Superman gets lured off into space by Brainiac as explanation for the “disappearance;” Brainiac attaches himself to the spacecraft.

Lex cuts a deal with the government to patent his “alpha wave” invention which in turn results in some sort of disaster being averted. Lex is pardoned, makes millions, returns to Metropolis as a local hero bearing “miraculous” new technology (stolen from the Fortress, of course.)

Superman Returns and finds out Lois has a daughter (not a son, I have my reasons) and that Lex is using the Kryptonian technology for sinister purposes (i.e. the “Khandaqi” government is eager to buy this stuff in exchange for essentially becoming Lex’s very own puppet government that he can use to manipulate the world, as Khandaq is in the U.N.)

Lex seeks a super-powered ally to match Superman, who is being far too nosy regarding Lex’s illegal doings. His initial cloning experiments fail (setting Bizarro up for a sequel) and cause Lex to settle on the now-depowered Zod, who is rotting in prison. Lex visits Zod in prison and actually stabs Zod with a “Krystal” to repower him. The Krystal not only repowers Zod, but it reduces him in age to a younger man. But when Zod steps into pure sunlight for the first time, the Krystal reacts horrifically, transforming Zod into Doomsday (the comic character’s “bone” protrusions are replaced here by Kryptonian Krystal formations.)

Slugfest ensues. Superman wins but is rendered comatose. Lex escapes blame. Lois whispers to the comatose hero that her daughter “Kara” is Superman’s child. Superman hears this…as does the nanoprobe of Brainiac, who will now seek to claim the kid in a future movie. The ongoing merger of Brainiac with Superman’s ship (buried beneath the Kent farm) is briefly shown, Superman flies into the sunset, movie ends.

In summary, you set up Brainiac AND Bizarro, AND Supergirl without giving away too much, keep Lex out of prison but clearly as a villain, and you get a better climax than flying a rock into space, no matter how vicious the Kryptonite shanking turned out to be. If necessary, you can still include Lois Lane’s boyfriend, the “Why the World Doesn’t Need Superman” angle, and a few other things from SR, and the movie still works! At least to me!

How hard was that, REALLY?

They need to change Lex into the business man that he is in the comics, Smallville, and Animated DCU.

But who gives a damn about Singer and his dull Jesus Superman with the awful speeches and corny metaphors, when you got Morrison on All Star Superman? Not me certainly.

They ruined their chance with Luthor though. The last movie should have had him as “Business Lex.” He still could have been the “Hackman” Lex, having cut a deal with the government or something to get out of prison legally…even a presidential pardon for saving the world in Superman’s absence. Instead we get the same evil land-snatcher. A bald Headly Lamar. Don’t call him Heddy.