This is my take on what I would love to see in the three Snyder films. It probably won't happen and may not be any more than wishful thinking.But thinking about it sure was fun. I wanted to keep some crucial elements in mind...
1} Borrow just enough from the comics.
2} Luthor should also grow as and transform into a villain along the course of the series. Which means he shouldn't be the main act in the first film.
3} Zod ain't the only Superman villain.
4} We know where Superman came from!!!
So here we go...
"The Man of Steel"
Inspiration: Modern Age-Post- Crisis on Infinite Earths
SYNOPSIS: The entire city of Moscow just vanishes off the face of the Earth. The cities of Paris, New Delhi and Rio de Janeiro follow soon after. World governments are thrown into turmoil. World War Three dawns. What is happening? Who is behind this? Is Judgement Day upon us? There are three who set upon to search for the answers. A young rookie Daily Planet reporter named Clark Kent, who has a secret of his own. A billionaire genius who thinks this is the first wind of an alien invasion and believes that he must do all he can to save Earth. A ‘bizarre’ alien who is the last survivor of his planet which, like the cities on Earth, simply disappeared.
All the questions seem to lead to one Milton Fine. Who is he? What is he? How is he doing this? And what is his end-game?
PLOT ELEMENTS: You must have guessed the main villain by now anyway. And the three who pursue him...it... whatever.
Lex Luthor starts off as an ally for Clark Kent, who must in course of this journey, find his true purpose... to become Earth’s greatest protector. As Superman, Clark also goes up against the Bizzaro, on a mission to find his own planet Htrae which he suspects was stolen by the very entity that was stealing the Earth’s cities. But seeing that both are trying to find the same thing, they make an uncomfortable alliance against the life form known as Brainiac.
In the end, Bizzaro and Superman destroy Braniac and release the cities and Bizzaro’s planet Htrae. Superman also finds a Kryptonian sun stone which he uses to build the Fortress of Solitude.
Lex Luthor lays his hands on the last bit of surviving consciousness of Brainiac. Little does he know that it will eventually corrupt him.
Just before the end credits... the scene cuts to 6 months later, where Lex Luthor has just become senator.
SCOPE: Not a conventional origin story. But rather Clark Kent’s journey to become Superman. Also, Lex Luthor’s transformation to the darker side. His arrival to Earth could be shown by Watchman-esque clips during initial credits.
A physical Superman? Fights with Bizzaro and later Brainiac should somewhat suffice.
As for Kryptonite, Brainiac could actually use it on Superman but I presume it would make Bizzaro more powerful?
"The Man of Tomorrow"
Inspiration: The Doomsday Wars
SYNOPSIS: Lex Luthor is the new face of the presidential campaign. Guided and corrupted by the consciousness, he devices evil plans to defeat Superman and become the greatest human alive. But none is more ambitious than to go to the very end of time and bring back the most powerful and brutal entity that ever walked the universe. Doomsday indeed draws near!
PLOT ELEMENTS: Doomsday versus Superman! With Lex Luthor lurking in the shadows. Need I say more?
What would make an awesome last scene is the apparent death of both Superman and Doomsday the former shocking the world.
Before end credits, Lex Luthor takes an oath to the Presidential seat!
SCOPE: As I said, Doomsday versus Superman. Awesome!
And the Lex we know is back!
"Superman: Last Son"
Inspiration: Most Darkseid storylines. The DCAU movie- Superman: Apocalypse.
SYNOPSIS: With Superman’s apparent death, the Earth becomes a hotspot for intergalactic entities, none more dangerous than Darkseid.
PLOT ELEMENTS: Fairly basic. If the planet is destroyed, there will be none for Luthor to rule. So he tries to fight Darksied. When Superman returns, uncomfortable alliances are formed. But the viper cannot be trusted. Conner Kent, anyone?
SCOPE: The best finale I can think of as of now!