Six Superheroes We Want To See On Film By Hanane Zahrouni Hollywood has become addicted to adaptations and recreating great works, in particular with comic book characters and the trend seems no sign of abating. Even the movies ones that do not do well (Catwoman, Batman & Robin, Elektra and Superman Returns you know who you are…), gets remade either afterwards with a different cast or as prequels and spin-offs, which the studios hope will fare better second time round. Many superheroes in comics have established a cult following prior to their on screen debut, from Iron Man, Captain America and Thor, to Spiderman, Batman and the one and only, Superman. We have also witnessed the “lower tier” characters, such as Supergirl, Ghost Rider and John Constantine. Film journalists have criticized Blade (which got 55% on Rotten Tomatoes), since his character always seems more supporting than lead worth, yet even he wound up getting a trilogy of films. With a wealth of new comic book inspired films coming out this year (Captain America:
The Winter Soldier, The Amazing Spiderman 2, Guardians of the Galaxy and X-Men: Days of Future Past) here are six superheroes (and antiheroes) who have yet to been sprinkled with cinematic fairy dust and are more than deserving of their own silver screen moment. The Runaways (MARVEL COMICS): A group of super powered teenagers who discover their parents are associated with an evil crime organization. No not the Mafia, but a group called the Pride, comprised of mob bosses, dark wizards, mad scientists, alien invaders, telepathic mutants and time-travellers. We later learn the kids have inherited their parent’s powers and the group rebel to defeat their “nefarious parental.” It could be the kind of hybrid genre film that studios cannot resist. Many names for a cast have been put on the table and the film was in development for a while, but has been placed on a dusty shelf in order for the studios to make a success out of the Avengers. Now that they have accomplished that, let us resurrect this film and collect some of the great and up and coming actors to star in it, perhaps Emma Watson and Chloe Grace-Moretz to Abigail Breslin and Donald Glover? Darkhawk (MARVEL COMICS): Darkhawk or his alter ego, Christopher Powell is itching to be on the silver screen, if done correctly with the right director and screenwriter. A Marvel tinman of the 90’s, who is described as part Pater Parker, part Iron Man, Christopher Powell is a New York City teenager, who comes into contact with a amulet which can transfer himself into an avian android named Darkhawk. In previous story lines, after learning to control the power provided to him, he finds himself alongside the Guardians of the Galaxy, fighting away threats in space and possessing superhuman strength and the ability to survive in the cold vacuum of space as well as skills in flight, gliding and energy blasts from the amulet and visor.
The possibilities to create this a cross-hybrid picture on screen are endless and we believe an actor like Tyler Posey may do a great job at it! X-Men Origins: X-23 (MARVEL COMICS): X-23, also known as Laura Kinney is a character whose first appearance was in X-Men: Evolution. Born and raised in captivity, she was similar to Deadpool and Lady Deathstrike as the perfect killing machine, and was cloned from a damaged copy of Wolverine’s genome. However, for years, has attempted to prove herself by turning her life around after many tragedies, which eventually led her to Wolverine and the XMen and becoming a student at the Xavier Institute. With abilities like regenerative healing factor, superhuman strength, speed and agility and the trademark of the retractable adamantium-laced bone claws, let upcoming actress India Eisley bring Laura Kinney to life! A female demographic would love the chance to see a female Wolverine! Zatanna Zatara (DC COMICS): The daughter of Giovanni Zatara, a homo magi and sub-race of humanity that once lived in Atlantis, Zatanna is gifted with the magical abilities of her father, where she can still access actual magical energies. Despite her share of darkness, she has been known to take down supernatural creatures, using her powerful force of sorcery for the benefit of humanity (with a unique flair and sense of humour), enjoying put on an entertaining show while battling evil. She is also a member of a new team of protectors known as the Justice League Dark. Marvel and DC have not had much success in creating a script worthy enough for super heroes, but Zatanna could be one for the books. Her interest in the dark arts, just like romantic partner, John Constantine may suggest this film to be a supernatural thriller and a way for her to enjoy the limelight. Olivia Wilde has yet to be cast as a superhero, so why not studios give her shot. She is a well-known actor giving credit to the development and might the role justice. Morbius: The Living Vampire (MARVEL COMICS): We know from past movies like Twilight and Underworld, vampires have become a Hollywood frenzy. However, Marvel has yet to give this little bloodsucker anti-hero a shot. The fact that he has yet to make his on screen debut is completely overwhelming. Dr. Michael Morbius, a scientist who gained his vampirism abilities, from scientific rather than supernatural means. Similar to the case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Morbius started experimenting with vampire bats and electroshock therapy to find a cure for a blood disease. This deserves a chance on the silver screen and is a change from all the other heroes. He may be at first a villain, but he is slowly moves away from the dark side and this can easily be a story of redemption with a few dark edges that audiences will eat up. There were claims that Asim Ahmad will appear as Morbius in The Amazing Spiderman 2, but we also think Cillian Murphy should represent the character!
Moon Knight (MARVEL COMICS): Former mercenary, US Marine and heavyweight boxer, Mark Spector, who got into some serious mischief when he was in Egypt when uncovering an ancient temple filled with artefacts and a statue of the Egyptian moon god Khonshu. Given a second chance at life when almost left for dead, Spector becomes Khonshu’s avatar and returns to the US as a crime fighter. However, his strength and speed is tied to the lunar cycle, which supplants his powers with gadgetry. Previously criticized as sharing similarities with Batman, we at The Metropolist still believe he deserves his own shining moment with the right director and angle. Nevertheless, since big brother is playing Batman in Man of Steel 2, what do you all think as Casey Affleck to fill in the shoes of Moon Knight? HZ
Which superhero or heroine do you think deserves their own movie?