As difficult as it is to believe, the DCEU is almost a decade old, and with James Gunn and Peter Safran taking the reins, it feels like the shambling franchise may finally have found stewards worthy of its characters. That can -- and should -- include television. Figures like HBO Max's Peacemaker have shown the real potential of streaming with a hit series on HBO Max, and the newly re-minted "DC Universe" would do well to give a similar treatment to other characters.
Indeed, with so many characters to choose from, a spin-off series or even a collection of them suddenly looks much more likely. The only question is which characters make the best subjects. The list as massive -- almost as big as the DC pantheon itself -- but several figures from the DCEU make promising candidates. Like Peacemaker, they made an impact on the franchise, and would shine brighter on the small screen than the big one. A list of some of the most promising follows.
Black Canary Is Overdue for The Spotlight
Dinah Lance has served as a supporting figure in a number of DC projects, including the Arrowverse (which used a reimagined "Laurel Lance") and the short-lived Birds of Prey live action series from 2002. But she's never headlined her own show, and with Jurnee Smollett making a splash in the role in the big-screen Birds of Prey movie from 2020, she might just be perfect. As a long-standing superhero, Black Canary has plenty of material from the comics to draw from, and her largely firm moral compass makes for a good "straight" hero amid darker figures like The Penguin or satirical ones like Peacemaker. With many of DC's more prominent heroes already committed to big-screen appearances, and the Arrowvere taking its final bows, Black Canary is a strong choice to anchor any future television endeavors.
Bloodsport is a Quietly Winning Antihero
James Gunn's The Suicide Squad featured a number of scene-stealing characters, from Sylvester Stallone's dimwitted King Shark to Margot Robbie's magnificent Harley Quinn. Amid it all, the ostensible lead -- Idris Elba's contract killer Bloodsport -- made a strong showing, both as a straight man to figures like Harley and as a reluctant antihero in his own right. With Deathstroke more or less stillborn in the DCEU, Bloodsport is perfectly positioned to step up in his place. A TV series depicting his various adventures would make a solid continuation of the franchise's moral gray areas, as well as an antihero who could be pitted against virtually anyone -- hero or villain -- the producers cared to throw at him.
Huntress Can Put a New Spin on Batman-Style Vigilantes
Like Black Canary, Huntress is a character who never quite got her due: kicking around earlier projects without ever becoming a headliner herself. Mary Elizabeth Winstead played her in Birds of Prey and found a fantastic hook. Her Huntress is a deadly killer, but not nearly as good at intimidating people: the niceties of superhero posturing elude her. It's a ready way to instill Peacemaker-style humor into her story, and like many of the figures in Birds of Prey she left a good deal of unrealized potential behind. She even has a connection to Batman, making it easy to keep The Dark Knight and his brood alive as the DC Universe moves forward. Winstead is also an underrated actor who could do terrific things with a superhero series to call her own.
Isis May Do Better in a TV Series than a Movie
Along with Dwayne Johnson's imposing title character, Adrianna Tomaz is one of the best things about the Black Adam movie. If the comics are to be followed, then she's destined to become the superhero Isis. A TV series would let her step out of The Rock's long shadow without disrupting any future Black Adam appearances, and take full advantage of the potential Sarah Shahi showed with the character. Intergang has already established themselves as a great ongoing villain in Black Adam and the smaller format of the television screen is perfect for their more or less grounded style of crime. Pitting an empowered Tomaz against them would make a much better fit for The Mighty Isis than any kind of big-screen appearance.
Amanda Waller Could Helm a DC Anthology Series
Amanda Waller remains one of DC's primary movers and shakers, and in Viola Davis, the character has found a dominating presence in the DCEU. Her connection to The Suicide Squad -- and indeed any DC figure she wishes should she take a mind to it -- makes her a great linchpin for bringing all kinds of heroes into the franchise. An anthology-style series could involve her recruiting different heroes each week to perform all kinds of tasks, as well as further exploring what makes her tick. Waller is often depicted as two steps ahead of everyone else, giving a theoretical series plenty of opportunities for late-inning twists a la The Twilight Zone. Not only would such a series do her justice, but it could make a forum for any DC character who might not otherwise get a shot at the spotlight.