Audiences of the modern generation tend to think of Christopher Nolan’sDark Knighttrilogy orLoganas the first films of their kind to make a splash from a critical standpoint. However, Christopher Reeve’sSupermanwas asuperheromovie that had already been nominated for four Academy Awards, a Golden Globe, and six BAFTAs as far back as 1978. Whilethe genre did struggle to find its feet during the ’90s, the ’00s have proven to be the most amazing thing to ever happen to it since Marvel and DC opened their doors.
With the massive success of the MCU, the lesser achievements of the DCEU, and everything in between, superhero movies have firmly entrenched themselves as one of the most significant genres in cinema today. With the roles of famous heroes becoming some of the most coveted roles around, many actors are constantly trying to keep their ear to the ground for news of when the next big part will become available.
While most of the core superheroes have already had more than one film, there are still plenty of cool characters out there who have yet to have a superhero film dedicated to them.
As we gear up for the next phase of the MCU, which will finally introducethe likes of the X-Menand Fantastic Fourto the world of the Avengers, James Gunn is also busy rebooting the DCU. What this all spells for comic fans is the opportunity to see a lot more famous heroes pop up on screen than ever. In light of this, here’s a look at 10 superheroes who deserve their own movie, but have never had one to date.
10Martian Manhunter
One of the reasons why so manyfans were thrilled with the Zack Snyder cut ofJustice Leagueis that it gave us a glimpse of the larger story that had always been planned for that timeline. One of the best glimpses we got came at the end of the film when theMartian Manhuntershows up at the end and reveals himself to Bruce Wayne. What we see in the cameo is that he had been masquerading as General Swanwick all along and was, therefore, played by Harry Lennix.
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He Has an Array of Super Powers
That cameo set up the promise of a bigger role for the characterin the future. However, for fans of the comics who know him well, he’s actually a prominent enough character that he could easily feature in a standalone film. Known as J’onn J’onzz, he’s been a pivotal DC character since 1955 and is one of the last known survivors of the Martian race.
Possessing an incredible array of abilities, he can change his form at will, is a telepath, can phase through solid objects, has strength and agility, can fly, and can turn invisible. As the last of his kind, he often possesses a ton of depth as a character with some very emotional arcs that see him often being one of the most intriguing members of the Justice League.
9Adam Warlock
Originally created simply as “Him,“Adam Warlockis the creation of a group known as the Enclave in Marvel Comics. Often a part of the Guardians of the Galaxy universe, he was designed to be the perfect human.
He evolves after an encounter with the High Evolutionary, and while he’s a synthetic being with cosmic powers, he’s alsoimmensely strong, possesses the power of the soul gem, an infinity stone that grants him the power to manipulate souls, reanimate the dead, and travel between dimensions.
We’ve Already Seen Him in the MCU
Extremely powerful, Warlock has super speed, strength, flight, cosmic blasts, and the ability to manipulate cosmic energy. Although both a hero and anti-hero at times, he’s mostly known for taking on the likes of Thanos in order to stop him gaining ultimate power.Showing up in an underwhelming manner inGuardians of the Galaxy 3,he was played by Will Poulter and briefly displayed what an amazing character he would make for a solo movie.
8Doctor Fate
As a cornerstone character from DC,Doctor Fatecan trace his comic book heritage right back to 1940. As a very powerful sorcerer, it’s easy to imagine that he’s DC’s version of Dr. Strange, except that he was created more than 20 years prior, meaning Dr. Strange is more like Marvel’s Doctor Fate.
Also known as Kent Nelson, he wears the ancient Helmet of Fate, which grants him incredible magical abilities. As a mantle character, over the years, many characters have taken on the mantle of Doctor Fate.
He was Introduced inBlack Adam
While he was never even given a prominent showing in a movie, leave alone his own film,Black Adamdid finally showcase Doctor Fate, who was played by Pierce Brosnan in that film. While it was a great introduction for the character,now that the DCEU has been scrapped, it’s uncertain where any of this will lead and whether we will end up seeing Doctor Fate in his own film down the line.
As one of Marvel’s most complex and powerful superheros, it’s hard to believe thatSentrystill hasn’t been seen in a movie. However, he is very much a new-age hero as he only began showing up in comics in 2000. However, with the power of a million exploding suns, flight, and invulnerability,he’s basically Marvel’s Supermanand seems set to begin playing a larger role in their movies soon.
He Has a Very Dark and Complicated Side Too
Deeply complex as well,he has a dark alter egoknown as the Void. This part of him represents his destructive side and makes him a very dangerous character, despite how helpful he can be as a hero. Between mental struggles like schizophrenia and amnesia that inhibit him from being a straight-laced hero, he’s certainly one that would play well in a movie since he can encompass plenty of action while intertwining it with a lot of depth and intrigue too.
The Sentry will finally make his live-action debut in 2025’sThunderbolts*,played by Lewis Pullman.
6Green Arrow
Going by the alias Oliver Queen, DC’sGreen Arrowis a fascinating character. Making his first comic appearance back in 1941, he mirrored the popular Robin Hood archetype. Like that famous character, he also comes from a wealthy and privileged background. However, he later transforms into a vigilante-style hero after he’s stranded on an island, with the horrific experience turning him from an arrogant playboy to someone who learns to care deeply for social justice.
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He combines his immense skill with archery with his commitment to fighting injustice and has been a staple of DC for many decades now. As a screen character, the now famous Arrowverse is credited for basically resurrecting DC on the small screen. Growing intoa massive multiversal treat for comic fans, despite all it accomplished and how terrific it was, the character has still somehow never been in a live-action movie of his own.
5Namor the Sub-Mariner
We’ve already gotten a pretty good idea of how strong and powerfulNamor the Sub-Marinercan be from his haunting appearance inBlack Panther: Wakanda Forever.Created back in 1939, he’s one of Marvel’s oldest characters. Also thought of as Marvel’s first mutant, he’s liketheir version of Aqua Man, a hybrid son of a sea captain and a Princess of the mythical water city of Atlantis. Amid his aquatic abilities, he’s also able to fly, has super strength, and agility.
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The Character Was Re-imagined On-Screen
Often portrayed as both a hero and a complex anti-hero, he’s been a major character for decades but has never managed to garner his own movie. After showing up spectacularly inWakanda Forever,he’s now shown what an amazing character he can be. Played by Tenoch Huerta, the character was given a re-imagining as one with Mesoamerican roots.
Time will tell whether he gets his own filmin the future, though it’s already clear that he’s certainly a character that could hold his own as a standalone hero.
As Jennifer Walters, an ordinary lawyer, she already had a connection to the Hulk from being Bruce Banner’s cousin. However, that link changed dramatically when she received a blood transfusion from him and became She-Hulk. In that form, she possesses Hulk-like strength but has the advantage of retaining control over her regular personality and intelligence.
She Can Also Break the Fourth Wall
A unique character, she’s become known for her humor and unusual traits, like alsobreaking the fourth wall the way Deadpool does. While her role in th MCU has already commenced via the Disney+ show that started in 2022, She-Hulk has never received a standalone movie for herself despite being a popular character for over forty years now.
A character created by Marvel back in 1976,Novais also known as Richard Ryder, a character who later joins the now famous inter-galactic space force known as the Nova Corps. He inherits his powers from a dying alien, leaving him with the ability to fly, display super resistance to being injured, super strength — abilities that are all powered by the Nova Force.
He May Be on His Way to the MCU
Sharing a kind of cosmically applicable dual identity, Nova often finds himself torn between being a superhero on Earth and a space hero who often comes into contact with the likes ofthe Guardians of the Galaxy. AsAvengers: Infinity Warhinted at the destruction of Xandar, many fans believe this was a set-up to introduce Nova to the MCU at some point.
As one of the core members of the X-Men,Cyclopshas now appeared in numerous films and been played by three different actors so far — namely James Marsden in the main continuum from the original movies, Tye Sheridan in the films that delved into the X-Men’s earlier years, and Tim Pocock, who briefly portrayed a younger version of him inX-Men Origins: Wolverine.
Despite his numerous appearances, there are many X-Men fans who bemoan the fact that he’s often been pushed to the side and never been given the kind of treatment in films that fit the true gravitas of the character.
He’s Always Been One of the Core Members of the X-Men
To that end, Cyclops is a huge character from X-Men lore. Not only is he the team’s first and most popular leader, he was one of the original members of the X-Men when they were first created by Jack Kirby and Stan Lee back in 1963.
The films have never fully explored how powerful he can be, since he doesn’t actually shoot optic blasts from his eyes but actually opens up two tiny portals that summon energy from another dimension made purely of kinetic energy. We’ve also never seen the true extent of how deep and complex his story arcs can get, as Wolverine usually got the more significant roles,with Scott even being killed off early on inX-Men: The Last Stand,so Logan could save the day.
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To that end, he’s had complex romances with the likes of Jean Grey, Madelyne Pryor, and Emma Frost, is the father of Cable, and has had some amazing arcs that involve the famous villain, Mr. Sinister.
To many, there has always been a gross under-use of the character, with many fans calling for him to play a much larger role in the X-Men’s reboot within the MCU. Better yet, to properly explore what a famous and layered character Cyclops actually is, a solo movie for the character would be ideal.
While Batman may take most of the plaudits when it comes to this DC universe,Robinhas grown to become a character that has featured just as prominently. Underscoring his popularity is the fact that Batman and Robin have become a package deal in so many universes.
Whilehe’s featured in many roles, including animated movies, been a large part of DC series featuring the character, played a prominent part inThe Dark Knight Rises,and was one of the titular characters inBatman & Robin,the character has never quite been able to land a solo movie for himself despite more than deserving one for all the fame he’s acquired by beingBatman’s sidekick.
He’s Grown to Forge a Path for Himself as a Standalone Hero
Although classically known as Batman’s sidekick and even his son in some versions, over the years, Robin has carved a massive fan base for himself as a character. His role through various iterations of the character and involvement in some of DC’s darkest and most famous storylines have earned Robin a ton of respect as a main character in his own right, one perfectly capable of holding his own in a standalone movie.
