Donner's Superman 2

Superman II
The Richard Donner version

Scenes 515 - 520, "Time for goodbyes"

515 EXT. FORTRESS - DAY

1	The Kryptonians (who did not perish in Donner's version, but simply lost their powers and were subdued) are vaguely seen here leaving the Fortress in custody of the "arctic patrol."

SUPERMAN and LOIS walk away from the Fortress with a handcuffed LUTHOR firmly in tow. LUTHOR'S eyes flicker with animation as he talks quickly to SUPERMAN, giving his pitch, his one last chance.

LUTHOR
... and who would be the wiser? We say you got killed in the battle, you lie low for a couple of months at my place, and then I bring you back - as a boxer! We start you slow at first, and then - we pull the string!

2

The Smallville Strongboy! The Metropolis Masher! Don't you love it?...

SUPERMAN smiles tolerantly as CAMERA PANS: they have reached a large snow cat vehicle with the THREE VILLAINS tied up inside, guarded by an ARMY PATROL. SUPERMAN hands the now desperate LUTHOR over to them.

LUTHOR
Plus - I only take ten...
(quickly)
five per cent.

SUPERMAN
(to ARMY PATROLMAN)
He's all yours, boys...

LUTHOR is loaded aboard.

LUTHOR
Three? Two? One?

SUPERMAN
(to ARMY PATROLMAN)
Blast off.

516 ANGLE ON SUPERMAN

The snow cat lumbers off through the snow. SUPERMAN puts his arm around LOIS. They gaze off at the Fortress in the distance. SUPERMAN stares hard, deeply affected by the sight of the structure which has meant so much to him for so long. His eyes suddenly begin to glow with his X-Ray super-vision burning white-hot.

517 ANGLE ON FORTRESS - SUPERMAN'S POV

The melting Fortress seems to hang suspended for a moment, dazzling in the brilliant light. Then - in what almost seems a burst of suicidal energy - it disappears. The barren landscape is desolate once again.

518 BACK TO SUPERMAN AND LOIS

3

The only sound is the quiet whistle of the wind. LOIS turns to SUPERMAN, tries to form a faint smile, close to tears, realizing the end of the relationship is at hand. SUPERMAN looks down uncomfortably, sensing it too.

SUPERMAN
Look, Lois, I...

LOIS
(brave smile)
Hey. No... regrets, you know? I mean I did it, didn't I? I got the man I love to love me?

SUPERMAN
(very hard on him)
Yes.

LOIS
(false flipness)
So okay, then. So they need you too. I'd be buying my personal little rainbow at the cost of all those people who say "Help. Come. Quick. Now." ... you think I don't understand that? It's the old eternal triangle, right? Except in my case I've got all of humanity in the next bedroom.

SUPERMAN
We'll see each other. All the time, like before. But it can't be like...

4

LOIS kisses him passionately. He responds in spite of himself. They break. She looks up at him, trembling.

LOIS
Just don't forget, that's all.

Video clip - 1:40 [5]

.mov 2.02 MB

519 EXT. SKY - NIGHT

SUPERMAN and LOIS fly back to Metropolis. She rides behind, on top, her face pressed close to his, the wind blowing through her hair. Her eyes slowly fill with tears, which begin to run down her cheeks. One tear transfers itself to Superman's cheek. He feels the wetness, reacts in silent sadness, continues flying on.

520 EXT. LOIS' TERRACE - NIGHT

SUPERMAN gently deposits LOIS on the terrace of her apartment. They stare at each other almost shyly, unsure of how to say goodbye. There is a forced sense of casualness about them.

SUPERMAN
So. Here we are...

LOIS
(forced smile)
Home, sweet home...

SUPERMAN
Well. See you at work in the morning, I guess.

LOIS
Bright and early. Same old Clark. Same old Lois. Except...
(nicely)
maybe I won't be quite so mean to you from now on.
(suddenly serious)
You're secret's safe with me, you know. No one will ever find out who you really are.

SUPERMAN
(pause - confident)
I know that, Lois.

SUPERMAN smiles quickly, then suddenly takes off.

LOIS
See you later...

LOIS watches him fly off, sad and wistful.

Video clip - 1:09 [8]

.mov 1.39 MB

LOIS
Well. There he goes, kid. Up, up, and away...
(shrugs)
What the hell. You're a pretty terrific looking number yourself, Lois Lane. So it's his loss too, right? Right. Let him eat his heart out...
(snaps to)
Because right now you just happen to be sitting on top of the story of the century! The entire world was saved and you were there! The only eyewitness! She turns, walks inside her apartment excitedly, her voice trailing off.

LOIS (O.S.)
A gifted reporter who happened to be at the right place at the right time! Coincidence? No...

Sources:
1, 6 - Superman 2, European/Australian TV edition; snapshot courtesy of "Supergirl's Boyfriend."
2 - Superman 2, European/Australian TV edition; image courtesy of Superman CINEMA.
3 - Superman II - Restored International Cut
4 - from back cover of Superman 2 DVD, Warner Home Video, 2001.
5, 8 - Superman 2, European/Australian TV edition; video clip courtesy of Superman CINEMA.
7 - Superman 2 DVD, 2001 Warner Home Video; image courtesy of Superman in the Movies.

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