Regardless of all the problems the DCEU has faced, the cinematic universe is still putting in the work to succeed. Its 11th film, Black Adam, will release on October 21, 2022. Starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, the film will see Black Adam as he becomes the arch-enemy of Shazam. Black Adam, as a spin-off of Shazam!, promises to revive hype for the DCEU by introducing new characters and storylines.
If Black Adam proves a success, Warner Bros. should continue with this strategy. Expanding the DCEU could be the franchise's best shot at improvement, which could entail giving screen time to valuable characters who haven't yet received the Black Adam treatment. This would give them a chance to become as famous as DC's most mainstream heroes.
10 Zatanna Has Been Underestimated For Too Long
If the DCEU plans to regroup and leave DC's Trinity behind, it needs to start by giving attention to other Justice League members. As one of the best magicians in the DC universe, Zatanna has been long ignored. While Smallville featured a live-action adaptation of the powerful Homo magi (played by Serinda Swan), she only appeared in a couple of episodes.
Unlike Black Adam, Zatanna is a hero. However, she has the potential to enter the DCEU on her own. According to Variety, writer Emerald Fennell is currently writing a film about Zatanna. Hopefully, she will get as much attention as Black Adam has gotten.
9 Magog Is A High-Tier DC Anti-Hero
The moral counterpart of Superman, Magog first appeared in Kingdom Come, one of the best DC Elseworlds series, as a reckless vigilante whose actions led to a nuclear holocaust. More than 10 years later, he was introduced to the main continuity. This doppelgänger of Kingdom Come's Magog was doomed to repeat his mistakes, but he was given a chance to prove he was a hero.
Magog is exactly the kind of character the DCEU should have at the center of a long storyline. Like Thanos, his actions put the universe at odds, forcing all heroes to team up against him. The fact that he's such a big threat, combined with his ambiguous morals, means he'd be an exciting addition to the DCEU.
8 Poison Ivy Needs To Date Harley Quinn In The DCEU
So far, the DCEU has given Harley Quinn the same arc as in the comics when it comes to her emancipation. However, her love story with Poison Ivy has been widely ignored by the live-action media. Needless to say, fans would love to see Margot Robbie in a relationship with the DCEU's Poison Ivy.
Additionally, Pamela Isley is one of the strongest, more complex villains in the DC universe. Her eco-terrorism is quite questionable, but it's hard not to empathize with her intentions when she's trying to save Earth. Additionally, more LGBTQ+ representation would benefit the superhero franchise.
7 Polka-Dot Man Has A Lot Of Potential
It's quite unfortunate that Polka-Dot Man sacrificed himself during The Suicide Squad because fans can't get enough of his character, which is bolstered by David Dastmalchian's excellent performance. For his very bizarre powers, Polka-Dot Man became a fan favorite character almost immediately.
If the DCEU re-thinks its steps and chooses to retcon his death or give him a prequel, it would probably be successful. Considering how dark Polka-Dot Man's story is, he's exactly the kind of character who would make the DCEU stand out for the mature content.
6 Katana's Potential Was Wasted In Suicide Squad
The owner of one of DC's most powerful weapons, the Soultaker, Katana is a samurai with a tragic backstory. Her beloved husband, Maseo, is trapped inside her weapon. She first appeared in the DCEU in Suicide Squad as Rick Flag's bodyguard. While the film does establish her soul-taking weapon and her vendetta against her husband's murderers, it doesn't delve into it.
Karen Fukuhara, who played Katana in Ayer's film, stated that she wanted to explore this character's backstory in the sequel. Unfortunately, she didn't appear in it. Regardless, there's enough canon information to make a solo film about her. With her tragic backstory and her powerful sword, Katana could become a staple of the DCEU.
5 Hawkgirl Could Appear Alongside Hawkman
Now that Carter "Hawkman" Hall has his cinematic debut in Black Adam, fans can't find a reason why his life partner, Shiera "Hawkgirl" Sanders, can't join the DCEU too. However, she shouldn't be relegated to Carter's love interest. In the comics, their backstories have been tied since they were Chay-Ara and Prince Khufu.
If played right, Hawkman and Hawkgirl could become the power couple of the DCEU. They're already one of the best couples in DC, but their ageless love and their might haven't made it to the big screen. Hopefully, Black Adam will set the ground for Hawkgirl's appearance soon.
4 Martian Manhunter Deserves More Than A Cameo
Martian Manhunter is one of the greatest members of the Justice League. The Arrowverse and the DCAU know it and have taken advantage of the character. However, the DCEU keeps ignoring him. In fact, his only appearance is in the non-canonical Snyder cut of Justice League.
J'onn J'onzz has a tragic backstory that's full of interesting lore about Martians. His set of powers put him on the same level as Superman or Green Lantern. This character has the potential to star in his own film and eventually lead a team. He just needs a chance to be more than a hyped cameo.
3 Man-Bat Needs A Live-Action Iteration
Also known as Dr. Robert Kirkland Langstrom, or Kirk, Man-Bat was a zoologist who transformed himself into a human/bat hybrid while testing a serum on himself. Since then, he has gone from a villain to a tragic antihero, whose existence revolves around the contrast between man and beast.
Man-Bat would make an excellent addition to the DCEU. He's perfect for a tragic origin film, which would allow Warner Bros. to flex its CGI. Warner Bros. needs to cast an excellent actor who could show Kirk's transformation from a naive chiropterologist to a full-blown villain.
2 Doctor Fate Deserves To Star In His Own Film
Since it was announced that Pierce Brosnan would play Doctor Fate in Black Adam, fan theories about the prominence of his role have flooded the internet. While some believe he will just be another JSA member, other fans think he could be the key to introducing Justice League Dark.
Only time will tell, but Nabu's introduction in Black Adam could definitely set the ground for a bigger, more complex, and more mature storyline that could give the DCEU a second chance at success. After all, the Justice League is just one of many powerful superteams in the DC comics.
1 Jason Blood And Etrigan's Alliance Would Make For A Great Film
Currently an immortal expert in demonology, Jason Blood was a simple family man whom Merlin bound to Etrigan the Demon. After he murdered his wife and kids, he ran away and held a symbiotic relationship with Etrigan for thousands of years. Slowly, this turned him into an antihero.
Blood's backstory, combined with the Medieval lore that explains Etrigan's abilities, gives Warner Bros. enough material to craft a proper origin story film for him that can span centuries. Additionally, Etrigan's rhyming would be an interesting challenge for any screenwriter in Hollywood.