Donner's Superman 2

Superman II
The Richard Donner version

Scenes 462 - 466, "Luthor pays a call"

462 INT. WHITE HOUSE OVAL OFFICE - DAY

ZOD stares out the window at the destroyed Washington Monument. NON stands in front of a wall mirror, wraps the Presidential flag around himself with a contented growl. There is a terrible scream from O.S. which suddenly cuts off. USRA enters through a side door, her chest considerably more decorated than before.

URSA
I'm bored with this puny planet. The men here do not even try to resist anymore.

ZOD
Then leave. There are dozens of other life systems nearby. Find one that suits you.

There is a knock on the door. They turn.

463 ANGLE ON LUTHOR

LEX LUTHOR stands by the door, all confidence.

LUTHOR
Luthor's the name. Lex Luthor. Maybe you've heard of me.
(hopefully)
The greatest criminal on earth?

URSA
(to ZOD)
I told you this was a puny planet.
(looks at LUTHOR)
He irritates me. Let me break his bones...

ZOD
If it pleases you...

LUTHOR
(backing up)
Wait!
(smile)

1

Wait'll you get to know me better. Wait'll I give you - exactly what you want.
(paces, plays it big)
Unlimited freedom: to kill, crush, main, destroy - plus: Lex Luthor's savvy. Lex Luthor's keen mind guiding your careers!

ZOD
We have all of this without you. You cannot bargain with what you do not have...

LUTHOR
With respect, your Magnificence, I am bargaining with what you do not have: The son of Jor-El.

The VILLAINS are stunned. They can't believe their ears. ZOD turns.

ZOD
The son... of Jor-El? Jor-El, our jailer?

LUTHOR
No, Jor-El, the baseball player.
(brightly)
Of course, Jor-El, your jailer!

ZOD
(salivating)
His son? His son is on this planet?

LUTHOR
(in control now)
Daily. Perhaps you're more familiar with his earthly non de voyage - Superman.

ZOD
(dawns on him)
So this... is Superman.
(suspicious)
And how do you know Jor-El?

LUTHOR
As I told your Fullness earlier - I'm just about the best there is.
(NON growls)
Second best.

ZOD
(wild)
Revenge! We will kill the son of our jailer!

URSA
Revenge!

NON roars loudly, his fists raised.

LUTHOR
Now we're cooking with gas!
(to NON)
Have a phone, they're delicious...

ZOD
But wait!
(to LUTHOR)
He flies as well, then...

LUTHOR
Constantly, your Grace.

ZOD
(musing)
He has powers as we do...

LUTHOR
Sure. But he's only one. You're three.
(looks at NON)
Or four even, if you count him twice.

ZOD
We will bring him to his knees!

URSA
Praying...

ZOD
Yes. To me!

They start off, leaving LUTHOR standing there.

LUTHOR
But first!
(quick smile)
You've got to find him, check?

The VILLAINS stop, turn, look.

LUTHOR
Check.

ZOD
(pause - careful)
What... do you want?

LUTHOR walks around the desk, philosophically, sits down in the President's chair.

LUTHOR
The world's a big place, my General, but thank goodness, my needs are small.
(takes out a map)
And, as it turns out, I have a certain weakness for beachfront property...

ZOD
What do you want!

LUTHOR smiles hopefully, turns a map in his direction.

LUTHOR
Australia?

464-466 SCENES OMITTED

Sources:
1 - Superman II DVD, 2001 Warner Home Video; Image courtesy of Superman in the Movies.

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