10 DC Characters That Deserve Their Own Major Blockbuster Movie

Jason Todd (Red Hood)

Batman and Robin is an iconic duo but DC fans know Robin is a far more complicated character than a mere sidekick. There are several different crime fighters who stepped into the position of being Robin but some of these sidekicks grew to become very layered characters in the DC Universe. Dick Grayson, who later became Nightwing, will be the star of his own upcoming film but Jason Todd hasn’t yet received the major big screen makeover treatment. Our fingers are crossed that he will see a solo theater debut soon. Jason Todd once filled in the role of Robin but he was presumed dead after a run in with the Joker. Eventually he reemerged as Red Hood but kept the same violent and compulsive tendencies that put his relationship with Batman in trouble in the first place. Red Hood is violent and relentless when it comes to criminals, which was behavior Batman didn’t want to tolerate. With Nightwing coming to the big screen soon, it could be the perfect time for Jason Todd’s story to be told as well.

Power Girl

When the Supergirl we all know as Kara gets all grown up, she becomes the super-powered bombshell known as Power Girl. We’ve seen Kara as Supergirl hold down her own TV series but keep in mind that these are the days where Superman’s younger cousin is having her own coming-of-age story. Supergirl follows Kara as she unlocks the true potential of her powers while also hoping to define her own moral compass and not get killed in the process. This origin story feel is a relatable tale in the sense of what it offers from a perspective of trying to grow and mature in the midst of trying circumstances. Powergirl’s story, on the other hand, is pretty much made to showcase epic battles and let Kara really start to flex her muscles for any DC fans that have ever doubted her. She’s a far more complex character at this point and she’s already a more developed hero. Wonder Woman proved a strong female could hold down the lead role in a major superhero flick but Power Girl could be the movie that gives us all the female-led fighting scenes we’ve ever wanted.

Batwoman

It feels a bit surprising that Batwoman has been a character lurking in the shadows and out of the attention of mainstream media for so long. Batwoman’s story is one that is fascinating and relatable for many DC fans and also could provide a golden opportunity for some social commentary. Before she was Batwoman, Kate Kane had been dismissed from the military for being a lesbian. This dramatic point in her life threw her into a downward spiral where she became a party girl with no cause and no focus. Bumping into Batman, however, would eventually change that. Kate’s run in with Batman inspired her to become a bat-themed crime fighter herself but she didn’t necessarily believe in the principles set by Bruce Wayne’s alter-ego. The moral ambiguity Batwoman introduces would be fascinating to see unfold on the big screen and it also means Batman would have to make a meaningful cameo.

Birds of Prey

Now that Batgirl is already slated to have a big screen debut conversations about a Birds of Prey movie seem only right. Of course, the likelihood of such a film would depend on just how successful the Batgirl movie turns out to be since Batgirl is a core member of the iconic group of heroines. A Birds of Prey movie wouldn’t have to focus solely on Batgirl either but rather further explore the depths of what happens after Batgirl, or Barbara Gordon, becomes a handicapped heroine by the name of Oracle instead.

The added bonus of a Birds of Prey film is the simple fact that Barbara Gordon wouldn’t be the only captivating character in the bunch. There isn’t a single main character in Birds of Prey that isn’t worthy of screen time. The brutal former mafia princess Huntress and the time-displaced 1940s heroine Lady Blackhawk are compelling characters that would bring a unique presences to the big screen. It goes without saying, however, that Black Canary would have to be another key highlight of the film.

Teen Titans

The Teen Titans have to be one of the most beloved groups of young crime fighters in the entire DC universe. The group of young heroes has garnered a cult-like following from two completely separate generations of DC fans. The “New Teen Titans” comics from the 80s allowed many readers to fall in love with the colorful cast of characters. Once the Teen Titans earned mainstream spotlight in their own TV series on Cartoon Network, a new generation of fans had officially become enamored with the group. Robin, Beast Boy, Raven, Starfire and Cyborg all brought unique personalities and powers to one platform in a way that had something special for everybody. Whether it was seeing the story of an outsider adjusting to a new world or even seeing a young sidekick step into the role of a leader, the dynamic of the relationships between the Teen Titans seemed fascinating enough to earn a big screen appearance. Once you also factor in the epic battles and the diverse cast of villains and challenges that came their way, a Teen Titans film just seems like it would be a guaranteed success.

Static Shock

There was once a time when dreams of a movie based on Static Shock seemed like they would finally become reality. Back in 2015, the rumor mill spurred out suggestions that Jaden Smith was slated to take on the starring role in a film adaptation of Static Shock. Unfortunately, these rumors never amounted to an actual film. It’s a huge disappointment considering Static is yet another hero with fans that expand multiple generations. Fans were introduced to Static in the 90s but the animated television series Static Shock that kicked off in the 2000s really allowed his fanbase to flourish. In addition to having a pretty cool collection of powers and a well developed personality that evolved over time, Static also helped shine on a light on a community that often gets overlooked in the comic book world. Static was not only fighting off villains but his journeys also served as a conversation piece for controversial topics like racism.

Zatanna

Zatanna Zatara is the resident magician of the DC Universe and while she’s no stranger to animated flicks, she hasn’t seen as much attention when it comes to live-action movies. Zatanna is a powerful wielder of magical abilities and her ancestry has a lot to do with this. Unlike many of DC’s most popular heroes, who spend much of their time keeping their abilities a secret from their families, Zatanna’s family history is the very reason she has her powers. Zatanna doesn’t actually know this in the beginning of her journey to becoming a full-fledged hero, but that’s what makes her origin story particularly interesting. Zatanna spent her early days as a stage magician while also attempting to shed some light on a rather mysterious family history. Taking the time to explore a hero’s origin story can easily cause certain superhero films to get hit with undeserved criticism for having a relatively slow pace overall but a story like Zatanna’s has the potential to be incredibly entertaining all while diving into the background that made her DC’s most powerful magician yet.

Darkseid

Suicide Squad served as a reminder that even villains can hold down their own films. Of course, Suicide Squad had bad guys that essentially acted as good guys but it also reminded the world that villains have dedicated fans too. If there had to be only one tried and true badass stomping his way around the DC universe and effortlessly intimidating all who cross his path, it would have to be Darkseid. Darkseid is a villain who barely has to move and he still just keeps treating DC’s most powerful heroes like rag dolls. His power, however, isn’t why he would make a great film. In fact, the very reason some people might detest the idea of a Darkseid film is further evidence of why he needs one.

Whether you’ve been seeing Darkseid’s appearances in the animated films or were just introduced to him through Injustice 2, you might be one of many who believe he is a powerful villain with no real substance. His voice lines in Injustice 2 all essentially say the same thing—I am a god and you can’t defeat me. Who Darkseid is as a villain, however, actually goes deeper than that. Sure, Darkseid is a powerful villain who could make for some great on-screen combat but the real gold in a Darkseid movie would be taking a dive into his origin story and exploring the layers to this character that are easily overlooked by those who haven’t been particularly interested in this character’s past. Just know that if you really assumed Darkseid is nothing more than a powerful god looking to bully the Justice League, you’ll find that there’s much more to his backstory than most of his mainstream appearances would suggest.

The Question

As his name suggests, The Question is a character shrouded in mystery. If you don’t carefully follow the comics it’s hard to have any real sense of clarity when it comes to The Question. The Question’s origins haven’t been as deeply and thoroughly explored as other DC heroes but a big screen debut would be a great place to finally tackle some of the many questions even the most dedicated fans still have about this character.

What we do know, however, is that the man behind The Question is known as Vic Sage. Before he became such a mysterious hero, he was a defiant orphan who couldn’t stay out of trouble. When he was finally old enough, he left the orphanage and went on to study journalism in college. While this may sound like the beginning of a feel good story, it’s not. His violent behavior didn’t vanish just because he started a collegiate career and even a job as a reporter couldn’t put a stop to Vic’s aggressive tendencies. So what else is there to do when you’re too violent to be a regular citizen? You become a faceless no-nonsense superhero whose real power is incredibly skilled detective work. Of course, The Question’s origins are far more layered than that and that’s exactly why he deserves to receive some big screen attention with a live action film to prove The Question is a character that is far cooler than his name suggests.

Captain Atom

Captain Atom tends to catch a bit of flack for being a rather cliche hero and a typical goody two shoes. Rather than floating around in a sea of moral ambiguity, Captain Atom has a steadfast loyalty to the U.S . Air Force despite the fact that they put him on a trial for a crime he didn’t commit. He’s just your average comic book boy scout…or so you would think at first glance. Captain Atom’s story in and of itself may seem a bit cliche at first—the government experiment gone wrong origin story isn’t anything new—but his moral compass isn’t as clear as some would think. A big screen debut for Captain Atom would allow more people to see the constant conflict he deals with knowing he feels loyal to the Air Force but also starts to find his way as a member of the Justice League. If that’s not enough to wet your palette for a Captain Atom movie, don’t forget just how powerful this underrated hero really is. He’s basically a human atomic bomb so, you know, that seems like it would make a pretty cool movie.