Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, no one in their wildest dreams would have expected Black Adam or Morbius of all comic characters getting their own feature film adaptations. When Dwayne Johnson was first cast as Black Adam in 2007, per SlashFilm, it was initially for the Shazam! film which had already been in development for some time.
Following writing changes, Black Adam and Shazam! were instead devised as two separate films. With many exciting developments for the DCEU coming in Black Adam and the plan to make a Superman vs. Black Adam film (per Variety), there's much to look forward. As The Rock has suggested, the hierarchy of power in the DC Universe is about to change.
Green Arrow
While most know Green Arrow thanks to the live-action television series Arrow, it's a shock the character has yet to appear in any live-action film. In the late 2000s, The Dark Knight Trilogy co-writer David S. Goyer co-wrote a Green Arrow film along with Justin Marks called Green Arrow: Escape from Super Max.
The film would have taken place in a prison where Oliver Queen was framed for a crime he didn't do and would have had him trying to escape the prison while also crossing paths with famous villains such as the Riddler, Joker and Lex Luthor, according to MTV News. It's a shame the film didn't happen but a Green Arrow film should have been made by now.
Mr. Miracle
Arguably one of the most interesting characters casual fans have probably not heard of, Mister Miracle is one of the most fascinating characters from the DC pantheon. Originally known as Scott Free, he was the son of Izaya Highfather, the ruler of New Genesis, the planet that is the counterpart to Apokolips where Darkseid resides. In an exchange to create peace, Highfather received Darkseid's son Orion while Darkseid received Scott.
Raised in an orphanage then torurtured throughout most of his life, Scott eventually escaped Apokolips and came to Earth where he met escape artist Thaddeus Brown, known as Mister Miracle. Free learned everything from Brown but sadly Brown was later murdered and Free would take on the new mantle of Mr. Miracle, eventually finding a place in the Justice League. His origin is so different from any other character and with a story so rich, he could easily become the next face of the DCEU.
John Stewart
A fan-favorite Green Lantern, who took over from Hal Jordan in the 80s until Kyle Rayner became the main Lantern of Earth following the controversial Emerald Twilight storyline. Throughout the 2000s, many saw John Stewart as THE Green Lantern thanks to his inclusion in the DCAU Justice League series.
Initially set to appear in George Miller's Justice League: Mortal, he would have been portrayed by rapper and actor Common but the film was sadly scrapped due to the 2007-08 Writers' Guild of America strikes. Stewart was once again planned to appear in Wayne T. Carr but the scene was cut following a mandate from Warner Bros. Following two scrapped appearances in live-action, it's about time Stewart gets to lead his own film.
Nightwing
It's quite baffling to think Robin or the character of Dick Grayson hasn't appeared in live-action since 1997's Batman & Robin. (save for a dead Robin mention in Batman v Superman). Given the character's similar tragic backstory to Batman and growth into Nightwing, he is an excellent candidate to lead a solo film.
A Nightwing project has been in development for some time at DC with The LEGO Batman Movie's Chris McKay still attached as director. Regarding the project, McKay told The Playlist, "Somebody who grows up under somebody who is a dark mentor and how that affects him and the relationship. There’s the emotional story of Dick Grayson in the Nightwing movie is going to be very powerful when we get a chance to make it."
Raven
One of the most interesting characters from the Teen Titans, Raven's backstory has so much lore in it that an entire movie could be told without even including the Titans. As the half-demon daughter of Trigon, Raven has lived most of her life trying to escape from her father, who means for her serve with him.
Raven is a very complex character given how much she has to combat the darkness within her. The Teen Titans are a very interesting avenue to explore in the DCEU and with Chris McKay's Nightwing film still in the works, it's possible it could happen.
Grifter
Originally from WildStorm Comics, characters from that universe were integrated into the DC Universe following The Flashpoint Paradox. In addition to being an extremely well-trained marksman and hand-to-hand combatant, Cole Cash, otherwise known as Grifter also has telekinetic powers.
Through his long history, Grifter was originally part of the elite military unit Team 7 before ing the superhero team WildCats. With how many characters there are from the WildStorm stories, it would be an excellent place to start a new narrative in the DCEU.
Batgirl
It's a shame how close fans were to getting a Batgirl film. If a film about Black Adam could be made, Warner Bros. serisously should have waited and seen the vision for Batgirl because they underestimated the audience that certainly exists for it.
Thanks to her connection with Batman and being in Gotham City, Batgirl has more or less the same rogues gallery as the Dark Knight. With her upbeat personality, she adds a new layer of fun to Gotham which is an otherwise pretty depressing place.
Deathstroke
Deathsroke has long been a favorite among fans. Despite being popular, he hasn't made it to the same league as other villains such as Joker or Lex Luthor. Known for his distinct blue-orange armor and his hatred of the Teen Titans, Deathstroke truly is a force to be reckoned with.
Attempts to make a Deathstroke film have continued since the mid 2010s. Despite not being in active development, The Raid series director Gareth Evans was set to direct a film adaptation set in the DCEU with Joe Manganiello. Despite this, Manganiello revealed he was working on secret projects for the character with Zack Snyder (via CBR).
Catman
First coming onto the scene during the camp 60s era of Batman, Catman was nothing more of a joke character with a very similar costume. After being left in limbo for some time, Catman would not return until 2006 where he was portrayed as being past-his-prime and overweight as an adversary to Green Arrow.
Following his embarrassing defeat, Catman returned to Africa where he trained and got back into shape while living with a pride of lions. He returned better, stronger and with a better moral com. Catman has now become a noble and honorable warrior within the superhero team the Secret Six. His entire redemption arc is undoubtedly one of the coolest in DC and would make for a great film.
Batman Beyond
Terry McGinnis' incarnation of Batman is one of the coolest and most unusual renditions of the character. Set in the future cyberpunk city Neo-Gotham, McGinnis uses his technology, wits and fighting expertise as the Batman of a new generation.
Over the years, many have said that Michael Keaton would be the ideal actor to mentor McGinnis as an older Bruce Wayne in a Tim Burton-directed Batman Beyond film. One can certainly dream but a new adaptation of the character is long overdue.
