ACT 2A: Promise of the Premise
Will Clark and Bruce stop Metallo?
B-Story: Lois Lane is investigating a strange signal that a UFO Conspiracist has discovered that has similar properties to Zod’s message; it appears to be calling Kryptonians to arms. She is investigating this with Clarke Kent and their relationship organically develops through this.
C-Story: Bruce Wayne meets with Lex Luther to agree to providing his DroneTech to the Brother Eye project – a meta-human deterrent.
Fun and Games: This section of the story should feel like a buddy cop film. People want to see Batman and Superman interact and play off one another. Seeing their banter will make it all that much worse when they eventually fight. This is the dramatic question of the story.
On the flip side, the thematic question of the story is:
What makes a hero?
Four viewpoints will be explored by Superman’s battles with the different antagonists. Each of the antagonists see themselves as a hero. Their way of achieving heroism is what makes them different.
Deontology is based on the idea that the morality of an action should be based on whether that action itself is right or wrong under a series of rules, rather than based on the consequences of the action.
Utilitarianism is the doctrine that actions are right if they are useful or for the benefit of a majority.
| Spurred by Hope | Spurred by Fear | |
| Deontology | Clark (Act 1)(Plural Deontology) | Bruce (Act 2b)(Kantaism) |
| Utilitarianism | Metallo (Act 2a)(Nationalism) | Lex (Act 3)(Egoism) |
Throughout this act, despite their differences, Batman and Superman will explore the origin of the Krypton tech and discover the origin of Metallo. Our journey through Gotham begins when the Bat Signal is shone in the night sky, Batman goes to it only to find Superman operating the signal.
They did say that if I shine the light, you will come.
SUPERMAN
Did they tell you that what comes next is usually violent?
BATMAN
- Clark and Bruce investigate the apartment of Vale and discover a secret lab where Vale is dead BUT
- They find the name attached to project Metallo: John Corben THEREFORE
- The pair head to John Corben’s apartment to discover that he is a military hero BUT
- He was horribly injured in the battle between Zod and Superman BUT
- Is missing, leaving behind plans of stockpiling Kryptonian tech THEREFORE
- Clarke and Bruce identify a sale of the largest piece of Kryptonite at a Black Market sale, which leads to…
Pinch Point 1: This is where you need to remind the audience of the antagonistic forces externally as well as internally.
While exploring the black market, Bruce meets Diana Prince who is browsing for stolen relics that she can purchase. She warns him about working with Lex Luther and tells him that Luther has something that she needs. Bruce has no time left to question her as a troop of soldiers smashes in with Krypton Weapons and are going after the Kryptonite. Bruce can’t change into Batman but uses the Bat Drones. Diana Prince dismantles any of the soldiers stupid enough to face her. Bruce notices her metahuman abilities. Superman, who was keeping a safe distance, flies in.
John Corben and Superman face off, and their thematic differences are presented. Corben states that he has hope for a peaceful America and will do what is right for his country – utilitarianism from a nationalist standpoint. As long as Superman stands behind no flag, he is a threat to national security. Superman states that no matter the situation, he will do what he believes is right.
I know you will.
JOHN CORBEN
Corben reveals his cybernetic arm and fires a blast that endangers a group of people. Bruce states that he can save the people and Clarke needs to stop Corben, but Clarke does not listen. Their lack of teamwork allows Corben / Metallo to escape with the Kryptonite. Bruce collects the Kryptonite remnants.
Fun and Games Continue:
- C-Story: Lex is going on media tours to drum up public support for a superhuman deterrent. The image of Superman as a beacon of hope is dulling.
- After discovering that Vale was a previous employer on the Brother Eye Project before he was fired by Lex, Bruce and Clark determine that Metallo’s target is Lex Luther who is receiving an award for his outstanding philanthropic efforts .
- B-Story: The relationship between Clarke and Lois continues to develop to the point that they decide to accompany each other to the award ceremony – Clarke was invited after interviewing Lex. The stage is set for the…
Midpoint: This is a major turning point of the movie. All the seperate stories need to merge here.
Set on a cruise ship as a throwback to Batman and Superman’s first ever meeting in the comics. Just as our heroes planned, Metallo attacks. However, this time the heroes work as a team. Superman battles Metallo who has placed the Kryptonite in his chest and is able to fire radiation shots at the Krytonian. Meanwhile, Batman saves the guests from Metallo’s lackeys.
The B-Story crosses with the main story when in the chaos, Lois Lane is put in danger, which is exactly what Clarke was fearful of. A stray blast causes the boat to begin to sink, so the two switch places and as Superman saves the cruiser from going under, Batman takes out Metallo.
