A screenplay by Fred Walker

September, 2000

Based on a novel by Roger Stern

"You'll Believe a Man has Died!"

(Author's note: The basic concept here is to do a "Death and Life" storyline within the continuity of the previous Superman movies. The title is a Latin pun. It can be read either as "Superman 5: Doomsday!" or "Superman versus Doomsday.")

FADE IN:

INT. METROPOLIS, 1992 -- DAY.

SUPERMAN THEME MUSIC plays as credits roll over a MONTAGE of his exploits from 1st 4 movies. Credits and music END.

PULL BACK to reveal a TV MONITOR in a Metropolis TV studio, where CAT GRANT is broadcasting her show before a live AUDIENCE. She interviews SUPERMAN; his origin story is summarized in dialogue. Cat is a bombshell who spends the entire interview shamelessly flirting with the Man of Steel -- we want the viewers to think she may develop into competition for Lois Lane. Superman is the traditional comic book hero. Contrary to all the internet rumors, his costume does not "incorporate corduroy!" It's the same old underwear-outside-the-pants outfit he's worn for years. Since this is the movie Superman, his black hair is short, not long, and he has the famous forelock. He is tall and handsome, but surprisingly soft-spoken. He projects quiet dignity and gallant charm, not an intimidating machismo. The casting template should be "leading man" not "muscle man." Superman is strong because he's from the planet Krypton, not because he's built like Hulk Hogan. His super-feats are even more impressive if the actor playing him is fit and trim, but not athletic-looking. In the novel the talk show was live remote from a school. It's simpler if it's just a talk show set, with the "Cat Grant Show" SIGN prominently displayed, and cat-like decor throughout, i.e. cat face coffee mugs, tigerskin rug etc.

CAT

Faster than a speeding bullet!

More powerful than a locomotive!

Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound!

Yes, folks, we're back with the world's

most famous hero, Metropolis' own Man of Steel,

Superman!

SUPERMAN

Actually, I hate the nickname Man of Steel.

It sounds like I'm trying to ripoff Doc Savage.

CAT

How about Supe?

SUPERMAN

It'll do, till the next one comes along.

CAT

Well, Supe, I understand you're here with

a big announcement. Lay it on us!

He turns to the wrong camera.

SUPERMAN

For some time now ...

Cat clears her throat, nudges him for the proper "turn."

CLOSE-UP on Superman.

SUPERMAN

For some time now, rumors have been circulating

that I'm past my prime or "losing it."

I seem to take a little longer to defeat

villains than I once did, my adventures

don't seem to be as spectacular, and so forth.

One particularly vociferous critic,

Clark Kent of The Daily Planet, has gone so far

as to speculate in print that I may soon retire

from crimefighting. In fact, I invited Clark

to join me on today's program, to clear the air.

CAT

So where is he?

SUPERMAN

He couldn't make it. He had pressing business

at the newspaper office.

CAT

Clark, you and I have been friends a long time.

SUPERMAN

Yes, Cat?

Audience laughter. He doesn't seem to realize he's just answered to "Clark."

CAT

Don't you ever get tired of posing as a mild-

mannered reporter? Superman and Clark Kent

look exactly alike. He's never around when you

do something heroic. You have all the same friends,

and all the same enemies. You even date the same girl!

SUPERMAN

But Cat, I'm not Superman. I mean, I'm not Clark Kent!

He smiles broadly, and she knows he's been "playing" with her.

CAT

Folks, I can see I'm not getting any place.

What about that rumor, Superman? You don't

seem to be as powerful as you were even

a few years ago. Would you care to comment?

SUPERMAN

Sad to say, it's perfectly true.

CAT

So Father Time catches up with all of us --

even Superman!

SUPERMAN

Not quite. You see, there's this particular

villain known as The Parasite. He has no powers

of his own, except for the power to leech

the powers of others. For the last few years,

we've battled off and on. I always defeat him,

but every time we fight he drains me

a little more. I'm still a superhero,

but I'm a little more limited. I can no longer

vibrate between dimensions, for example.

I can't breathe in space any more --

when I fly on space missions I have to hold

my breath for a couple of hours.

And my days of spinning like a top to

"break through the time barrier" are long

behind me! It's just as well. Time travel

is a distraction. At one point, I spent

so much time in the 30th Century that I was

even a member of their Legion of Super-Heroes!

But Kent's rumor-mongering has to stop.

I'm not hanging up the cape any time soon!

BIG CROWD POP.

CAT

The women in our audience probably want to know

-- do you think you'll ever marry?

SUPERMAN

I'm sure of it! There's a Superman in the

30th Century, and he claims to be a direct

descendant of me! So I must get married!

CAT

Hmm. Did he ever tell you who the lucky girl is?

SUPERMAN

I could never get a name out of him.

But he did tell me her initials will be L.L.

Snickers in audience. The hint has a double meaning!

CAT

We've just seen some of your famous exploits --

Luthor's land fraud deal, the French terrorists,

General Zod's attempted coup against our government.

All this is well known. Tell us something

we don't know. Tell us about your childhood.

SUPERMAN

The problem with having a secret identity --

okay, one of the problems -- is that there's

not much I can tell you without

"giving things away." As everybody knows,

my real name is Kal-El, which means Star Child

in Kryptonese. When my planet exploded

I was sent to Earth in one of two

experimental rockets. I was raised on Earth

as a baby to adulthood. I can't say where,

although I'm often accused of having a

Kansas drawl! And that's all you get!

CAT

One thing I've always wondered -- in all your

adventures, have you ever feared for your life?

SUPERMAN

No. Never.

CAT

Not even once? What about General Zod?

What about The Eradicator?

SUPERMAN

Zod hit me with everything he had -- I'm still here.

The Eradicator was a powerful enemy,

but I've beaten him twice. He's an invulnerable

robot from Krypton. He can fly and has super-

strength, but his most impressive power is his

abilty to absorb knowledge from me,

so I have no secrets from him. But he didn't

scare me. I'm invulnerable. Nothing can hurt me

except kryptonite. Well, that, and one other thing.

CAT

Which would be?

SUPERMAN

Which would be something I think I'll

keep to myself, since we're on national TV!

CAT

Let's open the floor to questions. Audience?

PULL BACK to show audience, who put up their hands with queries.

FAN #1

The new JLA sucks! I mean, ya gotta guy dressed

like a beetle, for God's sake!

SUPERMAN

He wanted to be a spider, but the gimmick was taken.

FAN#2

Who's the toughest villain you ever faced?

SUPERMAN

Lex Luthor. Nobody else is even in 2nd place.

FAN#3

(a teenage boy)

Who's the hottest babe in crimefighting?

SUPERMAN

Lana ... I mean Lois Lane. Um, can we edit this later?

FAN#4

Do you miss Kara much?

SUPERMAN

The day does not go by, the hour does not

go by, the minute does not go by that I don't

think about my beautiful cousin from Krypton.

Does that answer your question?

FAN#5

(a young girl)

Why does The Matrix call herself Supergirl?

And why do you let her get away with it?

SUPERMAN

To sell comic books. If she had an M on her chest,

would you buy her mags? I can't sue, because I

would have to reveal my secret identity in voir dire.

Besides, taking care of The Matrix is Supergirl's job.

When she gets back from wherever she's gone to,

she'll be really mad at me for fighting her battles

for her! Gosh, you don't know what she's like when

she's mad!

He chuckles lovingly and gets misty-eyed. Audience is shocked.

CUT TO:

EXT. ESTABLISHING SHOT OF DAILY PLANET BUILDING WITH GLOBE -- DAY.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. LOIS LANE'S OFFICE -- DAY.

LOIS LANE is watching this on an office TV. Many actresses have played Lois over the years. Oddly, few have been great beauties. Our Lois should not be "a babe." The point of this story is to emphasize her brains, guts and talent. Superman is not in love with Lois Lane because she's beautiful. He is in love with her because she is the most formidable woman he has ever met. Notice that nobody introduces her in this screenplay. She must have "presence." From the moment the camera sets eyes on her, we have to realize, This must be Lois Lane! She sheds a tear and clicks off the TV.

LOIS

I'm sorry, I know you wanted to watch this show,

but I just can't stand to see him like this.

Two years later, he still thinks she's coming back

to him. It breaks my heart, Clark -- it breaks my heart.

2 SHOT as CLARK KENT puts his arm around her and comforts her.

ENTER JIMMY OLSEN with a news flash.

JIMMY

You probably won't believe this, but --

a monster is attacking Ohio!

CLARK

I believed in the Mole Men. Why not a monster?

LOIS

To the Planetcopter!

Lois and Jimmy EXIT, racing for the heliport to cover the story.

CLARK

This looks like a job for ... SUPERGIRL!

He morphs into THE MATRIX, in her Supergirl form. (i.e. the Supergirl of the recent comics -- red skirt, not blue.)

Then she flies out the window and EXITS.

CUT TO:

EXT. METROPOLIS SKYLINE -- DAY.

MATRIXCAM for POV as she flies over the city. A blue dot resolves itself into Superman in flight.

AERIAL 2 SHOT as The Matrix hooks up with Superman.

MATRIX

One meets the strangest people in mid-air.

SUPERMAN

Did we fool her again?

MATRIX

Like she just fell off the turnip truck from Smallville.

They share a laugh at Lois' expense.

SUPERMAN

Actually, it's wheat.

MATRIX

What is?

SUPERMAN

The truck from Smallville. They don't grow

turnips there, they grow wheat. Clark Kent

told me that, putative farmer that he was.

So, what's all this about a monster?

MATRIX

I take it you've heard.

SUPERMAN

Yup.

MATRIX

Wanna team up?

SUPERMAN

Yup.

They fly in silence for a moment. Finally ...

SUPERMAN

The joy is gone, Mae. Superheroes never smile

any more. They scowl, or pout, or grimace.

This used to be fun. But not any more.

The joy is gone. Kara took it with her when she left.

MATRIX

Um, Superman, I am a shape-changer.

If it bothers you for me to use this one,

I could look like something else ...

SUPERMAN

(worried)

Oh no, please don't change! I love this form.

Flying off with you to fight crime together,

well, it's almost as if, well you know ...

THE MATRIX

(awkwardly)

What really happened to Supergirl?

With FLASHBACKS, Superman narrates his version of The Crisis.

SUPERMAN

It was during The Crisis of Infinite Earths.

I was down when Kara fought the Anti-

Monitor, and I don't really know the details.

By the time I got there, she was gone,

and he was claiming he disintegrated her.

For the first time in my life I used my powers

to kill. I've always regretted it.

I'm sure now he was lying. He didn't really

kill her. He couldn't have. I don't know

where she's gone, but she'll be back someday,

I know. If I didn't believe that,

I don't think I could go on.

I don't want to live in a world without Kara.

FLASHBACKS END.

BACK TO SCENE. Flying at super-speed, they are now over FARMLAND.

MATRIX

(frightened by his last comment)

Uh, Superman, when we fight this monster together,

you're not going to do anything stupid, are you?

SUPERMAN

No, not at all. What are you getting at?

MATRIX

(a little too quickly)

Nothing. Nothing at all. Forget I said anything.

SUPERMAN

By the way, I heard that you've been bought

and paid for by The Luthor Gang.

MATRIX

(sniffs, indignantly)

That rumor is false.

SUPERMAN

But Clark Kent's sources say ...

MATRIX

I don't care what "Clark Kent's sources say."

Supergirl is not in bed with Lex Luthor.

CUT TO:

INT. LUTHOR'S HIDEOUT UNDER METROPOLIS STATION -- DAY.

As seen in Superman I. The bedroom.

Supergirl is in bed with Lex Luthor. His WIG hangs from a bedpost. He is not Lex Luthor II, the young villain from the Stern novel. This is the mature Luthor once played by Gene Hackman. "Supergirl" is a blond in her early 20s.

"SUPERGIRL"

Admit it, Sexy Lexy! I'm a big improvement on

Miss Teschmacher!

LUTHOR

Well, you're a big improvement on Otis, anyway!

Slap and tickle. Just as things are getting interesting, the TV clicks on.

"SUPERGIRL"

Hey, what's the big idea? I thought I hid the remote.

LUTHOR

I have it set up to come on whenever there's

a news flash of Superman in action.

"SUPERGIRL"

(grumbles)

Sometimes I wonder which of us you're really in love with.

LUTHOR

Darling, my sweet ... you're in the way. Move over.

He shoulders her aside to watch the fun.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. AN OHIO FARMHOUSE -- DAY.

CAMERA CREWS assemble and start shooting, as DOOMSDAY, a large humanoid monster, battles THE JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA, consisting of many heroes of the DC universe, such as THE BLUE BEETLE, THE FLASH, THE GREEN LANTERN, WONDER WOMAN and STEEL. The latter 2 are cameos for Lynda Carter and Shaq. All wear their famous costumes, except Steel, who wears the plainer costume from his own movie.

360 PAN as THE REPORTERS babble into various MICROPHONES.

REPORTER #1

Doomsday's origin is unknown...

REPORTER #2

... he broke out of a subterranean vault where

unknown interests had him imprisoned ...

REPORTER #3

... his powers are super-strength and leaping ability.

Ever since escaping earlier this day, he's been

trashing property in senseless, random fashion ...

REPORTER #4

... endangering the lives of innocent people,

and making his way steadily to the east

for some unknown purpose in the general direction ...

REPORTER #5

... of Metropolis.

REPORTER #6

Metropolis.

REPORTER #7

Metropolis.

BACK TO the fight, which the JLA are losing. Action dialogue:

FLASH

I wish Superman was with us.

GL

Hey, we don't need that Boy Scout!

BLUE BEETLE

You'll see. We don't need Superman to put that

lousy monster in his place.

FLASH

I don't care what you say. I still wish that

Superman was here.

Fight continues. Doomsday knocks out The Flash.

GL

No more games, Ugly! Not after what you did to my buddy!

But he too is defeated -- easily. ENTER SUPERMAN, flying.

WONDER WOMAN

Superman! Where'd you come from?

SUPERMAN

I heard the Justice League was having some trouble.

WONDER WOMAN

Trouble isn't the word for it!

It's more like Doomsday has arrived.

Monster roars, defiant!

SUPERMAN

Great Scott!

STEEL

(pointing out the monster)

That's the guy, Superman. He's the one who took

the Justice League apart at the seams.

SUPERMAN

(to Wonder Woman)

What was it you called him? Doomsday?

WONDER WOMAN

That's what the press calls him.

We've been fighting him all morning.

SUPERMAN

This looks like a job for Superman.

The Matrix catches up and ENTERS, flying.

MATRIX

You won't have to do it alone, Supe!

The Cavalry is on the scene.

Doomsday roars again. Superman hesitates, rubbing his chin.

GL

'Smatter, Boy Scout? Is that guy too tough even for you?

WONDER WOMAN

That monster might be too tough for all of us.

STEEL

No way, Babe! I say we hit him with everything we got!

BLUE BEETLE

All our powers in a combined, concerted effort. Agreed?

MATRIX

Let's do it!

STEEL

Give it everything you've got! We'll show this dude

what kind of trouble he buys when he takes on the

Justice League.

360 PAN JLA heroes nodding agreement. POLICE get FARMERS to safety. Wonder Woman lassoes Doomsday and holds on for dear life. Even for her mighty Amazon muscles controlling Doomsday is clearly a strain. All other heroes blast Doomsday with TK burst, heat-ray vision etc. for 10-15 seconds. When the smoke clears, Doomsday is unharmed!

CUT TO:

EXT. AIRBORNE CAMERA -- DAY.

Lois and Jimmy watch this from the copter.

LOIS

Doomsday is invulnerable! Only Kryptonians

are invulnerable. Good God! Somebody cloned

that creature from Kryptonian DNA!

Copter POV as Jimmy steadies the camera. Doomsday defeats the JLA plus The Matrix, then LONG SHOT as he EXITS, leaping off into the far distance, an eighth of a mile at a time. Superman follows.

CUT TO:

EXT. VARIOUS U.S. LOCATIONS -- DAY.

MONTAGE of a running battle between Superman and Doomsday that crosses half the country, as reporters and public officials scramble to keep up. As in the Stern novel, Superman and Doomsday fight on land and sea and even in the air, as Doomsday can "leap tall buildings in a single bound."

CUT TO:

INT. THE PLANETCOPTER -- DAY.

2 SHOT as Lois, at the controls, careens madly. Jimmy almost falls out.

JIMMY

(scrambling back in)

Lois, I know you believe a man can fly,

but can you keep this thing level before

I plummet to my death?

LOIS

Sissy! Want a barf bag?

JIMMY

If I report you, you could lose your license.

Um, you do have a license, right?

LOIS

Well, sort of a learner's permit. I got tired

of almost getting killed every time someone else

is at the controls. If you want something

done right -- do it yourself!

More mad careening. Jimmy screams like a little girl.

CUT TO:

MONTAGE of ANCHORMEN covering the disaster in VARIOUS TV STUDIOS.

ANCHORMAN #1

... Superman's punches are having no effect.

Doomsday's punches send Superman flying!

ANCHORMAN #2

... Doomsday is laughing at the Man of Steel!

ANCHORMAN #3

... this could be the end of Superman.

CUT TO:

INT. THE PLANETCOPTER -- DAY.

LOIS

I don't get this. He should be winning.

Superman is invulnerable, but he acts like

Doomsday's punches hurt. They don't hurt.

Doomsday can hit Superman as hard as he likes;

he doesn't even feel it. Why does he act hurt?

JIMMY

Lois -- maybe Superman has finally met his match.

LOIS

Nonsense, James Olsen.

JIMMY

No, really. What if Superman just can't beat

Doomsday? What if, for once, the bad guy is

just too tough? Doomsday is so big, so strong!

LOIS

(oblivious to the possibility)

And where is the clever ruse? Superman always

employs some clever ruse. You know, to exploit

the villain's weaknesses and flaws.

JIMMY

Maybe there are no weaknesses. Maybe there

are no flaws. Lois, what if Doomsday is perfect?

What if he doesn't even have a single weakness?

Lois consults her maps.

LOIS

(handing him the joystick)

Here, hold on to this for me while I read the map.

SPLIT SCREEN as the army, police and Luthor do the same.

ALL shout out:

Midvale! He's going to Midvale!

SPLIT-SCREEN ENDS.

PAN DOWN TO:

Superman on the ground. He comes to from his latest beating, and, with super-hearing, catches this and flies off after Doomsday. Copter follows.

CUT TO:

INT. THE PLANETCOPTER -- DAY.

JIMMY

Gosh, Lois, Superman is quite a guy!

He's going to save Midvale.

LOIS

No, Jimmy. He's going to save Doomsday.

CUT TO:

EXT. OUTSKIRTS OF MIDVALE -- DAY.

CLOSE-UP on a ROADSIGN. "Welcome to Midvale, City of Angels!"

PULL BACK to reveal Doomsday reading the sign. Superman lands in front, blocking the way.

SUPERMAN

As the Teen Titans say, don't go there

boyfriend -- just don't go there!

Doomsday KOs him and goes there.

CUT TO:

INT. VIDEO STORE AT THE MIDVALE MALL -- DAY.

CLOSE-UP of TV screen, playing a promo for a professional wrestling event "now available on video."

PULL BACK to reveal Doomsday, who seems almost childlike and fascinated by the action. Door CREAKS open. ENTER LOIS and JIMMY with MIKES and CAMERAS.

JIMMY

Lois, are you sure interviewing Doomsday is a good idea?

LOIS

Relax Jimmy. Doomsday won't hurt us.

He was obviously cloned by Lex Luthor,

and ol' Lex always had a soft spot for me.

I'm sure hurting you and me is against his programming.

CUT TO:

INT. LUTHOR'S HIDEOUT -- DAY.

"SUPERGIRL"

What a cool monster! His muscles have muscles!

Who do you suppose cloned him, Sexy Lexy?

LUTHOR

I haven't the slightest idea. Don't look at me,

my sweet. I haven't cloned a monster since Nuclear Man.

She rises and heads for the door with determination on her face.

LUTHOR

Where are you going?

"SUPERGIRL"

Midvale. To help him.

LUTHOR

Why? This is what I've always dreamed of!

"SUPERGIRL"

Is it, Lex? You've dreamed of somebody else

killing Superman, while you watch it on TV?

LUTHOR

Hmm, you're right. He probably won't need

our help, but you'd better go just the same.

He tosses her KEYS from the NIGHTSTAND.

LUTHOR

Take the Lexmobile. Oh, and Mercy?

MERCY

Yes, Lex?

LUTHOR

Change before you go. The staid burghers of

Midvale will be shocked at our role playing.

MERCY

Will do, Lex. Oh, next time, can I be Harley Quinn?

She EXITS.

Continued in Superman V Doomsday Part 2

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