5 Wasted Snyderverse Characters Who Desperately Need a Second Chance in James Gunn’s DCU

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The films directed by Zack Snyder – Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, and Zack Snyder’s Justice League – are still a very divisive topic among superhero movie fans. While Snyder created a unique style and gained a dedicated following, the stories in these films felt rushed and struggled to connect with wider audiences. Warner Bros. tried to quickly build a universe like Marvel’s, but focused too much on setting up big events instead of developing the characters. This led to overly complicated plots with too many heroes and villains, preventing them from being fully realized. As a result, many beloved DC characters felt underdeveloped or were reduced to quick appearances, failing to capture the complexity they have in the comics.

Following the end of the previous DC film universe, James Gunn and Peter Safran are creating a new DC Universe focused on strong characters and storytelling. They’re taking their time building the universe, letting different stories develop naturally, so when the Justice League finally comes together, it will feel like a genuine accomplishment, not just something forced by executives. This approach has already worked well with the film Superman, which successfully introduced David Corenswet as the new Man of Steel and featured popular takes on Lex Luthor and Jimmy Olsen. The upcoming Mister Miracle series will also allow the villain Darkseid to grow as a powerful threat before he faces the heroes. As this universe expands, it has the potential to give new life to characters that didn’t get the attention they deserved in the previous films.

5) Deathstroke

The way Slade Wilson, a.k.a. Deathstroke (played by Joe Manganiello), was handled is a perfect illustration of how the Snyderverse often focused more on setting up future storylines than telling a complete story right away. Deathstroke first appeared briefly after the credits of Justice League, meeting with Lex Luthor to hint at a possible team-up. While the character looked great and stayed true to the comics, he never got to really fight or show off his strategic skills. This was even more disappointing when Ben Affleck’s planned Batman movie – which would have featured Deathstroke as the main villain – was cancelled. A separate solo film directed by Gareth Evans was also scrapped, meaning we never got to see much of Deathstroke’s background as a highly trained soldier.

Deathstroke, arguably the world’s most dangerous assassin, should be a major character in the new DC Universe, not just a supporting one. He presents a truly difficult physical and mental challenge for Batman and his allies, making him perfect for a thrilling, action-packed story. Luckily, a Deathstroke and Bane movie is currently being made for the DCU, which could give this villain the spotlight he deserves.

4) Martian Manhunter

Martian Manhunter was secretly General Swanwick (Harry Lennix) throughout Zack Snyder’s films, but this clever idea didn’t quite work. It made the character feel unimportant to the story. Though Snyder tried to explain his presence later, the reveal didn’t have the impact it should have. As a key member of the Justice League, Martian Manhunter should have played a bigger part in defending Earth, both against Steppenwolf and during the events of Man of Steel.

The previous DC films missed a chance to really develop Martian Manhunter, portraying him as a tragic, isolated character and a unique link between Earth and other worlds. Even a potentially touching scene with Lois Lane felt artificial, as it was revealed to be a disguise. In the new DC Universe, Martian Manhunter deserves a more significant role, one that emphasizes his inherent sadness and allows him to become a central, emotionally resonant figure, rather than just a brief appearance for fans.

3) Barry Allen

Although Ezra Miller played The Flash in several movies, the character’s portrayal strayed from the capable and skilled Flash seen in the comics. Miller’s version was often depicted as awkward and mainly used for humor, with an overly energetic personality that became tiresome for many viewers as the films continued.

The 2023 film The Flash tried to delve into the character’s feelings using the “Flashpoint” storyline, but it suffered from problems with the special effects and a confusing mix of silly humor and serious sadness. The movie’s version of Barry Allen, who is supposed to be a capable scientist and inspiring hero, often came across as an exaggerated and immature portrayal. James Gunn’s new DC Universe needs a Flash who truly represents the “Fastest Man Alive” – someone with the maturity and heroic qualities that were lacking in the previous, more adolescent take on the character.

2) Doomsday

Doomsday’s appearance in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice felt like a missed opportunity. The film treated one of Superman’s most powerful and terrifying enemies as just another monster in the final act. In the comics, Doomsday’s arrival is a huge, world-threatening event, but the movie version mostly served to quickly kill off Superman (Henry Cavill).

The script also weakened General Zod (Michael Shannon) by turning him into a simple, unthinking creature, removing the complex, frightening motivations he usually has. This made him a one-time threat, and DCU should learn from this by bringing back Doomsday as a powerful, intelligent being with a strong connection to Krypton’s history.

1) Joker

Jared Leto’s portrayal of the Joker didn’t live up to its potential in the DC Extended Universe, largely because of its unusual look and a lack of clear purpose within the story. While appearing both as a heavily tattooed gangster in Suicide Squad and a rugged survivor in Zack Snyder’s Justice League, this Joker never developed the crucial, defining conflict with Batman that’s central to DC Comics. Instead of being a thoughtful foil to Bruce Wayne, Leto’s version felt like a risky stylistic choice that focused on being shocking rather than embodying the Joker’s signature brand of carefully planned mayhem.

Because the Snyderverse was incomplete, Batman and the Joker never had a definitive showdown, leaving a major gap in the story of Gotham. While the Joker has been portrayed in many different ways since then, he’s still Batman’s most famous enemy, and any new Batman story needs to include him. James Gunn’s DC Universe has a great chance to bring the Joker back to his classic portrayal, emphasizing the mental games and dramatic flair that make him such a compelling villain.

If James Gunn and Peter Safran were to reboot a character from Zack Snyder’s DC films, who would you choose? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-01-27 18:17