DC Comics boasts an incredible library of characters and stories, and it’s exciting to think about what’s on the horizon. While we’re eager to see new iterations of iconic characters like The Flash, Wonder Woman and Batman, DC also has an enormous cast of more obscure heroes deserving of the spotlight. Gunn is no stranger to adapting lesser known characters, and his love for the material is a positive sign for the publisher’s cinematic future.
Speaking on a personal level, there’s so much of DC that means a great deal to me. With new creative teams spearheading projects left and right, I feel more optimistic than ever about what the brand can achieve in the realms of film and television. So, here are six pitches that I believe will make audiences fall in love with the DC Universe as much as I have:
Green Arrow and Black Canary (Film)
The Justice League is an army of peace keeping heroes, and their most exciting battles are often with intergalactic invaders or powerful supervillains. It leaves one to wonder: who’s looking out for the little guy? Enter Green Arrow and Black Canary, two costumed crime fighters who protect the every day folk of the DCU, and end up falling for one another along the way. Not only are they incredibly complex characters, but in my opinion, they’re one of the comic book medium’s greatest power couples.
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Green Arrow—or charismatic billionaire Oliver Queen—is a self proclaimed champion of the innocent and downtrodden. His staunch leftist views often lead him to butt heads with his team members, but his passion only makes him a more lovable hero. Black Canary possesses exceptional skill in martial arts and espionage, but her real catch is her powerful sonic scream that can easily incapacitate any foe. By day, she’s Dinah Lance, Gotham City’s most talented singer. Their dynamic would make for an incredible action adventure rom-com, and serve as a reminder that the Justice League does far more than battle monsters and world ending threats.
The Question (Series)
Gunn has stated that his take on Superman will tell the story of a good man in a world that isn’t so. Beyond Metropolis and Clark Kent’s watchful eyes, there are criminal underworlds of the DCU that require a someone willing go where other heroes dare not to. The Question is a character that is more well suited for those dangerous, crime ridden underbellies that the Justice League may not always find themselves in. Victor Sage is a fascinating individual; one that I personally believe general audiences could fall in love with.
The Question’s worldview has largely shifted depending on the writer. He’s been everything from an ultra-violent vigilante to an eastern philosophical zen master. Personally, I’ve found his portrayal as a paranoid conspiracy theorist in Justice League Unlimited to be my favorite. A man that unstable investigating a string of murders would make for damn good television, and highlight the character’s sense of isolation among other DC heroes. Sage and the world he inhabits seem tailor made for a Sunday night HBO drama. A detective’s tale inspired by film noire would be a welcome addition to Gunn’s slate.
Lobo (Film)
This one’s a project that DC and WB have tried to get off the ground for years, but with Gunn in charge, it may finally have a chance. Much like The Question, Lobo would be an opportunity to attract an audience looking for something different from usual superhero fare. Though typically a Superman villain, Lobo’s become quite the fan favorite over the years for his cigar-chomping, foul mouthed escapades across the DC Universe. An interstellar mercenary and bounty hunter, Lobo inhabits a a corner of DC that is both beautifully insane and visually distinct.
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A Lobo film could be an irreverent, hyper violent action comedy far removed from DC’s core storyline. Whether he’s surfing the stars with his beloved pet dolphins or tracking a bounty, Lobo is every bit as entertaining a character as one could ask for. If one were to marry the savage ferocity of Mad Max with the lovably crude tone of Deadpool, you might wind up with a DC film unlike any that’s been made before.
Kyle Rayner and the Omega Men (Film)
Comic books have no shortage of outstanding science fiction material, and writer Tom King’s reimagining of the Omega Men is exactly that. In this new take, fan favorite Green Lantern Kyle Rayner finds himself caught in the middle of an all out war between the a fascist galactic empire and a group of outlaws known as the Omega Men. These outcasts, whose worlds are being bought and sold for their resources, band together to fight for their freedom and survival.
Much like Gunn’s work with Guardians of the Galaxy or Peacemaker, Omega Men would be a golden opportunity to turn D-list heroes into household names. Though extremely obscure, the story is a space opera that tackles some heavy subject matter. A totalitarian government mowing down innocent lives in the name of profit and expansion is, unfortunately, not at all unheard of in our own world. DC hasn’t been afraid to tackle politically relevant topics the past, and an Omega Men film could tell a meaningful story while serving up big budget fantasy fun.
Martian Manhunter (Film/Series)
The Martian Manhunter doesn’t get nearly as much love as he deserves. As a founding member of the Justice League and one of DC’s most powerful characters, he’s more than earned a project all his own. The story of J’onn J’onnzz isn’t all that different from that of Superman; an alien finding himself living amongst humanity. But while Clark was sent to Earth an infant, J’onn wound up here as an adult. Losing the only home you’ve ever known after living a full life stirs up sadness, anger, and an unfulfilled sense of longing.
The circumstances surrounding Manhunter becoming stranded on Earth have varied over the years. In some cases, he’s unintentionally teleported here by a scientist researching alien life. In others, he’s forced to flee from Mars after the genocide of his people, leaving him as the last surviving Martian. Either way, his story is an emotional immigrant’s tale. Despite being all powerful, he’s compassionate, loyal, and soft spoken. He often assumes the role of a detective, allowing him to help the people of Earth with more than just punches and kicks. Though he misses home, he learns to love our blue planet and its people. A proper DCU adaptation would be heartwarming, tragic, and politically poignant.
Plastic Man (Animated Series)
There have been quite a few attempts to adapt Plastic Man in the past, but sadly, none have come to fruition. It’s no secret that Gunn has an affinity for the more bizarre corners of comic book mythos, and Plastic Man fits that criteria to a T. Before becoming a superhero, Eel O’Brian was a petty criminal headed down a dark path. After his body was doused in chemicals during a heist gone wrong, he found himself able to stretch into nearly any shape or form. O’Brian takes on the mantle of Plastic Man, turning his back on his criminal lifestyle and eventually joining the Justice League.
Personally, I feel there’s no better medium for the character than animation. What better way to highlight the hero’s malleable physiology and wacky personality? A Plastic Man series would be a blast to watch week to week. Though the character leans far into the comedic side, it’d be a chance to for Gunn to flex his ability to tug on our heartstrings. Plastic Man is a reformed criminal after all, and the project could be a heartwarming story of redemption on top of being an animated comedy.
James Gunn’s Superman soars into theaters on July 11, 2025.
