10 DC Villains Deserving Their Own Movie After Joker's Success

In our current era, the Joker character has graced us with two standalone movies boasting differing levels of quality, showcasing an Academy Award-winning portrayal by Joaquin Phoenix. Unlike these films, the upcoming movie Joker: Folie a Deux may not follow suit in terms of popularity. However, one controversial movie does not diminish the overall creative drive emanating from studios like DC Studios. The initial Joker film was praised for presenting an alternate perspective on a well-known character and potentially revealing aspects of his villainous identity. This proposed concept seeks to distribute some limelight among iconic villains, not limiting itself to Batman’s adversaries alone within the DC Comics universe. While Joker is undoubtedly a popular choice, there are other characters I believe could also headline their own Joker-esque films.

Kindly move down to discover the 10 DC Villains that have secured a spot on our list, along with an imaginative take on how we could bring each one to life through their own movies. Some selections may provoke surprise, while others might align with your anticipations for the upcoming productions.

Poison Ivy

Since the 1960s, Pamela Isley has been a recurring foe for Batman, much like Swamp Thing is in the DC Universe, with a similar elemental power source. Originally a gifted botanist from a wealthy family, she studied alongside Alec Holland, who would later become Swamp Thing, and Dr. Jason Woodrue. Unfortunately, her research was undermined by Woodrue, leading to her tragic transformation into the wicked Poison Ivy.

The narrative of her life and roots from the 1980s would make an excellent fit for film adaptation – perhaps in a genre like eco-thriller, where her evolution into a superpowered ecoterrorist could be driven by climate change issues. As she matures, she might become a powerful global figure, instigating some international conflicts among nations worldwide.

Instead of opting for the more intense narrative, it appears that an alternative concept could be a buddy-road trip film featuring Harley Quinn. By toning down the supernatural elements associated with Poison Ivy, we can emphasize the dynamic between these two characters and their relationship.

Talia al Ghul

A solo film could captivate audiences by delving into Talia al Ghul’s allegiance to her father and his reign over his empire, as well as her complex ties with Bruce Wayne/Batman. To make the narrative more relatable, we could portray Talia as the daughter of a ruler in an unspecified Middle Eastern city or nation, shifting the focus away from their superheroic exploits.

As she delves into her father’s sphere, she finds herself drawn to Bruce Wayne following his visit from Gotham for business talks. This narrative strives to emphasize the shared traits between Bruce and Talia as portrayed in Batman tales, while removing the fantastical superhero aspects. It could be likened to a romantic tragedy with an espionage twist, reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet. However, instead of a family feud, they face the imminent danger of global annihilation orchestrated by Talia’s tyrannical father, Ra’s al Ghul.

Bane

From a passionate moviegoer’s perspective, the idea of a standalone Bane film wasn’t merely conceived after his iconic act of breaking Batman’s back in two. If we were to explore the darker side of this imposing antagonist, similar to how The Joker was portrayed, it could open doors for an exceptional prison-centric story, inspired by the gripping tales of Bane from Chuck Dixon’s “Vengeance of Bane” graphic novels. This could transform into a film reminiscent of Scarface, allowing us to delve deeper into Bane’s strategic intellect and education, showcasing him as more than just a one-dimensional muscle-bound character seeking power.

It’s quite intriguing to imagine how his talent might unfold on-screen, given that he started out as an innocent child being compelled to serve his father’s prison term against his will. Reminds me of a movie that could potentially be as captivating as “A Prophet”.

At the moment, DC Studios is developing a film featuring Bane alongside Deathstroke, which has sparked great interest among viewers who are eager to find out more about this collaboration.

Hugo Strange

Shall we consider going for a proper tour around Arkham Asylum? Hugo Strange might serve as the key to delve into the characters inhabiting this institution. It could also potentially serve as a follow-up to the Joker film, offering fans a blend of Batman narrative and suspenseful elements reminiscent of movies like Jacob’s Ladder and Shutter Island.

In some Batman narratives, such as “Arkham City”, Strange assumes control over a newly constructed open-air prison following the shutdown of both Blackgate Prison and Arkham Asylum. Placing Strange in charge of the Asylum within a film reminiscent of The Joker could offer fans an intriguing perspective on mental illness, delving into the debate between nature vs nurture. This setting would allow for an intriguing exploration, combining elements of classic Batman lore with medical thriller themes, as it is revealed that Strange himself may be just as unstable as his patients.

Kite Man

As an ardent admirer, I can’t help but express my excitement about the upcoming movie, which will depart from the somber tone of previous films like “Joker” and other entries on the list. The character Kite Man seems tailor-made for a tale that delves into the journey of a villain finding his footing in the vast DC universe. Drawing inspiration from Tom King’s enlightening “DC Rebirth” series, this film promises to offer a more vibrant, whimsical take on a common criminal who, through a twist of fate, becomes embroiled in supervillain-level crimes that are well beyond his capabilities.

King developed Kite Man as a complex villain, not just a one-dimensional character, by providing him with a backstory and an origin that connects him to Batman, The Joker, and The Riddler. If the story successfully combines comedy and superhero elements, it could result in a captivating black comedy. Given the success of Kite Man’s animated series on Max, a movie adaptation seems even more promising.

Lex Luthor

As a devoted cinephile, I firmly believe that Lex Luthor deserves his own standalone film, drawing inspiration from Brian Azzarello’s captivating mini-series, “Lex Luthor: Man of Steel.” In this comics narrative, we delve deep into the mind of Lex, his perspective on Metropolis, and the profound mistrust he harbors towards Superman. His relentless pursuit is to safeguard our world from the “alien” who is trusted more by the public than him.

In this portrayal, I step into the shoes of a Lex Luthor who engages in strategic chess games rather than impulsive checkers matches. This new take on my character presents a more nuanced version, one with straightforward motives and a departure from the previous depiction as an unbridled maniacal killer. Superman isn’t merely my adversary; he poses a threat to Earth according to my perspective. Meanwhile, I view myself as the epitome of human intellect, working tirelessly to safeguard our planet.

Vandall Savage

A timeless antagonist who gained immortality during his early days as a Cro-Magnon man, Vandal Savage could make an engaging character in a grand cinematic saga that spans across time. This storyline could trace the persistent villain’s footsteps throughout history, depicting his power grabs and alleged identities as various influential figures such as Sumer, Genghis Khan, and Julius Caesar among others.

In contrast to previous events, Savage acknowledges his villainous nature and is striving to manipulate history using his abilities. This storyline is grander than the film “Joker“, yet it continues to highlight an unconventional character typically associated with evil deeds. What does a lifetime of dominance symbolize?

The Rogues

It’s questionable whether I’m bending the rules by grouping all the Rogues in a single entry, but personally, it seems implausible for these villains to abandon each other while serving time in prison. Given that they work together to challenge The Flash, it makes sense that they would cooperate to escape from prison as quickly as possible.

The movie’s plot revolves around Captain Cold, Mirror Master, Weather Wizard, and their comrades as they struggle in prison, concoct an escape strategy, and fight for survival against rivals they’ve clashed with on the city streets. This setup promises a captivating film and narrative, potentially even paving the way for a Flash appearance towards the end.

Parasite

In the DC Rebirth period, Rudy Jones, famously known as one of Superman’s toughest adversaries, Parasite, undergoes a transformation. He renounces his criminal past and joins Superman’s team, the Supercorp company. Now, he’s forsaking his life of crime and relies on a unique bracelet to power his body instead.

Introducing a former antagonist into a noble group: This ex-villain seeks redemption as a member of a fresh heroic association. Will he sustain this transformation, or is he fated to revert back to his criminal ways? Make up your mind by watching the movie!

Deathstroke

In conclusion, we find Slade Wilson, commonly recognized as Deathstroke, who stands out as the Teen Titans’ formidable nemesis and an anti-hero with a significant following. His roles as an assassin have also gained him immense popularity. Any cinematic adaptation of Deathstroke should center around these aspects. He is among the planet’s deadliest assassins and has evolved significantly throughout his villainous career.

Deathstroke’s character carries a rich history, often depicted as being well-prepared or one step ahead during his missions. The fact that a solo Deathstroke film was almost made suggests its potential success, similar to the acclaimed Joker. The prospect of Slade teaming up with Bane has definitely piqued our interest…

Disagree with our choices? Sound off in the comments with your take on any possible movies.

2025-04-04 23:42

10 DC Villains Deserving Their Own Movie After Joker’s Success