The Arrowverse often puts its own spin on established characters. Since the show couldn’t use Batman, they transformed Oliver Queen into a character similar to Bruce Wayne, leading him down a darker path and ultimately inspiring him to become a nighttime crime fighter. This also meant reimagining the villains. A prime example is Adrian Chase, who differs greatly from his comic book version. Instead of a complex anti-hero, he’s portrayed as a ruthless killer determined to destroy Oliver’s life, even committing horrific acts like harming those closest to him.
As a big DC fan, I’ve noticed some villains just work right out of the gate – they’re already compelling and get the attention they deserve, even in major films. But honestly, even a great movie villain can be elevated, and that’s where The CW’s Arrowverse really shines. I think they actually improved upon some of these characters. Here are five DC villains I believe were better developed in the Arrowverse than in the films.
5) Deathstroke
Slade Wilson, also known as Deathstroke, is a major force in animated shows and movies. However, his appearances in live-action films haven’t quite lived up to that potential. While he’s been in both versions of the Justice League movie, those films only hint at his full capabilities instead of showcasing them properly.
The Arrowverse quickly introduces Slade Wilson as a major player. He really comes into his own during the second season of Arrow, arriving in Star City and causing significant trouble for Oliver. Their confrontations are always intense and action-packed.
4) Ra’s al Ghul
After dealing with Slade, Oliver encounters an even greater threat: Ra’s al Ghul. As the ruthless leader of the League of Assassins, Ra’s shows no compassion and is willing to kill anyone who stands in his way. Oliver initially struggles to defeat him, suffering a near-fatal loss in a battle on a mountaintop.
In Batman Begins, the Dark Knight faces a comparable situation, but Christopher Nolan’s portrayal of Ra’s al Ghul feels different. Unlike other villains, he doesn’t get his hands dirty, instead relying on someone like Scarecrow to help him achieve his plans.
3) Lex Luthor
Nicholas Hoult plays a truly frightening Lex Luthor – one who relentlessly pursues Superman’s destruction and will stop at nothing to achieve it. However, despite his villainy, this version of Lex Luthor still feels underdeveloped as a character.
Jon Cryer’s portrayal of Lex Luthor stands out because he’s not afraid to abandon his usual narrow focus. He doesn’t limit his conflicts to Superman; he clashes with Supergirl and other heroes from the Arrowverse too. During the ‘Crisis on Infinite Earths’ event, Lex even cleverly positions himself as one of the Paragons, demonstrating his willingness to seize any advantage.
2) Deadshot
The 2016 film Suicide Squad wasn’t particularly impressive. Most of the characters felt underdeveloped, although Harley Quinn and Deadshot were notable exceptions. Even Deadshot, played by Will Smith, remained largely self-serving, only acting heroically when it suited his own interests.
Floyd Lawton starts out as a simple, highly-skilled assassin in the Arrowverse. However, working alongside Diggle and the team in Task Force X changes him, and he gradually evolves into more of a hero than a villain. Ultimately, he proves his heroic turn by sacrificing himself to save Diggle’s life.
1) Savitar
It’s a little tricky to discuss Savitar’s movie appearances because he doesn’t actually appear in a film. However, an evil version of Barry Allen causes trouble in the 2023 movie The Flash, and that’s the closest we get. The villain in Andy Muschietti’s film is driven by a desperate desire to save his mother and defeat Zod, but this obsession ultimately leads to his downfall and throws the entire movie off track.
The Arrowverse features a storyline where Barry Allen becomes dangerously unstable. After Team Flash rejected him, Savitar sought revenge with a carefully crafted plan designed to challenge Barry and force him into difficult decisions.
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2026-01-01 19:12