS BALANCE due to the intense vibrations coming from the ice floor.

You can see THE LIGHT GRAY SKY BECOMING DARKER…as if a powerful thunderstorm is coming.

FLASHBACK EXT. RISING CRYSTALS – EVENING –SAME TIME

We see HUGE CRYSTALLINE STRUCTURES RISING FROM UNDERWATER.
Crystalline structures are also RISING AND BREAKING THROUGH THICK SHEETS OF ICE.

FLASHBACK EXT. HUGE SHEET OF ICE – EVENING – MOMENTS LATER

Clark regains his balance.

The ice floor begins to CRACK.

Clark observes that the ice floor is cracking; his EYES WIDEN in despair.

The sky becomes increasingly darker.

FLASHBACK EXT. RISING CRYSTALS – EVENING – SAME TIME

More crystalline structures rise from the water; some of the structures are FORMING UNIQUE PATTERNS within the structures themselves.

FLASHBACK EXT. HUGE SHEET OF ICE – EVENING – SAME TIME

Clark’s eyes widened, looks at the continuously cracking ice floor; he contemplates his next move as the floor vibrations reach fever pitch. Clark ready to leave the now dangerous sheet of ice, takes a STEP forward, then…IMPLOSION.

The ice floor briefly implodes, and then EXPLODES. The ice floor SHATTERS into THOUSANDS OF PIECES, some big, some small. Clark caught off guard by the implosion/explosion, is KNOCKED OFF HIS FEET AND ONTO HIS BACK. He loses grip of his backpack.

Clark is LYING ON HIS BACK; he LOOKS STUNNED and slightly uncomfortable as his body partially lies on a FRACTURED SHEET OF ICE.

 

[enommaz]

FLASHBACK EXT. HUGE SHEET OF ICE – EVENING – SAME TIME (cont’d)

DISSOLVE TO: ANGLE on Clark lying on the fractured ice sheet for a few moments.

DISSOLVE TO: SECOND ANGLE: CLOSER on Clark lying on the ice sheet for a few moments. The sky has darkened more.

DISSOLVE TO: THIRD ANGLE: CLOSER on Clark lying on the ice sheet. We see Clark seemingly deep in thought, as he gazes intensely toward the sky; he has a look of DEEP REFLECTION ON HIS FACE you can see it in his eyes.

The blizzard has ceased; we see LIGHT SNOW FLURRIES, We hear some LIGHT THUNDER. Beat. We then see CLARK’S FACE BRIEFLY ILLUMINATED by a lightning strike. It is now NIGHT, hours later.

DISSOLVE TO:

FLASHBACK EXT. FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE – NIGHT – HOURS LATER

Clark walks (his back facing the audience) with his backpack in hand towards a GIGANTIC, BRIGHT, OTHERWORLDLY, CASTLELIKE, CRYSTALLINE STRUCTURE; his destination…his FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE.

Clark looks in AWE at the fortress; He does his best to EXAMINE the structure, but it is just too much for him to comprehend at this moment.

We see Clark in an EXTREME WIDESHOT, standing in front of The Fortress (his back facing the audience)…he’s completely dwarfed by its size.

Clark then begins to walk toward The Fortress, as if he were entering it…

DISSOVLE TO:

EXT. FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE – NIGHT – PRESENT

WIDESHOT: Superman is HOVERING a significant distance from The Fortress of Solitude.

In his mind he’s thinking whether or not he should destroy The Fortress; his home away from home; his place of peace, wisdom, his near last “living” link to the beauty and architecture of his world of origin…Krypton.

CLOSE UP: on Superman’s FACE. He displays a LOOK OF INDECISON AND SLIGHT SADNESS.

 

[enommaz]

EXT. FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE – NIGHT – PRESENT (cont’d)

Superman contemplates on how The Fortress was twice invaded by Lex Luthor; and how potentially dangerous (in the wrong hands) Kryptonian technology can truly become.

CLOSE UP on Superman SQUEEZING HIS RIGHT FIST TIGHTLY (squeezing it the way he did during the climax of “Superman Returns” when he was “re-strengthening” himself with the power of the sun…trying to recover from being stabbed by Luthor’s kryptonite dagger).

Superman realizes, in a sense he’s still recuperating, emotionally and even physically from Lex’s attempt on his life; not to mention further kryptonite poisoning from lifting and releasing Luthor’s “sick joke” into outer space a few weeks ago.

CLOSER on Superman’s eyes; which he GENTLY CLOSES.

Superman goes deeper in thought. Searching for wisdom, that can help him with his indecision…and then, the wisdom he seeks comes to him in a familiar voice in an echoing/overlapping fragmented message:

JOR-EL (V.O.)
(echoing/overlapping)
Live as one of them…Live as one of them…
hold in you heart…Live as one of them…
strength and your power…Your special heritage…Discover where…
your heart the pride…Live as one of them…
of your special heritage…

WIDESHOT of Superman hovering; Superman is holding in his hand the crystal that built The Fortress in his left hand.

We hear Jor-El’s voice one last time; this time we hear his complete message (un-fragmented) as Superman’s EYE’S OPEN; He begins to soar, heading towards the Fortress.

JOR-EL (V.O.)
Live as one of them, Kal-El…and discover where
your strength and your power are needed. But
always hold in your heart the pride of your special
heritage.

Superman will have CIRCLED THE FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE during the course of Jor-El’s powerful message.

Superman has a LOOK OF SERIOUSNESS on his face; he’s made his decision, he knows what he must do.

 

[enommaz]

EXT. FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE – NIGHT – SAME TIME (cont’d)

Superman begins looking at the crystal in his hand.

Beat.

Superman RUBS HIS THUMB TWICE in a sequential manner. The crystal begins to GROW (similar to the way the crystals grew at the main console in the Fortress when Lex Luthor placed his hands within range of the invisible censor that activated the console.), We HEAR the sound of the crystal growing.

There is DEAD SILENCE in the atmosphere; the crystal reaches its destined length moments later. It is now the length of the “staff” that Jor-El used for judgment of certain “rebel elements” in Superman: The Movie.

SLOWLY ZOOM IN on Superman’s “S” shield;

SLOWLY ZOOM IN on Superman’s face.

SLOWLY ZOOM IN on the Fortress of Solitude. Beat.

Superman looks at the crystal staff; he makes his final judgment. The crystal LIGHTS up at the tip of the staff (just like Jor-El’s did in Superman: The Movie, when final judgment was “announced” on the 3 criminals).

A STRONG BREEZE SWEEPS IN BRIEFLY.

Superman slowly flies away from The Fortress, and the Arctic, looking back one last time, having the same look on his face that Jor-El did when he banished the 3 Kryptonians into the…

EXT. SKY – PHANTOM ZONE PRISM – NIGHT – MOMENTS LATER

In the night sky…we see a faint glimmer. Moments later we see a small diamond shaped object; it looks like a double-sided mirror; the object is SLOWLY FLIPPING, EXPANDING AND GROWING with each flip…creeping slowly, while descending toward The Fortress of Solitude.

PHANTOM ZONE PRISM POV: The Fortress stands alone, cold, and majestic; it begins to darken, seemingly losing its lifeforce. The Phantom Zone prism continues to EXPAND and GROW making that otherworldly sound like it did in Superman: The Movie. The Fortress begins TREMBLING; we see its REFLECTION on both sides of the prism each time it flips over, until the prism gets within range of the Fortress…

FADE TO BLACK.

TWO YEARS LATER.

 

[enommaz]

EXT. SMALLVILLE - KENT FARM – DAWN

We see THE KENT FARM. There is the faint sound of CRICKETS heard in the background.

MARTHA SITS on the PORCH BENCH; RUBBING HER RIGHT HAND AND FOREAREM. Her arthritis is bothering her. Martha appears to be in deep thought.

The wind is blowing gently; her hair blows gently with the wind. BEN HUBBARD walks out the door, to the porch; he has a COFFEE MUG in one hand, and a WOODEN FOLDING TRAY in the other.

BEN
(gently)
Brought you some coffee.

Ben hands Martha the mug of coffee; Ben sets up the tray directly in front of her.

BEN (continues)
I’ll get your saucer.

MARTHA
(gently)
Don’t worry about it Ben.

BEN
You sure?

MARTHA
(touches Ben on the leg)
Come sit with me.

Martha takes a sip of coffee from the mug; then places the mug on the tray.

BEN
(looks around the farm)
Beautiful morning.

MARTHA
(slightly teasing)
How can you tell? Its barely light.

BEN
(smilingly)
Call it Farmer’s Instinct.

 

[enommaz]

EXT. KENT FARM – DAWN (continued)

MARTHA
I’d call that something else…if I weren’t such a lady.

Ben chuckles.

BEN
(changing topics)
Notice you didn’t sleep too well last night.

Martha looks at Ben giving him “the look”

BEN (continues)
Your arthritis again?

MARTHA
Ben…

BEN
What’d the doctor say about it?

MARTHA
Same thing as always.

BEN
Which was?

MARTHA
(beat)
Something I’d rather not discuss right now.

Ben pauses, becoming slightly irritated.

BEN
(slightly irritated)
Why do you do that?

MARTHA
(coy)
Why do I do what?

BEN
That…that hiding thing.

 

[enommaz]

EXT. KENT FARM. – DAWN (continued)

MARTHA
(gently sighs)
I’m not hiding anything.

BEN
Of course you are.

Martha looks at her coffee mug for a few moments; she picks up the mug and takes another sip out of it; she then sits the mug back down on the tray.

MARTHA
I’ve just never really been one to talk about what’s bothering me.

BEN
Funny, Jonathan used to tell me you couldn’t keep quiet about what was on your mind.

MARTHA
(beat)
(slightly calm)
Why would you do that? (referring to him bringing up her late husband Jonathan Kent)

BEN
(beat)
I’m sorry. I just care about you Martha.

Martha looks slightly pissed at Ben.

MARTHA
I can’t believe you brought up Jonathan.

BEN
Well…
(beat)
I did.

Martha looks surprised by Ben’s response.

BEN
We’ve been together for some time now Martha…

Martha listens to Ben; she now has an even more pissed look on her face.

 

[enommaz]

EXT. KENT FARM – DAWN (continued)

BEN (continues)
…And part of me feels we really haven’t moved forward…you know?

Martha moves the tray far enough away from her, so she can stand up; Martha then stands.

MARTHA
(beat)
(purposely changes topics)
I don’t think you put enough cream in that… (points to coffee mug)

Ben shakes his head in frustration.

Martha walks off the porch, and into the yard; she’s walking towards the barn.

Martha enters the barn and goes over to a huge bag of chicken feed; she then scoops up some chicken feed with a scooper. Martha exits the barn, with the scooper in her hand; and walks over to the chicken coop;

Ben observes Martha.

Martha then begins to take feed from the scooper; sprinkling the chicken feed sporadically on the ground. She repeats this process a few times.

BEN
(calls out)
Martha

Martha is ignoring Ben.

Ben walks off the porch toward Martha. Ben not wanting to further anger Martha, seeks to apologize to her.

BEN (continues)
(gently)
Martha…
(Ben motions to touch Martha on the shoulder, but slightly hesitates)
I’m…

Martha turns toward Ben, facing him. Beat.

Martha nods in acknowledgement of Ben’s unspoken apology; she knows he’s trying to apologize; she then hugs Ben.

 

[enommaz]

EXT. KENT FARM – DAWN (continued)

MARTHA
(gently puts her hands on Ben’s cheeks then leans in to give him a quick kiss on the lips)
I know you didn’t mean anything by it…its just…

BEN
(beat)
I know Martha…and I’m sorry.

MARTHA
(beat)
Would you mind finishing with the chickens? (referring to feeding the chickens)

BEN
(feeling better)
I’d be glad too.

Martha hands Ben the scooper of chicken feed.

MARTHA
Think I’ll finish up last night’s dishes.

BEN
(shakes his head slightly)
You and dish washing…

Ben continues where Martha left off; scattering more feed to the chickens.

Martha walks back to the porch, grabbing the coffee mug, sitting the mug briefly on a banister while she folds the wooden tray down to carry it back into the house; she observes Ben feeding the chickens.

She slightly smiles, then picks up the mug and walks off with the tray into the house; the screen door closing behind her.

INT. LOIS LANE’S HOUSE – BATHROOM – 6:33 AM

We see a boy looking into a huge mirror brushing his teeth; the boy is JASON WHITE. Jason is getting ready for school. The faucet is running, as he spits toothpaste into the sink; Jason continues brushing more. The door to the bathroom is closed.

There is a knock on the bathroom door. A male voice is heard on the other side of the door; the voice is from RICHARD WHITE.

 

[enommaz]

INT. LOIS LANE’S HOUSE – BATHROOM - MORNING (continued)

RICHARD
(to Jason)
You about finished?

Jason brushes his tongue, then spits out more toothpaste.

JASON
(to Richard)
Almost

Richard opens the door to the bathroom. Jason looks at Richard.

RICHARD
I need you to move a little faster, we have a few runs
to make before dropping you off at school.

JASON
Okay.

Richard walks off.

Jason turns his attention toward the running faucet water; he puts his hand under the faucet, cupping it so it can hold water, as he leans in and drinks the water from his hand; he then swishes the water around in his mouth briefly; and then spits the water out.

INT. JASON’S ROOM – MORNING – MOMENTS LATER

We see Jason’s room with all kinds of toys and such. His walls have posters and drawings on it.

Jason enters his room; he notices his pants lying on the bed;

A WOMAN steps out of Jason’s walk-in closet with a shirt on a hanger in her hand; the woman is Jason’s mother LOIS LANE.

JASON
(touching his pants)
(to Lois)
Are these for me? (referring to his pants)

LOIS
(hands Jason a shirt)
Who else would they be for?

 

[enommaz]

INT. JASON’S ROOM – MORNING – MOMENTS LATER (continued)

JASON
(looks at shirt)
I don’t like that one.

LOIS
(still holding shirt on hanger)
You’re gonna have to like it today.

JASON
Can’t I pick my own clothes?

LOIS
(slight sighing)
If you’d gotten up the third time I’d asked you…
you could have.

Jason has an annoyed look on his face, but knows his mother is right.

Jason takes the shirt off the hanger and begins putting it on. Lois takes the hanger and puts it back in the closet.

Lois walks back over to Jason; she then rubs his hair very quickly, messing it up even more.

JASON
(slightly annoyed)
Mom!

LOIS
(switches topics)
Don’t forget your backpack.

Lois walks out of Jason’s bedroom.

Jason continues to get dressed; looks at his pants on the bed; the pants are also on a hanger; Jason picks them up carries them over to the closet.

INT. LOIS’ KITCHEN – MORNING – MOMENTS LATER

Richard is finishing off a glass of orange juice; he then sits the glass on a counter near the stove.

Lois enters the kitchen.

 

[enommaz]

INT. LOIS’ KITCHEN – MORNING – MOMENTS LATER (continued)

LOIS
(light tone)
Rinse that out. (referring to Richard’s empty glass of orange juice)

RICHARD
(shakes head)
(beat)
That’s what the dishwasher’s for.

Lois walks over to the refrigerator.

LOIS
And who loads the dishwasher?

Richard pauses to think briefly.

RICHARD
We both do.

Lois looks back at Richard with “a look”, realizing he’s telling the truth; Lois then opens the refrigerator door.

LOIS
(looks through refrigerator)
Yeah…but I load it most of the time.

RICHARD
(briefly throws eyes up in head - slight grin)
(beat)
That’s even up for debate.

LOIS
(still looking through refrigerator)
I’m sure it is…too bad you don’t have the time –

Richard grins more.

LOIS (continues)
(switches topics)
have you seen the other half of my Italian sub?

Richard picks up his glass; turns on the kitchen faucet; and then starts rinsing out his empty glass of orange juice.

 

[enommaz]

INT. LOIS’ HOUSE – STAIRS – MORNING – MOMENTS LATER

Jason is fully dressed now; he is wearing jeans instead of the pants his mother had picked out for him; he also is wearing a ball cap, while holding his backpack on his shoulder.

Jason slowly walks down the stairs.

INT. LOIS’ KITCHEN – MORNING – SAME TIME

Lois and Richard are in the midst of conversation about the other half of her Italian sub sandwich.

Lois playfully hits Richards arm.

Richard braces for Lois’ hit.

LOIS
(unbelieving/excited tone)
Can’t believe you ate my sandwich!

RICHARD
(teasingly)
Yeah, too bad I don’t have the time to…

Lois grins; playfully hits Richards arm again.

RICHARD (continues)
(teasing)
Have to admit it was pretty good.

LOIS
(grins)
Pretty good?!

Jason walks into the kitchen. Lois’ attention goes to Jason briefly.

Richard reaches into his back pants pocket.

Jason walks past Richard; Richard takes Jason’s ball cap off is head.

RICHARD
(slightly stern to Jason)
No caps at school.

Richard sits Jason’s cap on the countertop.

 

[enommaz]

INT. LOIS’ KITCHEN – MORNING – SAME TIME (continued)

Lois follows Jason with her eyes; moving her head slightly as he walks over to the refrigerator.

LOIS
(indirectly to Richard/referring to Jason – looks at Jason)
He knows that…he’s just trying to get out
of combing his hair.

Lois begins to FOCUS on the jeans Jason’s wearing; jeans that should’ve been pants.

Richard’s wallet is open; Richard is pulling cash out of his wallet.

Lois shakes her head, at the sight of Jason’s jeans.

LOIS
(sarcasm to Jason)
Nice pants munchkin.

Jason is in the refrigerator searching for his yogurt.

JASON
(searches through refrigerator)
I’m not wearing pants mom.

Richard gets Lois’ attention, handing her twenty dollars in cash.

RICHARD
This should cover the sandwich.

LOIS
(teasingly/serious to Richard)
This still doesn’t let you off the hook.

RICHARD
(kisses Lois on the lips)
It’ll have to for now.

JASON
(to anyone - closes refrigerator door)
Are we out of yogurt?

RICHARD
(to Jason)
Lets get movin’ champ.