As most fans, I am SUPER pumped for Batman V Superman. The thought of seeing these two on screen really is unmatchable and I hope it makes for an epic experience. I constantly think about the characters and the world, playing out different scenarios of how it will play out. I had this one idea for an opening or pre-credits sequence that would help to set the mood a little for the film. If not an opening sequence, I think it would be super cool to see this as a special trailer, a scene shot specifically for trailer purposes that isn't in the film (Ex. Spider-Man, Terminator 2). I'm a rookie at writing screenplays, so just bear with me a little.
EXT. Gotham City - Night
GOTHAM CITY is hit with an intense thunder and lightning storm. The vast array of buildings and population are clouded in darkness, but with each lightning strike, the city illuminates.
EXT. Abandoned Building - Night
An old, brick building is on its last legs in GOTHAM CITY.
THUG 1 (OS)
Listen to me; you want to see your son again? You want to see your son alive?
INT. Abandoned Building – Old Room – Night
BABY sits in a basket in the middle of a dark room, only illuminated by the night sky. 3 THUGS stand around the room with weapons. THUG 1 is on a cell phone. THUGS 2 & 3 stand around, chatting with each other
THUG 1
Well, that’s what I thought. You get the cash to where it’s supposed to go and we give him back. You have 1 hour.
THUG 1 shuts the cell phone and puts it away. THUGS 2 & 3 compare their weapons.
THUG 1
Boneheads! You ready to get rich? We got ‘em, they’re getting ready to pay right now.
THUGS 2 & 3 howl and cheer in celebration and give each other high fives.
THUG 2
Say, when we get the cash, how are we gunna give the brat back without being set up? I’m sure they got the cops waiting on us.
THUG 1
I wouldn’t worry too much about that.
THUG 3 smirks at that comment and plays around with the knife in his hand. THUG 1 pulls out a packet of cigarettes, puts one in his mouth and gets his lighter out. As he tries to light his cigarette, he wobbles over to the nearest window. He pauses lighting the cigarette to make a comment.
THUG 1
And if even we was to give that baby back, what the hell does Gotham PD care about crap like this. Half of ‘em would willingly do what were doin’ tonight.
THUG 1 stands in front of the window and goes to light his cigarette. CRASH. The window shatters as he ignites the lighter and a black mass engulfs him and takes him out of the window. THUG 2 & 3 react quickly and run to look out the window.
EXT. Abandoned Building – Night
THUG 1 is left dangling from a wire, one end wrapped around his ankle, the other attached to the window sill. THUG 1 bounces hard back and forth off of the brick wall a couple of times before finally stopping. He’s out cold.
INT. Abandoned Building – Night
THUGS 2 & 3 still look out the window at THUG 1 dangling.
THUG 3
Oh crap, I think we might have some comp-
CRASH. A loud bang is heard as if somebody has broken through the roof of the floor the THUGS are on. THUGS 2 & 3 turn around in fright, expecting to see somebody, but it’s only darkness.
INT. Abandoned Building – Night
A batarang flies through the air at quick speed. It’s not seen where it comes from, but it’s heading straight for the thugs.
INT. Abandoned Building – Night
The high speed batarang cuts right through THUG 3’s shoulder like butter, forcing him to drop his weapon. Before THUG 3 can even let out a scream or attend to his wound, another high speed batarang catches him in the hand, sending him back and pinning him to the wall. THUG 3 screams out in pain.
THUG 2
Oh man! Just relax I’ll try to unpin ya buddy.
THUG 2 attempts to unpin THUG 3 from the wall, but it only causes more pain and THUG 3 keeps screaming out. BOOM, BOOM. Heavy footsteps draw THUG 2’s attention away from his buddy. THUG 2 starts shooting in the direction he heard these footsteps.
INT. Abandoned Building – Night – POV
The bullets from THUG 2 fly aimlessly around the room, illuminating it at the same time. There is nobody in sight.
INT. Abandoned Building – Night
THUG 2 quivers in his boots and holds his gun up, ready to shoot anything he sees. THUG 2 slowly begins to back up to a dark corner in the room in order to see everything better in front of him.
THUG 2
I know you’re here! Where are you!
Suddenly, in the black shadows THUG 2 is backing into, two bright white eyes appear. THUG 2 is wrapped up in a black mass. Now there is only darkness and the sound of bones mashing and fists meeting faces. All the while, THUG 3 still screams in pain.
INT. Abandoned Building – Night – High Angle
BABY sits in his basket, unaware of all that is occurring around him.
INT. Abandoned Building – Night – POV
BABY POV. Lighting crashes, illuminating the room and out of the darkness that just swallowed THUG 2 steps a pair of black boots, wrapped in a black cape.
INT. Abandoned Building – Night – High Angle
BABY looks at the figure walking towards him. THUG 3 continues to scream and yell, until another sound of fist meeting face shuts him up. A figure comes closer to BABY and immerses him in shadows. BABY looks up at the figure and begins to cry its head off.
EXT. House – Night
The rain and thunder continue, as we see a large front window. In it, PARENTS talk with POLICE OFFICERS. It is clear they are upset and trying to work something out with these officers. DING-DONG. They are all caught off guard and look towards the direction of the door.
EXT. House Porch – Night
DAD opens to the door to investigate who rang, but nobody is out there. DAD looks around and finally down, seeing BABY in his basket still crying his head off. DAD picks the baby up out of the basket and hugs him. DAD begins to close the door and head back into the living room.
THE CAMERA PULLS BACK FROM THIS ANGLE TO A BUILDING ACROSS THE STREET
EXT. Rooftop – Night – Posterior View
The storm continues just as hard. It is hard to make everything out as it is so dark, but it is clear that the house is visible. CRASH. Lightning illuminates the sky and perched on the edge of the rooftop, watching the house, is BATMAN.
EXT. Rooftop – Night – Anterior View
The storm continues and it is again just as dark. There is the silhouette of BATMAN’s head, but it is indistinguishable from the dark storm. CRASH.
Lighting illuminates the sky again and we see BATMAN’s face, white eyes glowing, look out into the night
FADE TO BLACK
Although we have faded to black, the storm sounds continue. CRASH. Bolts of lightning jet across the screen as we finally see it, the logo……
BATMAN V SUPERMAN
I think this scene would work for a number of reasons:
1 - It shows Gotham City as the terror and crime filled place it is. The rainy, thunder storm atmosphere sets the mood in my mind also. This would also show the ruthlessness of the criminals that operate in Gotham, ones who are willing to kill children, even though they get their $. This further emphasizes the need for Batman
2 - It shows Batman in his best form. He is absolutely ruthless and shows no mercy beating on these thugs. Also, even though he saves the day, he really is a scary figure and menacing vigilante. He is always on the outside looking in, never taking credit for his work.
3 - It assumes that Batman is already established. When Thug 1 is thrown out of the window, the other two know that they are in some deep shit.
Let me know what you guys thought! Any kind of feedback would be helpful!