This is the age of comic book movies, with Marvel and DC dominating the box office. Whether it is Disney, or Warner Bros., or 20th Century Fox, the biggest revenues are won by superhero flicks (and Star Wars, of course). Which is great - and it’s even better when the stories are awesome. Of course, there are hiccups here and there from this point of view. However, it still works!
Thus, while Captain America and Iron Man, Superman and Batman, and Wolverine and Magneto steal the show every time they are on screen, they couldn't do it without their trusty supporting characters. And, to be honest, sometimes these characters work even better than the lead - just check out Michael Peña's Luis or even The Winter Soldier himself.
Sometimes these secondary characters are just too good to stay in the background. So which ones actually deserve their own spin-offs? Here are my thoughts about it.
And, to make it interesting, I won't name the obvious superheroes/supervillains, such as Harley Quinn and Black Widow. And I won't even touch Hulk! Check it out!
Stan Lee
Weird, isn't it? Stan Lee is the one guy you expect to see in all superhero flicks coming from Marvel. In a way, he is the only presence that ties the entire shared universe together. Even more, given his appearances in the Fox Mutant Shared Universe, he actually creates a multiverse out of the MCU and the X-Men flicks.
So what if, in a way, he is actually the One Above All from the comics? What if he is that omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent being, who doesn't even care which studio makes the movie? If he wants to be there, then he will be there!
Even in the comics, the One Above All is a mysterious being. So, basically, any story can be created about it. But what would be better would be a meta-movie, a film about the creation of film. It could be a comedy, as well as a drama or an action flick. It could break the fourth wall, and it could be oblivious of the existence of the audiences.
It wouldn't be the average superhero film in any way. And that's why I'd watch it.
Rogue
I know - Rogue is nowhere to be seen in the X-Men universe at the moment. However, since Gambit will be made (apparently), there is no way she won't pop up again. But does she deserve a spin-off of her own?
Of course she does! I wasn't the biggest Rogue fan when Anna Paquin portrayed her. And that is because the character kept only her rather lame superpowers. However, even so, she did have potential, which wasn't explored, unfortunately.
So a spin-off should bring back the superpowers she possesses in the comics, but should also deal with the character's fragility. In this way, she would be torn - even more messed up than Wolverine himself.
An origin story would be great for this character. However, I wouldn't mind it if a first film just teased it. Quite frankly, I would rather see Gambit as a supporting character for her, rather than seeing Rogue taking a secondary role in a Gambit movie.
Katana
As I’ve said, I won't touch Harley Quinn - however, among all the Suicide Squad members we saw this year, Katana deserves a spin-off more than any other. Yes, even more than Harley. And that is because we haven't even had a taste of this amazing character and what she can do.
Thus, while the trailer teased her character and her sword, Katana was relegated to the distant background in the film. Which is quite a shame. Maybe a movie about her origin would show why she was chosen to join the Suicide Squad as a protector for Rick Flag.
She must have some pretty awesome skills, right? I'd love to actually see them.
But maybe it shouldn't be an origin story. We already caught a glimpse of how troubled she is. So maybe a spin-off should deal with this - how she lost someone she loved and how she, eventually, managed to get her revenge. Thus, she will also have learned that vengeance wasn't what she needed.
There are so many ways a Katana flick could go. Even without mentioning other superheroes. So Warner Bros. should make up for the lack of presence from Suicide Squad and do Katana some justice.
Loki
You've thought about this as well - Loki, the best villain of the big screen MCU, should have been kept for a movie of his own. Instead of that, he was literally wasted in Thor: The Dark World and he became, basically, a James Bond villain in The Avengers.
But justice can be made with a spin-off. Even if I don't know what role he'll play in Thor: Ragnarok, I'd want to see what happened with Loki well before that. And that particular time frame is exactly between the moment he fell from the Bifrost and the moment he was revealed to control Selvig.
And I am interested in seeing this because it would show the kind of deal Loki made with Thanos (with the Mad Titan having just a small cameo).
I know - Thanos is coming, Loki is probably at the end of his career in the MCU, so what is the point? Well, other than the fact that a spin-off/prequel would explain a couple of things, Tom Hiddleston will have the occasion to shine again and have the entire focus on him.
And I guess there are quite a few fans out there who want this.
Negasonic Teenage Warhead and Colossus
Yes, these are two characters - but they seem to be like oil and water. Deadpool said it better as far as Negasonic Teenage Warhead is concerned. And she is in no way the serious and morally outstanding Colossus. So a movie about these two would be a more than welcome comedy.
Just have them go on a mission somewhere - I'm not at all interested in seeing origin stories for them. It's the duo that seems very appealing.
Some cameos would work - for example, a Professor X or a Beast telling them what their next mission is. And from here on, it would be like a buddy-cop comedy, in which (obviously) the partners don't necessarily see eye to eye.
I am actually a bit nostalgic about this genre - Lethal Weapon, and for that matter Die Hard with a Vengeance, are among my favorite movies. So add a cheesy villain, mix with Negasonic Teenage Warhead and Colossus, and I am certain this will be a success.
Enchantress - The Prequel
By far, Enchantress was the worst character in the entire Suicide Squad movie. Even so, I do believe that there is a ton of potential in this character, even if I don't peek at the comics. Thus, it would be interesting to see how Enchantress, a regular goddess for that matter, got captured in the first place.
Thus, a spin-off movie would explain a lot about her - including her weird dancing from the Suicide Squad finale. But, even more than that, it would pave the way for a comeback in the DCEU.
Thus, a prequel will establish her as an actually powerful supervillain, one that cannot be killed so easily (after all, there must be a reason why she was confined and not killed in the first place). Maybe a cameo from Black Adam would explain a couple of things.
Or, even better, maybe a brief appearance by Wonder Woman would reveal why and how she was imprisoned.
Oh, and Cara Delevingne shouldn't return. There are tons of actresses better than she is, even if they don't have a huge fan base, as Delevingne has. Just imagine how a prequel clears things up and how a further installment sees Enchantress clashing with the Justice League Dark.
Twins
Until Doctor Strange arrives, there will be no magic in the MCU. Even if Scarlet Witch is one of the strongest Avengers, her powers are technology-based. Basically, she is the equal of Vision from this point of view.
But there are still many unknowns as far as her skill set is concerned. She has been dumbed down for the movies, obviously, but she is also inconsistent. And that is why a prequel about her origins would do the character good.
This is also a chance to bring back Quicksilver. What did Baron Strucker do to them? How did he transfer the power of the Mind Stone into them? And, more importantly, are there any limitations to their powers?
I am not even mentioning the special relationship they had in the comics…
I believe that such a film would be great, since it would also be a preparation toward the Infinity War. A heavy-hitter such as Scarlet Witch will have great importance in the events to come. Understanding her is, thus, essential.
Plus, who doesn't want to see more of Elizabeth Olsen?
The Collector
While Benicio del Toro can do action and suspense, a Collector movie wouldn't be that. Instead, I see it as a flick in the vein of No Country for Old Men, with the Collector being Chigurh. Instead of chasing a briefcase filled with money, he would be searching for the Infinity Stones.
While he was a bit weird in the first MCU appearance, del Toro proved why he is one of the best actors in Hollywood. Although he had a small part, his role in Guardians of the Galaxy revealed the Collector as being more than we believed.
Thus, a solo movie about him would also explain more about his species, the Elders of the Universe, especially since the Grandmaster will arrive in Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. II. We would finally understand what he is (thus having a clearer picture about the powerful beings in the MCU) and we would also understand what his plans are.
Come on - he can't be working for Thanos.
Apocalypse
I can't be the only one who believes that Apocalypse was wasted this year. While he can be said to be unidimensional as a villain, his influence cannot be contested - as seen in the opening credits of X-Men: Apocalypse, he had an impact on most of the major events throughout history.
And then it was revealed that he stayed trapped for millennia. What a waste.
Anyway, in order to not mess up the timeline even more, a movie about him (featuring Oscar Isaac again, of course) should pick up from a point in time before he was buried. And this time around it should be revealed how he managed to acquire all of his power.
In the comics at least, he is enhanced by Celestial technology. If Fox wants to expand the shared universe, this is a detail that shouldn't be missed. Furthermore, the character is connected to Mr. Sinister (teased in Deadpool) and Cable (also Deadpool). So it makes a bit of sense from this point of view as well.
Thank goodness, there are plenty of stories that can be told. I'd watch a movie about him.
Warriors Three + Lady Sif
If there were ever underused characters in comic book movies, the Warrior's Three and Lady Sif are the ones. They do get a piece of the action when they appear on screen, but not too much. And it is a shame. I'd be interested in seeing these characters in their own movie.
Maybe they go searching for an artifact. Maybe they introduce a new species in the MCU (the Korbinites). Maybe they just sit and drink and eat and tell stories. I'd watch that, even if the stories aren't true.
And I'm not interested in cameos from Thor or Loki. The movie should just expand the Asgardian mythology and, if possible, the MCU as a whole. The chemistry between them is undeniable, and an ensemble movie about the Warriors Three and Lady Sif would bring these characters much deserved fame.
Here's a great chance to introduce the Valkyries! I know we'll see less and less of Asgard as the MCU moves forward, but they should be in it nonetheless.
The Mandarin
Okay - so this won't be a spin-off, but rather a fourth Iron Man film. Or it needn't be that - the Mandarin can face any others if Robert Downey, Jr. doesn't want to do a fourth installment in the franchise. It would be a wasted opportunity if this doesn't happen.
Maybe after HYDRA is finally defeated, the Mandarin can emerge as the ultimate threat on Earth. He has the power, so why not?
Obviously, you also know that the supervillain has been teased before. And you also know that Marvel actually tried to apologize for the twist from Iron Man 3 by making All Hail the King. A better apology would be if the studio actually brought the villain to life.
Here's an idea - have Black Widow and Hawkeye (who are, basically, useless in fights with superhumans) follow the trail (you know, Steve Trevor being kidnapped from prison) and find the real Mandarin. And then establish him as a true threat.
That'd be great, wouldn't it?
Doctor Doom
I'm not crazy - Doctor Doom should live. Even if it is just in the Fox Shared Universe. And that is because he is one of the most awesome villains of all time. Does the Fant4stic version deserve such an honor? Yes and no - yes, because Toby Kebbell is an awesome actor and actually made the best of the script, and no because, well, it is Fant4stic.
I have no idea where this movie could be set. However, it is an opportunity which should be explored, since it can connect with the larger X-Men universe. I know some of you might disagree, if not all of you. However, is it better to have no Doom at all?
Whether it would be a launching pad for the Fantastic Four franchise or not, this movie could improve the shabby X-Men universe. And I do want that - three shared universes are better than just two.
Rocket and Groot
How did these two become friends? What did they do before joining Star Lord in the fight against Ronan? How are they so knowledgeable when it comes to the scum of the universe? There are plenty of questions to be asked and quite a few stories to be told.
Of course - maybe Rocket and Groot are better off in the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise. However, as the heroes who stole the show, they deserve their own spin-off.
And this is an opportunity for the studio to make some cash from merchandise, as well. Throw in some alien species (the Korbinites again) and you have even more toys to sell.
It would be amazingly fun - but only if the stakes aren't too high. Who knows? Maybe Rocket asks Groot for help in order to have his vengeance on those who created him.
Doctor Manhattan
With Rebirth, DC Comics has come up with a great idea - how to incorporate one of the most powerful beings in the timeline. So what if Warner Bros. follows the same example and sets Doctor Manhattan as one of the architects of the DCEU?
He is superpowerful (what do you call someone who can create life out of boredom?), he is omnipresent, and he knows his own future. I have no idea how the studio would manage this, but it would be great.
This would be a great chance to introduce some other uber-powerful beings in the shared universe. But, even if not, who doesn't want to see a big blue guy wearing no pants at all for an entire movie?
What do you think? What other secondary comic book movie characters deserve a spin-off?
