BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE

FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND

Ground-level shot on Lex’s feet, chained together, now wearing an orange prison jumpsuit. The buzzing of an electric razor can be heard. A strand of red hair lands on his foot.

Medium shot on Lex, the prison barber shaving away the long hair on his scalp. He stares ahead at us, shaking. However, he shows only a stern, cold, and certainly evil glare. Blurred in the background, another man washes two half-naked prisoners with a hose.

Another medium shot on Lex, this time with a white towel over his bowed head. The barber removes the cloth, revealing his hairless scalp. His hair will not be growing back. Slowly, he turns his head up to face us yet again, no longer shaking, his transformation complete. This coincides with his villainous deeds now being public knowledge — his metaphorical mask comes away to reveal the true villainous face of the iconic Lex Luthor. The two prison guards in the background now approach and lift him to his feet to reveal he is thoroughly chained up. His ID tag is 16-TK-421, a Star Wars (1977) reference to one of the Stormtroopers impersonated by Han and Luke aboard the Death Star.

“When you see the movie, you’ll see it’s the greatest scene that I’ve ever gotten to take part in — it accounts for the change in hair.”

Jesse Eisenberg, Los Angeles Times, 8 January 2016

This is an excellent example of how Snyder gives weight to the iconography of these characters. Rather than losing his hair in an accident or just being naturally bald, Lex gains his most iconic physical feature as a result of having successfully defeated his nemesis — his head shaved after being imprisoned for his unforgivable acts. From here on, that is the association his appearance will carry. It is now a mark of hatred, his philanthropic façade totally destroyed to symbolically reveal the true supervillain.

Cut to a printing machine at a printing press. There is no sound. Pan left and move down the row of machines to see Perry watching them work. We approach him as he walks over to the conveyor to retrieve a fresh new paper. On the back is an article titled, “Batman Befriends Superman Near End.” Perry turns, and we close to a shoulder shot on the front page, dominated by the headline…

SUPERMAN DEAD

NIGHT OF TERROR MORNING OF LOSS

The article is written by Lois Lane. The accompanying image is the Superman shield that can be found engraved on the ground beneath the Superman statue. The headline is a likely a reference to a page from Action Comics #685 (1993), which takes place in the aftermath of Superman’s death. Then Perry turns the page.

The first article on the page is for Clark Kent written by Deborah Jurvis (the film’s art department coordinator). The photo was taken by Clay Enos (the film’s set photographer and a close friend of Zack Snyder). Here is the article…

Daily Planet Reporter Clark Kent Killed Reporting Gotham Battle

One Of Our Own Clark Kent Will Be Missed

Clark Kent was one of our own, and he will be sorely missed. Clark was one of two reporters who stayed in Gotham to cover the Battle that raged over the skies of both Metropolis and Gotham, and eventually would claim the life of not only Mr. Kent, but of Superman as well. The exact circumstances of his death are still coming to light, but we do know that he was killed doing what he loved. Clark Kent was born in Kansas in 1980, and came to Metropolis only two years ago. On the recommendation of fellow reporter and friend Lois Lane, he was hired to the Daily Planet as a junior reporter and quickly rose through the ranks. His insights and investigative skills were immediately apparent, he was assigned to follow bigger and bigger stories for The Daily Planet, and broke several of his own. His capacity for getting to the essence and truth of a story was rewarded last year when he received the Elliot Prize for Investigative Journalism for the second time. This was a first for any of the reporters on staff at The Daily Planet. He worked tirelessly to make sure that his reporting was not only in-depth, but that it was able to connect to the common man. He was thorough and dogged in his pursuit of any story he was reporting. From the smaller human interest stories to the larger news of national interest, his grace, style and never ending charm will be sorely missed. Clark was an only child and is survived by his mother Martha Kent. He will be buried in a small private ceremony outside Smallville, Kansas on the family farm.

After that, the text simply repeats itself. Perry taking the time to focus on this page also hints as his own sorrow towards the death of the principled journalist. This ties into the proceeding funeral sequences, where Perry shows up at the wake up the Kent farm.

To the right is another article that takes up most of the page, written by Gavin Evans (fictional). Special thanks to rizahmad on Tumblr for transcribing the full article as best they could, but take note that many sections are offscreen or too difficult to read, so some bits are missing…

LEX LUTHOR Arrested In Connection With Capitol Bombing

The arrest of Mr. Alexander Joseph Luthor yesterday has shed new light on recent investigations into the bombing of the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.. Luthor, who is currently being held without bail at the Belle Reve Penitentiary Prison, has proved uncooperative when questioned by authorities according to our sources. Mr. Luthor has been arraigned on 36 Federal Charges. Federal and local law enforcement believe this number will rise as the investigation expands. Court ordered search warrants were issued to Lex Luthor and the Board of Directors of his multi-billion dollar franchise, Lexcorp. Giving the FBI widespread access to his private residence, Corporate offices, and Lexcorp Research Labs. Forensics has already linked a proprietary metallurgical compound specific to an undisclosed project developed by LexCorp with the attack. According to sources close to the FBI, a particulate found in LexCorp Research Labs during the search matches the wheelchair at the crime scene, it is evident that a wheelchair made from this material was used as the vehicle to transport the bomb into the building, undetected by the Capitol’s stringent security measures. It appears that a sophisticated plot devised and executed by Mr. Luthor to discredit Superman was the foundation of this subversive and deadly attack. The bombing at the Captiol has taken the lives of 12 senators including Senator June Finch of Kentucky and produced another 57 casualties, among those, some of the most respected members of the public and press. Senator Finch had called the widely publicized hearing to assess Superman’s involvement in the recent massacre in Nairobi, which killed sixty men, women and children and injured dozens more in Mali. Investigations into LexCorp’s involvement in this incident are currently underway. False claims that Superman’s influence in the region caused this collateral damage have since been dismissed too little, too late for our city’s hero. Superman’s fight for what is good in the world had come under scrutiny since the bombing. Many believed that he had become a vigilante, spurring protests across the city and nationally.

Congress had summoned Superman to appear before a congressional subcommittee. The subcommittee, chaired by Senator Finch, had convened to ask him about his…

…particularly during the alien attack over Metropolis. The list of his heroics grew every day. However, some felt that an unchecked power as great as Superman undermines the US government in its abilities to conduct the business of the people both at home and abroad. …

… This in hindsight seems petty and near-sighted given the ultimate sacrifice paid by Superman. Lex Luthor will surely be judged in history for his part in the downfall of one of humanities’ biggest assets. A peacekeeper in a world dying of a thousand cuts. …

… The authorities now know that Mr. Luthor had made it his purpose in life to destroy the reputation of Superman and turn the tide of public opinion against the super hero. All for the narcissistic gain of a troubled young man.

Recall prior when Perry mentioned the idea for a new article titled, “End of Love Affair with Man in the Sky?” That was pure clickbait. What we see here is pure truth. No sensationalism. Just the tragic reality. Lastly, recall when he said, “No one buys papers period, Kent.” In stark contrast to the overwhelming broadcast media presence throughout the film, we never see another television, website article, or talking head again in the film. We see only newspapers, old-fashioned, and the stream of controversy is gone. No more talking heads. Just the reality of Superman’s death in service of humanity.

Ground-level shot of an empty Metropolis street, strewn with torn newspapers blown across the asphalt by the wind, connecting the prior shot. Gently dolly right across the street to absorb the lonely environment.

Cut to a small monument, circled by a funnel of autumn leaves. Still, there are no people, only the wind stirring the atmosphere. Yet again, we dolly right.

Cut to the Metropolitan Barber Shop, a waist-level shot moving left to push on an empty chair. Still, the place is empty.

Cut to Harry’s Sandwich shop, again deserted, and the establishment is closed with chairs stored upside-down on the tables. We dolly through the lonely tables.

Cut to the Daily Planet. The first thing in view is display case on a wall containing a newspaper with the headline “KENNEDY DEAD”. A Daily Planet paper, it is almost identical to the “SUPERMAN DEAD” front page, with the only basic visual difference being the name and photo. The camera dollies right to give us a view of the office, and of course, we can see the place is totally deserted.

Before, the streets were filling with protesters and rioters, and the media was throwing around controversy and inciting outrage. But now, the world is silent. All the anger and hate has ended with Superman’s sacrifice. Humanity has been silenced by the selflessness of the being they feared and hated. The world has been humbled by his heroism.

Flyover shot of the Kent Farm back in Smallville, approaching to circle the quaint Kansas house. A procession of cars is parked in a line up to the house. Guests in black are scattered outside the porch, showing up to mourn Martha Kent’s son. The leafless trees surrounding the house are a fitting result after all the falling leaf imagery, representing the final death the film has built to. A light fog has fallen over the environment, creating a soft glow around the low-hanging sun on the horizon.

Close-up on dishes of warm food on a table, panning right as someone places another dish down.

Cut to the kitchen through the open doorway. A woman (Zack Snyder’s wife, producer Deborah Snyder) exits the kitchen carrying another dish, passing by to reveal Perry White and Jenny Jurwich enter, removing their coats which are graciously taken. Beside the doorway is billionaire Ayman Hariri, Zack Snyder’s friend and founder of social media platform Vero, making yet another cameo here.

Inside the kitchen. Pete Ross (Joseph Cranford) is speaking to Father Leone (Coburn Goss), reprising their roles from Man of Steel. Perry and Jenny shake hands with the two family friends and exchange silent words. Then they step under the doorframe, noticing Martha Kent standing over the open casket at the far end of the house across the dining room.

Perry turns to share a look with Jenny.

Cut to Clark’s chest, his injury disguised by the black suit he now wears and will be buried in. Martha gently slips a photo under his arm, depicting the late Jonathan Kent holding a fishing rod and catch, metaphorically tying father and son together in death — finally reunited after having both expressed how they miss each other on the mountaintop. Both of them lived trying to do what is right, suffered unintended consequences as a result of their actions, found hope in the ones they loved most, and then died for them.

Then Martha lovingly holds Clark’s hands. She visibly sniffles, trying to hold back her tears. Both her husband and her son are gone now, but both died heroes.

Martha Kent: “I’m just… I’m worried they’ll take you away from me.”

Clark Kent: “I’m not going anywhere, Mum. I promise.”

Man of Steel, 2013

Top-down shot of Lois lying on a bed looking up at the miniature solar system mobile hanging in the foreground (now owned by Zack Snyder’s son Cash), whereupon the focus is. We can assume this is Clark’s room, in turn indicating his childhood fascination with space. It makes sense for Lois to be here, where she can feel closest to him. Her positioning in the frame also situates her as a body amid the solar system — literally Clark’s world.

Lois’ eyes flutter to indicate she may be on the verge of tears yet again.

“We get to see Martha’s bedroom and a portion of Clark’s childhood bedroom, with warm and comfortable pale grey-blue wallpaper from before Clark’s parents’ time. I contrasted the homey Farm Club awards on his wall with other mementos like Science Club, and noted his interest in Space with the mobile planets hung in his room.”

Carolyn Roucks, Set Decor, 9 May 2016

“This is Clark’s room, and of course Clark would have a mobile of planets above his bed because of his love of and/or fascination with his own origins.”

Zack Snyder, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Director’s Commentary, 2021, 2:44:17

Then, for the first time since the communion scene, we hear sound in the form of the bedroom door handle opening, getting Lois’ attention. The door swings open beside Clark’s hooked outfits, further establishing his presence in the atmosphere with their plaid country style. Martha steps in with a small parcel.

“Hi,” she whispers.

Lois sits up, eyes damp, and musters a smile.

Martha looks down at the parcel in her hands. “Clark had this sent here so he can surprise you,” she explains. She offers it parcel to Lois. This might be a callback to the bathroom scene, where Clark said he wanted to surprise Lois with a dinner he would prepare himself, and now we learn he also wanted to surprise her with this. As usual, Clark prefers to do things the human way, mailing the package instead of flying it by hand.

1226 Fourth Street

Metropolis, DM 20252

Mr Clark Kent

Rural Route 16

Smallville, Kansas, 66528

Lois takes the package.

Martha reaches a comforting hand to Lois’ cheek. Looking up at the elderly woman, Lois holds it there with her own.

Then Martha sniffles and turns away, heading out of the quaint bedroom with a hand to cover her mouth, overwhelmed by emotions.

Now alone, Lois opens the package and retrieves a small black cloth pouch. She empties its contents into her palm: a humble diamond ring, Clark’s final gift to her. She takes it in her fingers, holding the gift up and smiling.

Close-up on her fingers, nearly slipping the ring on as she turns it over to examine it.

Then her smile fades. Tears welling up, she puts a hand on her chest and closes her eyes as bagpipes come in.

SCENE OVERVIEW

As Lex is incarcerated as a result of Lois’ investigation, civilisation has been put on pause as humanity honours the limitless selflessness of the man who saved the world, hinting at humanity’s own transformation. In Smallville, Clark’s friends and family have gathered for his funeral, and Lois receives his last gift to her: a humble wedding ring.

SCENE ANALYSIS

The empty streets and businesses hint at the grief that has fallen over humanity following Superman’s death. Humbled by his sacrifice in saving humanity from a monster of its own creation, the world joins in a prolonged silence. Everyone is out mourning the world’s greatest hero. This is complemented by the total absence of sound besides the music, with the only exception being the sequence with Lois and Martha in Clark’s room. Essentially, the film has a moment of silence for its biggest hero.

Lex shaving his head not only finalises his design as the iconic supervillain, but it also clues us in that he is far from done. Having only just become bald, we know there will be more to see from Lex Luthor.

Musical analysis coming soon.

BEHIND THE SCENES

According to Zack Snyder in the director’s commentary (2:15:03) Lex’s Belle Reve prison was a set constructed at an unknown location in Illinois. The shooting date is unknown. Jesse Eisenberg’s very real hair was shaved off by a professional barber, Thomas J Fentress.

@ohiodavee: “Quick question. Jesse [Eisenberg’s] hair in BvS, was that real or a wig?”

Zack Snyder: “It was a wig, but when we shaved it off it was real hair.”

Vero, 12 July 2018

According to Detroit Free Press, the Daily Planet printing press was filmed at the press room of Detroit Legal News, 2001 West Lafayette Boulevard, Detroit, Michigan. The filming date is uncertain. On Vero, Clay Enos posted photos of the printers.

The empty streets were shot on 9 November 2014. The distant roadblocks were digitally removed in the final film. That day, Clay Enos took this photo of Zack Snyder. The first shot of the montage is looking North from 228 South Clark Street. The monument is the Chicago Board of Trade’s statues on 116 West Jackson Boulevard, one statue representing agriculture and the other representing industry, symbolising the values that built Chicago. The Metropolitan Barber Shop is on 56 West Van Buren Street. Harry’s Sandwich Shop occupies the same building on 336 South Dearborn Street.

The Kent Farm was shot at 5498 Schoolhouse Road, Yorkville, Illinois. The house was constructed for Man of Steel and then demolished after principal photography. In late October 2013, lights were spotted at the location, and on 26 November, the Yorkville Patch confirmed the farm was being reconstructed for the film’s sequel. There are progress photos for November and December 2013, and Heather Westmoreland photographed the finished house. Chicago Tribune reported that filming in Illinois would begin in fall, and Reel Chicago confirmed “winter scenes” would be shot in November for “one to two weeks.” Base camp was set up at the Whitetail Ridge Golf Club during filming. At the time, one resident claimed she was unable to reach her local polling place to cast her vote on election day due to road closures for filming. While there, set photographer Clay Enos photographed this atmospheric tree, set costumer Kate Abraham photographed the farm, and Larry Fong recorded Snyder throwing corn at his camera. By 4 October 2016, the house was sadly demolished yet again, presumably after filming at the site for Justice League.

“Literally the electricians, camera guys. My script supervisor’s child is the kid [in the scene].”

Zack Snyder, BuzzFeed, 26 March 2016

“Now what we did here was, this was all of us, all the crew, because we didn’t want people to know, so we tried to keep it to only the most intimate people of the crew so there wouldn’t be a lot of extras around to blow the ending that Superman died, so this was all pretty much us.”

Zack Snyder, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Watch Party, 29 March 2020