8 Superheroes Who Deserve a Reboot
We’re living in a golden age of comic book adaptations, thanks to massive franchises like the MCU. The problem with such franchises, or rather one of the problems, is we often end up with restricted vision. Without intending to, we inevitably see what these franchises do as untouchable, and everything outside of their scope is not worth our time. This gradually influences our attitudes, and solidifies characters we deem “good” or “bad.” Which is only part of the picture. There are many great characters who have never come to the screen, and many who received unsuccessful projects and have since been dismissed. No character should ever be completely written-off because of a shoddy film. Redemption is possible.
Looking at the current landscape of superhero films, there’s a divide between characters who are popular and those who have been cast out, which is massively based on what the films are doing. Before 2008, Iron Man was a B-level character who hadn’t offered many interesting comic books. Now, they’re one of the most popular characters in existence. Whereas Green Lantern, who has seen fantastic comic book success for decades, is relentlessly ridiculed by contemporary cinema audiences because of one film. This pattern of thinking blindly ignores the fact no character has ever had a smooth ride. There’s a long history of characters entering darker periods, some of which consistently bounce between death and resurrection in public perception. Even hugely bankable characters like Batman and Spider-Man found themselves hitting a cinematic dead end, and the romance never died. So I want to focus on the other heroes. The ones we’ve let drift away into cinematic purgatory.
Below are a series of comic book creations who don’t currently reign supreme after one or more unsuccessful films, and whom I believe deserve another chance. I’ve considered not only why this needs to happen, but also how it could be achieved. Some of these characters didn’t have an entirely bad time (although most did), so this is less about resurrecting and more about revitalising.
Grab your cape and cowl, and join me as we fly the flag for team optimism.
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8. The Hulk (Marvel)
Previous films - Hulk (2003), The Incredible Hulk (2008)
Why? - Hulk is well loved by fans, but they’ve had a couple of questionable adaptations. Third time is the charm. We’re in good territory with Mark Ruffalo, because he’s already one of the best actors in the MCU, so a solo film has large appeal. They’ve spent so long as part of an ensemble, so it’s time to let the big green guy take the spotlight again.
How? - This is easy, because Marvel could make a solo film in the MCU starring Mark Ruffalo. There’s ample room after Avengers: Endgame and She-Hulk to flesh out more of the Hulk’s story. I know fans are dying to see an adaptation of ‘World War Hulk’, but personally I think they should write an original story. If it’s specifically designed for the MCU, rather than adapting and cramming another big comic book event story into a two hour film, they stand a better chance of getting it right.
7. Superman (DC)
Previous films - Superman (1978), Superman II (1980), Superman III (1983), Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987), Superman Returns (2006), Man of Steel (2013), Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)
Why? - I can hear Zack Snyder fans loading their cannons, but this is something they need to hear. Superman really isn’t in a good place. Whether fans want to admit it or not, the character is in a rut. He’s neither here nor there, he’s Henry Cavill but he’s not Henry Cavill, he’s scheduled for upcoming films but also isn’t. There’s one word to describe Superman’s current status: limbo. The original two Superman films were very good, but no other film since has made the same impact. Fans won’t want to hear it, but Man of Steel was a very divisive film. And when we’re talking about the most iconic superhero in the world, the first superhero ever, is “divisive” really the best we can expect?
How? - This isn’t easy to pitch. Henry Cavill could be a good Superman, but the writing did him no favours. Plus his attachment to the Snyder-Verse situation unfortunately complicates his involvement in future projects. Personally, I want to reset. Start fresh. Return to safe territory and open the doors to all things Superman, especially the villains. Superman & Lois is very highly rated, which is something I haven’t seen for a Superman film in my lifetime. That series proves it’s possible to make a modern adaptation of an old fashioned character, and make it accessible and enjoyable for a contemporary audience. The big screen could learn a lesson or two.
6. Ghost Rider (Marvel)
Previous films - Ghost Rider (2007), Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance (2011)
Why? - Marvel are currently introducing new blood with Phase Four, so it’d be fun to add a wild character into the mix. It’d be a chance to explore a rapidly growing darker side of the MCU, and offer fans a new flavour by having a hero who is rough around the edges. Visually they have a lot to offer, and whoever they cast in the role would have an amazing time. Marvel are getting weirder with projects like WandaVision, Loki and Moon Knight, so let’s keep turning that dial and see what happens.
How? - They could make a solo film, but I’d want this to take place off to the side of the main MCU. Make it more mature, maybe a higher rating like Deadpool, and focus less on making it tie into everything else. If they grow the character organically in their own solo films and throw them into ensembles later, it avoids the same issues a lot of superhero films have. The MCU is heading into darker territory with projects like Werewolf by Night, so a Ghost Rider film is a great step in that direction.
5. Robin (DC)
Previous films - Batman Forever (1995), Batman & Robin (1997)
Why? - It seems Robin is a tainted property after Batman & Robin. Christopher Nolan didn’t use any Robins, Zack Snyder opted to kill Robin off screen in his universe, and there’s no word on this from Matt Reeves yet. Given the wide range of Robins available and how vastly different they are, it’s time we start seeing more from them beyond being a sidekick. The small screen has used three Robins in Titans, so why is Hollywood scared of the boy wonder(s)?
How? - Make a great solo film, plain and simple. Keep Batman off in the shadows as a background character, and give Robin time in the spotlight. I’d be happy to see them adapt any of the Robins, but personally I’d make a Damian Wayne film and show the legacy of Robins. Start with the latest Robin then lift the veil to show his predecessors, building a story where the Robins are appreciated and their differences are celebrated. And if we get a film where Nightwing and Damian Wayne team up, even better.
4. Blade (Marvel)
Previous films - Blade (1998), Blade II (2002), Blade: Trinity (2004)
Why? - The character sells itself. A half vampire, half human bad-ass who hunts vampires. They’ve fought Dracula, they’re a horror icon in their own right, they possess the strengths of a vampire but without the weaknesses, and they’re one of the most skilled fighters in Marvel lore. In summary: they’re awesome.
How? - This is easier to imagine because it’s genuinely happening. Mahershala Ali has been cast as Blade in the MCU, which is incredible considering he’s one of the best actors of our time. Details of this project remain up in the air, following recent news the director has exited and the script is being re-written. Either way, this should be a higher certificate rating and should exist in a smaller pocket of the MCU. I’d want this to be similar to my Ghost Rider pitch. Keep the door open for Blade to join the rest of the MCU for ensemble films, but let the character explore the darker side of the MCU in their solo films. Werewolf by Night is the perfect jumping on point for Ghost Rider, Blade and other characters to build the MCU’s horror pocket, so all Marvel Studios need to do is keep expanding. This could eventually lead to a more diverse and weird Avengers roster, just like Jason Aaron is currently writing in the comic books, where Blade and Ghost Rider are on the Avengers team.
3. Supergirl (DC)
Previous film - Supergirl (1984)
Why? - I know Supergirl found a safe home on the small screen on the CW network, but the character is too good to be limited to just one medium. It might be a controversial opinion, but Supergirl is far more interesting than Superman. The CW series has finished, so it’s time to give her a damn film!
How? - I’m aware the character is going to be portrayed by Sasha Calle in the Flash film, when it eventually releases in 2050, so I don’t think a solo film is too much to ask for. Much like with Superman, the key to this character is simplicity. If writers try to make stories too big and self-important then they easily fall flat. It’s best to start small and build upwards. Simple story, but a complex character, what’s not to like?
2. Green Lantern (DC)
Previous film - Green Lantern (2011)
Why? - This is one of the key victims to cinema’s influence. Not only have we kicked a character to the curb, but an entire mythos has gone with them. There’s so much interesting territory with Green Lantern, so the fact they’re now dismissed after one film is a poor effort from fans worldwide. They’re a key player in DC lore, multiple Green Lanterns have been members of the Justice League (including Hal Jordan as a founding member), and the Green Lantern ring offers unlimited opportunities for exciting visual spectacle. It’s time we all shake off the negativity, and open our minds to the possibilities Green Lantern can offer.
How? - I have so many ideas. There isn’t just one character to play with, it’s an entire Green Lantern Corps. Beyond that there’s also the other Lantern Corps colours and the politics between them. You could build an entire cinematic universe based on the Green Lantern comic books alone. However, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. For now, start simple. Either, give Hal Jordan their origin and do it properly this time, or make a legacy film similar to my Robin pitch. Make the film about the two most recent Green Lanterns, Jessica Cruz and Simon Baz, and show them going on a journey into the rich history of the Green Lanterns. Kyle Rayner, John Stewart, Guy Gardner, Hal Jordan, all the way back to Alan Scott in the 1940s. Take the audience on the same journey of discovery the characters are going through. Start simple and then open the doors to the entire Green Lantern lore across a number of films.
1. Fantastic Four (Marvel)
Previous films - Fantastic Four (2005), Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007), Fantastic Four (2015)
Why? - There’s a whole number of reasons this should happen. Their powers are interesting, they’re a fun comic book property, they have some of the best villains of all time, the family dynamic is accessible and complex, they have exciting sci-fi adventures, I could go on. But the main argument is they are literally the most important Marvel property. Jack Kirby and Stan Lee’s original Fantastic Four comic books birthed the Marvel universe as we know it, and debuted a whole army of other characters. Fantastic Four are the centre of the spider’s web, and without them we don’t get to anything else, and we don’t get to Marvel as we know it today. It is truly baffling that such an important and fun property has not succeeded on screen yet, but it could easily happen!
How? - Coincidentally, an FF project is already in development for the MCU. Directors changed recently from Jon Watts to Matt Shakman, so we’re still in safe hands. There are various different ways the FF could be introduced in the MCU, including the fan theory of mirroring Captain America’s story. Debut the team in the 1960s, trap them away for years via sci fi wibbly wobbly shenanigans, then have them re-emerge post Endgame. Personally, I think that idea opens more questions than it answers, so I’d go with the easier route of starting from scratch. I would even skip the origin story. It’s not only a story many people know, but it’s also very simple. The more you over-complicate a simple origin, the less interesting it becomes (looking at you Man of Steel, no one needs to spend nearly 25 minutes on Krypton for an origin story Grant Morrison told in a single page). I’d maybe show some brief flashbacks to the incident, but aside from that I’d focus on Marvel’s first family becoming the iconic heroes comic book fans love, and doing what they do best. Let the whacky sci-fi adventures ensue.
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There’s bound to be some controversial choices on the list, but I think all of them have a great opportunity to breathe new life into their respective characters. At the end of the day, nobody watches these films to see characters fail, and we’re all here to have a good time. I don’t see any reason to look negatively on characters just because of one stupid film.
There’s another lesson here. Don’t follow the crowd, don’t just go based on what’s happening on screen, pick up a damn comic book. Too many people mocked Aquaman for years, then saw the film and changed their minds. They would’ve reached this revelation years before if they’d picked up a comic book and understood the character, rather than jumping on the bandwagon. I place a lot of blame for this on the writers of The Big Bang Theory, who massively influenced opinions, despite knowing very little about comic books. But that’s a rant for another time.
Upon reading this list you might see this as an optimist simply going into overdrive, but I disagree. Looking at the list I’ve compiled, not only is it possible, but for some properties it’s already happening. One of the good things about big franchises is that anything is possible. In the space of this year alone Marvel are putting so many characters on screen. Moon Knight, Ms Marvel, She-Hulk, Namor the Submariner, heck even Man-Thing has joined the MCU. That’s awesome! I truly believe, that with the right project and the right creators, any character can succeed on the big screen. Watch this space. All of the characters listed above, their time is coming.
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