9 Superheroes That Deserve Their Own Movie

Anthony Faccenda

With the release of Marvel's Ant-Man upon us, we got to thinking: who are the best superheroes yet to have their own films? Despite the endless number of comic book movies being turned out at what seems like a weekly pace, there are still some noteworthy heroes and anti-heroes that are in need of the big screen treatment.

For clarification's sake, there are comic book characters on this list that have appeared in movies in supporting roles, but none of them have had their own movie. It's also worth noting that this list does not include Dr. Strange, Black Panther, Bloodshot or Wonder Woman since there are films based on each of those characters in various stages of development.

So without further ado, here are nine comic book characters that deserve their due.

9. She-Hulk

Although her male counterpart Dr. Bruce Banner (a.k.a. The Incredible Hulk) has appeared in numerous film adaptations including 2008's The Hulk, which starred Edward Norton in the title role, She-Hulk has yet to grace the silver screen.

She-Hulk (Jennifer Walters) made her comic book debut in 1980 and has served as a member of The Avengers, The Fantastic Four, and S.H.I.E.L.D. Despite her comic book prowess, the closest She-Hulk came to getting her own movie was a failed Larry Cohen project in the early 1990s. In fact, Brigitte Nielsen (Rocky IV, Red Sonja) was set to play Dr. Banner's green-hued cousin.

8. Robin

Sure, Robin has appeared in Batman Forever and Batman & Robin, but The Boy Wonder has never had his own standalone movie. In addition to Chris O'Donnell's (NCIS: Los Angeles) portrayal in the 1990s, Joseph Gordon Levitt (Inception) also played John Blake, an original interpretation of the character in 2012's The Dark Knight Rises. 

Last year, there were talks that actress Jena Malone (The Hunger Games) would portray a female Robin in Zach Snyder's upcoming Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice, but nothing has been confirmed. According to IMDB.com, Malone is a “rumored” member of the cast in an unspecified role. 

7. Squirrel Girl

As evidenced by Ant-Man, not every superhero adaptation needs to be dark and gritty. With this in mind, Marvel should consider unleashing Squirrel Girl on audiences.

Utilizing her ability to communicate with squirrels, Squirrel Girl (Doreen Green) has toppled super villains such as Doctor Doom and Thanos. Since her debut in 1992, she's been affiliated with both the Great Lakes Avengers and the New Avengers. Aside from her ability to communicate with squirrels, Squirrel Girl possesses superhuman strength, enhanced senses, superior hand to hand combat skills, and razor sharp claws. 

6. Terry McGinnis

Although countless actors have portrayed Bruce Wayne on the big screen, no actor has portrayed Terry McGinnis. In case you aren't familiar with McGinnis, he's Wayne's biological son who takes over the Batman role after his father dies.

Unlike the other superheroes on our list, McGinnis made his debut in an animated series, Batman Beyond, rather than a comic book. Like his father, McGinnis is a skilled martial artist, tactician, and in peak physical condition. He also employs the use of high tech battle suit, which boasts goodies like a cloaking device and retractable bat wings.

5. Casey Jones 

At first glance, a superhero vigilante who uses golf clubs, baseball bats, and hockey sticks as weapons may not seem like an ideal candidate for their own movie, but Arnold Bernid “Casey” Jones is the exception. After his first appearance in a Raphael solo issue of The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Jones quickly became a fan favorite for his unique brand of vigilante justice. 

Jones was played to perfection by Elias Koteas (The Killing, Chicago P.D.) in two of the three live action Ninja Turtles adaptations from the early 1990s. The character also appeared in 2011's Casey Jones: The Movie, a fan made short film, but has yet to receive a big budget studio film of his own. 

4. Union Jack

With Captain America: Civil War currently filming, we got to thinking: What about a film about the Cap's British counterpart? A mix of Captain America and James Bond, Union Jack is a super solider/spy who fought alongside Captain America against the Nazis in World War II.

There are two iterations of the character with the first being Lord James Montgomery Falsworth who was a superb athlete and skilled in hand-to-hand combat. His son, Brian (also known as Union Jack), gained his powers with the help of a German scientist who is trying to reproduce the formula that created Captain America. Like Captain America, the second iteration of Union Jacks boasts superior strength, athleticism and superb fighting skills. Not to mention, he can shoot lighting bolts through his fingertips as a result of an encounter with Thor. 

3. Shadowman

Perhaps not as well-know as other characters on our list, Valiant Comics' Shadowman has been a best-selling member of the Valiant Universe since his inception in 1992—selling 5.3 million copies to date.

Boasting unique abilities like regeneration, gliding, reduced fear, and voodoo powers, Shadowman (Jack Dominique Boniface) discovers his super abilities after finding a discarded carnival mask on the streets of New Orleans.

In 1999, Shadowman fan Ice Cube attempted to get a film version off the ground, but the project never materialized. Since then everyone from DMX to Will Smith has been linked to a possible movie role.

2. Lobo

Originally a minor villain in the DC Universe, Lobo became one of the publisher's most popular characters in 1990s when he was re-imagined as an alien anti-hero biker. Intended as a parody Marvel's Wolverine, Lobo's abilities include self healing, superhuman senses, and immortality.

Not just relegated to the DC Universe, Lobo has made guest appearances in non-DC series like Judge Dredd and The Mask. He even fought (and lost) against Wolverine in a Marvel vs. DC crossover series. In 2009, Guy Ritchie was tapped to direct a live action Lobo movie, but plans fell through when the director opted to helm a sequel to Sherlock Holmes.

1. Martian Manhunter

Martian Manhunter is one of the original members of the Justice League and has appeared in animated movies, video games and TV series, but he still doesn't have his own movie. Ranked #43 on IGN's list of the greatest comic book characters, Martian Manhunter (J'onn J'onzz) is an extraterrestrial being from Mars who is pulled to Earth by an experimental teleportation device created by Dr. Saul Erdel. Unfortunately for J'onzz, Dr. Erdel dies before he can transport him back home. Luckily for humanity, J'onzz stays and fights crime.

Martian Manhunter possesses a laundry list of super powers including superhuman strength, regenerative healing, flight, invulnerability, invisibility, telepathy, and shape-shifting, and a genius intellect.