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With comic book movies being more popular than ever, studios are wisely deciding to dip into the villains that graze the pages of comics. For years, popular heroes have taken center stage on the big screen, and now, it is the villain’s time to shine. Problem is that many of these villains have no reason to have solo projects. A great example is Sony greenlighting an El Muerto movie. El Muerto is a character who had a very small role in two Spider-Man comics and that is all. Even some hardcore Spidey fans have no clue who this character is, so it is puzzling as to why he is getting a solo film. Some are successful such as 2019’s Joker or the Venom movies. There are countless villains to choose from, so here are ten that deserve to have a shot at a solo movie.
10. Catwoman
Mention of a solo film featuring one of the most classic comic villains, Catwoman, may trigger fight or flight in the minds of many. This is because she did receive a solo movie in 2004. This film famously tanked and had little to do with the character, and received an equally terrible game. However, a film revolving around Selina Kyle could be a great idea. The recent smash hit The Batman took a lot from The Long Halloween. Like the movie, Catwoman had a big part in that comic and had a sequel spin-off. That comic is Catwoman: When in Rome and would make for a great adaptation. The story follows Selina as she travels to Rome to find out about her father, Carmine Falcone. Zoe Kravitz received nothing but praise, so seeing her return in a solo film discovering the secrets of her father should be a no-brainer.
9. Chameleon
Chameleon is a member of Spider-Man’s rogue’s gallery that doesn’t get enough credit. Dmitri Smerdyakov is a master of disguise who can impersonate anyone with ease. What would make a compelling film is Chameleon’s tragic life and quest for vengeance. From a young age, he grew to hate his own identity. His own parents viewed him as a humiliation and ridiculed him at every turn. The only reason he developed his skills is that he wanted to live life as another person. This heartbreaking childhood and his rise to criminal mastermind would make for an engaging film. Chameleon’s half-brother is Kraven the Hunter, who himself is receiving a solo movie. Having a Chameleon movie could tie into the Kraven movie and actually allow Sony to have a coherent series following Spider-Man villains.
8. Bizarro
In recent years, almost every medium outside of comics seems to want a darker Superman as opposed to the beacon of hope he is. Superman fans are growing tired of this and long to see the bright and hopeful character done justice once again. There is a way fans of both versions of Superman can be happy, and that is by giving Bizarro a solo film. One of Superman’s most popular comic villains, Bizarro is the polar opposite of Superman. While not a straightforward villain, Bizarro has a warped version of Superman’s morals. Having Bizarro in a film where he learns how to differentiate between right and wrong could be an entertaining film. If this movie would be made, fans who want a destructive Superman will get what they want without the character actually being Superman.
7. Deathstroke
The DCEU tried and failed to give Deathstroke his time in the spotlight. He was originally to be the main villain in Ben Affleck’s canceled Batman movie. Even though that film is canceled, Deathstroke could still appear. Unlike many of his other villains, Deathstroke is not reliant on Batman. He is a talented mercenary and skilled assassin. His solo movie wouldn’t even need to be an origin movie. Having a film revolving around Deathstroke hunting down a target should be entertaining enough. The Caped Crusader wouldn’t even need to be mentioned, making it a true stand-alone movie. Fans have longed to see Joe Manganiello’s Slade Wilson in something other than a cameo, and this would be a great way to do it.
6. Dr. Doom
Most fans agree that Fantastic Four’s greatest foe has not been done justice on the big screen. Dr. Doom in the comics is the monarch and dictator of the Kingdom of Latveria. He rules with an iron fist, and his power stretches far beyond the kingdom. In the movies, he is essentially just an evil scientist. The character is so much more than that, and a solo film with him as the star would be the best way to do him justice. Comic villains like Doom should be shown as more than simple adversaries. The Fantastic Four are set to make their MCU debut soon, and Doom is surely to debut with them. Hopefully, Doom will at the very least get a Disney+ show that shows new fans exactly what he is capable of.
5. Thanos
One could argue that Infinity War was more Thanos’ movie than the Avengers’. Besides this, a true solo movie featuring the Mad Titan could over some insight into one of the greatest comic villains. The film could take place years before Infinity War and end with Thanos destroying his homeworld of Titan. Infinity War did a great job of showing Thanos’ side instead of having him be a straightforward villain. With the multiverse in full swing, a film that takes place at any time in his life is possible. In the comics, Thanos was infatuated with Death herself, and this was not the case in the films. Showing just what he would do to impress her would be a fantastic movie and an even better series.
4. Prowler
Prowler has already been loosely introduced in the MCU. Aaron Davis appeared in Spider-Man: Homecoming portrayed by Donald Glover. While he did little, this could be all the seeds needed to introduce Prowler officially. Miles Morales will surely appear in the MCU at some point, and a Prowler film would be a great way to do this. Miles is Aaron’s nephew, so him making a cameo would make perfect sense. A Prowler movie could be a heist film. Imagine an MCU version of Ocean’s 11, with Prowler recruiting the best criminal minds to pull an impossible job. Thanks to Into the Spider-Verse and the Miles Morales game, Prowler is more popular than ever. Now would be a perfect time to pounce on the big screen.
3. Sinestro
Sinestro has only appeared in live-action once, and it was in the infamous Green Lantern movie with Ryan Reynolds. He wasn’t even a villain, but he was teased as such at the end. Warner Bros. has been trying to bring the Lanterns back to the big screen, and this could be a decent place to start. A film showing Sinestro becoming a Green Lantern and his subsequent turn to Yellow Lantern could be a great way to introduce the Lantern lore. This way, Sinestro would already be an established character by the time a Green Lantern film does get made. On top of this, this may be a better idea than going straight into a Green Lantern movie, as some fans may still have the bad taste of the last film in their mouths.
2. Ra’s Al Ghul
Ra’s Al Ghul is one of Batman’s most interesting comic villains, yet he is so often glanced over. He has made several live-action appearances, but he has never been done justice. Like Deathstroke, a Ra’s film is possible without even mentioning Batman or Gotham. He was several hundred years old before Bruce Wayne was even thought of, and that is what the movie could be. A period piece about his rise to power and the formation of the League of Assassins could be enough to make several movies. Ra’s discovering the Lazarus Pit for the first time and his lust for ultimate power could drive the story, and give the character some much-needed exposure to the mainstream.
1. Scarecrow
While Scarecrow is a bit more dependent on Batman than Ra’s Al Ghul or Deathstroke, he isn’t needed in a solo movie. A Scarecrow movie could be a terrifying horror film. Dr. Crane wouldn’t be the main character of the movie, and would instead be the harbinger of fear to whomever the protagonist is. The film could have Scarecrow’s unlucky subject travel through their own mind and face the worst nightmares they can conjure up. The viewer wouldn’t be sure if what they are seeing is really happening or not, and this is where the beauty of the film could lie. An R-rated horror film with Scarecrow at the center seems like the best idea for a comic villain solo movie, and fans hope it becomes a reality.