By Kristin Gaffney | Echo
Superhero movies are proving to be a phenomenon that won't die out. With old and new comic book fans embracing the recent popularity, people are starting to demand a greater variety in characters and genre. Here are five that would make fantastic superhero films.
1. Wonder Woman
Why not? DC Comics thinks it's too complicated; meanwhile, Marvel releases a movie featuring a gunslinging raccoon and a talking tree in space.
Wonder Woman, a.k.a Diana Prince, is an Amazonian princess from the all-female island of Themyscira who fights for justice, peace and equality. She has an arsenal of weapons, such as her indestructible bracelets, her Lasso of Truth and a host of superpowers. Diana holds a place in the elite of the Justice League alongside Batman and Superman. Wonder Woman is strong, fierce and compassionate. She is a hero who young girls can look up to.
DC needs to redeem itself after having recently alienated many female fans with a drawing contest that would depict suggestive photos of villain Harley Quinn about to commit suicide. A successful and fair Wonder Woman movie could completely change the company's image in the public eye. With Batman and Superman's movie franchises, Green Arrow's show and an upcoming Flash series, it seems high time for some female representation in the DC cinematic universe.
2. David Haller, a.k.a. Legion
Why not? Also . . . who is Legion?
David Haller is Scottish, cursed with terrible hair and the son of X-Men leader Charles Xavier. He has every superhero power imaginable, which is great . . . except he's also crazy.
Each of his superpowers has a personality (in his head), and they're also impossible to control. Unlike the X-Men, David fights alone, and he's almost constantly fighting himself.
David Haller's movie could explore the struggle with a young man learning his place in their world. It would show emotions in a way superhero movies tend to shy away from. It would also provide a metaphorical drama for growing up and discovering yourself, which plenty of young people can relate to.
3. Black Widow
Why not? The studio wants to make other movies first . . . like Doctor Strange (a wizard) and Ant-Man (the abusive somehow-pacifistic superhero who grows and shrinks).
There are several things "Iron Man 2" and "The Avengers" don't tell you about the Black Widow: she's as old as Captain America, was brainwashed by a Russian agency to be a spy during the Cold War and was trained to fight by Bucky Barnes (Captain America's sidekick).
Her story is tragic, intriguing and a James Bond-esque romp through dangerous spy situations that have brought her face to face with communists, presidents and Doctor Doom. She is unstoppable in "The Avengers," clearly pulling her own weight and expertly portrayed by Scarlett Johansson. As a familiar character, a movie would be a safe investment and would likely create a fantastic female superhero film.
4. Deadpool
Why not? They're trying, everyone wants it, but for some reason the studio is not on board.
Okay, he's not actually a hero. But his fun-loving, joking personality has made him a cult favorite for comic book readers. Deadpool, a.k.a. Wade Wilson, is a mercenary who will do anything, from saving a kitten from a tree to outright murder, for a bit of cash or enough Doritos Locos Tacos. He's crazy, with two voices in his head providing a humorous discourse for the reader.
Deadpool knows he is a comic book character (once he had a comic about killing his readers so he could escape the comic book world-it didn't work out). He's fun and violent, and comic books fans everywhere are excited to consider a movie release.
5. Power Man & Iron Fist
Why not? Probably because no one has brought it up.
Luke Cage, a.k.a. Power Man, is an African-American man who has near-indestructible skin and superhuman strength thanks to an accident. He's a popular figure, so much so that Nicolas Coppola took his last name to become . . . Nicolas Cage.
Iron Fist, a.k.a. Danny Rand-K'ai, is a martial artist who gave up nearly everything in his quest to obtain the power of the Iron Fist, a long legacy of martial artists. He was born into a wealthy New York City family. Danny joined Luke Cage in the "Heroes for Hire" comic arc, with the two eventually becoming "Power Man and Iron Fist." They fight evil and, once in a while, get paid for it.
"Power Man and Iron Fist" involves the adventure of two friends fighting while exploring tension between the upper and lower class.
Beloved characters are getting a pass while Ant-Man, a minor and rather forgettable character, is getting his own feature. As superhero movies grow more popular, they must begin to feature a wider cast, which must have women and minorities.
