Todd Matthy.com

Superman Begins by Todd Matthy

“Before He Could Fly He Had To Fall”

Fade In: Dawn over the planet Krypton. Riots are occurring outside the High Council Chamber are being quelled by planetary enforcers and protestors. The protesters believe that Krypton is going to be destroyed and demand to know what council plans to do about it. Within, the fate of scientist Jor-El is being debated. Jor-El is accused of creating a public disturbance with his theory that Krypton’s red sun is about to go nova. Jor-El pleads for them to order an evacuation but the Council disagrees, they don’t have enough ships for a full evacuation, not to mention a new planet. Jor-El pleads with them but the decision for his removal is unanimous. His friends and brother, Zor-El, voted against him and is expelled. He leaves in disgust.

Outside the planets orbit, a mysterious ship shows up and fires several probes over the planet Krypton, hacking into its computer systems. This is Brainiac and he intends to study Kryptonians.

At home, Lara is finishing a visit with her sister-in-law Allura and niece Kara. They are visiting Lara and her newborn baby Kal-El. They say goodbye and Kara kisses Kal-El, and asks if she can come over and play with him again. She says off course.
Jor-El returns home to his lab, and continues analyzing data. A massive solar flare occurs and then a massive earthquake. Jor-El’s data confirms the worst Krypton will be destroyed within twenty-four hours. He sends the data to Zor-El and summons Lara. He reveals a spaceship he had grown. If there was more time it would have been large enough to hold the entire family, but it can only hold one, the baby. They place Kal-El in the life matrix, and launch him into space as Krypton explodes.

On Earth, specifically Smallville, Kansas a young couple has gotten up and begun working on the farm. A spaceship crashes in the middle of their farm they find an infant within and adopt him.

Seventeen years have passed and the boy has grown up to be Clark Kent, star athlete and spotlight hog. He returns home from his latest football game, and his father asks him to help with some chores and he does it in record time. His father is disappointed at the way he flaunts his abilities but Clark ignores him and his mother and goes off with his girlfriend Lana Lang.

At a keg party, Lana and Clark go off from the crowd for some alone time. Clark asks Lana if it seemed like his father was upset with him at the game.

Lana
Why should he be mad at you? You won the big game you have the best GPA in the class, the head cheerleader for a girlfriend, what every father wants his son to achieve. Maybe he’s jealous? Who knows?

Clark
Why would he be jealous? He’s done so much with his life, serving his country, raising me, starting up a farm while running the general store…

Lana
Clark, I said maybe not that he was. I don’t know what Pa’s thinking? What are your plans?

Clark
For what?

Lana
You know, the future. Are you going to college or staying in Smallville?

Clark
Well…I haven’t really thought about it.

Lana
There’s your answer. Clark it’s senior year and you haven’t decided whether or not you’re going to college?

Clark
Well, things have been rough on the farm this past year and you’re staying around. If I go we won’t be together…

Lana
Clark, I’m staying because my Mom needs me to run the Talon. And it’s only for a year.

Clark
Well, maybe I can wait for you.

Lana
Oh Clark, don’t say that.

#

Clark is about to say something but Lana kisses him before he can speak. They get up and go back to the party, where Clark’s rival Brad accosts him. Brad has had too much to drink and starts accusing Clark of being a showoff. Clark tells Brad he thinks he’s had too much but Brad keeps pressing the issue. Clark tries to walk away but Brad keeps getting in his face and shoves him. Clark keeps walking away but Brad continues shoving. Finally Clark snaps and shoves Brad so hard he flies into a tree on the other side of the party, breaking his collarbone. Clark rushes to his truck and leaves.

#

Clark returns home to Pa sitting on the front porch. Clark wonders if he’s in trouble and Pa tells him no. Clark tells his father about what happened at the party and Pa gets angry. Clark apologizes and Pa scolds him by telling him about how he’ll have to apologize to Brad’s parents in the hopes of avoiding a lawsuit.  He calms down and tells Clark they, “have to talk about something. Something important.”

Jonathan Kent:
Son, do you remember what we told you whenever you asked us where you came from?

Clark:
Yes dad, you found me in a basket on your front porch.

Jonathan:
Son, this is the basket.

Jonathan shows him the spaceship he found Clark in. Clark is drawn toward a glowing crystal in the space ship that carried him. He plants it in the ground and an image of Jor-El and Lara appear. They tell him to go to the Arctic Circle he stays to help out his mother and father on the farm. Clark goes inside, trying to process everything he’s learned.

#

A few awkward days pass until a tornado hits Smallville. Clark helps his family secure their home. As he is about to take shelter he catches with his telescopic vision that Lana hasn’t gotten home yet.  He dashes with superspeed and saves her from an uprooted tree. He brings her to the Talon’s shelter. On his way back he keeps collateral damage to a minimum but once he arrives home he finds it destroyed. Clark searches frantically for his parents, relieved to find out they survived the tornado he vows to help them rebuild the farm.

One year passes and the farm has been rebuilt Clark is still living at home and going to community college. One day Lana shows up at the farm.

Lana
I always knew you were special. Last year, when I was caught in the tornado, even though I was dazed I knew it was you who saved me. I knew it was you who saved the town. Suddenly it all makes sense. Your smarts, your strength, you can do anything. And what do you choose to do, stay here in Smallville.

Clark
Lana I…

Lana
Clark, you have gifts. Gifts that some of us only dream of, and those gifts can change the world. Clark, by staying in Smallville your depriving the world of your gift. You’re depriving the world of you.

Clark
Lana, I’m staying because I hoped one day…

Lana
Clark, don’t stay in Smallville because of me. I couldn’t live with myself if you did. Go, Clark. For me, for all of us, go and make the world a better place as only you can.

Ma overheard the conversation and tells Clark that he does belong to the world. He should leave the cradle of Smallville behind, but never forget where he came from. Pa Kent echoes these sentiments that what is important is not “that you have talents, but what you do with them”

Clark finds the crystal. He leaps to the arctic and raises the Fortress of Solitude. There he has the first conversations with his Mother and Father and learns the history of Krypton and how to use his powers.

Meanwhile, in outer space the Brainiac ship activates and begins pinpointing a signal that was lost along time ago, the signal is Kryptonian and it is coming from Earth.

#

Years later, Clark Kent moves to Metropolis and is given the job of obituary writer for the Daily Planet. There is a vacant spot on the city beat and editor Perry White is willing to give it too him if he brings him the right story. Unfortunately, a young ambitious gossip columnist named Lois Lane is also up for the job.

Lois Lane turns in her story about her experience at Bruce Wayne’s charity ball. She tells Perry she is sick and tired of writing about what bimbo a billion dollar heir is dating this week and wants to do real reporting on the city beat. Perry tells her she has some competition in Kent, much to Lois’s chagrin.

#

Lois meets Clark and wonders why Perry would consider giving the city beat to a hick from Kansas. Perry asks her to show him around the city. She reluctantly agrees hoping to leech his stories off him and get the promotion.

#

Lois offers to take Clark to lunch and asks him what his story is. Clark says he doing a piece on new police measures designed by technology mogul and mayoral candidate, Lex Luthor. Lois is even more annoyed because she’s been trying to do an investigative piece on Luthor. Lois is suspicious about a real estate mogul who came out of nowhere and is now the world’s top scientist and a mayoral candidate with a flawless resume.

Once they reach the elevator, Lois ditches Clark. Clark bumps into a staff photographer named Jimmy Olson. Jimmy takes Clark around the city and introduces him to the sights.

Meanwhile at Lex Corp headquarters, Lex Luthor is going over plans for the launch of his new Astro Train while beating several chess champions around the world. We are introduced to Miss Eve Tessmacher and her incompetent brother Otis, who serves as nothing more then a glorified test dummy.

#

Otis is testing weapons and hurting himself while Miss Tessmacher wonders why Lex wants to destroy his own technology. Luthor says its simple, create fear and the city will approve his security measures. Once Metropolis falls under his control a domino effect will occur allowing him to seize more power and make more money.

#

At night Lois and Jimmy have an invitation to the launch of Luthor’s Astro Train. Clark stays at the Planet to finish his story about a recent busting of a terrorist ring by Luthor’s ‘Science Squad’.

Terrorists hijack the Astro Train, to drive it into the Lex Corp Tower and blow it up. Unbeknownst to everyone, Luthor planned the attack so he could show off the efficiency of his ‘science corps’. The news broadcasts this and Perry orders Clark to get down there, only Clark is nowhere to be found. Clark ducks into a supply closet and changes into Superman. He leaps out the window in the direction of the train.

#

Superman lands a top the train and scans it with his X-Ray vision. There are at least two gunmen per car. One of the gunmen hears something on the roof and looks up. Superman punches a hole in the roof and pulls out the terrorist. The terrorist is returned to the car with his gun bent around his hands. The other terrorist starts firing at the roof of the train. He thinks he’s killed Superman but when he turns around he finds Superman alive and well, returning his bullets. “These belong to you?” Superman asks before melting his gun with heat vision.

#

The process is repeated over every car until Superman reaches the front car and the conductors room. He disarms the main terrorists bomb but cannot stop the train manually. He leaps out of the car and seemingly disappears, until a passenger sees him standing in the middle of the tracks with his arms folded. Superman stops the train with his bare hands. Luthor’s men arrive and help the passengers, much to Luthor’s chagrin.

Outside the train, the people swarm Superman, but it’s Lois Lane who catches his attention.

Lois
Who are you?

Superman
A friend.

Superman travels around Metropolis tackling a purse-snatcher, stopping a suicide, and stopping a getaway. “Something wrong with the speed limit?” he asks the culprit.

#

Luthor is upset that some “caped interloper” foiled his plans.

#

The next day, Perry White orders the staff to find what they can about the ‘caped wonder’.  Lois asks Perry if she gets the interview will he give her Kent’s position. He says he’ll think about it. Now she has to figure out a way to meet him. Jimmy gives her an idea that she should anticipate where he’d be. She gets an idea.

Superman is standing atop the Siegel Bridge when he picks up Lois drowning in her car. He pulls her car out. He brings her to her apartment, she convinces him to stay for an interview and he agrees.

Superman gives Lois a tour of the city skyline; jumping through the tops of buildings the two watch the sunrise on top of the Siegel Bridge. He brings her home and bids her good night and tells her that it’s not safe to drive around with an aqualung.

#

The Planet receives two invitations to a ball being thrown by Lex Luthor that evening. Perry tells her to take Kent so “he can get a taste of high society“.

#

Lois arrives at Clark’s apartment early and he is not ready. While Clark changes into his tuxedo, Lois looks around his apartment. She sees that he was once a star football player as well as an eclectic collection of music. Clark returns and Lois starts asking him questions.

Lois:
You never told me you played football.

Clark:
Oh…that…yes I played a little ball back in high school. Nothing special.

Lois:
All State.

Clark:
Oh that. That’s nothing really…

Lois:
Is modesty a genetic trait in your family?

Clark:
No. I just find bragging to be…

Lois:
Why didn’t you play in college?

Clark:
Oh, head injury.

Lois (feeling suspicious)
Really?

Clark:
Yes.

Lois:
That explains the clumsiness.

(Lois looks at Clark’s music collection. His collection is eclectic, but square. His collection includes:  The Beatles, Elvis Presley, The Allman Brothers, Charlie Daniels Band, Bobby Darin, Bryan Adams, Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Richard Marx, Barry Manilow, Winger, The Carpenters, Gordon Lightfoot, the Osmonds. Lois has a look of disgust.)

Lois:
Quite an impressive collection you’ve got here. Let’s see…Elvis, Barry Manilow? The Carpenters, Winger!

Clark:
Yes Lois, I find those bands both…

Lois:
Clark Kent just when I thought you couldn’t be any more of a square. Don’t you listen to anything…decent? Anything that’s not…as old as your parents?

Clark:
Well I don’t like a lot of what’s out there nowadays it’s so violent and dark…

Lois (laughs):
Clark Kent you are a mystery.

Clark (fearing Lois might’ve discovered his secret stutters)

Lois:
How can someone so white bread still exist in this world?

Clark:
Is that a bad thing?

Lois gives him an amused glance and starts correcting his posture.

#

At the ball, Lois starts to press Lex about his background. Clark notices some irregularities in Lex’s heartbeat, indicating he’s lying. Suddenly Brainiac probes attack the ball.

Clark searches for some place to change into Superman. He goes into a bathroom but it’s the women’s bathroom and a woman slaps him and calls him a ‘pervert’. He finds the men’s room and changes and routs the terrorists.

#

Braniac’s main unit touches down in Metropolis harbor.

#

Luthor sees Brainiac as a way to defeat Superman.

#

Superman brings a defeated drone to the Fortress, where Jor-El explains all he knows about Brainiac.

#

Back in Metropolis, Lex Luthor hacks into Brainiac’s mainframe. Luthor tells him he has information on the Kryptonian. He tells Brainiac, that Superman cares about the people of Metropolis and draw him out he should attack them. Meanwhile, Luthor plans to use data he collected to send his private army to defeat Brainiac.

Unfortunately for Luthor, Brainiac is easily able to seize control of him and his army by overriding their computer programming and seizing control of the pilot’s minds. He turns Luthor’s army against Metropolis. While Superman fights the private soldiers, Brainiac seizes control of the citizens of Metropolis through their computers, downloading their thoughts and controlling their minds. He orders them to attack Superman. The attacks against Superman are vicious but the most crippling blow is when Lois attacks him.

Superman figures out that Brainiac is controlling the citizens by radio waves transmitted by his ship. Superman dives into Brainiac’s ship.

Brainiac’s ship is a techno-organic vessel. Superman finds several ‘gestation chambers’ embedded in the walls of the ship. In the chambers are alien species that are being probed and studied by Brainiac. He searches for and finds the transmitter. Unfortunately Brainiac is prepared and hatches the chambers, forcing Superman to fight the alien drones. Superman beats them but doesn’t kill them.

Brainiac anticipates Superman’s victory and plays his trump card, Kryptonite. Brainiac turns the walls into Kryptonite and orders his drones to attack Superman. Superman is subdued thanks to the Kryptonite and is brought to an operating table.

Meanwhile, Lex Luthor has broken free of Brainiac’s control.

#

Brainiac begins probing Superman. He recreates the red sun’s radiation to pierce Superman’s skin and study him. A mind probe starts downloading Superman’s memories and studying his feelings. He comes to the conclusion that the Kryptonian has been corrupted by humanities emotions, and condemns humanity to death.

“Had these…things…these humans not infected you with their disease of emotion, you could’ve been the most power being in the universe. You squander your powers in defense of these…barbarians. Don’t you realize, under a yellow sun you are the apex of evolution. Long have I sought a vessel such as you, and now at long last my evolutionary journey is complete.”

Suddenly on a low frequency Superman hears a voice, Lex Luthor’s. Luthor tells Superman he revealed to Brainiac his existence in exchange for technology he could exploit. Luthor reveals that Brainiac’s central processor is in the center hull. If disables it, he destroys Brainiac.

Using his last ounce of strength Superman breaks his bonds and escapes the “Red Sun” room.

Brainiac:

“Interesting, his body must have a reserve system for the yellow sun’s energy. I’ll have to examine this.”

Superman drills through Brainiac until he reaches the central processor, a humanoid hooked into to the ship. Superman rips out but Brainiac has one more experiment to perform, he distracts Superman by showing him the final moments of Krypton, including the death of his family. Distracted, Brainiac blindsides Superman.

Brainiac broadcasts the defeat and sends Superman to a watery grave. Tapping into his last ounce of strength he swims below Brainiac’s ship and pushes it out of the water. Once its on dry land, he hoists it over his head and leaps as high as he can. Using his legs, he pushes his weight and shifts his gravity upward, like a swimmer pushing toward the surface. Suddenly he starts floating in mid air. He feels a strange sensation, flight. He pushes Brainiac into the upper atmosphere of the Earth.

Superman and Brainiac duke it out all over the world in the stratosphere. Superman senses that Brainiac is specifically trying to avoid Earth’s atmosphere. He scans Brainiac’s body with microscopic and x- ray vision and determines that Brainiac’s current ‘vessel’ is not immune to Earth’s germs.

Superman pushes Brainiac into the ocean and they duel in Metropolis harbor. Suddenly Brainiac starts to succumb to Earth’s germs.

Superman exploits this weakness and scans Brainiac with his x-ray vision. He sees Brainiac’s brain and using all his might rips it out of Brainiac’s skull. The brain is literally a Pentium chip.

#

Meanwhile back at Lex Corp, Luthor analyzes the battle, gathering data on Superman. Suddenly he hears a thud in his office where he finds Superman behind his desk. Superman shows Luthor the brain encased in a plastic hamster ball. The brain is going wild, trying to assimilate the technology. He tells Luthor he’ll be watching him. Luthor vows revenge against Superman the insult.

#

Back at her apartment Lois is typing up the story of how Superman defeated Brainiac. Suddenly she hears a rustling on her balcony. She goes out and finds Superman tossing the “Brainiac hamster ball” up and down.

Superman
You wouldn’t happen to have any Reynolds Wrap, Miss Lane?

Lois
Why? Storing left over’s?

Superman (holding up the ball)
You could say that.

She brings him the tin foil and he builds a tin foil ‘prison’ around the processor.

Superman
There, that’ll hold him.

Lois
Tin foil and a hamster ball?

Superman
The plastic cuts him off from any power grids while the tin foil blocks out all transmissions.

Lois
So he can’t be brainwashed by the aliens to buy duct tape?

(Lois winks. Superman smiles.)

So you can fly now?

Superman:
Looks like it.

Lois
Care to take me for a spin?

Superman
Sure…(he over hears an earthquake) hold this. (He tosses her Brainpan’s chip) Leave outside. I’ll pick him up when I get back.

Lois
Why? What’s going on? What’s it look like?

Superman
A job for Superman!

He winks at her and she smiles. Superman flies off.

Superman flies around Earth’s orbit flies toward the camera and winks. When the ‘S’ shield hits the camera. The classic theme begins followed by majestic titles just like in the original.

Fade out. The End.